Herbalist
Glossary
| Earthnotes Herbalist Glossary |
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| DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied. |
| A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T V W |
| B | ||
|---|---|---|
| ♠ = toxic agent, AVOID
♣ = danger/caution, mild to severe apply ♥ = AVOID if pregnant See corresponding herb pages for more information | ||
| TERM | DEFINITION | NATURAL AGENTS ASSOCIATED with the TERM |
| BALSAMIC/BALSAM | Soothing or healing agent obtained from the resinous exudate of certain trees | Aspen, Quaking; Poplar, Ontario ♣ = Poplar, Balsam |
| BITTER/S | An agent containing a bitter principle which increases appetite and promotes good digestion. When the agent is designated a bitter 'tonic', it also strengthens the digestive organs and/or the entire body. Some of these associated agents possess the bitter principle, but are too toxic for internal use | Agrimony (tonic); Ague-Weed (tonic); Ailanto; Ajuga; Akebia; Alder, American Black; Alfalfa; Amur Cork Tree; Angostura (tonic); Annatto; Ash (tonic); Ash, White (tonic); Astragalus; Atractylodes; Bachelor Button; Balloon Flower; Beech, Blue; Betel Nut; Betony; Black Haw; Bletilla; Burnet; Butcher's Broom; Buttonbush; Canella; Catnip; Cedron; Chickweed; Cleavers; Costmary; Damiana; Dandelion (tonic); Pinks, Chinese; Poplar, White; Walnut, English ♣ = Anemarrhena; Angelica, European Wild; Arsesmart; Asparagus; Barberry, common; Bay; Bead Tree; Birch, Silver (behaves like a bitter); Bergamot; Blackberry Lily; Black Cherry; Blazing Star; Bogbean (tonic); Boldo; Boneset; Brucea; Bryony; Bugleweed; Bupleurum; Burnut; Butternut; Cascara Sagrada; Chamomile; Chervil; Chicory; Cohosh, Blue; Yarrow ♥ = Alstonia; Angelica, European Wild; Barberry; Blackberry Lily; Bugleweed; Burnut; Butternut; Chamomile; Cohosh, Blue; Ginger, Wild; Thistle, Blessed; Yarrow ♠ = Asthma Weed; Blackroot; Stargrass (tonic) |
| BLOOD PURIFIER/CLEANSER | Removes toxins from the blood. Each agent may work in a different way to accomplish this: by neutralizing acids; by stimulating liver, kidney, lung, and colon activity; by flushing the system of excess water; by soothing and/or cooling the small intestine where the activity of separating nutrients and assimilating them is done | Agrimony; Agrimony, Hemp; Alfalfa; Angelica Tree; Apple; Arbutus; Ash, American; Ash, Prickly; Beet; Beggartick, Swamp; Black Currant; Cardamine; Cleavers; Couchgrass; Damiana; Dandelion; Ground Ivy; Lemon; Sarsaparilla; Turmeric ♣ = Asparagus; Asparagus, Chinese; Barberry, common; Birch, Paper; Black-Eyed Susan; Borage; Burdock; Cedar, White; Celandine; Clover, Red; Echinacea; Goldenseal; Nettle, Stinging; Parsley; Poplar, Balsam; Sassafras; Thistle, Blessed ♥ = Barberry; Burdock; Celandine; Clover, Red; Goldenseal; Parsley ♠ = Alder Buckthorn; Ambrosia-2; Arum (poisoning); Blue Flag |
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