An Everyperson’s Guide to the Language of Plant Medicine
Learning herbalism means encountering a lot of new words. Terms like “vulnerary,” “carminative,” and “nervine” can feel like a foreign language at first. But here’s the good news: once you understand what these words mean, they become incredibly useful shortcuts for describing how herbs work.
This guide translates common herbal terms into plain language you already know. Think of it as your herbalism-to-English dictionary.
Why Learn These Terms?
They’re descriptive shortcuts: Instead of saying “this herb helps your body expel trapped gas and relieves bloating,” herbalists say “carminative.” It’s faster and more precise.
They help you understand herbs: When you read that chamomile is a “nervine” and “antispasmodic,” you immediately know it calms the nervous system and relaxes muscle tension—which explains why it helps with both anxiety and digestive cramping.
They’re not meant to be gatekeeping: The technical language developed because herbalists needed precise ways to describe plant actions. But you don’t need to use these terms yourself—this guide helps you understand them when you encounter them.
How to Use This Guide
Each entry shows:
- The technical term (what you’ll see in herbal books)
- Plain language version (what it actually means)
- What it does (clear explanation)
- Examples (herbs that fit this category)
You’ll notice some herbs appear in multiple categories—that’s normal! Most herbs do several things at once. Peppermint, for example, is both a carminative (relieves gas) and an antispasmodic (relaxes muscle tension), which is why it’s so good for digestive upset.
A Note for NZ Readers
This guide covers Western herbalism terminology – the language used in European and American herbal traditions. While many of these herbs grow in Aotearoa and are available here, it’s important to note:
Rongoā Māori: Traditional Māori healing has its own rich terminology and concepts that differ from Western herbalism. Rongoā Māori is a complete healing system with qualified practitioners. If you’re interested in traditional Māori plant medicine, please seek guidance from qualified rongoā practitioners.
Where you’ll see these terms in NZ:
- Herbal product labels at health food stores (Commonsense Organics, Bin Inn, pharmacies)
- NZ herbalism books and courses
- International herbal literature available here
- Online NZ suppliers (Go Native NZ, Lotus Oils NZ, Cottage Hill Herbs)
Understanding this terminology helps you navigate the herbal world, whether you’re reading books, shopping for herbs, or learning from practitioners.
Digestive Terms
Carminative → “Gas Reliever” or “Reduces Bloating”
What it does: Helps your body expel trapped gas from the digestive system, relieving bloating, cramping, and that uncomfortable “full of air” feeling.
Why it matters: If you’ve ever felt bloated after a meal, carminative herbs can help move that gas through and out of your system.
Examples: Peppermint, fennel, ginger, chamomile, basil
Other ways to say it: “Eases digestive gas,” “relieves bloating,” “helps with wind”
Bitter → “Digestive Bitter” or “Stimulates Digestion”
What it does: The bitter taste stimulates special receptors on your tongue, which triggers your body to produce digestive juices (saliva, stomach acid, bile). This helps you digest food more efficiently.
Why it matters: If you have sluggish digestion, feel too full after meals, or have poor appetite, bitters can wake up your digestive system.
Examples: Dandelion root, yarrow, calendula
Other ways to say it: “Digestive stimulant,” “promotes digestive secretions”
Cholagogue → “Promotes Bile Flow”
What it does: Stimulates your liver to produce bile and your gallbladder to release it. Bile helps you digest fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Why it matters: If you feel nauseated after fatty meals or have sluggish fat digestion, cholagogue herbs can help.
Examples: Dandelion root, turmeric, calendula
Other ways to say it: “Supports bile production,” “aids fat digestion”
Hepatic → “Liver Support” or “Supports Liver Function”
What it does: Benefits liver health and function. The liver does hundreds of jobs, including processing nutrients, filtering blood, and helping with detoxification.
Why it matters: Your liver works hard. Hepatic herbs help support its many functions.
Examples: Dandelion root, turmeric
Other ways to say it: “Liver tonic,” “promotes liver health”
Stomachic → “Digestive Aid” or “Supports Digestion”
What it does: Generally supports stomach health and digestive function.
Why it matters: A catch-all term for herbs that help your stomach do its job better.
Examples: Ginger, chamomile, fennel
Other ways to say it: “Aids digestion,” “supports stomach health”
Demulcent → “Soothes Irritation” or “Protective Coating”
What it does: Forms a soothing, protective coating over irritated tissues, especially in the mouth, throat, and digestive tract. These herbs are “slippery” or gel-like.
Why it matters: If you have a sore throat, heartburn, or irritated stomach lining, demulcent herbs provide immediate soothing relief.
Examples: Marshmallow root, slippery elm, plantain
Other ways to say it: “Coats and protects,” “soothing”
Astringent → “Tightening” or “Toning”
What it does: Causes tissues to contract and tighten, which reduces secretions and can help stop minor bleeding.
Why it matters: Useful for diarrhea (tightens loose bowels), bleeding gums, or weepy skin conditions.
Examples: Plantain, yarrow, calendula
Other ways to say it: “Tightens tissues,” “reduces discharge,” “toning to tissues”
Respiratory Terms
Expectorant → “Loosens Mucus” or “Clears Congestion”
What it does: Helps you cough up and expel mucus from your respiratory tract. Makes sticky mucus thinner and easier to clear.
Why it matters: When you have a productive (wet) cough, expectorants help you clear out the gunk instead of having it stuck in your chest.
Examples: Thyme, mullein, plantain
Other ways to say it: “Helps cough up phlegm,” “clears chest congestion”
Antitussive → “Cough Suppressant” or “Relieves Coughing”
What it does: Reduces the urge to cough.
Why it matters: For dry, irritating coughs that aren’t productive (no mucus to clear), suppressing the cough gives your throat a break.
Examples: Wild cherry bark, licorice root* (*use caution with licorice – contraindicated in high blood pressure, pregnancy; can interact with medications)
Other ways to say it: “Stops coughing,” “calms cough reflex”
Pectoral → “Lung Support” or “Respiratory Support”
What it does: Benefits the chest and lung area generally.
Why it matters: A broad term for herbs that help with respiratory health.
Examples: Thyme, mullein, plantain
Other ways to say it: “Supports respiratory health,” “beneficial for lungs”
Nervous System Terms
Nervine → “Nerve Tonic” or “Calming to Nervous System”
What it does: Supports nervous system function. This is a broad category with subcategories:
Types of nervines:
- Nervine relaxant → “Calming herb” or “relaxing” (Examples: Chamomile, lemon balm, lavender)
- Nervine tonic → “Nerve strengthener” or “supports nerve health” (Examples: Oats)
- Nervine stimulant → “Energising to nerves” or “stimulating” (Examples: Rosemary)
Why it matters: If you’re anxious, stressed, or have trouble sleeping, nervine relaxants can help. If you’re mentally exhausted or foggy, nervine tonics can support you.
Sedative → “Calming” or “Promotes Sleep”
What it does: Has a calming effect that can promote sleep or reduce anxiety.
Why it matters: For insomnia or significant stress, sedative herbs provide stronger relaxation than gentle nervines.
Examples: Chamomile, lavender, lemon balm
Other ways to say it: “Sleep-promoting,” “deeply calming”
Adaptogen → “Stress Support” or “Helps Body Adapt to Stress”
What it does: Helps your body cope with physical and emotional stress by supporting balance and resilience. Works over time, not immediately.
Why it matters: If you’re dealing with chronic stress, adaptogens help your body maintain equilibrium rather than getting depleted.
Examples: Tulsi (holy basil)
Other ways to say it: “Builds resilience to stress,” “balancing,” “helps maintain balance under stress”
Anxiolytic → “Anxiety-Relieving” or “Calms Anxiety”
What it does: Specifically reduces feelings of anxiety.
Why it matters: More targeted than just “calming”—these herbs work on anxiety specifically.
Examples: Chamomile, lemon balm, lavender
Other ways to say it: “Reduces anxiety,” “anti-anxiety”
Circulatory Terms
Cardiotonic → “Heart Tonic” or “Supports Heart Function”
What it does: Strengthens and supports the heart muscle and cardiovascular function.
Why it matters: Some herbs specifically nourish and support heart health.
Examples: Hawthorn* (*consult healthcare provider if taking heart medications)
Other ways to say it: “Strengthens heart,” “supports cardiovascular health”
Hypotensive → “Lowers Blood Pressure”
What it does: Helps reduce high blood pressure.
Why it matters: If you have high blood pressure, some herbs can provide gentle support (always work with your doctor on this).
Examples: Hawthorn* (*consult healthcare provider if taking heart medications), garlic
Vasodilator → “Improves Blood Flow” or “Widens Blood Vessels”
What it does: Opens (dilates) blood vessels, which increases circulation.
Why it matters: Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reaching your tissues.
Examples: Ginger, cayenne
Other ways to say it: “Increases circulation,” “opens blood vessels”
Rubefacient → “Increases Blood Flow to Skin” or “Warming”
What it does: When applied to the skin, brings blood to the surface, causing redness and warmth.
Why it matters: Useful for sore muscles—increased blood flow helps healing.
Examples: Cayenne, ginger (topically)
Other ways to say it: “Stimulates local circulation,” “brings warmth to the area”
Lymphatic → “Supports Lymph System” or “Promotes Lymph Drainage”
What it does: Supports the lymphatic system, which moves fluid through your body and helps clear waste from tissues.
Why it matters: If you have swollen lymph nodes, congestion, or sluggish immune function, lymphatic herbs help move things along.
Examples: Calendula, cleavers
Other ways to say it: “Helps drain lymph fluid,” “supports immune circulation,” “reduces lymph congestion”
Immune & Infection Terms
Antimicrobial → “Fights Germs” or “Kills Microbes”
What it does: Works against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms.
Subcategories:
- Antibacterial → “Fights bacteria” (Examples: Thyme, garlic, oregano)
- Antiviral → “Fights viruses” (Examples: Lemon balm, elderberry)
- Anti-fungal → “Fights fungal infections” (Examples: Calendula, thyme)
Why it matters: Different herbs fight different types of infections. Knowing which is which helps you choose the right herb.
Immunomodulator → “Immune Support” or “Balances Immune Function”
What it does: Helps regulate immune system activity—can either boost it when it’s under-active or calm it when it’s overactive.
Why it matters: More sophisticated than just “immune-boosting.” These herbs help balance immune function.
Examples: Turmeric, calendula
Other ways to say it: “Supports immune health,” “regulates immunity”
Alterative → “Blood Purifier” or “Detoxifying”
What it does: Traditionally believed to “purify blood” or support the body’s elimination of waste. (Note: This is an older concept that’s less relevant in modern herbalism.)
Why it matters: These herbs support your body’s natural detoxification pathways.
Examples: Burdock, cleavers, dandelion
Other ways to say it: “Supports detoxification,” “cleansing,” “supports elimination”
Tissue & Wound Terms
Vulnerary → “Wound Healer”
What it does: Promotes healing of wounds, cuts, and injuries when applied topically.
Why it matters: If you have a cut, scrape, or minor wound, vulnerary herbs speed healing.
Examples: Calendula, plantain, yarrow, comfrey (external only)
Other ways to say it: “Wound-healing,” “promotes wound healing,” “supports skin healing”
Styptic → “Stops Bleeding”
What it does: Causes blood vessels to contract, stopping blood flow from minor cuts.
Why it matters: For small cuts that won’t stop bleeding, styptic herbs help clot the blood.
Examples: Yarrow, plantain
Other ways to say it: “Stops minor bleeding,” “promotes clotting”
Emollient → “Softening” or “Moisturising”
What it does: Softens and soothes skin and tissue.
Why it matters: For dry, irritated skin, emollient herbs provide relief.
Examples: Calendula, plantain (in oil form)
Other ways to say it: “Soothing to skin,” “skin-softening”
Anti-inflammatory → “Reduces Inflammation”
What it does: Reduces inflammation in tissues, whether internal or external.
Why it matters: Inflammation underlies many health issues. Anti-inflammatory herbs help reduce redness, swelling, heat, and pain.
Examples: Turmeric, ginger, calendula, yarrow
Other ways to say it: “Soothes inflammation,” “reduces swelling and redness”
Pain & Muscle Terms
Analgesic → “Pain Reliever” or “Eases Pain”
What it does: Reduces pain sensation.
Why it matters: For headaches, muscle aches, or other pain, analgesic herbs provide relief.
Examples: Ginger, turmeric, yarrow
Other ways to say it: “Relieves pain,” “pain-reducing”
Antispasmodic → “Relaxes Muscle Spasms” or “Eases Cramps”
What it does: Relieves involuntary muscle contractions and spasms, especially in smooth muscle (digestive tract, uterus, airways).
Why it matters: For menstrual cramps, digestive cramping, or muscle spasms, antispasmodic herbs provide relief.
Examples: Chamomile, ginger, fennel, lemon balm
Other ways to say it: “Reduces cramping,” “calms muscle tension,” “relieves spasms”
Fever Terms
Febrifuge / Antipyretic → “Fever Reducer” or “Reduces Fever”
What it does: Lowers body temperature during a fever.
Why it matters: Some herbs help bring down a fever safely.
Examples: Yarrow, elderflower
Other ways to say it: “Lowers fever,” “reduces temperature”
Diaphoretic → “Promotes Sweating” or “Encourages Sweating”
What it does: Induces perspiration, often to “break” a fever or help the body cool down.
Why it matters: In traditional herbalism, sweating during a fever was seen as helpful for recovery.
Examples: Yarrow, elderflower, ginger
Other ways to say it: “Induces sweating,” “promotes perspiration”
Hormonal Terms
Emmenagogue → “Promotes Menstruation” or “Encourages Period”
What it does: Stimulates menstrual flow. Often used for delayed or absent periods.
Why it matters: Some herbs can help regulate menstrual cycles.
Examples: Ginger, yarrow
Safety note: Avoid during pregnancy, as these herbs can stimulate uterine contractions. Always consult your midwife or doctor before using herbs that affect menstruation.
Galactagogue → “Promotes Milk Production” or “Supports Lactation”
What it does: Increases breast milk supply in nursing mothers.
Why it matters: If you’re breastfeeding and struggling with milk supply, these herbs can help.
Examples: Fennel, fenugreek
Urinary Terms
Diuretic → “Increases Urination” or “Supports Kidney Function”
What it does: Promotes urine production and flow, helping flush excess fluid and waste from the body.
Why it matters: Useful for water retention, urinary tract support, or flushing out toxins.
Examples: Dandelion leaf, nettle, cleavers
Other ways to say it: “Flushes fluids,” “promotes urination”
Tonic & Nutritive Terms
Tonic → “Strengthener” or “Nourishing”
What it does: Has a general strengthening and nourishing effect on the body or a specific organ. Tonics are taken over time, not for acute issues.
Why it matters: Think of tonics as long-term support—they build strength and resilience gradually.
Examples: Nettle (nutritive tonic), dandelion root (liver tonic)
Other ways to say it: “Builds strength,” “nourishing,” “restorative”
Nutritive → “Nourishing” or “Nutrient-Rich”
What it does: Provides dense nutrition—vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Why it matters: Some herbs are so nutrient-rich they act as food-medicine.
Examples: Nettle, dandelion greens
Other ways to say it: “Nutrient-dense,” “provides vitamins and minerals”
Other Useful Terms
Aromatic → “Fragrant” or “Contains Essential Oils”
What it does: Contains volatile oils that give the plant a strong aroma.
Why it matters: Aromatic herbs are often antimicrobial, carminative, or stimulating.
Examples: Mint, rosemary, thyme, lavender
Mucilaginous → “Gel-Forming” or “Soothing and Slippery”
What it does: Contains mucilage—a type of soluble fibre that forms a gel-like substance when mixed with water.
Why it matters: Mucilaginous herbs are incredibly soothing to irritated tissues.
Examples: Marshmallow root, slippery elm, plantain
How to Remember These Terms
Start with the ones you need: If you’re working with digestive herbs, focus on learning carminative, bitter, and demulcent first. You don’t need to memorise all of them at once.
Connect them to herbs you know: When you learn that chamomile is a nervine, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory, you understand WHY it works for both anxiety and stomach upset.
Use plain language first: There’s no rule saying you have to use the technical terms. “Wound healer” is perfectly fine instead of “vulnerary.” The technical terms just help when you’re reading herbal books.
Keep this guide handy: Bookmark it, print it, reference it often. Over time, the terms will become second nature.
Final Thoughts
Learning herbal terminology is like learning any new language—it feels overwhelming at first, but each term you learn opens up new understanding. You don’t need to be fluent to start using herbs. But over time, as you encounter these words in books and guides, they’ll become familiar friends that help you understand plants more deeply.
Remember: The goal isn’t to sound impressive. The goal is to understand how plants work so you can use them effectively and safely.
Happy learning!
Quick Reference Checklist
For digestive issues, look for:
- Carminative (gas relief)
- Bitter (digestive stimulant)
- Antispasmodic (cramping)
- Demulcent (soothing)
For skin issues, look for:
- Vulnerary (wound healing)
- Anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation)
- Antimicrobial (fights infection)
- Emollient (moisturizing)
For stress/anxiety, look for:
- Nervine (nervous system support)
- Adaptogen (stress resilience)
- Anxiolytic (anxiety relief)
For respiratory issues, look for:
- Expectorant (clears mucus)
- Antimicrobial (fights infection)
- Demulcent (soothes throat)
For immune support, look for:
- Antimicrobial (fights germs)
- Immunomodulator (balances immunity)
Sources & Further Reading
The terminology in this guide comes from standard Western herbal medicine texts and pharmacopoeias, including:
- Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press.
- Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2000). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Churchill Livingstone.
- Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications.
- British Herbal Medicine Association. (1996). British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. BHMA.
- Trickey, R. (2011). Women, Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle. Allen & Unwin.
- Tierra, M. (1998). The Way of Herbs. Pocket Books.
These terms are widely used across Western herbalism and represent standardised terminology for describing plant actions. They appear in herbal pharmacopoeias, materia medicas, and professional herbal medicine texts worldwide.
Disclaimer: This glossary provides educational information about standard Western herbal terminology only and is not medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare practitioners before using herbal remedies, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have diagnosed medical conditions. Some herbs mentioned have contraindications or interact with medications – individual herb safety should always be researched before use. When using plants with cultural significance to Māori, approach with respect and seek appropriate guidance from qualified rongoā practitioners. This guide describes Western herbalism terminology and is not a substitute for traditional indigenous knowledge systems. Children under 2 years should not receive herbal preparations without healthcare provider guidance. The author and publisher assume no liability for adverse reactions resulting from use of herbal remedies.
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