The following is a list of terms you should be very familiar with before attempting to work with herbs. It is very important that you know which of the following terms apply to which herbs before beginning your work.

ABORTIFACIENT---an herb or other means which induces premature expulsion of a fetus. Do NOT use lightly! You must know what you are doing here, too little will result in birth defects, too much will kill the patient.

ACRID--having a biting taste or causes heart and irritation when applied to the skin.

ADJUVANT--an herb used to aid the effect of a principal ingredient when added to an herbal mixture.

ALTERNATIVE--indicates a substance which alters a condition by producing a gradual change in the health.

ANALGESIC--relives or diminishes pain a/k/a ANODYNE.

ANAPHRODISIAC--reduces sexual desire.

ANTHELMINITIC--expels intestinal worms (or destroys them).

ANTIBIOTIC--destroys or arrest micro-organisms.

ANTICOAGULANT--Prevents the blood from clotting.

ANTIDOTE--an agent which counters the effects of poison or other medicines.

ANTIEMETIC--Counters nausea and ceases vomiting.

ANTIHYDROTIC--reduces perspiration.

ANTILITHIC--reduces urinary stones and helps dissolve them.

ANTIPERIODIC--counteracts intermittent disease like malaria.

ANTIPHLOGISTIC--reduces inflammation.

ANTIPYRETIC--prevents or reduces fever.

ANTISEPTIC--destroys or inhibits bacteria.

ANTISPASMODIC--prevents or relieves spasms or cramps.

ANTITUSSIVE--relieves coughing.

APHRODISIAC--stimulates sexual desire.

APERIENT--herbals that act as mild laxatives.

APPETIZER--stimulates the appetite.

AROMATIC--herbs or agents that have a fragrant smell and produce a pungent taste.

ASTRINGENT--causes contraction of tissues.

BALSAMIC--a healing or soothing herb or agent.

CARDIAC--having an effect on the heart.

CARMINATIVE--expels gas from stomach, intestines or bowels.

CATHARTIC--strong laxative than APERIENT

CHOLAGOGUE--increases flow of bile and it's expulsion.

CORDIAL--invigorating herb.

DEMULCENT--soothing, bland. Used to relieve internal inflammations.

DEPRESSANT--eases nervousness.

DIAPHORETIC--increase the eliminative secretions through the sweat glands, facilitates elimination of toxic and accumulative waste matter.

DIURETIC--promotes the flow of urine

EMETIC--causes evacuation of the stomach contents by inducting vomiting.

EMMENAGOGUE--acts on the reproductive system, strengths and balances the cellular tissues by regulating the body's hormonal flow.

EUPHORANT--brings an abnormal sense of vigor.

EPISPASTIC--causes blisters when applied;plies to the surface of the skin.

FEBRIFIGE--reduces fever.

GALACTAGOGUE--increased the flow of mothers milk.

HEMOSTATIC--capable of slowing down or stopping hemorrhage.

HEPATIC--acts upon the liver.

HYDTAGOGUE--produces large amounts of watery discharge.

NEPHRITIC--applies to disease of the kidneys.

NERVINES--regenerates the nervous system, having a calming effect.

OXYTOCIC--capable of producing uterine contractions.

PECTORAL--relieves affections of the chest and lungs.

POISON--harmful, destructive, fatal.

PURGATIVE--evacuates the bowels. These are very strong and NEVER given to children!

RUBEFACIENT--used externally and causes redness and increased blood supply when rubbed into the skin.

SEDATIVE--calms the nerves

SIALAGOGUE--increase saliva.

SOPORIFIC--induces sleep.

SUFORIFIC--increase perspiration and facilitates elimination of toxins through through the skin.

STOMACHIC--stimulates the flow of digestive secretions and increases the volume of such.

STYPTIC--contracts blood vessels and stops bleeding.

TENIAFUGE--expels tapeworms.

TONIC--tones the alimentive tract and corrects problems of the digestive system. They are normally mild and taken daily.

TOPICAL--applied to the skin only.

VASOCONSTRICTOR--narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

VULNERARY--tones and heals the muscular and skeletal system and often used with emollients in a poultice for external wounds.

This list of terms is by no means complete, it is simply to give you a general overview of the more common words you will come in contact with when working with herbs.

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