Many plants have traditional medical uses. Ethnobotanists and pharmacognacists catalog and study these plants and uses. This is a list of some of the more common medicinal properties that are ascribed to plants. Many of these terms are still used in modern pharmacology. The modern biochemical study of the physiological effects of drugs on the body is called pharmacodynamics.
- Abortifacient -- induces abortion
- Alterative -- gradually restores balance or health in some way
- Analgesic -- painkiller
- Anaphrodisiac -- reduces the libido
- Anthelmintic (or Vermifuge) -- expels parasitic worms
- Anti-catarrhal -- eliminates or counteracts mucous conditions
- Anti-coagulant -- prevent coagulation of blood
- Anti-histamine -- reduce or eliminate allergic effects mediated by histamine
- Anti-emetic -- relieves vomiting
- Anti-inflammatory -- reduces inflammation
- Anti-microbial -- kills or slows the growth of microbes
- Anti-neoplastic -- kills or slows the growth of neoplasms or cancerous cells
- Anti-neuralgic -- soothes neuralgia or nerve pain
- Anti-bacterial -- kills or slows the growth of bacteria
- Anti-fungal -- kills or slows the growth of fungi
- Anti-viral -- kills or slows the growth of viruses
- Anti-parasitic -- kills or slows the growth of parasites
- Anti-pyretic (or Febrifuge) -- prevents or reduces fever by lowering body temperature
- Anti-spasmodic -- suppresses smooth muscle contractions
- Anti-tussive -- suppresses coughing
- Astringent -- shrinks or constricts body tissues
- Carminative -- anti-spasmodic, used particularly against cramps of the digestive tract
- Cathartic -- causes rapid intestinal purging
- Cholagogue -- promotes the discharge of bile from the system
- Demulcent -- acts as a protective barrier on irritated or inflamed tissue
- Diaphoretic -- increases perspiration
- Diuretic -- elevates the rate of bodily urine excretion
- Emetic -- induces vomiting
- Emmenagogue -- stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus
- Emollient -- soothing and protective to the skin
- Expectorant (or Mucolytic) -- loosens mucus from the respiratory tract
- Hemostatic -- stops bleeding
- Hepatic -- strengthens or regulates the secretion of bile
- Hypnotic -- induces sleep
- Hypotensive -- lowers blood pressure
- Laxative (or Purgative) -- promotes defecation
- Nervine -- has a therapeutic effect upon the nervous system in some way, often sedative or stimulating
- Parturient -- prepares the body for childbirth
- Sedative -- depresses the central nervous system, causing calmness, relaxation and similar, stronger effects
- Stimulant -- increases activity in the central nervous system or sympathetic nervous system
- Tonic -- strengthens and improves specific organs, systems, weaknesses or the body as a whole
- Stomachic -- tones the stomach, improving its function and increasing appetite
- Vulnerary -- used in healing or treating wounds
See also
References
- Martin, Corinne (2000) [1991]. Herbal Remedies from the Wild. Woodstock, Vermont: The Countryman Press. pp. 248–250. ISBN 0-88150-485-8.
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