Glossary of Properties

Glossary & How To Make Poultices, Tintures, Etc.

HERBS : Glossary of Terms

Used in Herbology

When researching the uses of herbs you may run into a variety of terms used to describe their properties. The following is a list of some of the terms.

Alterative

-herbs used to change existing nutritive and excretory processes to regulate body funtions, help to purify the blood. They cause detoxification of the system.

Anaesthetic

-loss of sensation, pain relieving

Analgesic

- Reduces swelling and inflammation. Helps to ease pain.

Anaphrodisiac

-diminishing sexual desire

Anodyne

-herbs when applied externally used to relieve pain

Antacid

-a substance that neutralizes stomach acid

Antiallergenic

-reduces symptoms of allergies

Anti-asthmatic

-a substance that relieves symptoms of asthma

Antibacterial

- Inhibits and destroys the growth of bacteria.

Antiboitic

- Inhibits and destroys viruses

Antihydropic

-herbs used to remove excess body fluid

Anticoagulant

-prevents blood from clotting

Anticonvulsive

-controlling convulsions

Antidepressant

-uplifting, counteracting melancholy

Antidiarrheal

-a substanccee that combates and arrests diarrhea

Antidontalgic

-releiving toothache

Antiemetic

-reduces vomiting

Antigalactagogue

-impedes flow of milk

Antimicrobe

-substance reducing microbes

Antineuralgic

-substance reducing nerve pain

Antiphlogistic

-substance reducing inflammation

Antiputrefactive

-delays decomposition of animal vegetable matter

Antipruritic

-prevents itching

Antiseptic

- Inhibits the growth of microorganisms and prevents infections

Antispasmodic

- Eases muscualar spasams

Aperitive

-a substance that stimulates the appetite

Antisyphilic

-herbs used to allay venerial diseases

Aphrodisiac

-herbs used to correct problems of impotency and sexual power

Astringent

-herbs used to contract tissues and halt discharges

Bacteriacide

-combating bacteria

Balsamic

-healing soothing softening phlegm

Bechic

-eases coughs

Calmative

- Has a mild sedating and calming effect.

Cardiac

- Acts on the heart sometimes causing the heart to have a stronger or faster beat.

Carminative

- Expels gas from the intestines. Stimulates the gastrointestinal tract.

Cathartic

- A laxative or purgative. Can cause rapid evacuation of the bowels.

Caustic

-causes burning

Cephalic

-stimulating and clearing the mind

Cholagogues

- Encourages the flow of bile

Decongestant

-releasing nasal mucous

Demulcent

- Can soothe inflamed mucous membranes and surfaces. Softens tissue

Depurative

-purifying the blood

Diaphoretic

- Increases perspiration. Stimulates the circulatory system

Diuretic

- Increase the flow of Urine

Emetic

- Induces vomiting

Emmenagogue

- Stimulates the menstrual flow

Emollient

-soothing and softening skin

Escharotic

-treating warts

Expectorant

- Helps to expell mucous from the throat and lungs

Febrifuge

- an Antipyretic. Reduces fevers

Fungiside

- destroys fungal infections

Galactagogue

-increasing secretion of milk

Hemostatic

-arrests bleeding-hemorrhages

Hepatic

-stimulatesss and aids function of liver and gall-bladder

Hypertensive

-increasing blood pressure

Hypoglycemant

-lowering blood sugar levels

Hypotensive

-lowering blood pressure

Insecticide

-killing insect pests

Laxative

-aiding bowel evacuation

Nervine

-reduces nerous disorders, relaxing and strengthening to the nerves

Oestrogenic

-a substance affecting female sexual functions

Oxytocic

-a substance that stimulates uterine contractions

Parasiticide

-ridding organisms living on other organisms

Parturient

-helps easing delivery in child birth

Restorative

-restoring and reviving health

Rubefacient

-substance that reddens the skin

Sedative

-calming, a substance that quiets the nerous system

Sialagogue

-a substance that stimulates the flow of saliva to aid digestion

Splenetic

-tonic to the spleen

Stimulant

-a substance that increases body energy, especially by increasing blood circulation

Stomatic

-relieves gastic disorders,gastic stimulant

Synergistic

-the simultaneous action of two or more substances whose combined effect is greater than the sum of each working alone

Styptic

-arrests external bleeding

Sudorific

-increases persperation

Tonic

-a substance that builds or increases the functions of a system of the body

Uterine

-tonic to the uterus

Vasoconstrictor

-a substance that constricts blood vessel walls

Vasodilator

-a substance that dialates blood vessels

Vermifuge

-destroys and expules worms

Vesicant

-a substance that causes the skin to blister

Vulnerary

-a substance that promotes the healing of wounds,prevents tissue degeneration and arrests bleeding in wounds

Definitions, How To

You've read, you've visited herb stores, and web-sites, now you're ready to try a herbal concoction, right? But, this one would be a tea, that one was referred to as an infusion, and you were told to always decoct roots!! Of, course there are poultices, compresses, salves, tinctures, etc., etc., etc., what are all these and what's the difference? Well, read on!

Infusions

Most appropriate for stems, leaves, flowers you can infuse bark, roots and seeds, but seeds should be bruised (use a mortar and pestle for this) and bark and roots should be powdered first.

To make an Infusion:
1. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb, place in cup.
2. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herb. Cover and allow to brew for 10-15 minutes. May be drunk hot (usually best for medicinals) or cold. A bit of honey, raw sugar, stevia or licorice root if desired, may be added.

If you wish to make larger quantities at one time, be sure to refrigerate after brewing, herbal infusions are usually so rich that bacteria can multiply and thrive very quickly. Even a refrigerated infusion shouldn't be kept more than 2 days.

Decoctions

When you're dealing with roots, bark, seeds or hard dense pieces of herbs a decoction is usually the better choice. Pieces should be small.

To make a decoction:

1. Put 1 tsp of dried herb for each cup (or 3 teaspoons fresh) in an enamel or glass saucepan (do not use aluminum).
2. Add 1 cup of water for each teaspoon of dried herb (amounts are approximate)
3. Bring mixture to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, covered to avoid losing volatile oils. Strain into cup, drink and sweeten as you would an infusion. Again, refrigerate any you aren't going to drink right away.

Tinctures

Most times, alcohol makes a stronger tincture than water, glycerin or vinegar. Alcohol tincture is what we're are going to talk about here.

To make a simple alcohol tincture:

1. Use approximately 4 ounces finely chopped or ground dried herb into a bottle or jar (if using fresh material use twice as much)
2. Pour one pint of at least 60 proof vodka over the herbs. Close the jar tightly.
3. Keep the jar in a warm location, shake twice a day for two weeks. 4. Strain. Place the left over herbal residue into a muslin cloth or bag (several layers of cheesecloth works also) and wring out the remaining liquid.
5. You now have a tincture. Pour your tincture into a dark bottle and keep tightly closed.

Extracts

These usually require a still and are difficult and expensive to try to do at home. There are a wide variety of extracts on the market, check your local health food store.

Salves or Ointments

These are semi-solid and are usually used externally, applied to the skin.

To make an ointment:

I usually use petroleum jelly as a base. I know, I know, it isn't "organic". ButŠit's easy and quick, it isn't absorbed by the skin, it's fairly water-proof and makes a great covering which won't let anything in from outside either. It simply acts as a carrier and lets the herbal stuff sink into the skin... and it works!

Instructions are simple, just simmer 2 tablespoons of herb or a herb mixture in 7 ounces of petroleum jelly for 10-15 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh strainer and press out all you can of the liquid petroleum jelly. Pour into a jar (or even back into the original container). Viola! Almost instant ointment!

Poultice or Compress

Here there is a difference. In a compress an infusion or decoction is made first and a piece of clean cloth or gauze is soaked in the resultant liquid. The cloth or gauze is applied to the affected area. For a poultice you would use the plant material itself. When using a compress, use it as hot as can be tolerated, you can cover the compress with plastic wrap, to keep it hot longer, and change it when it cools off.

For poultices, you can use fresh or dried herbs. Fresh herbs can be bruised and applied directly to the skin. If the skin is particularly sensitive, the poultice can be placed between layers of gauze.

When using dried herbs they must be moistened first. Make a paste by adding hot water or apple cider vinegar to the dried plant material. Keep the poultice warm as for a compress. You may want to cover the skin with a thin layer of oil as this protects the skin and may make removing the poultice easier.


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