Herbs and their Actions - 2.
APERIENT: Produces natural evacuation of the Bowels. Stimulates Bowel movements with a very mild action that Increases the flow of Bile from the Liver and Gall Bladder acting on the Colon Walls and Stimulates the Peristaltic action. (Wave like movements within the Colon) that propels matter especially in the Lower Digestive System. A Gentle Action that effects the Liver and Gall Bladder positively. Herbs: Rhubarb Root, Dandelion and Milk Thistle.
APHRODISIAC: Stimulates the Libido and Sexual function and creates Sexual arousal. Herbs: Asiatica, Damiana, Ginseng, Hydrocotyle, Muira - Puama, Saw Palmetto, and Yohimbe - poisonous.)
AROMATICS: Has an Aroma or Scent. *Strong Smell, or Flavour that stimulates Digestion. Herbs: Aniseed, Caraway, Cardamon, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Peppermint and Rosemary.
ASTRINGENT: Causes Contraction, Tightening of the Tissues by acting on Proteins and re - establishes the Fluid Balance in the Tissues so that Fluid Loss and Fluid Retention are equalized. Herbs: Angostura, Bayberry, Bistort, Calamus, Comfrey, Eyebright, Golden Rod, Meadowsweet, Oak, Rhubarb Root, St. John's Wort, Witch Hazel, Winter's Bark and Yarrow. Used Internally and Externally: to re - arrange Fluids including the Blood. *Yarrow is a brilliant Styptic if used Externally to stop Bleeding, especially combined with pressure and is also used Internally for Diarrhoea.
*Witch Hazel used Externally only for Oedema including Big Knees, Capped Hocks and Filled Legs in Horses.
BALSAMIC: Contains Benzoic Acid or Resin.
BITTER: Bitter to the Taste / Astringent and Stimulates the Digestive System and Appetite as well as the Stomach. Like the Sialogogues do not take in Capsules or Tablet form as you need the taste to Stimulate the Tongue and Taste Buds to the Brain. This Stimulates the Digestive System and particularly the Oesophagus, Stomach, Liver, Gall Bladder and Pancreas. Herbs: Angostura, Barberry, Damiana, Feverfew, Genetian, Golden Seal, Quassia, Rhubarb Root, Tansy and Wormwood.
CARDIAC TONIC: Benefits the Heart. For any Condition affecting or pertaining to the Heart. Herbs: Ailanthus, American Hellebore - poisonous) Cayenne, Cat's Claw, Cereus, Figwort, Foxglove - poisonous), Hawthorn, Kola, Lily Of The Valley - poisonous), Motherwort and Strophanthus - poisonous.)
CARMINATIVE: Relieves pains caused by Flatulence reducing Flatulence and normalizing the Digestive System by a Warming and Stimulating affect Internally and Improves the Digestion while Soothing the Digestive Tract.
Horses: for a Chill or those that feel the Cold. Herbal Teas in the feed are an easy way to give them a dose using Celery Seeds, Parsley Root and Peppermint, which are 3 of the best. For a quicker result, cool and strain the Tea and use as a Drench. Herbs: Angelica, Aniseed, Calamus, Caraway, Cardamon, Chamomile, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Ginger and Peppermint. Anise Seed, Cumin, Cardamon, Fennel and Ginger can also be used in a Carminative mix.
CATHARTIC: Induces Stimulation of the Bowel action creating a strong and rapid Evacuation. (Stronger then an Aperient.) N.B: Not a BULKING agent) Herbs: American Mandrake - poisonous) Bitter Apple - poisonous) Black Root, Cascara Sagrada, Castor Oil, Colchicum - poisonous) Croton - poisonous) Hedge Hyssop, Indian Physic, Jalap, Poke Root, Senna and Squill - poisonous)
CHOLAGOGUES: Increases the Flow of Bile by Stimulating Bile Flow. Herbs: Balmony, Barberry, Blue Flag, Dandelion, Fringe Tree, Milk Thistle, Wahoo and Wild Yam.
CHOLERETICS: Stimulates the production of Bile by the Liver. Herbs: Genetian.
CORRECTIVE: Restores Normal conditions.
DEMULCENTS: Soothes and Protects the Alimentary - Digestive Canal as they are Mucilaginous Soothing and Protective. Both Demulcents and Emollients Comfort and Soothes Internally and Externally respectively. Herbs with a high Mucilage content have this action forming a Protective layer that promotes healing by reducing Discomfort, Inflammation, Irritation and Pain such as in Gut Ulceration. Herbs: Arrowroot, Comfrey, Iceland Moss, Irish Moss, Liquorice, Marsh Mallow, Mullein, Slippery Elm and Milk Thistle.
DEOBSTRUENT: Frees the Natural Orifices of the Body creating natural evacuation. Herbs: Bladderwrack, Buckbean, Olive, Swamp Milkweed, Wild Carrot.
DERMATIC: A Medication that Acts upon the Skin.
DETERGENT: Cleanses and Stimulates the Skin. Herbs: Balmony, Goa, Golden Seal, Soap Tree, Southernwood and Water Betony.
DIAPHORETIC: Induces Perspiration. Promotes Perspiration and Cleaning, releasing Toxins through the Skin to Stimulate Sweating to treat Anhydrosis as part of a group and include Capsicum, Elder Flowers and Fenugreek. Herbs: Boneset, Buchu, Cayenne, Garlic, Ginger, Guiacum, Ipecacuanha, Jaborandi - poisonous) Pennyroyal, Pleurisy Root, Prickly Ash and Yarrow. N.B: Both Diaphoretics and Diuretics work on Fluid Excretion.
DIGESTIVE: Aids Digestion. Increases Saliva Flow, Stimulates Digestion and relieves Dyspepsia and Flatulence and is good for Colitis and Diverticulitis. Herbs: Comfrey, Paw - Paw, and Slippery Elm.
DIURETIC: Increases the flow of Urine to treat Urinary Disorders. N.B: Both Diaphoretics and Diuretics work on Fluid Excretion. Diuretics work Internally Stimulating the Kidneys to produce normal Urine Excretion. Useful to get rid of Waste Products such as Lactic Acid and in balancing Hydration for Horses who do not drink enough Water. Herbs: Boldo, Buchu, Celery Seed - Main Herb), Cleavers, Corn Silk, Couch Grass, Dandelion, Gravel Root, Juniper - Main Herb), Parsley Piert, Pellitory, Stone Root, Uva - Ursi and Yarrow.
EMETIC: Causes Vomiting. Herbs: Ipecacuanha, and Lobelia - poisonous) (N.B: Both need High doses.) Mustard and Vervain.
EMMENAGOGUE: Stimulates and normalizes Menstrual Flow. Herbs: Black Cohosh, Black Hellebore, Blue Cohosh, False Unicorn Root, Life Root, Mother Wort, Mug Wort, Pennyroyal, Rue, Southernwood and Tansy.
EMOLLIENT: Lubricates, Soothes and Softens Tissue. Softens the Skin for External use. Emollients and Demulcients Comfort and Sooth Internally and Externally respectively. Herbs with a high Mucilage content have this action forming a protective Layer that Promotes Healing by reducing Discomfort, Inflammation, Irritation and Pain. Herbs: Chickweed, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Flaxseed, Linseed, Liquorice, Mallow, Marsh Mallow, Plantain and Slippery Elm. Emollient Herbs include Aloes, which can also be used Internally.
EXPECTORANT: Removes Phlegm from the Bronchial Tubes and promotes Expectoration. Clears Excess Mucus. Herbs: Ipecacuanha, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Elecampane, Grindelia, Lobelia - poisonous), Lungwort, Mullein, Pleurisy Root, Squill - poisonous), White Horehound and Wild Cherry - poisonous.)
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