Herbal
‘Actions’
The actions, or effects, of herbs are the basic elements of the
herbalist’s language. You will hear talk of ‘diaphoretic’
herbs to manage fevers; of ‘anthelmintic’ infusions
from Wormwood and Black Walnut; of ‘rubefacient’ compresses
and fomentations. These classifications of herbs allow you to both
communicate quickly with other herbalists on treatment strategies,
and to instantly get a general idea of what a given herb can do.
So here is a good list of some herbal actions, describing what each
means in terms of its effect on the body system, along with some
herbs that are good examples of the class:
Adaptogens
These herbs allow the body to adapt, or respond with increased efficiency,
to internal and external stresses. Used for stamina, endurance,
maintaining a high energy level during times of depletion, and as
aids in convalescence (if the patient is not too weak). American
Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a classic adaptogen.
Alteratives
This broad class identifies herbs that are able to gently ‘alter’
a condition, or initiate changes for the better. This is usually
accomplished by aiding in gentle elimination and detoxification;
they are often called ‘blood cleansers’ (see more under
lymphatics). Red Clover (Trifolium praetense) is a great example.
Anodynes
Pain killers, plain and simple ~ although less intense than narcotics
such as the Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum). Here you will find
such herbs as White Willow (Salix alba) or Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus
stolonifera). They serve to lessen the pain of inflammation, although
not all will actually reduce the inflammation itself (see anti-inflammatories).
Anti-catarrhals
Catarrh is mucus, specifically of the upper respiratory pathways,
and these herbs serve to thin mucus secretions and reduce sinus
congestion. They can also be used for the lungs, although aren’t
as effective in loosening deep-seated mucus as the more stimulating
expectorants. Catnip (Nepeta caaeria) is one example.
Anti-depressants
These are herbs that can help in cases of mild-to-moderate depression,
or deficiency of nervous impulse. They are a more powerful nervine,
and can help in a variety of stagnant conditions. Perhaps the most
famous is St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), although
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is excellent as well.
Anti-fungals
As the name implies, these herbs are used for fungal infections
of many different varieties, starting with candida (yeast infections
and thrush, as well as gastrointestinal candidiasis) and including
such conditions as athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and vitiligo.
My favorite is Spilanthes (Spilanthes acmella); Garlic is another
excellent one.
Anti-histamines
Most often used to counteract the symptoms of allergies, anti-histamines
are useful to reduce any type of inflammation, specifically in the
airway. Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) and Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) are
useful, as is Red Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma tsugae).
Anti-inflammatories
This broad class of herbs serves to reduce inflammation from sprains,
strains, headaches, wounds, or chronic internal conditions. Many
herbs possess some degree of anti-inflammatory activity; Arnica
(Arnica spp.), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), and Turmeric (Curcuma
longa).
Anti-bacterials
These herbs are our best disinfectants, and are often used externally
either as a preventative against infection, or to cure one if it
has set in. You can also use them for internal bacterial diseases,
such as food poisoning (as a tea) or sinus infection (in a Neti
pot, or as a snuff). Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) features
prominently, but don’t forget Garlic, Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
or Ti Tree (Malaleuca alternifolia).
Anthelmintics
These remedies focus on removing parasites, like amoebas, tapeworms,
or other worms, usually lodged somewhere in the gastrointestinal
tract. They are usually a bit toxic and pretty intense (which is
how they accomplish the deed!). As the name implies, Wormwood (Artemisia
absinthium) is a prime representative.
Anti-nauseants
For upset stomachs and to counteract the feeling of needing to ‘throw
up’, these herbs are also very good for motion sickness. Ginger
(Zingiber officinale) is by far the best.
Anti-rheumatics
These are specific anti-inflammatories designed to address the more
generalized pain in muscles and bones that characterizes rheumatism.
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is excellent and specifically anti-rheumatic,
although most anti-inflammatories will have some of this action
as well.
Anti-spasmodics
A special kind of muscle relaxants, they help ease spasms and cramps
and are also very helpful in gently relaxing the extremities of
the body. This can be useful in treating a variety of conditions,
from anxiety and ‘nervousness’, to hypertension, to
cold hands and feet. Members of the Viburnum genus (Black Haw, Crampbark)
are the classics.
Anti-virals
These herbs are usually immunostimulants with a special power to
destroy viral pathogens (common cold, flu, hepatitis, HIV, etc…).
A variety of herbs possess this quality, including Licorice (Glycyrrhiza
glabra), Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia), and St.
John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Aperients
These are mild laxatives that are not habit forming ~ a term often
used is ‘stool softeners’. Yellowdock (Rumex crispus)
is an extremely gentle, curative and nourishing aperient.
Astringents
Most good wound-worts are mildly astringent, meaning they dry out
the tissues and reduce the flux of moisture, be it blood, saliva,
diarrhea, or what have you. They are also effective at ‘sucking
out’ toxins and poisons from the skin. They always create
a puckering effect when chewed, and are tonifying to tissue. Oak
bark (Quercus spp.) comes to mind.
Cardio-tonics
These herbs have a special affinity to the heart, regulating its
beat, moderating hypertension, and usually tonifying that great
muscle that keeps us alive. Hawthorn (Crategus spp.) is the best
cardio-tonic we have, although Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is
good to remember.
Carminatives
A great after-dinner treat, these herbs relieve the bloating and
gassiness that can follow a meal. They are usually highly aromatic
(which makes them rich in volatile oils, primarily responsible for
their powers). Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Fennel (Foeniculum
vulgare) have a long history of use as carminatives.
Cholagogues
This action comes from the Greek choler, meaning bile, and as such
have a cleansing and stimulating effect on the liver and gallbladder,
allowing for the release of more bile. This is helpful in aiding
digestion, especially in the lower intestinal tract. Your classic
bitters, like Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) fall under this
category.
Demulcents
Soothing herbs, rich in mucilage (slimy stuff), used either externally
or internally to mechanically relieve inflammation. Demulcents coat.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) and Cornsilk (Zea mays) are good
examples.
Diaphoretics
These herbs encourage elimination through sweat. Most will induce
sweat at any time, giving the body a pleasant feeling of warmth,
although some will only do so if there is a fever. Yarrow (Achillea
millefolium) and Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) are good examples.
Most diaphoretics do best if taken as a warm tea (gee, I wonder
why?).
Diuretics
Here we have herbs which gently stimulate the elimination of water
through the kidneys, as urine. Coffee is a diuretic, and as many,
will slowly deplete your body of important electrolytes (primarily
Potassium) through the urine. Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinalis)
is a notable exception: it contains so many minerals, it leaves
your body with a net gain.
Emmenagogues
As old herbalists used to say, these herbs ‘bring down the
menses’, that is, encourage menstruation, usually by slightly
irritating the uterine lining. For obvious reasons, they are severely
contraindicated during pregnancy. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is
the most famous.
Expectorants
Sometimes a cough is healthy, and needs to be encouraged in order
to loosen and remove old mucus deposits. This is particularly the
case after a few days of a cold, or bronchial infection, and expectorant
herbs will accomplish this task and prevent worse conditions from
setting in. Elecampane (Inula helenium) is my first choice.
Galactagogues
These herbs encourage the production of breast milk, especially
in the first few days after giving birth. Fenugreek (Trigonella
foenum-graecum) is the best, along with Blessed Thistle (Cnicus
benedictus).
Hepato-protectants
The liver was called hepatos in Greek, so this action implies strong
liver-protection. These herbs are a must in cases of poisoning,
hepatitis, jaundice and cirrhosis, and can be used to help with
chemical sensitivities especially when coupled with an anti-histamine
herb. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is well-known as a hepatoprotectant.
Hypnotics
These are trance-inducing herbs: a little more than simple sedatives,
they can be very relaxing, useful in sleep conditions, headaches,
tension, and for addiction recovery. Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
and Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa) are some examples of this fairly
broad class.
Hypotensives
Hypertension means high blood pressure. These herbs relieve this
condition, by acting either on the heart, the arteries, the capillaries,
or the water balance in the body. For this reason you will find
such herbs as Garlic – a blood thinner; Hawthorn (Crategus
spp.) – a cardio-tonic; and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
– a diaphoretic; listed in this category.
Immunostimulants
As the name implies, these herbs boost our immunity. They are closely
allied to adaptogens, although less concerned with energy level
and stress protection. Some act in the short-term: Echinacea (E.
purpurea, E. angustifolia) is a famous example that works mostly
through its lymphatic and anti-viral powers, and others are much
gentler and longer term, like Astragalus (A. membranaceus) or Red
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsugae).
Laxatives
Stronger than the aperients, these herbs act fairly quickly to relieve
constipation. They can easily become habit-forming, and thus should
not be used for more than a few days at most. Senna (Cassia senna)
is the most well-known.
Lymphatics
Much of the power of the alteratives comes from this herbal action.
The lymph system, consisting of the spaces between the cells that
drain fluid into lymphatic vessels, on to lymph nodes, and from
there are returned to the bloodstream, is responsible for removing
many toxins and by-products of cellular metabolism and infection
from the body. The herbs that fall into this class aid in this process.
Echinacea (E. purpurea, E. angustifolia), Cleavers (Galium aparine),
and Calendula (C. officinalis) are some examples.
Relaxants
The relaxation this class implies works primarily on the musculature
(as opposed to the sedatives that work more on the nervous system).
This effect is important in anxiety, where muscle tension can aggravate
the condition, and in correcting sleep disturbances. Kava-Kava (Piper
methysticum) is an incredible relaxant.
Rubefacients
This word literally means ‘making-red’ – and that
is what rubefacient herbs do. Usually used externally, they are
topical irritants that stimulate blood flow to the tissues onto
which they are applied, relieving pain and improving circulation.
Cayenne (Piper spp.) and Mustard (Brassica nigra) are two examples.
You can probably picture how well these two would work – in
fact, you should be aware to use rubefacients only for short periods
of time (5 minutes or less).
Parturients
These are herbs that either tonify women’s bodies in preparation
for giving birth (Red Raspberry, Rubus idaeus, is the queen of these),
or gently encourage labor if it is ‘delayed’. Blue Cohosh
(Caulophyllum thalictroides) is used in these latter cases, but
remember that ‘lateness’ in delivery is a tricky concept,
and that use of the more intense parturient herbs should be done
only under the advice of a good midwife.
Sialogogues
Used to stimulate the flow of saliva, these herbs are also ‘activators’
for the whole digestive process which, after all, begins in the
mouth! The bitter flavor is a notable sialogogue. Spilanthes (S.
acmella) is an incredible example.
Sedatives
These nervine herbs function specifically to reduce the ‘chatter’
of the nervous system, encouraging sleep most directly. Their use
is usually not encouraged except in the hours before bed; Valerian
(Valeriana officinalis) and Hops (Humulus lupulus) are often used,
either alone or in combination.
Urinary antiseptics
These herbs are used for urinary tract and bladder / kidney infections
(including prostatic infection). They usually have a certain diuretic
component as well. Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is one example.
Vulneraries
These are the classic wound-worts, used to stop bleeding, relieve
pain, disinfect ~ and as such are usually astringent, anodyne, and
anti-bacterial. They are applied externally in cases of cuts, scrapes,
or other wounds. And although there are many, I cannot think of
a better vulnerary than Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Chew it up
and apply liberally!
