Commonly referred to as Blood Purifiers.  Agents that gradually and favorably alter the condition of the blood.  They aid the body in assimilating nutrients and eliminating metabolic waste products: neutralizes acidic conditions of the body, aids in protein assimilation, generally high in minerals and some vitamins.  

Ex:  Burdock Root, Dandelion Leaf and Root, Echinacea, Red Clove, Golden Seal, Oregon Grape Root, Nettles, Yellow Dock Root

Herbs used to reduce pain.  Used both internally and externally depending on the herb.  May also be antispasmodics, relieving pain by reducing cramping in muscles.  Most effect the nerves directly by reducing pain signals to the brain.

Ex:  Skullcap, Valerian, Lobelia, Catnip, Chamomile, Cloves, Cramp Bark, and Passion Flower

Herbs used to neutralize excess acids in the stomach and intestines.  Most also contain demulcent properties to soothe, protect and heal the stomach lining. 

Ex:  Irish Moss, Slippery Elm, Fennel Seed, Dandelion Leaf and Root, Most Seaweeds, and Psyllium Seeds

Herbs that destroy or expel worms and parasites from the system.

Ex:  Aloe, Garlic, Pomegranate (the white rind of), Chaparral, Rue, Wormwood, Thyme Oil, Thuja, and Tansy.

Herbs that help relieve the symptoms of asthma by dilating the bronchioles and breaking up mucus.

Ex: Coltsfoot, Mullein, Lobelia, Yerba Santa, Elecampane, Pleurisy Root, and Comfrey Leaf and Root

Herbs that may have a direct germ killing action, most work by direct stimulation to the body's immune system.  

Ex:  Chaparral, Echinacea, Garlic, Golden Seal, and Thyme.

Herbs that help eliminate and prevent excessive catarrhal (mucus) buildup in the system.

Ex. Cayenne, Ginger, Sage, Echinacea, Golden Seal, Garlic, Mullein, Yarrow, and Yerba Santa

Herbs that help prevent and eliminate urinary and biliary stones and gravel.

Ex. Urinary Stones: Gravel Root, Parsley Root, Marshmallow Root, Dandelion Root, Cleavers, Buchu, Cornsilk, and Stone Root.

Ex. Biliary Stones (gall bladder):  Oregon Grape Root

Herbs that help prevent the growth and bacteria and resist pathogenic micro-organisms.

Ex.  Golden Seal, Chaparral, Calendula, Myrrh, Sage, Garlic, and the essential oils of Eucalyptus, PIne, Clover, Juniper Berries, and Thyme.

Herbs that prevent or ease cramps in the body and muscle spasms

Ex. Cramp Bark, Lobelia, Black Cohash, Lady's Slipper, Skullcap, Valerian, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam, and Blue Cohash

Herbs that constrict tissue by precipitating proteins and thus reduces discharge and secretions.  Most astringents contain tannins.

Ex. Bayberry Bark, Wild Oak Bark, Witch Hazel, Princess Pine, Uva Ursi, Cranesbill, and Oak Gall

Herbs that act as stimulating tonics for the digestive system through a reflex via the taste buds

Ex. Centaury, Gentian, Golden Seal, Horehound, and Wormwood

Herbs that are rich in volatile oils, stimulate the peristalsis of the digestive system and relax the stomach.  Their most known function is aiding the  release of gas and griping on the bowels.

Ex. Angelica, Anise, Caraway, Cardamon, Calamus, Ginger, Dill, Cayenne, Chamomile, and Peppermint

Herbs that are rich in mucilage.  Soothing and healing to irritated and inflamed tissue.  Important herbs in most formulas.

Ex. Comfrey, Slippery Elm, Licorice, Irish Moss, Chickweed, Psyllium, Chia Seeds, Flaxseed, Aloe Vera, Fenugreek, Mullein, and Oatmeal.

Herbs that induce sweating by stimulating the kidneys.  Diaphoretics must be taken hot; when given cool or cold they influence the kidneys in a different method - they act as diuretics.

Ex. Yarrow, Catnip, Elder, Ginger, Peppermint

Diuretics

Herbs that increase the flow of urine.  Used to treat water retention, cystitis, overweight, edema, and types of skin infections.

Ex. Parsley, Uva Ursi, Cleavers, Buchu, Dandelion, Nettles, Horsetail, Cornsilk, and Yarrow

Emmenagogues

Herbs that help promote menstruation flow and bring on the cycle.  This term is often used in a more generalized way to describe herbs used as tonics to the female system.

Ex. (promote menstruation): Pennyroyal, Rue, Black Cohash, Blue Cohash, and Angelica (tonics for female reproductive system): Blessed Thistle, False Unicorn Root, Motherwort, Raspberry, and Yarrow.

Herbs that applied externally soften and soothe the skin.  Similar to demulcents which are used internally, these soothing herbs are called emollients when used externally.

Ex. Flaxseed, Slippery Elm, Comfrey, Oatmeal, and Chickweed.

Herbs that help expel or expect excess mucus from the system.

Ex. Eucalyptus, Elecampane, Lobelia, Yerba Santa, Coltsfoot, and Grindelia.

Herbs that increase the secretion of mother's milk.

Ex. Fennel, Fenugreek, Aniseed, Blessed Thistle, and Raspberry.

Herbs that aid the liver, help tone, strengthen and increase bile flow of the liver.  All contain active bitter principles.

Ex. Dandelion, Oregon Grape Root, Golden Seal, Wild Yam, and Yellow Dock.

Herbs that help stop hemorrhaging and internal bleeding.  Including astringents that affect the blood coagulation.

Ex. Cayenne, Yarrow, Shepherds Purse, Cranesbill, Golden Seal, and White Oak Bark

Herbs that promote bowel movement.  Laxatives are milder and less drastic than purgatives.

Ex. Cascara Sagrada, Senna, Flaxseed, and Rhubarb Root

Herbs that help dissolve and eliminate urinary and biliary stones/gravel.

Ex. (Kidney Stones): Gravel Root, Parsley Root, Dandelion Root, and Nettle

(Gallbladder): Oregon Grape Root, Wild Yam Root and Cascara Sagrada

Herbs that calm, strengthen and tone the nervous system

Ex. Catnip, Chamomile, Passion Flower, Lady's Slipper, Oat Straw, Peppermint, Valerian, and Wild Lettuce

Herbs that have a general healing and strengthening effect on the respiratory system.

Ex.  Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Elecampane, Mullein, and Licorice

Herbs that when applied to the skin stimulate the dilation of the capillaries and can cause local irritation.  They thereby draw inflammation and congestion from deeper tissue.  They also increase circulation and promote surface warmth.

Ex. Cayenne, Clove Horseradish, Mustard, and Ginger

Herbs that reduce stress and nervous disorders throughout the body.  Are used as an aid for sleep and to induce calmness.

Ex. Black Cohosh, Valerian, Passion Flower, Lady's Slipper, Chamomile, and Skullcap

Herbs that stimulate the secretion of saliva and thus aid in the digestion.

Ex. Echinacea, Cayenne, Black Pepper, Gentian, and Ginger

Herbs that increase the energy of the body by quickening and enlivening the physiological function of the body.

Ex. Cayenne, Ginger, Peppermint, Ginseng, Sarsaparilla, Sage, Rosemary, Astragalus, Prickly Ash, Mustard, and Horseradish.

Herbs that reduce or stop external bleeding by their astringent and/or coagulating effects.

Ex. Yarrow, Shepherd's Purse, Cobwebs

Herbs that strengthen, nourish and enliven specific organs of the body.  Most tonics have general effects on the whole body and, depending on the tonic herb being used, specific effects on various organs.

Ex. Ginseng, Dong Qui, Nettle, Dandelion, and Raspberry Leaf

Herbs that help heal the body by promoting cell growth and repair.

Ex. Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Golden Seal, Chickweed, Calendula, Plantain, and St. John's Wort.