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Herbal Properties and Actions
I'm in the process of re-tweaking this to better
convey how herbal actions indicate the energetic
framework of western herbalism. I have no idea
how efficient I'll be at this, but, while I work (or
procrastinate) the changes I make will be here...
jim
I don’t think I could
possibly overstate how important it is to understand
the properties by which herbs work. This
knowledge is what separates a mediocre herbalist
(someone who memorizes the name of a problem and the
name of the herb that is listed next to it and says
use this for that) from a good herbalist
(someone who says, “Ah… dry, enflamed tissues… which
mucilaginous herb should I use for this?”).
Understanding these properties opens up new worlds
of possibility to the herbal student. It
allows one to more deeply understand the herbs
they’re using, and see patterns in both plants and
people more clearly. It also clears up
that head scratching that occurs when you’re reading
herbal books and have no idea what they’re referring
to when they say “anticatarrhal”.
While you could go
through this list and try to memorize terms and
definitions, the best way to gain an understanding
of this material is to do so experientially.
You can read what an astringent is, or you can chew
on a green banana peel and know from experience.
Or you can understand that a mucilage is a viscid,
slippery carbohydrate, but making a strong infusion
of Marshmallow or Slippery Elm and playing around
with the resulting goo will allow you to not only
understand with your head, but with your body as
well. And who would want to pass up the
opportunity to compare and contrast the varying
degrees of bitter?
So… learn this stuff.
Years later, you’ll either be glad you did, or wish
you had.
Primal Energetics
hot ~ cold
It is clear that some herbs are warming and some are
cooling. Give anyone some cayenne pepper and,
given the two options, they're sure to pick
correctly. Same goes for iceberg lettuce, or
cucumbers... they're just clearly cooling, and
you're likely to find wide agreement on this fact.
But, as you move in from the extremes to the middle
ground, you'll start to see differences of opinion,
even among the wisest of plant people. To me,
that just makes sense, in the same way that everyone
will agree that Palm Springs, California in July is
hot and Lake Superior in late March is really very
cold. But put them in a "room temperature"
hotel and any group of two or more will often
disagree as to whether its a bit warm or a bit
chill. When learning to apply the ideas of
"heating" and "cooling" to herbs, start with the
obvious extremes and work you way in.
Still, there are some general observations about these
two categories that can be clarifying and offer
insight:
Heating herbs...
Cooling herbs...
damp ~ dry
Imbalances in the body are often characteristically
dry or damp. This applies throughout the body,
but nowhere, perhaps, is it as readily discernable
as in the respiratory tract, since when someone
coughs, you can often clearly hear which end of the
spectrum is manifest. Likewise, the herbs we
use tend to possess either a drying or moistening
action.
As it turns out, most herbs are drying, though they
can vary greatly in degrees. Drying herbs tend to
cause dryness via one of two processes:
1.) They result in the release of fluids from the
body, like diuretics (fluid lost through pee),
diaphoretics (fluid lost through sweat), bitters
(fluid lost through bile), galactagogues (fluid lost
through breastmilk), emmenogogues (fluid lost
through blood), sialogogues (fluid lost through
drool), expectorants/decongestants (fluid lost
through mucous), emetics (fluid lost through vomit),
you probably get the picture.
But, of course, we need to thicken the plot a bit...
The same drying herbs that release fluids from the
body in some ways moisten tissues as the
fluids are released. For example, the skin will go from dry to
moist with the use of an appropriate diaphoretic.
This, though, is a local and transient phenomenon,
one to be utilized for a limited duration of time; if it makes you secrete a fluid or stimulates some
type of evacuation, it’s still constitutionally drying,
because there is less fluid in the body as a result
of its action.
2.) Astringents are considered drying. This is both
a correct and misleading way to understand what they
do. Astringent herbs don't really cause the loss of
fluids from the body. In fact, they often are used
to help retain fluid from being lost (for example,
blackberry root being used to stop diarrhea or
shepherd's purse to staunch uterine bleeding). But a
simple taste of an astringent leaves the mouth (i.e.
the mucous membranes) dry (think about the dryness
you get from sipping green tea, or from taking a
bite of a too green banana). What astringents do is
restore tone to tissues by causing them to
constrict. This constriction - generally of the
outer surface of the tissues - causes dryness. In
western herbalism, these herbs were referred to as
"tonics" - herbs that restored tone to tissues. In
most cases, short term use of astringents causes a
localized dryness, while helping to preserve fluids
constitutionally. Prolonged use, however, or the use
of very strong astringents (like, say, hemlock
spruce bark) starts to constrict tissues too
much (and not just on the surface), and in doing so
impairs their proper function by both robbing them
of fluids and impairing hydration.
We might say of drying herbs that those that cause
loss of fluids from the body a constitutionally
drying while sometimes moistening locally, and
astringents are locally drying while they initially
help to retain fluids.
Moistening herbs generally come in four types:
1.) Demulcent/emollient herbs that moisten via
mucilage. We should be aware, though, that this is not always a direct effect
of the mucilage coming into contact with tissues. In the GI tract, there's a
moistening effect via contact, but this isn't the
case with, say, the lungs. Still, mucilages almost
universally moisten mucous membranes, even if they
don't come into contact with them. Degrees to which
mucilaginous herbs moisten is roughly proportional
to how mucilaginous they are; slippery elm and
marshmallow a very mucilaginous and very moistening,
plantain is mildly mucilaginous and mildly
moistening. Sassafras and violet leaves are in
the middle.
2.) "Sweet tonics" are mildly moistening. Think of
tonic in the TCM sense - herbs like Astragalus,
American Ginseng, Codonopsis, licorice.
3.) Herbs rich in oils, especially fixed oils (think
of most seeds and nuts), or that affect oil
utilization are moistening. Some herbs may not
actually contain a lot of fixed oils, but somehow
help in there optimal utilization. Burdock is
an example of an herb that affects oil utilization.
Also, we should consider the incredibly important
role of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids found in wild
fatty fish, wild game, and other animals with a free
ranging wild eating lifestyle.
4.) Some warming aromatics can moisten. Angelica and Osha are examples.
This may seem strange, because
these are herbs that are generally used to treat wet
coughs (and they do). But they are really oily
herbs, and the moisture they offer is oil moisture,
not water moisture. So, if someone needs water
moisture, they won't help much and might aggravate,
but if someone needs oil moisture they can be very
helpful. I (who tends to be dry) can use these
without much aggravation, but their potential to
aggravate if there's water dryness can be tempered
by adding a bit of mucilage.
constriction/spasm/tension~relaxation/atony/laxity
Tissues can either be...
diffusive/permanent
In William Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory, he
discusses the difference between herbs he calls "diffusives"
and "permanents":
"Impressions made upon the nerves are conveyed with
rapidity. Sometimes, this rapidity may be so
great as almost to resemble a shock. Hence
agents that are principally conveyed by the nerves,
manifest themselves speedily; while those that act
principally by absorption, are more tardy in working
their effects. A great many agents act through
both media, and that in every conceivable ratio;
hence these may first manifest a prompt, sudden
action, which will apparently have passed away, and
subsequently be absorbed, and make a renewal of the
original impression in a less intense but more
persistent manner. Agents acting principally
on the nerves are, therefore, more diffusive
and transient, while those relying upon the slower
process of absorption are more permanent.
These terms are, of course, merely relative; for
some agents which are absorbed (as capsicum) may
first make a diffusive impression through the
nerves, and follow this by an influence of a slower
and more persistent kind through the entire frame.
But, while this nomenclature is not absolute, it is
sufficiently explicit to warrant its general use -
employing the terms only as referring to time,
and not to extent."
An interesting example of this relationship is found
in Burdock; the seeds are diffusive, while the root
is permanent.
Primary Actions
Adaptogen
Adaptogenic herbs
increase the ability of the body to cope with and
respond to stress. They tend to act on the
adrenals and the endocrine & immune systems.
This is the class of herbs people think of when they
hear the word “tonic”. The term was originally
coined to describe Siberian Ginseng, and other herbs
compared to Ginseng. There is much academic
debate about what can and should not be called an
adaptogen. For my part, if an herb relaxes
tension, increases one's resilience to the stress
they are exposed to, and, if taken over time, helps
replenish their vital energy, then the herb is
acting as an adaptogen, whether or not we can
pinpoint and verify that its actions are manifested
via the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis.
Alterative
These herbs act on
the body to promote a healthy and balanced state of
functioning by supporting the liver, kidneys,
lymphatic & immune system and adrenals. They
are often referred to in herb books as “blood
purifiers, though their affect on the blood is
really the result of their action on the metabolic
organs. Alteratives might be more accurately
be called "metabolic tonics", as they coordinate and
improve the efficacy of our metabolism. Most
Alterative herbs also special "niches" they excel in
addressing. Cleavers and Red Root, for
example, are excellent lymphatic tonics, while
Dandelion and Yellow Dock act more strongly on the
lower gastrointestinal tract. Nettles and
Milky Oats improve adrenal processes, and Burdock
seems to have a balanced action on all metabolic
organs and processes.
Aromatic
Herbs that contain
volatile oils, and are used to expel intestinal gas.
Aromatics also tend to be antimicrobial, and
disperse congestion (of every imaginable kind). Examples are innumerable…
Sage and Fennel are a couple.
Astringent/Styptic/Hemostatic
Astringents tighten
and restore tone to tissues, which in turn lessens
oversecretions. They may be used to stop
bleeding (In which case they are called
styptics/hemostatics) if tissues are injured, or to
restore the strength of tissues that are weak and
can’t hold in their fluids. They also help
relieve inflammation. Cranesbill, Sumach, Oak,
and most of the rose family are examples.
Bitter
Bitter herbs
stimulate the secretion of digestive acids, juices
and enzymes, which generally improve appetite &
digestion, especially of fats/oils/lipids. You
must taste bitters to receive their medicinal
virtues. There are aromatic bitters (Calamus),
bittersweet bitters (Celastrus), and just plain
bitter bitters (Boneset).
Carminative
Carminatives are
aromatic herbs that contain volatile oils and
initiate the expulsion of intestinal gas.
They often relieve cramping as well. Catnip,
Fennel and Chamomile are carminatives.
Demulcent/Emollient/Mucilaginous
A Mucilage is a
carbohydrate contained in a number of plants, that
when exposed to water yields a slippery, viscid,
sort of gooey liquid. Mucilages coat, soothe
and moistens dry, irritated and inflamed tissues.
Taken internally, mucilaginous herbs are considered
“demulcents”. Applied externally, they are
called “emollients.” Slippery Elm and
Marshmallow are archetypal.
Diaphoretic/Sudorific
Diaphorectics are
used to open the pores and promote perspiration.
They are usually used in the treatment of fevers,
but can be used to advantage in colds & flus as
well. Diaphoretics act on the hypothalamus,
which controls the body’s thermostat by directing
the actions of peripheral circulation and the pores.
It also provides the link between emotional stimuli
and physical responses, and diaphoretics may be of
value in addressing problems arising from this cause
as well. Yarrow, Elderflower, and most mints
are diaphoretic. See “febrifuge/antipyretic”
to compare/contrast (though nowadays they’re often
all lumped up under the same definition...).
Sudorifics
force perspiration, and the term is really
better applied to more toxic substances such as
Antimony.
Diuretic
Diuretics increase
the quantity of urine expelled from the body.
Some do this by increasing the blood flow to the
kidneys (like Scotch Broom and caffeine containing
herbs), others affect the secretion or reabsorbtion
of fluids in the kidneys (Dandelion), while still
others irritate the renal tissues and the kidneys
produce more urine to try to “flush out” the
irritant (Juniper being an example of this).
Nowadays, laxness of terminology has led to people
using the word “diuretic” to refer to any herb
affecting the kidneys in any way (alas…).
Expectorant
Expectorant refers to
herbs that help expel mucous/phlegm from the lungs.
Generally, warming, drying herbs (like Angelica) are
used for wet/damp/dank coughs, while mucilaginous
herbs (like Marshmallow) are used for dry coughs.
Relaxants
”Relaxant” is a term
commonly used in Eclectic and Physiomedical herbal
texts. It does not refer to herbs that
are sedative, but rather herbs that relax contracted
tissues, such as antispasmodics. This doesn’t
seem confusing, but when you look up and herb in
Cook’s Physiomedical Dispensatory and it says “this
herb is stimulating and mildly relaxing”, you get
kind of disoriented. What such a sentence
means is that the herb stimulates activity and
relaxes tissues. Lobelia is a famous one.
Nervine/Sedative/Hypnotic/Soporific
Nervines are herbs
that act on the nerous system. Technically,
there are stimulating nerviness (such as Kola Nuts
and other caffeine containing herbs) and relaxing
nerviness (Scullcap, Valerian…). Nowadays,
though, the term most often refers to nervous system
relaxants. To further delineate, there are
herbs considered to be “tonic” nervines (herbs that
when taken long term improve nervous conditions,
such as Wood Betony) and “sedative” nerviness (herbs
that actively sedate the central nervous system, and
should be used short term to manage acute problems,
like California Poppy). Both “soporific” and
“hypnotic” are terms that specifically refers to
herbs that induce sleep (hypnotic does not refer to
hypnotic trances). To make matters confusing,
“sedative” may also be used to refer to herbs that
sedate activity of tissues (and not necessarily the
central nervous system)… so an anti-inflammatory
herb might be called a sedative in an old
Physiomedical book. It should be noted that
the word “sudorific” is not the same as “soporific”…
even though they look the similar and rhyme.
Sudorifics promote sweating, and while some may be
soporific as well, not all are.
Stimulant
Here’s a doosey of a
term. Obviously, stimulants stimulate
activity. However, while nowadays people
almost always associate stimulants with caffeine,
Ephedra and other cerebral or metabolic stimulants,
most old herbal texts use the word stimulant to
describe an herb that stimulates activity of any
sort of tissue or process... sialagogues are
therefore stimulants.
Tonic
Herbalist Matthew Wood, in a draft copy of his
Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism, offers
the one of the best definitions of the word “tonic”,
unique in that it allows for all the different
manifestations this vague category may take: “A
tonic is usually an herb or food that acts on the
body in a slow, nutritive fashion to build up the
substance of the body. In this sense, the term
"tonic" might be considered synonymous with
"trophorestorative". It can also be defined as
a substance which (like an astringent) restrains
loss from the body by "toning" tissues. Matt
offers the following categories tonics may fall
into: Bitter tonics were used to strengthen
and nourish the liver and metabolism (alteratives,
for the most part), Sweet tonics acted primarily on
the immune system and adrenals (adaptogens).
Oily tonics supplied fixed oils and essential fatty
acids to tissues to ensure hydration, cell
permeability and to prevent atrophy.
Mineral tonics (do I really need to say?) provide
essential minerals, and sour tonics are rich in
bioflavinoids. Protein tonics are rich in
protein… not lots of plants here, for the most part,
but Nettle is a good example.
Secondary Actions
An herb's secondary actions are those properties
attributed to it that owe their effect to one or
more of the plant's primary actions. As an
example, people often refer to an herb as possessing
an "anti-inflammatory action". While this
tells us something of what might be achieved by
using the plant, it really tells us very little
else. Is the herb anti-inflammatory because it
contains a mucilage that coats and soothes enflamed
tissues? Or perhaps its astringent?
Maybe the anti-inflammatory agent resides in the
plants aromatic oils, or maybe it contains
salicin or some other compound that inhibits
inflammation...
It is in all of these differing possibilities that the
answer to the question, "How do I choose the right
anti-inflammatory for this person expressing these
specific symptoms lies. So, if you know a
plant possesses some secondary action, try to
understand which primary actions lead it to this
end.
Absorbents
These herbs “absorb”
swellings of various sorts, more or less via
lymphatic action. Mullein is an example… see
lymphatics.
Analgesic/Anodyne/Narcotic
Analgesics and
anodynes describe herbs that ease or relieve pain.
They may do this through a variety of mechanisms;
for example, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatories and
herbs containing salicylic acid are all anodynes.
Willow & Black Cohosh are examples of
analgesic/anodyes. Narcotics inhibit central
nervous system activity, and are generally dangerous
in excess. Opium and Henbane are examples… not
for the home herbalist.
Antacids
Antacids are herbs
that contain constituents that bind with and
neutralize acids. These herbs are usually used
in the treatment of heartburn, and include
Chamomile, Fennel and Peach. Some, such as
Meadowsweet, are also astringent, and have the added
benefit of strengthening a weakened sphincter that
is allowing stomach acids to escape into the
esophagus, as well as helping to heal any
ulcerations that have resulted from this.
Anthelmintic/Vermifuge
These herbs kill
worms and parasites. They should be used
when they are needed, and not based upon
the mistaken belief that we’re all full of parasites
that are causing all of mankind’s ills. Black
Walnut is probably the most widely used.
Anticatarrhal
These herbs help
resolve congestion arising from excess mucous
production (“catarrh” being mucous), as in
sinusitis. Often, they are astringents
(which tighten tissues to lessen secretions) and/or
contain volatile oils (which disperse congestion).
Goldenrod and Goldenseal are anticatarrhal.
Anti-fungal
Herbs that kill or
inhibit the growth of fungi. Cedar, Wild
Bergamot and Black Walnut come to mind. They
most often require consistent, long term use to work
curatively.
Anti-inflammatory
Obviously, herbs that
help resolve inflammation. This action may be
the result of mucilages that coat and soothe
inflamed tissues (Slippery Elm), astringents that
tighten tissues (Vinca), or of constituents like
salicylic acid (Meadowsweet).
Anti-lithic
”Lithiasis” refers to
the production of stones, either in the kidneys or
gallbladder. Anti-lithics are believed to
either hinder the formation of stones or “dissolve”
stones. Goldenrod and Queen Anne’s Lace seeds
are considered anti-lithic.
Antimicrobial
Nowadays, people
refer to “antibiotics” and “antivirals”.
Antimicrobial is a more general term that refers to
herbs that kill or inhibit invading microorganisms,
without specifically referring to which type of
microorganism the herbs are active against.
The mechanisms by which they work are too varied to
list.
Antineoplastic
Herbs that help
inhibit the growth of tumors. Red Clover is
considered antineoplastic.
Antiseptic
Herbs that prevent
bacterial growth. “Septic” infections are
usually considered “damp”, being purulent (having
puss)… staph-type infections. Echinacea and
Wild Indigo are antiseptics.
Aphrodisiac
Hey… fun!
Aphrodisiacs increase one’s interest in sex… or are
supposed to. Some stimulate blood flow to the
genitalia (Yohimbe), some act as antispasmodics to
relax tense muscles and tissues (Skullcap), some act
as nourishing tonics, usually to the adrenals (Milky
Oats), and some inhibit inhibitions (think:
alcohol).
Cardiac Tonic
A very broad term
referring to herbs that improve the function of the
heart and circulatory system. “Tonic” implies
that long term use will yield optimal benefit, and
not weaken the system. Hawthorne is an
example.
Emetic/Anti-emetic
Emetics induce
vomiting (Lobelia, syrup of Ipecac), and
anti-emetics help relieve nausea (Ginger, Peach
leaf, most mints).
Emmenagogue/Oxytocic
Emmenogogues
stimulate menstrual flow, and are used to help bring
out scanty or suppresses menstruation. They
should not be used during pregnancy. Oxytocic
herbs stimulate uterine contractions, mimicking the
action of naturally produced hormone oxytocin.
Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, and Motherwort come to
mind.
Pectoral
”Pectoral” is a
general term referring to herbs that affect the
lungs.
Febrifuge/Antipyretic
Febrifuge and
Antipyretic refer to herbs used to treat fever by
lowering body temperature. While these may
refer to diaphoretics, they also include herbs
containing Salicylic Acid (Wintergreen/Willow Bark)
and Echinacea, that lower body temperature through
methods other than encouraging perspiration.
Galactagogue
Galactagogues
increase the supply of breast milk in nursing
mothers (not gonna work for the guys…).
Fennel, Borage and Fenugreek are examples.
Hepatic/Cholagogue/Antibilious
Hepatic is a general
term for an herb whose sphere of activity influences
the liver. Cholegogues stimulate the
production and release of bile (acting on both the
liver and gallbladder, and usually acting as
aperients), while antibilious herbs help the body
deal with an excess of bile (this may be done
through releasing it, which is why the terms are
often used interchangeably). Most often these
are bitter herbs, such as Dandelion or Yellow Dock.
Hypotensive/Hypertensive
Herbs that lower
blood pressure (like Hawthorne) are hypotensive,
while herbs that raise blood pressure (like Ephedra)
are hypertensive.
Laxative/Cathartic/Aperient
Laxatives stimulate
(or force) evacuation of the bowels. Laxatives
– even herbal laxative use – can be habit and
dependence inducing. Cathartics (like Cascara
Sagrada and Senna) do this forcefully, while
Aperients are gentle laxatives; usually bitter herbs
that stimulate the production and release of bile,
which lubricates the digestive tract.
Dandelion, Oregon Grape and Yellow Dock are
aperients.
Lymphatic
“Lymphatic” herbs
relieve lymphatic congestion, usually evidenced by
swollen glands. No one really knows how they
work, but “experience hath shown” (as Culpepper used
to say) that when used, the swollen glands resolve.
One theory is that they increase the solvency of
lymphatic fluids, which helps break up and disperse
metabolic debris within the lymph system. Red
Root, Echinacea and Cleavers are lymphatic herbs.
Rubefacient/Counter Irritant
These herbs are
applied topically and have an irritating and/or
heating effect on the skin. By causing local
irritation, these plants draw the attention of the
body (usually via blood) to the area they are
applied, and so initiate a healing response.
Cayenne and Arnica are popular counter irritants.
Some plants that have been used as counter
irritants, such as Buttercups, are exceedingly
strong and will blister the skin.
Sialagogue
These herbs provoke
the production and flow of saliva. Prickly Ash
is an example.
Stomachic
These are herbs that
generally have a beneficial action on the stomach.
They may be antispasmodics, they may affect acid
levels, they may be astringents… Fennel, Chamomile,
Peach, & Meadowsweet come to mind.
Vasoconstrictors/Vasodilators
Vasoconstrictors
(Ephedra) narrow blood vessels (usually causing and
increase in blood pressure); Vasodilators (like
Hawthorne) expand them (usually lowering blood
pressure)
Vulnerary
Theses are herbs that
have been used to treat wounds… most often they are
astringents/styptics, but herbs such as Arnica and
St. John’s Wort are oft included here.
©
2000-2008
jim mcdonald
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