Herbs and Herbalism

Actions

Abortifacient

Can cause an abortion

Help to restore normal function to a certain part of the body..

They were once known as blood cleaners

Pain reliving

Diminishing sexual desire

These help to relieve pain

Combats acid imbalance

These help expel worms from the body.

Under the Medicine act most are no longer available as they are toxic in large doses

Reduces symptoms of allergy

Combats anaemia

Combats arthritis

They help to remove excess bile from the body,

Destroys or prevents bacteria

These help remove excess catarrh from the body

Prevents blood clotting

Helps controls convulsions

Uplifting

Helps combats diarrhoea

Relieves toothache

These help reduce the feeling of nausea and vomiting

Reduces the flow of breast milk

Helps to combat haemorrhage or bleeding

Treats allergies

Helps to combat infections

These help reduce inflammations.

These help prevent the formation of stones or gravel in the urinary system

These help the body destroy or resist pathogenic microorganisms

Reduces nerve pain

Prevents or delays deterioration

Reduces inflammation

Prevents itching

Delays the decomposition of animal and vegetable material

Prevents fever

Helps to relieve rheumatism

Prevents the hardening of the tissues in chronic inflammation

Helps to prevent scurvy

Helps control the production of sebum

Antiseptic

Restricts growth of bacteria

These prevent or ease spasms or cramp in the body.

Antisudorfic

Counteracts perspiration

Counteracts the effects of toxicity

Relieve coughs

Counteracts poison

Controls viruses

These are mild laxatives

Stimulates appetite

Stimulates sexual desire

These have a strong and often pleasant smell. They can often stimulate the digestive system.

This is the action of tannins. They contract tissues and therefore reduce secretions, discharges, swellings etc

Combats bacteria

Soothes and softens phlegm

Eases cough

These have a bitter taste and stimulate the digestive system

Cardiac

Stimulates and aids the heart

Stimulates and aids the heart

Carminative

These are rich in volatile oils.

There stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive system.

Aids disorders of the head

These stimulate the release of bile from the gall bladder

Stimulates bile production

Promotes the formation of scar tissue

Cordial

A heart tonic

Encourages cell growth

Poisonous to all cells

Eases nasal mucous

Prevents body odour

These are rich in mucilage and sooths and protect internal tissue.

Purifies the blood

Neutralises toxic substances

 These aid the skin in the eliminations of toxins and promote perspiration.

Aids digestion

Destroys germs

These increase the elimination of urine

These can cause vomiting especially in high doses

These stimulate and normalise menstrual flow.

These are applied to the skin to soften, soothe or protect.

Treats warts

Induces a feeling of well being

These support the body in removal of excess mucus from the body.

These help bring down a fever

Slows down the rate of evaporation of the volatile ingredients of a perfume

Destroys fungal infections

They increase breast milk in mothers

Destroys germs and micro organisms

Hallucinogenic

Causes visions or delusions

Haemostatic

These help staunch the flow of blood.

These aid the liver and increase the flow of bile.

Toxic to the liver

Raises blood pressue

These aid sleep

Lowers blood sugar levels

Lowers the blood pressure

Stimulates the immune system

Kills insects

Prevents or kills larvae

These promote the activity of the bowels.

Breaks down fat

These contain gelatinous constituents and are often demulcent and emollient

Breaks down mucous

Sleep inducing. In large doses intoxicating or poisonous

Nervine

These benefit the nervous system and help strength it. Some are stimulants and some are relaxants.

Poisonous to the nervous system

These stimulate the contraction of the uterus and can therefore aid childbirth.

Discourages and eliminates parasites

Promotes and eases labour

These have a strengthening and healing effect on the respiratory system.

Destroys lice

Helps tp prevent disease

Causes evacuation pf the bowels

Helps to balance the functions of the body

Relieves tension

Dissolves boils and swellings

Restores and revives health

These cause redness and irritate the skin when applied. This is because they encourage blood to flow to that part of the body to promote healing

These calm the nervous system

These promote the stimulate of salvia

These promote sleep

Relieves muscle cramps or spasm

A tonic for the spleen

Stimulant

These quicken the physiological function of the body

Relieves gastric disorders

Styptic

These reduce or stop external bleeding

Arrests external bleeding

Tonic

These strengthen either specific organs or the entire body.

A tonic for the uterus

Vasoconstrictor

Local application causes contraction of the blood vessels

Local application causes dilation of the blood vessels

Vermifuge

Works to expel worms

Vulnerary

These are applied externally and aid the body in healing wounds and cuts.

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