Herbalist Glossary plus Associated Herbs/Natural Agents

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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

D

♠ = 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

DECONGESTANT Reduces congestion or swelling Anise; Eucalyptus
♣ = Elder
♥ = Ginger, Wild

DEMULCENT Soothes irritated tissue; main application being to mucous membranes Almond; Arrowroot; Ash, Manna; Bala; Balloon Flower; Barley; Bistort; Canary Island Tea Plant; Celosia; Ceylon Spinach; Chickweed; Corn; Couchgrass; Currant, Red (See Black Currant); Mallow; Marshmallow; Shatavari (See Asparagus); Walnut, English
♣ = Apricot; Borage; Cannabis; Cinnamon; Clover, Red; Coltsfoot; Comfrey; Licorice
♥ = Cinnamon; Clover, Red; Coltsfoot
♠ = Castor Bean

DEOBSTRUENT Clears obstructions from ducts of the body Ash, Prickly; Butcher's Broom; Dandelion
♣ = Asparagus; Bogbean

DEODORANT Destroys or masks odors Eucalyptus
♣♥ = Chamomile

DEPRESSANT Lessens nervous activity or the activity of an organ/s Ailanto (cardiac)

DEPURATIVE Cleanses the system as well as the blood (see also: BLOOD PURIFIER) Apple; Bo-Tree; Caesar Weed; Centipeda; Dandelion; Lady's Bedstraw; Poplar, White
♣ = Birch, Sweet; Bogbean; Burdock
♥ = Burdock
♠ = Bonduc Nut; Columbine

DESSICANT A drying agent Anise, Star; Cabbage; Walnut, English
♣ = Cattail; Cayenne
♥ = Cattail

DETERGENT Cleans wounds/sores of dead/diseased matter Balmony; Balsam Pear; Black Currant
♣ = Walnut, Black

DETOXICANT
DETOXIFY
DETOX Counteracts toxins in the body; cleanses Apple (metals/radiation); Arenaria; Artichoke; Ash, Prickly; Dandelion; Garlic; Onion; Shiny Bramble (See Ash, Prickly)
♣ = Barberry, common; Bead Tree; Cedar, White; Fo-Ti
♥ = Barberry, common

DIAPHORETIC Promotes or induces perspiration Abscess Root; Agave; Agrimony; Akebia; Alfilaria; American Ivy; Ammoniac Gum; Anaphalis; Anise Hyssop; Asafetida; Ash, Prickly; Aspen, Quaking; Balloon Vine; Balm, Lemon; Basil, Holy; Beggartick, Swamp; Benjamin Bush; Black Currant; Bo-Tree; Bowman's Root; Burrweed; Butcher's Broom; Buttonbush; Candlenut; Caroba; Catnip; Centaury, European; Centaury, American; Cleavers; Coriander; Costmary; Dandelion; Horehound; Lady's Bedstraw; Meadowsweet; Oregano, Greek; Pinks, Chinese; Poplar, Black; Safflower; Sarsaparilla; Soapwort; Szechuan Pepper (See Ash, Prickly)
♣ = Angelica; Angelica, American; Angelica, European Wild; Arsesmart; Asparagus; Avens; Bay; Bayberry; Bethroot; Birch, Common; Birch, Paper; Birch, Silver; Birch, Sweet; Black Cherry; Blazing Star; Bogbean; Boneset; Boneset, Asian; Buchu; Bupleurum; Borage; Burdock; Butternut; Cajuput; Calendula; Cayenne; Cedar, White; Celandine; Chamomile; Cinnamon; Cohosh, Blue; Coltsfoot; Linden; Mugwort; Poplar, Balsam; Sassafras; Stoneroot; Thistle, Blessed
♥ = Angelica; Angelica, American; Angelica, European Wild; Burdock; Butternut; Cajuput; Calamint; Calendula; Celandine; Chamomile; Cinnamon; Cohosh, Blue; Coltsfoot; Ginger, Wild
♠ = Ambrosia; Arnica; Arum; Asarabacca; Birthwort; Bittersweet, American; Black Cohosh; Blackroot; Bloodroot; Blue Flag; Boxwood; Bryony, White; Buttercup; Butterfly Weed; Cabbage, Skunk; Camphor; Columbine

DIGESTIVE Promotes or assists the process of breaking down food so it can be absorbed through the lining of the intestinal tract (digestion) Agave; Alfalfa; Allspice; Ambrette; Amomum; Anise, Star; Annatto; Apple; Aquilaria; Arrowroot; Ash, Prickly; Barley; Basil, Holy; Betony; Burnet, Salad; Cabbage; Cardamom, Bastard; Cardamom, Round; Catnip; Centaury, European; Chickweed; Coriander; Coriander, False; Damiana; Dandelion (tonic/stimulant); Dill; Ginger; Marjoram, Sweet; Mustard; Oregano, Greek; Shatavari (See Asparagus); Turmeric; Walnut, English
♣ = Angelica; Bay; Bergamot; Boneset, Asian; Butternut; Cayenne; Chamomile; Chervil; Chicory; Cinnamon; Fennel; Horseradish; Licorice; Yarrow
♥ = Angelica; Butternut; Chamomile; Cinnamon; Fennel; Sage, Clary; Yarrow
♠ = Wormwood

DISCUTIENT Disperses tumors or other pathological accumulations Arrowhead; Pussytoes
♠ = Arnica; Arrowwood; Castor Bean

DIURETIC Increases output of urine Agave; Agrimony; Agrimony, Hemp; Agrimony, Water; Akebia (strong); Alfalfa; Alfilaria; Allspice, Carolina; Aloe, False; Amber; Ammoniac Gum (mild); Amur Cork Tree; Angelica Tree; Anise, Star; Apple; Aquilaria; Arbutus; Arenaria; Artichoke; Asafetida; Ash; Ash, Black; Ash, Northern; Ash, American; Ash, Japanese Prickly; Aspen, Quaking; Asphodel; Astragalus; Astrogalus hoantchy; Atractylodes; Atractylodes chinensis; Atractylodes macrocephela; Atractylodes ovata; Bachelor Button; Baeckea; Bala; Balloon Vine; Balm of Copaiba; Balsam; Balsam of Peru; Balsam Pear; Bamboo, Black; Bamboo, Dwarf; Banana, Ryukyu; Bean; Beggartick, Swamp; Betel Nut; Betony; Bilberry; Bishopweed; Bistort; Blackberry (weak); Black Currant; Black Haw; Blueberry; Bottle Gourd; Brunfelsia; Burnet; Burnet, Salad (weak); Burrweed; Butcher's Broom; Buttonbush; Caesar Weed; Canary Island Tea Plant; Capers; Caroba; Carrot, Wild; Centipeda; Ceylon Spinach; Chickweed; Cleavers; Coriander; Corn; Costmary; Couchgrass (osmotic); Cucumber; Damiana; Dandelion (potent); Ginger; Gotu Kola; Ground Pine; Horehound; Joe-Pye-Weed; Lady's Bedstraw; Lovage; Lovage, Black; Meadowsweet; Parsley, Piert; Peach; Pilewort (see Amaranth); Pinks, Chinese; Poplar, Black; Poplar, Ontario; Poplar, White; Pussytoes; Sarsaparilla; Shatavari (See Asparagus); Squawvine; Szechuan Pepper (See Ash, Prickly); Turkey-Corn; Valerian, Red; Water Plantain
♣ = Achryanthes root; Anemarrhena; Angelica; Angelica American; Arsesmart; Ashwaganda; Asparagus; Asparagus, Chinese; Asparagus, Fern; Bay; Bindweed; Birch, Common; Birch, Paper; Birch, Silver; Birch, Yellow; Bishop Flower; Blazing Star; Bogbean; Boldo; Boneset, Japanese; Borage; Broom, Dyer's; Buchu; Bugleweed; Burdock; Burnut; Butter-and-Eggs; Cashew; Cattail; Cedar, White; Celandine; Cereus, Night-Blooming; Chervil; Chicory; Clover, red; Cohosh, blue; Coltsfoot; Elder; Fennel; Figwort; Hops; Horseradish (potent); Mugwort; Nettle, Stinging; Parlsey; Sassafras; Sorrel; Stoneroot; Thistle, Blessed; Yarrow
♥ = Achryanthes Root; Angelica; Angelica, American; Bugleweed; Burdock; Burnut; Butter-and-Eggs; Cattail; Celandine; Clover, Red; Cohosh, blue; Coltsfoot (weak); Fennel; Parsley; Yarrow
♠ = Adonis; Alder Buckthorn; Arnica; Arrowwood; Asarabacca; Ash, Mountain; Birthwort, Frail; Belladonna, Japanese; Bittersweet, American; Black Cohosh; Bloodroot; Blue Flag; Broom, Scotch; Bryony; Cabbage, Skunk; Columbine; Pasque Flower (see Anemone); Stargrass

©2006 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

D
♠ = 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
DECONGESTANT	Reduces congestion or swelling	Anise; Eucalyptus ♣ = Elder ♥ = Ginger, Wild
DEMULCENT	Soothes irritated tissue; main application being to mucous membranes	Almond; Arrowroot; Ash, Manna; Bala; Balloon Flower; Barley; Bistort; Canary Island Tea Plant; Celosia; Ceylon Spinach; Chickweed; Corn; Couchgrass; Currant, Red (See Black Currant); Mallow; Marshmallow; Shatavari (See Asparagus); Walnut, English ♣ = Apricot; Borage; Cannabis; Cinnamon; Clover, Red; Coltsfoot; Comfrey; Licorice ♥ = Cinnamon; Clover, Red; Coltsfoot ♠ = Castor Bean
DEOBSTRUENT	Clears obstructions from ducts of the body	Ash, Prickly; Butcher's Broom; Dandelion ♣ = Asparagus; Bogbean
DEODORANT	Destroys or masks odors	Eucalyptus ♣♥ = Chamomile
DEPRESSANT	Lessens nervous activity or the activity of an organ/s	Ailanto (cardiac)
DEPURATIVE	Cleanses the system as well as the blood (see also: BLOOD PURIFIER)	Apple; Bo-Tree; Caesar Weed; Centipeda; Dandelion; Lady's Bedstraw; Poplar, White ♣ = Birch, Sweet; Bogbean; Burdock ♥ = Burdock ♠ = Bonduc Nut; Columbine
DESSICANT	A drying agent	Anise, Star; Cabbage; Walnut, English ♣ = Cattail; Cayenne ♥ = Cattail
DETERGENT	Cleans wounds/sores of dead/diseased matter	Balmony; Balsam Pear; Black Currant ♣ = Walnut, Black
DETOXICANT DETOXIFY DETOX	Counteracts toxins in the body; cleanses	Apple (metals/radiation); Arenaria; Artichoke; Ash, Prickly; Dandelion; Garlic; Onion; Shiny Bramble (See Ash, Prickly) ♣ = Barberry, common; Bead Tree; Cedar, White; Fo-Ti ♥ = Barberry, common
DIAPHORETIC	Promotes or induces perspiration	Abscess Root; Agave; Agrimony; Akebia; Alfilaria; American Ivy; Ammoniac Gum; Anaphalis; Anise Hyssop; Asafetida; Ash, Prickly; Aspen, Quaking; Balloon Vine; Balm, Lemon; Basil, Holy; Beggartick, Swamp; Benjamin Bush; Black Currant; Bo-Tree; Bowman's Root; Burrweed; Butcher's Broom; Buttonbush; Candlenut; Caroba; Catnip; Centaury, European; Centaury, American; Cleavers; Coriander; Costmary; Dandelion; Horehound; Lady's Bedstraw; Meadowsweet; Oregano, Greek; Pinks, Chinese; Poplar, Black; Safflower; Sarsaparilla; Soapwort; Szechuan Pepper (See Ash, Prickly) ♣ = Angelica; Angelica, American; Angelica, European Wild; Arsesmart; Asparagus; Avens; Bay; Bayberry; Bethroot; Birch, Common; Birch, Paper; Birch, Silver; Birch, Sweet; Black Cherry; Blazing Star; Bogbean; Boneset; Boneset, Asian; Buchu; Bupleurum; Borage; Burdock; Butternut; Cajuput; Calendula; Cayenne; Cedar, White; Celandine; Chamomile; Cinnamon; Cohosh, Blue; Coltsfoot; Linden; Mugwort; Poplar, Balsam; Sassafras; Stoneroot; Thistle, Blessed ♥ = Angelica; Angelica, American; Angelica, European Wild; Burdock; Butternut; Cajuput; Calamint; Calendula; Celandine; Chamomile; Cinnamon; Cohosh, Blue; Coltsfoot; Ginger, Wild ♠ = Ambrosia; Arnica; Arum; Asarabacca; Birthwort; Bittersweet, American; Black Cohosh; Blackroot; Bloodroot; Blue Flag; Boxwood; Bryony, White; Buttercup; Butterfly Weed; Cabbage, Skunk; Camphor; Columbine
DIGESTIVE	Promotes or assists the process of breaking down food so it can be absorbed through the lining of the intestinal tract (digestion)	Agave; Alfalfa; Allspice; Ambrette; Amomum; Anise, Star; Annatto; Apple; Aquilaria; Arrowroot; Ash, Prickly; Barley; Basil, Holy; Betony; Burnet, Salad; Cabbage; Cardamom, Bastard; Cardamom, Round; Catnip; Centaury, European; Chickweed; Coriander; Coriander, False; Damiana; Dandelion (tonic/stimulant); Dill; Ginger; Marjoram, Sweet; Mustard; Oregano, Greek; Shatavari (See Asparagus); Turmeric; Walnut, English ♣ = Angelica; Bay; Bergamot; Boneset, Asian; Butternut; Cayenne; Chamomile; Chervil; Chicory; Cinnamon; Fennel; Horseradish; Licorice; Yarrow ♥ = Angelica; Butternut; Chamomile; Cinnamon; Fennel; Sage, Clary; Yarrow ♠ = Wormwood
DISCUTIENT	Disperses tumors or other pathological accumulations	Arrowhead; Pussytoes ♠ = Arnica; Arrowwood; Castor Bean
DIURETIC	Increases output of urine	Agave; Agrimony; Agrimony, Hemp; Agrimony, Water; Akebia (strong); Alfalfa; Alfilaria; Allspice, Carolina; Aloe, False; Amber; Ammoniac Gum (mild); Amur Cork Tree; Angelica Tree; Anise, Star; Apple; Aquilaria; Arbutus; Arenaria; Artichoke; Asafetida; Ash; Ash, Black; Ash, Northern; Ash, American; Ash, Japanese Prickly; Aspen, Quaking; Asphodel; Astragalus; Astrogalus hoantchy; Atractylodes; Atractylodes chinensis; Atractylodes macrocephela; Atractylodes ovata; Bachelor Button; Baeckea; Bala; Balloon Vine; Balm of Copaiba; Balsam; Balsam of Peru; Balsam Pear; Bamboo, Black; Bamboo, Dwarf; Banana, Ryukyu; Bean; Beggartick, Swamp; Betel Nut; Betony; Bilberry; Bishopweed; Bistort; Blackberry (weak); Black Currant; Black Haw; Blueberry; Bottle Gourd; Brunfelsia; Burnet; Burnet, Salad (weak); Burrweed; Butcher's Broom; Buttonbush; Caesar Weed; Canary Island Tea Plant; Capers; Caroba; Carrot, Wild; Centipeda; Ceylon Spinach; Chickweed; Cleavers; Coriander; Corn; Costmary; Couchgrass (osmotic); Cucumber; Damiana; Dandelion (potent); Ginger; Gotu Kola; Ground Pine; Horehound; Joe-Pye-Weed; Lady's Bedstraw; Lovage; Lovage, Black; Meadowsweet; Parsley, Piert; Peach; Pilewort (see Amaranth); Pinks, Chinese; Poplar, Black; Poplar, Ontario; Poplar, White; Pussytoes; Sarsaparilla; Shatavari (See Asparagus); Squawvine; Szechuan Pepper (See Ash, Prickly); Turkey-Corn; Valerian, Red; Water Plantain ♣ = Achryanthes root; Anemarrhena; Angelica; Angelica American; Arsesmart; Ashwaganda; Asparagus; Asparagus, Chinese; Asparagus, Fern; Bay; Bindweed; Birch, Common; Birch, Paper; Birch, Silver; Birch, Yellow; Bishop Flower; Blazing Star; Bogbean; Boldo; Boneset, Japanese; Borage; Broom, Dyer's; Buchu; Bugleweed; Burdock; Burnut; Butter-and-Eggs; Cashew; Cattail; Cedar, White; Celandine; Cereus, Night-Blooming; Chervil; Chicory; Clover, red; Cohosh, blue; Coltsfoot; Elder; Fennel; Figwort; Hops; Horseradish (potent); Mugwort; Nettle, Stinging; Parlsey; Sassafras; Sorrel; Stoneroot; Thistle, Blessed; Yarrow ♥ = Achryanthes Root; Angelica; Angelica, American; Bugleweed; Burdock; Burnut; Butter-and-Eggs; Cattail; Celandine; Clover, Red; Cohosh, blue; Coltsfoot (weak); Fennel; Parsley; Yarrow ♠ = Adonis; Alder Buckthorn; Arnica; Arrowwood; Asarabacca; Ash, Mountain; Birthwort, Frail; Belladonna, Japanese; Bittersweet, American; Black Cohosh; Bloodroot; Blue Flag; Broom, Scotch; Bryony; Cabbage, Skunk; Columbine; Pasque Flower (see Anemone); Stargrass