-Increase the ability of the body to cope with and respond to stress

-They tend to act on the adreanals and the endocrine and immune systems

-Should relax tension, increase resilience to the stress they are exposed to, and ehlp restore vial energy when taken over time. 

-Act on the body to promote a healthy and balanced state of functioning by supporting the liver, kidneys, lympatic and immune system and adrenals

-Often refered to as "blood purifiers" though their affect on the blood is really the result of their action on metabolic organs (so they improve metabolism)

-Herbs that contain strong smeling, volatile essential oils

-Tend to be anti-inflammatory, anti-microbal, and are dispersive* in nature 

*They help break up stagnation of all sorts

- Are often relaxants, stimulants, and diuretics

-Herbs that cause tissues to contract, and so are used when tissues are weak, atonic and/or "leaking" (the tissues do not have the tone to hold in fluids), swollen or injured

-When used to stop bleeding, they are called styptics/hemostatics

-Pretty much all things that taste sour are astringent to some degree

-Considered drying in nature, have local anti-inflammatory action, and can act as anti-microbals by toning tissue

Examples: strawberries, green tea, oak

-Referred to as "demulcent"when used internally and "emollients" when applied externally

-Lubricate tissues, ease dryness, sooth inflammation and irritation

-Can help loosen/relx tissues that are tight due to dryness

*are often used with astringents because astringents tighten and tone and demulcets coat and sooth

-Herbs whose use reults not only in restored structure but in restored function, as well

-Will create a lasting improvement even if herb is discontinued

-An herb that builds up your energy and health

-Usually acts in a slow, nutritive fashion to build up the sustance of the body

-Stimulates the secretion of basically all the diegestive acids, juices and enzymes, which generaly improves appetite and digestion

-Increases the absorption of nutrients

-Stimulate tissue repair in the GI and also can have a mood stabilizing/anti depressant effect by increasing the production of mood related hormones by the enteric nervous system in the gut

-have a grounding, downward energy

-You must taste bitters to receive their medicinal virtues

- Diaphoretics are used to open the pores and promote perspiration

-Usually used in the treatment of fevers but can be used to advantage in colds and flus as well

-Seen as stimulating through promoting circulation out from the core to the periphery (cayenne, cinnamon, yarrow) or as a relaxant if they ease tension, inhibiting that outward circulation (elderflower, boneset, butterfly weed)

*Some herbs do both (most mints)

-Sudorifics force perspiration and the term is really better applied to more toxic substances (like antimony) 

-Increase the quantity of urine expelled from the body

*Some do this by increasing blood flow to the kidneys (Scotch Broom and caffiene containing herbs), others affect eh secretion or reabsorption of fluids in the kidneys (Dandelion), others irritate the renal tissues and others irritate the renal tissues, causing the kidneys to "flush out the irritant (Juniper)

-Nervines are herbs that act on the nervous system by either stimulating the nerviness (Kola Nuts and other caffeine containing herbs) and relaxing nerviness (Scullcap and Valerian)

-Nowadays, most often refers to nervous system relaxants

-"Tonic Nervines" are herbs that when taken long term, improve nervous conditions (Wood Botany)

-"Sedative Nervines" are herbs that actively sedate the central nervous system and should be used short term (Hops)

-Soporific and Hypnotic refer to herbs that induce sleep