Medicinal Properties

Provided below is a very basic glossary, containing simple descriptions of some medicinal properties referred to on other herbal health pages in this site:

ADJUVENT: aids in the effects of principal ingredients
ALTERATIVE: produces gradual beneficial change in health, usually by improving nutrition
ANALGESIC: pain reliever; anodyne
ANESTHETIC: numbs, prevents or relieves pain
ANTHELMINTIC: destroys/expels intestinal worms; vermicide; vermifuge
ANTIBIOTIC: destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms
ANTIEMETIC: for treating nausea and vomiting
ANTIHYDROTIC: reduces or supresses perspiration
ANTI INFLAMMATORY: reduces inflammation
ANTILITHIC: reduces or supresses and dissolves urinary and/or kidney stones
ANTIRHEUMATIC: used in preventing, treating and curing rheumatic diseases
ANTISCORBUTIC: fights and helps prevent scurvy, due to high vitamin C content
ANTISEPTIC: destroys or inhibits pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria
ANTISPASMODIC: prevents and/or relieves spasms and cramps
ANTITUSSIVE: used in relieving cough and cold symptoms
APHRODISIAC: arouses or increases sexual desire or potency
APPETIZER: induces or increases appetite
ASTRINGENT: contracts organ tissue, reducing secretions or discharges
CALMATIVE: has a mild sedative or tranquilizing effect
CARDIAC: stimulates or otherwise effects the heart
CARDIOTONIC: tonic to benefit the heart
CARMINATIVE: expels gas from the intestines
COAGULANT: aids in the clotting of bodily fluids such as blood
CHOLAGOGUE: assists in the draining of bile from the gall bladder to the duodenum
DEMULCENT: soothes irritated tissue, especially mucous membranes
DEODERANT: destroys or masks body odor
DEPURATIVE: cleanses and purifies the blood
DIAPHORETIC: promotes perspiration; used in expelling poisons through sweat glands
DIGESTIVE: promotes or otherwise aids digestion
DIURETIC: increases expulsion/secretion of urine
EMETIC: causes vomiting; used in expelling ingested poisons
EMMENAGOGUE: used in regulating menstruation
EMOLLIENT: used externally to soften hair or skin
EXPECTORANT: promotes discharge of mucous from respiratory passages
FEBRIFUGE: reduces or eliminates fevers
HAEMOSTATIC: slows or stops bleeding
HYPOGLYCEMIC: decreases blood sugar levels
HYPOTENSIVE: reduces arterial blood pressure
LAXATIVE: mild purgative; promotes evacuation of the bowels; aperiant
NARCOTIC: induces sleep
NERVINE: acts on the nervous system
PECTORAL: remedy for pulmonary and other lung afflictions
PURGATIVE: promotes vigorous emptying of the bowels; used in expelling poisons
REFRIGERANT: lowers abnormally high body temperature
RESTORATIVE: restores consciousness/normal physiological activity
SEDATIVE: reduces nervousness, distress or irritation; promotes sleep
STIMULANT: quickens or increases nervous system and functioning ability of the nerves
STOMACHIC: strengthens, stimulates and tones the stomach
TONIC: strengthens all body systems
TRANQUILIZER: promotes sleep (powerful)
VASOCONSTRICTOR: narrows blood vessels, thereby raising blood pressure
VASODILATOR: widens blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure
VULNERARY: heals wounds