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The Basic Herbal Actions

                     

                                         The Basic Herbal Actions




 The Basic Herbal Actions

The herbalism is an art and a science with matics as diverse as the unique relationships we form with the plants around us. Whether we learn from our family, a teacher in our community, a book collection, or simply work with the herbs that flourish near us, understanding the language of herbalism can be of benefit in almost all situations.

Using these common categories allows us to recognize patterns that can inform our learning process when using a new herb, making formulation decisions, or when needing a substitute for one of our regular preparations. Often times, one plant will exhibit multiple actions, making just a cup of that unique herb as a tea or a splash of tincture the perfect remedy on its own.


Here is a helpful list of basic herbal stocks with seven example herbs in each category. If you find that all of these definitions are different from a herbalist, then this simplified guide is an excellent place to start the journey.


What are expectorants?

Expectorants are herbs that promote a productive cough by breaking down mucus in the lungs and expelling it more effectively. Some expectorants are mucilaginous or soothing, while others can be irritating or stimulating.


WHAT ARE SOME EXPECTORANT HERBS?

  • Elecampane (stimulant or irritant)
  • Horehound (stimulating or irritating)
  • Licorice root (soothing)
  • Lobelia (stimulant or irritant)
  • slippery elm (soothing)
  • Violet leaf (soothing)
  • Yerba santa (stimulating or irritating)


What are tonics?

These herbs are nutritious and can be taken daily to help tone and strengthen the body's systems. They promote general well-being and healthy energy levels.


WHAT ARE SOME TONIC HERBS?

  • Dandelion
  • Hawthorne
  • milk thistle seed
  • moringa
  • nettle leaf
  • oatmeal tops
  • Skullcap


What are adaptogens?

This diverse group of herbs helps us cope with and manage stress as it happens. These herbs restore overall balance and strengthen the functioning of the body as a whole without affecting the balance of an individual organ or body system. Adaptogens facilitate these changes through a wide range of actions and energies, rather than one specific action. Adaptogens can be stimulating or relaxing and can help improve focus, maintain a healthy immune system, or provide some other broad-spectrum normalizing influence on imbalanced physiological processes.


WHAT ARE SOME ADAPTOGENIC HERBS?

  • Ashwagandha
  • Cordyceps
  • eleuthero
  • "American ginseng
  • "Asian" ginseng
  • rhodiola
  • schisandra


What are the alternatives?

This herbal action is often secondary or tertiary to another action within the same botanical. Alternatives can support your body's own natural processes and help restore proper elimination and other functions. They help keep us healthy and regain vitality.


WHAT ARE SOME ALTERING HERBS?

  • Burdock
  • blades
  • Echinacea
  • Nettles
  • Oregon Grape Root
  • Red clover
  • Sarsaparilla



What are aromatics?

Herbs that exhibit strong aromas, often as a result of their volatile essential oils, are considered aromatic. They are most often used to support the digestive and reproductive systems and to maintain a clear respiratory tract and healthy lungs. They are the basis of aromatherapy.


WHAT ARE SOME AROMATIC HERBS?

  • Angelica
  • Anise
  • Cardamom
  • Fennel
  • Ginger
  • Mint
  • Rosemary





What are astringents?

Astringents are herbs that dry, stretch, or shrink tissue, helping to create a barrier. You can tell it's an astringent if you get that "wrinkle" feeling. Topical astringents can be used to help remove splinters and tone the skin, and can have a protective effect (thanks to the tannins found in many astringents). Internally, astringent herbs help tone mucous membranes and dry out excess conditions.


WHAT ARE SOME ASTRINGENT HERBS?

  • Agrimony
  • Blackberry root and leaf
  • green and black tea
  • Pink
  • White Oak
  • Witch hazel leaf and bark
  • Yarrow


What are the bitters?

These are herbs that help stimulate appetite and digestion by stimulating gastric fluid production and peristalsis. Just a drop of this often rejected flavor on the tongue is effective in activating the production of beneficial digestive secretions.


WHAT ARE SOME BITTER HERBS?

  • Artichoke
  • Dandelion
  • Gentian
  • Hop
  • orange peel
  • Skullcap
  • Wormwood




What are nerves?

Nerves are herbs that specifically support the nervous system. Many times, nervines are calming, but not all calming herbs are nervines. Calming the nerves can ease the worry we all experience from time to time and can be helpful for the occasional sleepless night.


WHAT ARE SOME NERVES?

  • california poppy
  • Chamomile
  • Hop
  • kava kava
  • Lavender
  • lemon balm
  • Passionflower



What are carminatives?

Carminative herbs are often aromatic and help keep our digestive systems happy by reducing or preventing excess gas.


WHAT ARE SOME CARMINATIVE HERBS?

  • Angelica
  • Anise
  • Caraway
  • Chamomile
  • Fennel
  • Ginger
  • Mint



What are demulcents?

Herbs that are mucilaginous or oily and produce a "goo" that coats, soothes, and protects the mucous membranes. This slime action triggers a reflex that helps promote natural moisturizing secretions within the body. It is best extracted as an infusion in water rather than as an alcohol tincture.


WHAT ARE SOME DEMULCENTING HERBS?

  • chia seeds
  • Flax
  • marshmallow root
  • Banana
  • slippery elm
  • Violet


What are diaphoretics?

Diaphoretic herbs help raise your body temperature to make you sweat, which stimulates circulation and can also cool the body through increased perspiration.


WHAT ARE SOME DIAPHORETIC HERBS?

  • game of bones
  • peppers
  • elderflowers
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Linden
  • Yarrow

What are diuretics?

This herbal stock is one that has found its way into the mainstream lexicon. Simply put, diuretics are herbs that help you urinate.


WHAT ARE SOME DIURETIC HERBS?

  • blades
  • Dandelion
  • Green Tea
  • Parsley
  • Juniper
  • Nettle
  • Uva Ursi


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