Index of Therapeutic Action

of herbs comprised in the Cyclopedia

ALTERATIVES : Medicines which gradually alter and correct a poisoned condition of the blood stream and restore healthier functioning. - Blue Flag, Burdock, Celandine, Fringe-tree, Golden Seal, Plantain, Poke Root, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Soapwort, Spikenard, Water Dock.

ANTHELMINTICS : Remedies for worms, including those agents which kill worms (vermicides) without necessarily causing their evacuation, and those which expel them from the bowels, known as vermifuges. The term tanicide also denotes a worm destroyer. - Balmony, Pink Root, Tansy, Wormwood.

ANTISEPTICS : Resist or counteract putrefaction : Barberry, Violet, Southernwood.

ANTISPASMODICS : Reduce or prevent excessive involuntary muscular contractions. - Black Cohosh, Black Haw, Chamomile, Cowslip, Cramp Bark, Grindelia, Ladies' Slipper, Lobelia, Mistletoe, Ox-Eye Daisy, Pulsatilla, Scullcap, Sundew, Valerian.

APHRODISIACS : Tonics relating particularly to the sexual organs. - Damiana.

AROMATICS (see Carminatives).

ASTRINGENTS : Promote greater density and firmness of tissue, as opposed to laxatives. - Agrimony, Avens, Bayberry, Bistort, Burr Marigold, Cinquefoil, Cranesbill, Cudweed, Ground Ivy, Periwinkle, Pilewort, Red Sage, Sanicle, Witch Hazel, Wood Betony.

CARMINATIVES : Are for the dispersal of wind in stomach and bowels, and counteract griping tendencies of certain laxatives. - Angelica, Balm, Cardamoms, Catnep, Cloves, Dill, Fennel, Melilot, Peppermint, Wild Ginger.

CATHARTICS : Promote bowel evacuation, and may be divided into : (a) Laxatives, which induce gentle bowel movement ; and (b) Purgatives, producing copious, repeated, and more watery evacuations (both of which see).

DEMULCENTS : Soothe, soften and allay irritation of mucous membranes. - Blue Mallow, Bugloss, Chickweed, Comfrey, Devil's Bit, Iceland Moss, Liquorice, Marshmallow, Mullein, Slippery Elm, Solomon's Seal.

DIAPHORETICS : Induce increased perspiration. - Angelica, Balm, Boneset, Heartsease, Marigold, Pennyroyal, Prickly Ash, Ragwort, Wood Sage, Yarrow.

DIURETICS : Enhance the secretion of urine. - Broom, Buchu, Celery, Clivers, Eryngo, Gravel Root, Juniper, Parsley Piert, Pellitory-of-the-Wall, Shepherd's Purse, Wild Carrot.

EMETICS : Bring about the evacuation of stomach con- tents by vomiting. - Bitter Root, Lobelia, Vervain.

EMMENAGOGUES : Provoke and enhance the menstrual flow. - Black Cohosh, Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Southern-wood, Wood Sage.

EMOLLIENTS : Soften, make supple, and counteract dryness and harshness of internal and external surfaces. - Liquorice, Marshmallow, Melilot, Slippery Elm.

EXPECTORANTS : Assist, by their influence on the respiratory passages, the increased secretion and ejection of mucus. - Coltsfoot, Elecampane, Horehound, Black Horehound, Lobelia, Mouse-ear, Mullein, Pleurisy Root, Squill, Sundew, Yerba Santa.

FEBRIFUGES : Reduce excessive temperature in fevers by enhancing evaporation of perspiration. Also known as refrigerants, they are closely akin to diaphoretics and sudorifics (q.v.). - Balm, Boneset, Catnep, Devil's Bit, Elder, Purple Loose-strife.

HEPATICS : Influence the liver, causing an increased flow of bile. - Chicory, Mandrake (American), Toad Flax, Woodruff.

LAXATIVES : Gently loosen the bowels. - Cascara Sagrada, Dandelion, Feverfew, Golden Seal, Mountain Flax, Psyllium, Senna, Turkey Rhubarb.

NERVINES : Relieve nervous irritation and pain. - Black Haw, Bugleweed, Mistletoe, Scullcap, Valerian. NUTRITIVES : Assist assimilation, nourish and build tissue. - Iceland Moss, Slippery Elm.

PURGATIVES : Powerful bowel evacuatives. - Bitter Root, Bryony, Mandrake (American).

REFRIGERANTS (see Febrifuges).

SEDATIVES (see Nervines).

STIMULANTS : Produce increased nervous sensibility, with consequent improved functional action. - Adonis, Bayberry, Blood Root, Butter-bur, Cayenne, Cloves, Horseradish, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Prickly Ash, Sassafras, Wild Ginger.

STOMACHICS : Stimulant medicines which act specifically upon the stomach. - Avens, Centaury, Chamomile, Golden Seal, Turkey Rhubarb.

SUDORIFICS (see Diaphoretics).

FEBRIIFUGES (see Anthelmintics).

TONICS : Medicines which assist towards a higher bodily tone and increased vigour. - Barberry, Buckbean, Calumba, Centaury, Chamomile, Chiretta, Damiana, Gentian, Hops, Peony, Quassia, Tormentil, Vervain, Wormwood.

VERMICIDES (see Anthelmintics).

VERMIFUGES (see Anthelmintics).