NOTE: This definition list of the most commonly used therapeutic actions was taken from the Book, "The School of Healing", written by Master Herbalist and Naturopathic Physician, Dr. John R. Christopher.

Absorbent-

to produce absortion of diseased tissues.

Alterative-

to alter the existing unhealthy condition in the body and gradually restore normal body functions.

Analgesic-

to ease pain when administered orally.

Anaphrodisiac-

to lessen sexual functions and desires.

Anodyne-

to relieve pain when applied externally.

Antacid-

to neutralize acid in the stomach and intestinal tract.

Anthelmintic-

to expel or destroy intestinal worms.

Antiabortive-

to counteract abortive tendencies.

Antiarthritic-

to relieve and heal arthritic conditions.

Antiasthmatic-

to relieve asthma.

Antibilious-

to eliminate a biliary or jaundice condition in the body.

Anticatarrhal-

to heal catarrhal conditions in the body.

Antiemetic-

to lessen nausea and prevent or relieve vomiting.

Antihydropic-

to eliminate excess body fluids or dropsy.

Antilithic-

to prevent the formation of calculi (stones) in the urinary tract.

Antiperiodic-

to relieve malarial-type fevers and chills.

Antiphlogistic-

to reduce inflammation or swelling.

Antipyretic-

to reduce temperature in fevers.

Antirheumatic-

to prevent, relieve and cure rheumatism.

Antiscorbutic-

to prevent and cure scurvy.

Antiscrofulous-

to heal scrofula (Tubercular condition of the lymph nodes).

Antiseptic-

to prevent, resist and counteract putrefaction (decay of cells and formation of pus).

Antispasmodic-

to relieve nervous irritability and reduce or prevent excessive involuntary muscular contractions (spasms).

Antisyphilitic-

to relieve and cure syphilis or other ventral diseases.

Antivenomous-

an antidote to animal, vegetable, or mineral poisons.

Antizymotic-

to destroy or arrest the action of bacterial organisms.

Aperient (mildest) or Laxative (next mildest)-

for mild evacuation of the bowels.

Aromatic-

having a fragrant, pungent and/or spicy smell and taste, which stimulate the gastrointestinal mucous membrane.

Astringent-

to cause contraction of the cell walls, and a condensing of tissues, making them denser and firmer, and arresting improper discharges.

Aphrodisiac-

to correct conditions of impotence and strengthen sexual power.

Balsamic-

to mitigate, soothe and heal inflamed parts.

Bitter-

having a bitter taste and serving as a stimulating tonic to the gastrointestinal mucous membranes.

Calefacient-

used as diffusive stimulants and which cause increased capillary circulation, giving an external sense of warmth.

Cardiac Depressant-

to lessen and are sedative to the heart's action.

Cardiac Stimulant-

to increase and give greater power to the heart's action.

Carminative-

usually volatile oils that excite intestinal peristalsis, and relieve and promote the expulsion of gas from the gastrointestinal tract.

Cathartic-

active purgatives to the intestinal tract (stronger than a laxative), exciting peristalsis and stimulating glandular secretions, producing semi-fluid bowel movements with some irritation and griping.

Caustic-

to burn or destroy living tissues.

Cephalic-

particularly healing to cerebral conditions and diseases.

Cholagogue-

to promote a flow and discharge of bile into the duodenum by contracting the bile ducts, and to purge the bowels.

Condiment-

used to season or flavor foods.

Cordial-

combining the properties of a warm stomach and a cardiac stimulant.

Corrective-

to alter and lessen the severity of action of other herbs.

Cosmetic-

used as skin tonics and to improve the complexion.

Counter-irritant-

having mucilaginous properties that are soothing and protective internally to irritated and inflamed surfaces and tissues.

Dental anodyne-

used locally to relieve pain from an exposed nerve in the tooth.

Deobstruent-

to remove alimentary (in the gastrointestinal tract) and other body obstructions.

Deodorant-

to eliminate foul odors.

Depurant-

to clean or purify the blood by promoting elimination.

Desiccant-

able to dry surfaces by absorbing moisture.

Detergent-

cleansing to wounds, ulcers, etc. or the skin itself.

Diaphoretic-

producing insensible perspiration and increased elimination through the skin.

Digestant-

containing ferments and acids, that aid in the digestion of food.

Diluent-

to dilute secretions and excretions.

Discutient-

to dispel or dissolve tumors and abnormal growths.

Disinfectant-

to eliminate or destroy the noxious properties of decaying organic matter and thereby prevent the spreading or transfer of toxic matter or infection.

Diuretic-

to increase the secretion and flow of urine.

Drastic-

hyperactive cathartics producing violent peristalsis, watery stools, and much griping pain.

Emetic-

induces vomiting and causes an evacuation of stomach contents.

Emmenagogue-

female correctives to the reproductive organs, which stimulate and promote a normal menstrual function, flow and discharge.

Emollient-

softening, soothing and protective to external surfaces.

Errhine-

to increase nasal secretions from the sinuses.

Exanthematous-

healing to skin eruptions or to skin diseases of an eruptive nature.

Expectorant-

to promote and facilitate discharge of mucous secretions from bronchial-pulmonary passages.

Febrifuge-

to reduce a fever.

Galactagogue-

to increase the secretion of milk.

Galactophyca-

to diminish or arrest the secretion of milk.

Hemetic-

rich in iron and manganese and which augment and enrich the red corpuscles of the blood.

Hemostatic-

generally astringent and arrest hemorrhaging or internal bleeding.

Hepatic-

used to strengthen, tone and stimulate the secretive functions of the liver.

Herpatic-

healing to skin eruption and scaling diseases (such as ringworm).

Hypnotic-

powerful nervine relaxants and sedatives that induce sleep.

Insecticide-

used to destroy insects.

Irritant-

produce a greater or lesser degree of vascular excitement when applied to skin surface.

Lithotriptic-

to dissolve or discharge urinary and biliary concretions (gravel or stones) when formed in excretory passages.

Local Anaesthetic-

producing anesthesia (loss of sensation) where applied locally to a surface.

Maturating-

to promote the maturation or ripening of tumors, boils, ulcers, etc.

Mucilage-

having mucilaginous properties.

Mydriatic-

causing dilation of the pupil (eye).

Myotic-

causing contraction of the pupil (eye).

Narcotic-

powerful anodyne-hypnotics.

Nauseant-

producing nausea or an inclination to vomit.

Nephritic-

influencing the kidneys and are healing in kidney complaints.

Nervine-

tonic and healing to the nerves.

Nutritive-

nourishing and building to body tissues.

Ophthalmic-

healing to disorders and diseases of the eyes.

Parasiticide-

kill or destroy animal and vegetable parasites within the body.

Parturient-

to stimulate uterine contractions, which induce and assist labor, to promote and hasten childbirth.

Pectoral-

healing to complaints or affections of the bronchial-pulmonary area.

Peristalitic-

to stimulate and increase peristalsis, or muscular contactions (as in the bowels).

Protective-

protective of abraded, inflamed, or injured parts when applied locally to a surface.

Pungent-

causing a sharply pricking, acrid, and penetrating sensation to the sensory organs.

Refrigerant-

having cooling properties, lowering the body temperature, and relieving thirst.

Resolvent-

to promote the dispersion of inflammatory deposits, and their absorption into excetory channels.

Rubefacient-

upon local application, stimulating capillary dilation and action, and cause skin redness (drawing blood to the surface).

Sedative-

to lower the functional activity of an organ or part of the body, thereby tending to calm, moderate or tranquilize.

Sialagogue-

to promote the secretion and flow of saliva and buccal mucous.

Soporific-

to induce a relaxing sleep.

Sternutatorie-

irritating to the mucous membranes in nasal passages, which cause sneezing.

Stimulant-

to increase functional activity and energy in the body.

Stomachic-

stimulating tonics to the stomach.

Styptic-

to astringe the blood vessels when applied to an external surface, and thereby arrest local bleeding or hemorrhaging.

Sudorific-

to stimulate the sudoriferous glands and produce visible and profuse perspiration when taken hot and act as tonics when taken cold.

Taeniafuge and Taeniacide-

to expel (taeniafuges) or kill (taeniacides) tapeworms in the intestinal tract.

Tonic-

to stimulate nutrition and permanently increase systemal tone, energy, vigor, and strength.

Vulnerary-

to promote healing of fresh cuts, wounds, etc.