List of Herbal Actions

What Are Herbal Actions?

Herbal actions describe how an herb affects the body - specifically, the physiological changes it promotes. Each action is a clue to what the herb does: whether it calms the nerves, supports digestion, reduces inflammation, stimulates the immune system, or something else entirely.

Think of herbal actions as the herbalist's version of a pharmacological map. Instead of focusing on just one disease or symptom, herbal actions help you understand how a plant interacts with bodily systems as a whole.

Rather than focusing solely on treating diseases, herbal actions guide the selection of herbs based on how they interact with the body’s natural functions. 

Recognizing and applying herbal actions empowers herbalists to practice with intention, precision, and respect for the complexity of the human body and the plants that support its healing.

 

Adaptogen

• Enhances the body’s ability to resist stress and restore balance without overstimulation.
• Ex: Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Holy Basil
• Est. time for effect: Weeks to Months

Alterative

• Gradually restores proper function to the body, often linked to detoxification and improved metabolism.
• Ex: Burdock root, Red clover, Nettle
• Est. time for effect: Weeks to Months

Analeptic

• Stimulates the central nervous system, especially respiratory and circulatory functions.
• Ex: Coffee, Guarana, Camphor
• Est. time for effect: Minutes

Analgesic (Anodyne)

• Relieves pain without causing unconsciousness.
• Ex: Willow bark, California poppy, Corydalis
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Anesthetic

• Induces temporary loss of sensation or awareness.
• Ex: Clove oil, Wild lettuce
• Est. time for effect: Minutes

Anaphrodisiac

• Reduces sexual desire or function.
• Ex: Hops, Chaste tree (Vitex)
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Antacid

• Neutralizes excess stomach acid.
• Ex: Slippery elm, Marshmallow root
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Anthelmintic (Vermifuge)

• Expels or destroys intestinal worms and parasites.
• Ex: Wormwood, Black walnut, Garlic
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Anti-inflammatory

• Reduces inflammation and swelling.
• Ex: Turmeric, Ginger, Boswellia
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Antibacterial

• Inhibits the growth of or destroys bacteria.
• Ex: Goldenseal, Garlic, Thyme
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Antibiotic

• Kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.
• Ex: Echinacea, Usnea, Garlic
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Anticatarrhal

• Helps eliminate excess mucus from the respiratory tract.
• Ex: Elderflower, Eyebright, Goldenrod
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Antidepressant

• Alleviates symptoms of depression or lifts mood.
• Ex: St. John’s Wort, Rhodiola, Lemon balm
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Antiemetic

• Prevents or reduces nausea and vomiting.
• Ex: Ginger, Peppermint, Chamomile
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Antifungal

• Destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi.
• Ex: Tea tree, Pau d’arco, Garlic
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Antihistamine

• Counteracts the effects of histamine, helping relieve allergic responses.
• Ex: Nettle, Eyebright, Reishi
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Antimicrobial

• Inhibits the growth of or destroys various types of microorganisms.
• Ex: Oregano, Thyme, Echinacea
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Antioxidant

• Prevents or slows oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals.
• Ex: Green tea, Rosemary, Acai
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Antirheumatic

• Eases symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis.
• Ex: Devil’s claw, Turmeric, Nettle
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Antispasmodic

• Relieves or prevents muscle spasms or cramps.
• Ex: Cramp bark, Valerian, Chamomile
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Antitussive

• Suppresses coughing.
• Ex: Licorice root, Wild cherry bark, Marshmallow root
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Antiviral

• Inhibits the development or replication of viruses.
• Ex: Elderberry, Lemon balm, Licorice root
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Aperient

• Mildly laxative, promoting gentle bowel movements.
• Ex: Dandelion root, Yellow dock
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Aphrodisiac

• Stimulates or increases sexual desire.
• Ex: Damiana, Maca, Tribulus
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Astringent

• Contracts tissues and reduces secretions or bleeding.
• Ex: Witch hazel, Oak bark, Raspberry leaf
• Est. time for effect: Minutes
  

Bitter

• Stimulates digestive function by increasing saliva and gastric secretions.
• Ex: Gentian, Dandelion, Artichoke leaf
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Cardiotonic

• Strengthens and regulates the function of the heart.
• Ex: Hawthorn, Motherwort, Schisandra
• Est. time for effect: Weeks to Months

Carminative

• Relieves gas and bloating from the digestive tract.
• Ex: Fennel, Peppermint, Ginger
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Cholagogue

• Stimulates the flow of bile from the gallbladder.
• Ex: Barberry, Dandelion, Oregon grape
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Choleretic

• Stimulates bile production in the liver.
• Ex: Artichoke, Dandelion, Turmeric
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Cicatrisant

• Promotes wound healing by encouraging scar tissue formation.
• Ex: Calendula, Comfrey, Aloe
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

CNS Stimulant

• Stimulates the central nervous system, increasing alertness and energy.
• Ex: Caffeine (Coffee, Yerba mate), Guarana
• Est. time for effect: Minutes

CNS Depressant

• Slows down brain activity, inducing calm or sedation.
• Ex: Valerian, Hops, Passionflower
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Demulcent

• Soothes irritated or inflamed mucous membranes.
• Ex: Marshmallow root, Slippery elm, Licorice
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Depurative

• Promotes detoxification and elimination of waste products.
• Ex: Red clover, Burdock root, Nettle
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Diaphoretic

• Promotes perspiration to aid detoxification or break a fever.
• Ex: Yarrow, Elderflower, Ginger
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Digestive

• Aids or improves the digestive process.
• Ex: Chamomile, Fennel, Gentian
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Diuretic

• Increases urine production to eliminate excess fluids.
• Ex: Dandelion leaf, Corn silk, Parsley
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Emetic

• Induces vomiting.
• Ex: Ipecac, Lobelia
• Est. time for effect: Minutes

Emmenagogue

• Stimulates menstrual flow and activity.
• Ex: Mugwort, Black cohosh, Ginger
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Emollient

• Soothes and softens the skin externally.
• Ex: Calendula, Plantain, Chickweed
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Expectorant

• Helps expel mucus from the respiratory tract.
• Ex: Mullein, Elecampane, Thyme
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Febrifuge

• Reduces fever.
• Ex: Willow bark, Elderflower, Boneset
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Galactagogue

• Promotes or increases breast milk production.
• Ex: Fenugreek, Fennel, Blessed thistle
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Hepatic

• Supports liver function and health.
• Ex: Milk thistle, Dandelion root, Schisandra
• Est. time for effect: Weeks to Months

Hypnotic

• Induces sleep or sedation.
• Ex: Valerian, Hops, Skullcap
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Hypoglycemic

• Lowers blood sugar levels.
• Ex: Gymnema, Bitter melon, Cinnamon
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Hypotensive

• Lowers blood pressure.
• Ex: Garlic, Hawthorn, Rauwolfia
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Immunomodulator

• Regulates or balances immune system activity.
• Ex: Reishi, Astragalus, Licorice root
• Est. time for effect: Weeks to Months

Immunostimulant

• Boosts immune system function.
• Ex: Echinacea, Elderberry, Andrographis
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Laxative

• Promotes bowel movements to relieve constipation.
• Ex: Senna, Cascara sagrada, Aloe latex
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Lithotritic

• Helps dissolve or reduce kidney and bladder stones.
• Ex: Chanca piedra, Gravel root
• Est. time for effect: Weeks to Months

Lymphagogue

• Stimulates or promotes the flow of lymph, helping to move fluids, clear waste, and support immune function.
• Ex: Cleavers, Calendula, Red root, Poke root (low dose only).
• Est. time for effect: Days to weeks (depends on constitution and dosage; generally works gradually as it improves lymphatic circulation).

Mucolytic

• Breaks down or thins mucus.
• Ex: Thyme, Elecampane
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Nervine

• Affects the nervous system; can be calming, stimulating, or toning.
• Ex: Oat straw, Skullcap, Passionflower
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Parturient

• Facilitates childbirth by aiding uterine contractions.
• Ex: Blue cohosh, Raspberry leaf
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks

Parasiticide

• Destroys parasites.
• Ex: Wormwood, Clove, Black walnut
• Est. time for effect: Hours to Days

Protective

• Shields tissues or organs from damage.
• Ex: Slippery elm, Marshmallow root
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Refrigerant

• Cools the body and reduces body heat or fever.
• Ex: Peppermint, Lemon balm
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Rubefacient

• Causes local irritation and redness to stimulate blood flow.
• Ex: Mustard seed, Cayenne
• Est. time for effect: Minutes

Sedative

• Calms the nervous system and reduces excitability.
• Ex: Valerian, Passionflower, Hops
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Sialagogue

• Stimulates the production of saliva.
• Ex: Ginger, Cayenne
• Est. time for effect: Minutes

Stimulant

• Increases physiological or nervous activity.
• Ex: Coffee, Ginger, Ginseng
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Stomachic

• Strengthens the stomach and promotes digestion.
• Ex: Chamomile, Gentian, Angelica
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Styptic

• Stops bleeding by contracting tissue or blood vessels.
• Ex: Yarrow, Shepherd’s purse
• Est. time for effect: Minutes

Sudorific

• Promotes sweating.
• Ex: Ginger, Yarrow, Elderflower
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Tonic

• Strengthens and invigorates a particular organ or the whole body over time.
• Ex: Nettle, Ashwagandha, Astragalus
• Est. time for effect: Weeks to Months

Uterine Tonic

• Supports the health and function of the uterus.
• Ex: Raspberry leaf, Dong quai
• Est. time for effect: Weeks to Months

Vasodilator

• Expands blood vessels, increasing circulation and reducing blood pressure.
• Ex: Ginkgo, Cayenne
• Est. time for effect: Minutes to Hours

Vulnerary

• Aids in the healing of wounds.
• Ex: Calendula, Plantain, Comfrey
• Est. time for effect: Days to Weeks