Abortifacient - Induces premature expulsion of the contents of the uterus.

Adaptogenic - Aids the human organism to adapt to stressful conditions.

Alterative - Substance which gradually restores health.

Analgesic - Pain-relieving substance.

Anhydrotic - Stops sweating.

Anodyne - Pain reliever, though milder than an Analgesic.

Antacid - Neutralizes stomach acid.

Anthelmintic - Expels or destroys intestinal worms.

Anti-aphrodisiac - Suppresses the libido.

Antibactierial - Destroys or stops the growth of bacterium.

Antibilious - Combats biliousness.  (Biliousness is a series of uncomfortable symptoms caused by an excessive secretion of bile.)

Antibiotic - Inhibits the growth of micro-organisms.

Anti-convulsive - Relieves convulsions or cramps.

Anti-emetic - Prevents or alleviates vomiting

Anti-epileptic - An agent that combats the convulsions or seizures of epilepsy.

Antifungal - An agent that inhibits growth or multiplication of fungi, or kills them outright.

Antigalactagogue - Prevents or decreases secretion of milk.

Antihistaminic - Neutralizing the effect or inhibiting production of histamine.

Anti-inflammatory - Reducing or neutralizing inflammation.

Anti-lithic - Aids in preventing the formation of kidney and bladder stones.

Antimicrobial - An agent that kills or inhibits the growth or multiplication of microorganisms.

Anti-oxidant - Preventing oxidation; a preservative.

Antiparasitical - Destructive to parasites.

Anti-periodic - Prevents the periodic recurrence of attacks of a disease; as in malaria.

Antiphlogistic - An agent that couteracts inflammation.

Antipyretic - Reduces fever. See Febrifuge.

Anti-rheumatic - An agent that relieves or cures rheumatism.

Antiscorbutic - An agent effective against scurvy.

Antiseptic - Preventing sepsis, decay, putrefaction; also, an agent that kills germs and microbes.

Antispasmodic - Preventing or relieving spasms or cramps.

Anti-syphilitic - Herbs that improve or cure syphillis. Also called antileutic.

Antitumor - Preventing or effective against tumors or cancers.

Antitussive - Preventing or relieving cough.

Antivenomous - Acts against poisonous matter from animals or snakes.

Antiviral - An agent that kills or inhibits growth or multiplication of viruses.

Antizymotic - Herbs that can destroy disease-producing organisms.

Aperient - Causes a gentle bowel movement.

Aphrodisiac - Increasing or exciting sexual desire.

Aromatic - Agents which emit a fragrant smell and produce a pungent taste. Often used to make other medicines more palatable.

Astringent - Causes tissue to contract.

Bactericidal - An agent that kills bacteria.

Calmative - An agent with mild sedative or calming effects.

Carminative - An agent that relieves and removes gas from the digestive system.

Cathartic - A powerful purgative or laxative, causing severe evacuation, with or without pain.

Cholagogue - An agent that increases bile flow to the intestines.

Counterirritant - An agent that produces inflammation or irritation when applied locally to affect another, usually irritated surface to stimulate circulation. (Example: a mustard plaster)

Cytotoxic - An agent that is toxic to certain organs, tissues, or cells.

Demulcent - An agent that is locally soothing and softening.

Demulcent febrifuge - Reduces heat while building bodily fluids.

Deobstruent - Removes obstructions by opening natural passages or pores of the body.

Depurative - Tends to purify and cleanse the blood.

Detergent - An agent that cleanses boild, sores, wounds, etc.

Detoxicant - An agent that removes toxins.

Diaphoretic - An agent that induces sweating.

Digestant - Contains substances which aid in digestion.

Digestive - An agent that promotes digestion.

Discutient - An agent that dissolves or causes something, such as a tumor, to disappear. Also called discussive.

Diuretic - An agent that induces urination.

Drastic - A violent purgative.

Ecbolic - See Abortifacient.

Emetic - An agent that induces vomiting.

Emmenagogue - A substance that promotes or assists the flow of menstrual fluid.

Emmolient - An agent that softens and soothes the skin when applied locally.

Estrogenic - A substance that induces female hormonal activity.

Expectorant - An agent that induces the removal (coughing up) of sputum from the lungs.

Febrifuge - Agent that reduces fever.

Fungicidal - An agent which kills fungi.

Galactagogue - Promotes the production and flow of milk

Hemostatic - An agent that checks bleeding.

Hepatic - Herbs that promote the well-being of the liver and increases bile secretion.

Herpatic - Remedy for skin eruptions, ringworm, etc.

Hydrogogue - Promotes watery evacuation of bowels.

Hypnotic - An agent that tends to produce sleep.

Immunostimulant - A substance which stimulates various functions or activities of the immune system.

Laxative - A mild purgative. Acts to promote evacuation of the bowels.

Lithrotriptic - An agent that causes the dissolution or destruction of stones in the bladder and kidneys.

Maturating - An agent that promotes the maturing or bringing to a head of boils, carbuncles, etc.

Mitogenic - An agent that affects cell division.

Mydriatic - A substance that dilates the pupils.

Narcotic - An addicting substance that reduces pain and produces sleep.

Nauseant - A substance that causes nausea and vomiting. Somewhat similar to an emetic.

Nervine - An agent that affects, strengthens, or calms the nerves.

Nutritive - A substance which is nourishes, increases weight and density.

Ophthalmic - A substance which is benificial for disorders and diseases of the eye.

Panacea - An agent good for what ails you, or what doesn't ail you. A "cure-all."

Patrurient - A substance that induces and promotes labour.

Prophylactic - Agent which wards off disease.

Purgative - An agent that causes cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with griping (painful cramps).

Refrigerant - Relieves fever and thirst. A cooling remedy. Lowers body temperature.

Relaxant - Tends to relax and relieve tension, esp. muscular.

Resolvent - Promotes the resolving and removing of abnormal growths, i.e. a tumor.

Rubefacient - A substance which causes reddening of the skin.

Sedative - Calms the nerves, allays excitement, induces relaxation, and is conducive to sleep.

Sialagogue - Promotes the secretion of saliva.

Soporific - Herbs that help to produce sleep.

Stimulant - An agent that causes increased activity of another agent, cell, tissue, organ, or organism.

Stomachic - Substances which give strength and tone to the stomach. Also used to stimulate the appetite.

Sudorific - Herbs that cause heavy perspiration.

Teratogen - A substance that can cause fetal deformities.

Uterotonic - Having a positive effect on an unspecified nature of the uterus.

Vasoconstrictor - An agent that causes blood vessels to constrict, or narrow the caliber.

Vasodepressant - Lowers blood pressure by dilation of blood vessels, having a depressing influence on circulation.

Vasodilator - An agent that causes blood vessels to relax and dilate.

Vermicidal - Having worm-killing properties. Also see Vermifuge.

Vermifuge - An agent that kills worms.

Vesicant - An agent that causes blistering, i.e. poison ivy.

Vulnerary - An agent or herb used for healing wounds, fresh cuts, etc., usually as a poultice.