Adaptogenic

A substance that increases the body’s resistance to physical, emotional, environmental or biological stressors, promoting normal physiological function

Antacid

A substance that counteracts or neutralises acidity in the gastrointestinal tract.

Adrenal Tonic

A substance that improves the tone, function and histology of the adrenal glands, (especially the cortex).

Anthelmintic

A substance which kills or assists in the expulsion of intestinal worms.

Alterative/Depurative

A substance that improves detoxification and elimination, reducing metabolic waste within the body.

Antiallergic

A substance that subdues an allergic response by mainly by stabilising mast cells.

Analgesic/Anodyne

A substance which relieves pain within the body.

Antianaemic

A substance that prevents or corrects anaemia.

Antiarrhythmic

A substance that prevents or is effective against arrhythmias.

Anticatarrhal

A substance which reduces formation of catarrh or phlegm.

Antiasthmatic

A substance that prevents or relieves asthma attacks.

Anticonvulsant

A substance that arrests or subdues convulsions.

Antibacterial

A substance which inhibits the growth of bacteria (bacteriostatic), or destroys bacteria (bactericidal).

Antiecchymotic

A substance which alleviates or prevents bruising.

Anticariogenic

A substance that reduces tooth decay.

Antiemetic

A substance that reduces vomiting and nausea.

Antifungal

A substance that inhibits the growth of, or destroys fungi.

Antilithic

A substance which reduces the formation of stones in the urinary tract.

Antihemorrhagic

A substance that reduces or stops bleeding when taken internally.

Antimicrobial

A substance that inhibits the growth of, or destroys microorganisms.

Antihyperhidrotic

A substance which reduces excessive sweating.

Antioxidant

A substance which protects against oxidation and free radical damage.

Anti-inflammatory

A substance that reduces inflammation.

Antiparasitic

A substance that inhibits the activity of, or kills parasites.

Antiprostatic

A substance that reduces symptoms from the prostate gland.

Antirheumatic

A substance which prevents or relieves rheumatism.

Antipuritic

A substance that prevents or relieves itching.

Antithyroid

A substance that reduces activity of the thyroid gland.

Antipsoriatic

A substance which reduces symptoms of psoriasis.

Antitussive

A substance which reduces the severity or amount of coughing.

Antipyretic

A substance that reduces or prevents fever.

Antiulcer

A substance that inhibits or reduces ulcer formation.

Antiviral

A substance that inhibits or destroys viruses.

Astringent

A substance which causes constriction of mucus membranes and exposed tissues, usually by precipitating proteins.

Anxiolytic

A substance that alleviates or subdues anxiety.

Aphrodisiac

A substance which stimulates sexual desire.

Aromatic Digestive

Also known as warming digestives, these are usually pleasant tasting herbs that assist digestion.

Bitter Tonic/Digestive

A substance that is bitter tasting and stimulates the upper GI tract through direct or indrect contact, promoting digestion.

Bronchospasmolytic

A substance that reduces spasm in the lower respiratory tract.

Cardioprotective

A substance which protects cardiac tissue against hypoxia and decreases risk of heart damage.

Collagen Stabilising

A substance which stabilises collagen and protects it from degradation, improving tone of the connective tissue.

Carminative

A substance that soothes intestinal spasms and pain, flatulence.

Cholagogue

A substance which increases the release of stored bile from the gallbladder.

Circulatory Stimulant

A substance that improves blood flow through tissues, promoting vitality and warmth.

Demulcent

A substance which demonstrates a soothing effect on mucus membranes.

Dopaminergenic Agonist

A substance which binds to and activates dopamine receptors.

Diaphoretic

A substance that promotes sweating, thus controlling a fever.

Digestive Stimulant

A substance which stimulates the functions of organs within the digestive system.

Diuretic

A substance that increases urinary output.

Emmenagogue

A substance which promotes menstrual flow.

Emollient

A substance that soothes, softens and protects skin.

Expectorant

A substance which improves the clearing of excess mucus from the lungs via coughing or altering mucus viscosity.

Female Tonic

A substance which improves the tone and vigour of the female reproductive system.

Galactagogue

A substance which increases breast milk production.

Gastric Stimulant

A substance that stimulates the function of the stomach.

Hepatic

A substance which increases the tone, vigour and function of the liver.

Hypocholesterolemic

A substance which reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Hepatoprotective

A substance that protects liver cells against toxicity.

Hypoglycemic

A substance that reduces the level of glucose in the blood.

Hepatotrophorestorative

A substance which restores the integrity of liver tissue.

Hyperlipidemic

A substance which reduces the lipid level within blood.

Hypnotic

A substance that induces sleep or drowsiness.

Hypotensive

A substance that reduces blood pressure.

Immune Depressant

A substance which decreases immune function, used when the immune system is overactive.

Immune Enhancing

A substance that enhances the function of the immune system.

Laxative

A substance which promotes evacuation of the bowels.

Local Anaesthetic

A substance that removes sensation or pain when applied topically.

Lymphatic

A substance which assist in detoxification through the lymphatic tissue.

Male Tonic

A substance which promotes the tone, vigour and function of the male reproductive system.

Mucus Membrane

Trophorestorative

A substance which improves the integrity of the mucus membranes.

Mucolytic

A substance that assists to break up and disperse sticky mucus within the respiratory tract.

Mucoprotective

A substance that protects the mucus membranes, especially within the GI tract.

Mucus Membrane Tonic

A substance that improves the tone vigour and function of the mucus membranes.

Neuroprotective

A substance which help prevent damage to the brain and spinal cord from ischemia, stroke, convulsions or trauma.

Nootropic/ Cognition Enhancing

A substance that facilitates learning or memory.

Nervine

A substance that improves the tone, vigour and function of the nervous system.

Ovarian Tonic

A substance which improves the tone vigour and function of the ovaries.

Oxytocic

A substance that causes contraction of the uterine muscles in association with giving birth.

Parturifacient

A substance that induces labour and assists in the delivery of foetus and placenta.

Prolactin Inhibitor

A substance which inhibits the secretion of prolactin.

Partus Preparator

A substance taken in preparation for labour and childbirth (usually taken in 2nd trimester).

Pungent

A substance that is hot in nature, which acts on a common group of nerve cell receptors, thus warming the body and improving digestion and circulation.

Peripheral Vasodilator

A substance that dilates the peripheral blood vessels, thus improving circulation to peripheral tissues.

Progesterogenic

A substance that promotes the effect or the production of progesterone.

Refrigerant

A substance that has cooling properties, especially when applied to the skin.

Rubefacient

A substance which, when applied to an inflamed area, creates heat to act as a counterirritant.

Sexual Tonic

A substance that improves the tone, vigour and function of the sexual organs.

Spasmolytic

A substance which reduces or relieves spasm within the smooth muscles.

Sialagogue

A substance which increases the secretions of the salivary glands.

Stimulant

A substance that heightens the function of an organ or system.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxant

A substance that relaxes skeletal muscle tone.

Styptic

A substance which stops bleeding when applied topically.

Sedative

A substance that reduces activity in the nervous system and decreases nervous tension.

Thymoleptic

A substance that improves ones mood.

Trophorestorative

A substance which has specific healing and regenerating actions on a particular organ or tissue.

Thyroid Stimulant

A substance which increases activity of the thyroid glands.

TSH Agonist

A substance that blocks the activity of TSH.

Tissue Perfusion Enhancing

A substance that enhances the flow of nutrients into the tissues.

Tonic

A substance that improves the tone vigour and function of the whole body.

Urinary Antiseptic

A substance that inhibits the growth or destroys microorganisms within the urinary tract.

Urinary Demulcent

A substance which has a soothing effect on the mucus membranes of the urinary tract.

Uterine Sedative

A substance that subdues the activity of the uterus.

Uterine Tonic

A substance that increases the tone of the uterine muscle.

Vasoconstrictor

A substance that constricts or narrows the blood vessels.

Vulnerary

A substance which assists in the healing of wounds when applied locally.

Vasodilator

A substance which dilates or widens the blood vessels.

Vasoprotective

A substance that protects the integrity of the blood vessels.

Venotonic

A substance that increases the tone and function of the veins.