As you begin your journey into the truly magical world of herbalism, it’s helpful to have a complete list of terms and phrases you may need to know in a convenient herbal glossary.
In this article, I’ve compiled a thorough list of all of these terms. Of course, this list is always growing as I am embarking on this journey myself.
This is a growing collection of terms that have been useful to me in my herbal practice. This glossary started as a reference for myself in my studies and I hope that it can be a useful resource for you as well!
How To Use This Herbal Glossary
This glossary is organized in alphabetical order and can be navigated using the “page contents” button above (and yes, you can collapse the navigation feature by toggling the button in the top right corner). Each term is highlighted and, if you click on the term, you will be taken to that term’s tag archives. Here, you will see all of Botanical Revival’s articles containing the term you clicked on. That way, you get to explore all of the herbs, recipes, and more that have to do with that term!
Happy learning!
A
abortifacient
An abortifacient herb is one that may cause an abortion.
adaptogen
An adaptogen is an herb that aids the body in adapting to change by affecting an organ in the HPA axis.
alkaloid
Alkaloids are nitrogen-bearing chemical compounds. This nitrogen molecule makes them highly active constituents.
alterative
Alteratives gently tonify the body’s waste removal, detoxification, and nutrient absorption systems and organs. These include the lungs, lymph, liver, bowels, skin, and kidneys. They’s also known as blood purifiers.
analgesic
An analgesic herb is one that relieves pain and is usually used topically. Otherwise known as an anodyne.
anaphrodisiac
An anaphrodisiac is a substance that reduces the capacity for or likelihood of sexual arousal.
anodyne
An anodyne is a substance that relieves pain, like an analgesic. However, some people only use this term to describe pain relievers that relieve headaches.
antacid
Antacids are substances that neutralize acids in the digestive system, especially in the stomach, by removing inflammatory irritants.
anthelmintic
Herbs that are anthelmintic remove parasitic worms, usually from the GI tract.
anticatarrhal
Anticatarrhal herbs help break down phlegm and mucous in the throat, sinuses, and lungs and/or prevent it from building up.
antiasthmatic
Herbs that help to alleviate symptoms of asthma are called antiasthmatics. These substances work by dilating the bronchioles and breaking up mucous in the lungs.
antibacterial
Antibacterial herbs are those that kill or prevent the growth and reproduction of bacteria.
antiemetic
Antiemetic herbs help soothe nausea and/or vomiting.
antidepressant
Usually referring to pharmaceuticals, an antidepressant is a substance that helps to alleviate symptoms of depression.
antidiarrheal
Antidiarrheals are substances that help to prevent or treat diarrhea.
antifungal
Antifungals are substances that kill or prevent the reproduction of fungus and fungal spores.
antihydrotic
An antihydrotic is an herb that prevents the body’s production of sweat.
anti-inflammatory
An anti-inflammatory herb prevents or soothes inflammation either throughout the body or in localized areas.
antilithic
Antilithic herbs prevent or dissolve kidney and gallstones.
antimicrobial
Antimicrobial herbs kill or prevent the growth and reproduction of one or multiple kinds of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
antioxidant
Antioxidants are chemicals that prevent or inhibit oxidation, a process where free radicals damage important cells and molecules in the body.
antiparasitic
Herbs that kill or prevent to growth and reproduction of parasites are called antiparasitics.
antiperiodic
An antiperiodic is an herb that helps to alleviate the recurring symptoms of a contracted disease. Most notably, antiperiodics are used to treat the symptoms of malaria.
antiseptic
Antiseptics are used to prevent or fight infections and are most commonly used as a topical application.
antispasmodic
Antispasmodic herbs help to ease muscle tension and relax muscle spasms, either topically or internally.
antitussive
Antitussives help to reduce coughing or help to suppress the urge to cough.
antiviral
An antiviral herb kills or prevents the reproduction of viruses.
anxiolytic
Herbs that are anxiolytic help to soothe the symptoms of anxiety.
aperient
An aperient herb is one that is mildly laxative.
aperitive
Aperitives are substances that stimulate an appetite for food.
aphrodisiac
A substance that is an aphrodisiac increases the capacity and likelihood of sexual arousal.
aromatic
Herbs that are aromatic are very fragrant because of their concentrations of volatile oils and are used for a variety of medicinal purposes.
astringent
Astringent herbs make tissues, such as skin, contract, constrict, or tighten.
B
bioactive
Bioactive compounds are molecules that have an effect on the chemistry of a living organism.
bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids are a class of metabolites that are highly active in the body. Specifically, bioflavonoids are usually anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
bitter
In botanical terms, a bitter is a plant that has a bitter taste and aids the digestive system in secreting digestive fluids. Specifically, bitters support liver and gallbladder secretions.
C
calmative
An herb is a calmative when it helps to reduce hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system and gently calms the mind and body.
carminative
Carminative herbs are those that relieve the digestive system of discomfort by stimulating blood flow and warmth to the GI tract.
cathartic
A cathartic herb is one that encourages bowel movements.
cholagogue
Cholagogues stimulate the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder into the GI tract, sometimes by increasing bile production.
choleretic
Choleretic herbs are those that stimulate the liver’s production of bile.
D
demulcent
Demulcent herbs are mucilaginous and soothe inflammation, especially in the mucous membranes.
diaphoretic
Diaphoretic herbs stir up heat in the body, sometimes by increasing the heat of the core of the body and sometimes by moving that heat from the core of the body to the periphery.
diffusive
A diffusive herb that moves heat from the core of the body to the periphery. This action helps cool the body down and helps to break fevers.
digestive
A digestive herb assists the body to perform healthy digestive functions.
diuretic
Diuretic herbs increase urine production and often pull excess water out of the rest of the body.
draining
Draining herbs move fluids in the body and remove the excess, reducing edema.
E
emetic
An emetic herb is one that induces vomiting.
emmenagogue
Emmenagogues stimulate the flow of menstruation.
exhilarant
An exhilarant is an herb that lightens and uplifts the mood, often making you feel happier or more positive.
F
febrifuge
An herb that chills the body reducing body temperature is called a febrifuge.
G
galactagogue
A galactagogue is an herb that stimulates the production and flow of breast milk.
GRAS
The acronym GRAS stands for “generally recognized as safe”.
H
hemagogue
Herbs that promote the flow of blood are called hemagogues.
hemostatic
A hemostatic herb is one that controls or stops the flow of blood, from a cut for instance.
hepatic
Hepatic herbs stimulate and function via the liver.
hepatoprotective
Herbs with the ability to protect and prevent damage to the liver are described as hepatoprotective.
hydrophobic
Hydrophobic substances are those that repel water, such as oil.
hypertensive
A hypertensive substance is one that increases blood pressure.
hypotensive
A hypotensive herb is one that decreases blood pressure.
I
immune stimulant
An herb that increases the immune system’s activity is referred to as an immune stimulant. These are particularly useful for those fighting infections or with underactive immune systems.
immunoregulator
Immunoregulators are herbs that assist dysregulated immune systems. For instance, by down-regulating overactive immune systems or up-regulating underactive immune systems.
immunosuppressor
Herbs that suppress the functions of the immune system are called immunosuppressors. These are particularly helpful for those with overactive immune systems.
J
K
L
laxative
Herbs that loosen bowel movements and increase peristalsis are called laxatives.
lymphatic
Lymphatic herbs stimulate the lymphatic system, encouraging drainage and movement.
M
masticatory
Masticatory herbs are those that increase the production of saliva in the mouth.
metabolic
Metabolic herbs are those that influence the metabolism of the body.
N
narcotic
Narcotics, in herbalism, are plants that have a numbing, paralyzing, and drowsiness effect on the central nervous system.
nervine
A nervine is an herb that affects the nervous system usually by sedating or relaxing it.
nutritive
Nutritive herbs have high nutrient and mineral content and help to replenish the body’s nutrient and mineral reserves.
O
P
phytoestrogen
Phytoestrogens are molecules found in plants that resemble estrogen and can mimic the function of estrogen when inside the body.
prebiotic
Prebiotic foods and herbs contain fibers that feed gut flora and promote balance in the gut microbiome.
psychoactive
Psychoactive substances are those that, when ingested, affect the nervous system and alter one’s perception, consciousness, mood, cognition, or behavior.
purgative
Substances are described as purgative when they force material out of the digestive system, either by throwing it up or pooping it out.
Q
R
refrigerant
A refrigerant herb is one that cools the body’s temperature and, therefore, eases fever.
relaxant
A relaxant herb that creates openness, release, and expansion in the body and often facilitates down-regulation.
restorative
When an herb is restorative, the herb brings balance and homeostasis to the body and its systems as a whole.
rubefacient
Rubefacient herbs stimulate blood flow to where they are applied and, therefore, cause redness and warmth.
S
sedative
Herbs that are sedative have a tranquilizing or dramatic calming effect on the body and often cause drowsiness or induce sleep.
sialogogue
Sialogogues are substances that induce the secretion of saliva.
stimulant
Herbs are considered stimulants when they increase the available energy and functioning of some or all of the body’s systems.
styptic
Styptic herbs help stop bleeding by constricting tissues, coagulating blood, and/or creating a matrix that a scab can begin to form on.
systemic
Anything that is systemic is affecting or can affect the entire body.
T
tonic
Tonic herbs are those that strengthen, or tonify, specific organ systems or the body as a whole.
U
V
volatile oil
The volatile oil within a plant is the oil that is responsible for the smell and taste of the plant. This is also called essential oil.
vulnerary
A vulnerary herb promotes the healing of wounds of the skin and other epithelial tissue.
W
X
Y
Z
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