Basic Terminology

Western Herbalism Terminology Dictionary

Part 1: Herbal Actions

Herbal actions describe the specific physiological effects that medicinal plants exert on the tissues and organ systems of the human body.

• Alterative: Herbs that gradually restore health and proper function to the body by supporting metabolic and eliminative organs (such as the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system), historically referred to as "blood purifiers." Examples: Burdock, Dandelion root, Yellow Dock.
• Anodyne (Analgesic): Herbs that relieve pain by either numbing sensory nerves or reducing pain signaling throughout the nervous system. Examples: California Poppy, Jamaican Dogwood, White Willow Bark.
• Anti-catarrhal: Herbs that help the body remove excess mucous accumulations, particularly from the upper respiratory tract, sinuses, and mucous membranes. Examples: Elderflower, Eyebright, Goldenrod.
• Anti-inflammatory: Herbs that reduce inflammatory pathways, swelling, heat, and pain in damaged or irritated tissues. Examples: Turmeric, Meadowsweet, Licorice.
• Antimicrobial: Broad-spectrum agents that destroy or inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Examples: Garlic, Echinacea, Usnea.
• Antispasmodic: Herbs that calm involuntary contractions, spasms, and cramping in smooth or skeletal muscle tissue as well as the nervous system. Examples: Cramp Bank, Valerian, Lobelia.
• Astringent: Herbs rich in tannins that precipitate proteins, causing living tissue to contract, tighten, and tone. Used internally for laxity and excessive discharges (like diarrhea or heavy bleeding) and externally for wound healing. Examples: White Oak Bark, Witch Hazel, Yarrow.
• Bitter: Herbs characterized by a bitter taste that stimulate digestive secretions (gastric juices, bile, and saliva), enhance liver function, and tonify the gastrointestinal tract. Examples: Gentian, Artichoke Leaf, Wormwood.
• Carminative: Aromatic herbs containing volatile oils that soothe the digestive tract, relieve abdominal tension, and expel trapped gas and bloating. Examples: Peppermint, Fennel, Chamomile.
• Cholagogue: Herbs that stimulate the contraction of the gallbladder, promoting the flow of stored bile into the small intestine to aid in lipid digestion. Examples: Fringe Tree, Dandelion root, Celandine.
• Demulcent: Mucilaginous, soothing herbs rich in complex polysaccharides that coat, protect, and hydrate irritated or inflamed mucous membranes throughout the gut, respiratory tract, or urinary system. Examples: Marshmallow Root, Slippery Elm Bark, Mullein leaf.
• Diaphoretic: Herbs that stimulate peripheral circulation and promote sweating. Warming diaphoretics drive heat to the surface to break fevers, while cooling diaphoretics release surface heat and relieve inflammation. Examples: Yarrow, Elderflower, Cayenne.
• Diuretic: Herbs that increase the volume and frequency of urine output, supporting renal clearance, fluid balance, and the elimination of metabolic wastes. Examples: Dandelion leaf, Uva Ursi, Nettles.
• Emmenagogue: Herbs that stimulate blood flow in the pelvic region and uterus, encouraging and regulating normal menstrual flow. Examples: Mugwort, Motherwort, Pennyroyal.
• Expectorant: Herbs that facilitate the clearance of mucus from the respiratory tract. Stimulating expectorants (often acrid/aromatic) thin and break up sticky phlegm, while relaxing expectorants soothe bronchial spasms and loosen dry, tight coughs. Examples: Elecampane, Grindelia, Thyme.
• Immunomodulator: Herbs that balance, regulate, and optimize immune function, either upregulating a sluggish immune response or dampening overactive immune reactions. Examples: Reishi, Astragalus, Schisandra.
• Nervine: Herbs that have an affinity for the nervous system, categorized further as nervine relaxants (calming acute anxiety and tension), nervine trophorestoratives (deeply nourishing and repairing nerve tissue over time), or nervine stimulants (gently lifting sluggish nervous system function). Examples: Skullcap, Milky Oats, Passionflower.
• Rubefacient: Topical herbs that dilate superficial capillaries and increase local blood flow to the skin, creating a warm, reddened sensation that relieves deeper muscular and joint pain. Examples: Cayenne, Ginger, Mustard.
• Trophorestorative: Deeply restorative herbs that provide specific nutritional and energetic building blocks to repair, tonify, and restore functional integrity to a depleted organ or tissue system. Examples: Hawthorn (cardiovascular), Milky Oats (nervous system), Gotu Kola (connective tissue).
• Vulnerary: Herbs that support and accelerate the cellular repair, regeneration, and healing of wounds, cuts, burns, and damaged internal or external tissues. Examples: Plantain, Calendula, Comfrey.

Part 2: Tissue States

The tissue state model, foundational to Traditional Western Herbalism and Physiomedicalism, evaluates functional imbalances in the body based on how tissues respond to tension, moisture, and metabolic rate:

• Atrophy (Dryness): A tissue state characterized by a lack of moisture, thinning, shriveling, or diminished secretory activity. Tissues lack resilience and require demulcents and nourishing herbs.
• Relaxation (Laxity): A tissue state marked by tissue flaccidity, saggy structure, lack of tone, and free, uncontrolled discharges (such as excessive sweating, loose stools, or bleeding). Treated with astringents and tonics.
• Constriction (Tension): A tissue state defined by excessive neuromuscular tightening, spasms, restriction, and rigidity. Treated with relaxants and antispasmodics.
• Torpor (Stagnation): A tissue state where metabolic waste, fluids, or blood accumulate due to sluggish circulation and lack of elimination, resulting in boggy, swollen, or dull tissues. Treated with alteratives, stimulants, and lymphatics.
• Excitation (Heat): A tissue state of hyper-metabolic activity, inflammation, redness, and acute irritation where the tissue is over-responding to stimuli. Treated with cooling, anti-inflammatory, and calming herbs.
• Depression (Cold): A tissue state characterized by under-activity, hypometabolism, pallor, cold extremities, and a sluggish functional response from the cells or organs. Treated with warming agents, stimulants, and circulatory tonics.

Part 3: Energetics and Preparations

• Energetics: The sensory framework used to assess the qualitative properties of herbs and conditions, primarily along spectrums of temperature (heating vs. cooling), moisture (drying vs. moistening), and tone (relaxing vs. constricting).
• Infusion: A water-based aqueous extraction made by pouring boiling water over delicate aerial plant parts (leaves and flowers) and steeping them covered for 15 to 30 minutes to extract water-soluble constituents and volatile oils.
• Decoction: A concentrated water extraction made by gently simmering tough, woody plant material (roots, barks, seeds, and dried berries) in water for 20 to 40 minutes to break down hard cell walls and extract dense constituents.
• Tincture: A concentrated liquid extract made by macerating fresh or dried plant material in a solvent (menstruum) composed of a mixture of alcohol and water over a period of weeks.
• Acetract (Oxymel): An herbal preparation that utilizes raw apple cider vinegar (sometimes blended with honey) as the solvent to extract mineral content, alkaloids, and aromatic compounds.