Herbal and Drug Actions, Part 2

Here is Part 2 of an expanded glossary of herbal actions. You can find Part 1 here.

Carminative

Definition

herb or drug that eases discomfort caused by gas or flatulence

Commonly Used Carminative Herbs

• garlic
• caraway
• fennel
• peppermint
• lemon balm
• ginger
• sage

Use

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Use these with digestive discomfort. Other uses include the relief of apparent cardiac symptoms (chest pain that’s mistaken for acid reflux or heartburn) and general metabolism support.

Proposed Mechanisms

The complexes of volatile oils (terpenes) have local anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effects on mucus linings.

Cholagogue

Definition

an herb or drug that stimulates the flow of bile in the liver

Common Cholagogue Herbs

• boneset
• goldenseal
• barberry
• rosemary

Use

These are specific for the liver, but the secretion of bile helps the entire digestive process. These can be used to aid in the digestion of fat-soluble substances (such as many vitamins). These herbs can help clear skin problems, since they help the body cleanse itself of waste and toxins.

Proposed Mechanisms

See this article here.

Demulcent

Definition

an herb or drug that soothes and protects inflamed internal tissue

Common Demulcent Herbs

• marshmallow
• licorice
• flax
• cornsilk

Use

Different herbs that fall in this category can be used for different issues. For instance, cornsilk helps with inflamed tissue due to a UTI. Others are soothing to an irritated respiratory tract (comfray) or digestive inflammation perhaps due to GERD (licorice).

Proposed Mechanisms

Pharmacological mechanisms are still debated.

Diuretic

Definition

an herb or drug that helps the body increase the rate of urine production, and so rid the body of excess fluids

Common Diuretic Herbs

• yarrow
• bearberry
• elder
• dandelion
• buchu
• linden

Use

Hoffman suggests the use of diuretics medicinally for a wide range of issues that result in excess fluid accumulation (some kinds of arthritis, digestive issues). I’ve used them simply when I feel a bit bloated, particularly a nice cup of dandelion tea.

Proposed Mechanisms

Some increase kidney blood flow, and others reduce water reabsorption in the nephrons of the kidney.

Emmenagogue

Definition

herb or drug that helps treat conditions of the female reproductive system, particularly that stimulate menstrual flow.

Common Emmenagogues

• pennyroyal
• motherwort
• cohosh (black and blue)
• wormwood

Uses

This category encompasses several different sub-actions on the female reproductive system. Some herbs are uterine tonics (toning and strengthening the tissues of the uterus), others directly stimulate menstruation. Still others are hormone normalizing, or uterine astringents (reducing blood loss), demulcents, nervines, and antispasmodics. Depending on

Proposed Mechanisms

Depending on the sub-action, the mechanism is still entirely unknown.

Expectorant

Definition

an herb or drug that facilitates the remove of bronchial secretions (helps you cough up phlegm)

Common Expectorant Herbs

• thuja
• marshmallow
• cowslip
• goldenseal

Uses

Self-explanatory. Theses are good for any infections of the respiratory tract that produce excess phlegm.

Proposed Mechanisms

There are two types of expectorants: stimulating and relaxing. The former type irritates the bronchioles to stimulate coughing, and helps to liquify various phlegms. Some of these (ipecac) can induce vomiting, so be sure to look carefully into which herbs you choose to use. Relaxing expectorants soothe bronchial spasms and loosen phlegm, producing a thinner goo that’s easier to cough up.

Hepatic

Definition

an herb or drug aids the liver

Common Hepatic Herbs

• yarrow
• aloe
• milk thistle
• barberry
• horseradish

Uses

Some hepatics are strong enough to treat diseases of the liver. For this sort of use, I recommend consulting an actual text and understanding the body system and disease before blindly applying these. For most people reading this, I assume you’re wanting to keep an already healthy liver in good shape.

Proposed Mechanisms

As with many herbal remedies, there is no Science(TM) approved mechanism of action. All we have is a long history of their uses and successes.

Hypnotic

Definiton

an herb or drug that induces deep sleep

Common Hypnotic Herbs

• hops
• mugwort
• chamomile
• passionflower
• skullcap
• valerian

Uses

These aren’t “sleeping pills” in the pharmaceutical sense. Some do act directly on the central nervous system, while others have more general muscle relaxant properties that can ease mental tension. I personally have suffered from nightmares in the past, and have found passionflower, skullcap, and valerian to aid greatly in the reduction of nightmares. I’ll make a tea from them in the evening. They won’t eliminate issues completely (for instance, I’ll still have an occasional nightmare just because or sometimes directly due to stress), but I can personally attest that these herbs do work.

Proposed Mechanism

Some contain volatile oils that stimulate muscle relaxation, and others contain alkaloids that act directly on the central nervous system.

Hypotensive

Definition

Herb or drug that reduces blood pressure

Common Hypotensive Herbs

• yarrow
• garlic
• passionflower
• motherwort
• skullcap

Uses

Hopefully the primary use is obvious. As a secondary use, lowering blood pressure can help with stress reduction as well, which is why you see some herbs listed here that are also hypnotics.

Proposed Mechanisms

There is quite a bit of medical detail involved here. I recommend reading pp. 171-175 of Hoffman’s text for further explanation.

Nervine

Definition

an herb or drug with a beneficial effect on the nervous system

Common Nervine Herbs

• St. John’s wort
• valerian
• passionflower
• lemon balm
• skullcap

UsesIn general, nervines are used to help the body process and relieve stress and to strength the nervous system.

Proposed Mechanisms

There are several sub-actions in this category, including

• tonics (condition and strengthen)
• relaxant
• stimulant
• hypnotics
• antispasmodic
• antidepressant
• adaptogen

The specific mechanisms of actions are still debated, and depend on the sub-action as well.

Stimulants

Definition

herb or drug that quickens physiological activity of the body. This can include laxatives, circulatory stimulants, and even bitters.

Common Stimulant Herbs

• ipecac
• ginger
• garlic
• coca tree (the source of cocaine)
• coffee

Uses

For the standard stimulants (coffee), no explanation is needed. (Obviously, I’m not advocating for the use of the coca tree or any of its derivatives.) Other stimulants can aid in digestion (ginger, garlic) or circulatory stimulants (yarrow).