This post was inspired by one of my students who asked me for a comprehensive list of herbal properties and actions. I was tempted to just type up a list of definitions with corresponding herbs. This would have been easy for me and probably quite satisfying for her, but not responsible and accountable to my practice and commitment to understand and teach western herbal energetics. My training has it's foundations in vitalism and I adhere to those principals at all times. This means that my focus is always on how to release the flow of vital energy in the individual that I'm working with using herbs to help remove obstacles to that flow. This makes it difficult for me to answer the many questions that I am asked by people who just want to know "What can I take for my arthritis?" I then have to answer their question with a question and sometimes several to determine the underlying cause and condition that created the problem.

 Becoming an herbalist requires much more than the mere memorization of lists of what herb for what problem and, in fact, this can lead to dangerous results as no single herb will create the exact same reaction in every single person. Every person has a different constitution and so will react differently to the energetic pattern of each plant. If you give an herb that is energetically hot such as cayenne to an already hot person the results can be disasterous and the same is true for giving a cold herb to a cold person. Another good example of this is giving someone an herb that is considered a bitter to improve digestion. Bitters can be warming or cooling so it is very important to determine the cause of the condition. If the person has a lack of enzymes, bile or what is called "fire" they will not respond well to a cooling bitter and will usually get even worse. Now there are definitely times in acute situations where the same herb will do the trick every single time such as using Yarrow to stop bleeding or Lemon Balm to lower a fever. You may refer to this previous post on herbal foundations for more on tissue states and herbal energetics.

Each herb also has more than one action and are sometimes categorized as primary  and secondary, although there are sometimes several different actions working synergistically.The primary actions is the most noticable attribute and tendency of an herb. It's usually what the herb is known for and where its foundational strength or power lies. The secondary actions are usually an extension of the primary actions and may be chosen for it's affinity to a specific organ system such as stimulating or relaxing nervines. The primary action may be stimualting and the effect will on the nervous system. Or there may be nervine tonics where the herb has a tonic effect on the nervous system.

Below are a list of some common terms and their corresponding actions. I agree with medical herbalist Paul Bergner in that I try to avoid the prefix anti- when listing the primary action of herbs because I don't view the healing process from that perspective.  There is nothing anti- about herbs. They are life-enhancing and nourishing. Herbs may encourage elimination,  efficiency, absortion or balance, but they are hardly ever against (anti) anything.The only exception may be anti-inflammatory, but even then there is a property that the herb contains that is inhibiting the inflammation such as, perhaps mucilagenous or astringent. Or perhaps it is a circulatory stimulant with stimulant being the primary action and its effect on the circulatory system being secondary. The other exception may be antimicrobial.  Again, I am often asked about herbal antibiotics and how they work. Well, I hardly think of herbs in terms of antibiotic. To me they are either immune stimulating or modulating or they may otherwise create a condition that is not conducive to the survival of pathogenic bacteria. They feed and strengthen the vital force, the body's own defenses and resources to regain balance. I know that this can seem quite confusing at first and the only way I know to fully understand these actions is by learning each plant individually and fully by direct and sensual experience. Books may offer some assistance, but I have had more than one discussion with other herbalists about their personal experience with plants that may involve an action or reaction that no one has ever had before. I find it easier to think of  herbal actions  as Matthew Wood does in his book "The Earthwise Herbal". He lists them by energetic action and the organ that the herb acts on.

Energetic Actions

Alterative-Sometimes called "blood purifier". but they actually support elimination and the natural removal of toxins while nourishing and restoring the cells to healthy function. Alteratives relieve dampness and stagnation Ex. Garlic, Burdock, Red Clover, Nettle, Dandelion

Stimulant- Moves energy in the body by increase the activity of its cells and systems, increases heat and relieves depressed tissue states.Ex. Ginger, Rosemary, Caffeine, Cayenne, Ephedra. Once again, this often depends on the individual. I have know people who have found Sacred Basil very stimulating although it is not known to have stimulant as it's primary action.

Adaptogen-help the body restore balance after prolonged illness or stress. Ex. Reishi, Siberian Ginseng, Sacred Basil (Tulsi), American Ginseng, Shisandra

Sedatives- Slows energy in the body, calms, reduces irritation and heat Ex.Peach, Rose, Lemon Balm, Yellowdock, Hawthorne, Yarrow

Relaxants-Reduces tension and relieves constriction Ex. Catnip, Chamomile, Blue Vervain, Valerian, Kava Kava, Lobelia

Astringent-tightens tissues reducing inflammation, fluid loss, and irritation. Reduces dampness and excessive relaxation.Ex. Sumach, Sage, Horse chestnut, Anise, Yarrow, Shepherds Purse

Demulcent/Mucilagenous- produce a soothing coating that reduces inflammation and irritation Ex. Marshmallow, Coltsfoot, Mullein, Milky Oats

Analgesic/Anodyne- relieves pain. Ex. Meadowsweet, Ghost pipe, St. Johnswort, Wild Yam, California Poppy, Sweet Birch
Tonic- Tonics are nutritive and slow in their action, thereby being used over long time periods. They are oftentimes sweet and mucilagenous relieving dryness and atrophy by bringing nutrients and minerals to the tissues.

Organ affinities or trophism

Immunomodulators-Have some regulating or stimulating effect on the immune system by producing greater immune response-Astragalus, Elderberry,Echinacea, Codonpsis, Boneset, Garlic, Calendula, Usnea, Reishi

Lymphatic-increases lymph flow and releases lymph congestion Ex. Calendula, Cleavers, Figwort, Red Root, Echinacea

Bitter -digestive with bitte taste that stimulate the flow of saliva and digestive juices. Dandelion, Angelica, Mugwort, Gentian

Vulnerary-skin, treats and heals wounds Ex.Comfrey, Yarrow, Myrhh, Echinacea

Diaphoretic-skin, produces sweating by dilating peripheal capillaries and Ex.Lemon Balm, Elder, Yarrow, Motherwort

Expectorant-lungs, expels mucus, can be stimualting or relaxing Ex. Elecampane Horehound,  Sweet Violet, Licorice, Wild Cherry Bark

Nervine-nervous system, acts in some way, either to relax or stimulate the nervous system Ex. St. Johnswort, Blue Vervain, Lobelia, Mugwort, Crampbark, Milky Oats

Diuretic-kidneys, produces the release of fluids increasing the flow of urine Ex. Saw Palmetto, Hawthorne, Yarrow, Burdock

The Anti's        

For the sake of simplicity I will list the two anti's that everyone likes to use, keeping in mind that the true actions belong to one of the categories above

Anti-inflammatory- reduces inflammation through a variety of actions Ex.Mullein, Rose, Turmeric, Meadowsweet, Sweet Birch, Lavender, St. Johnswort, Mullein, Plantain

Antimicrobial- may work to improve immune function or may directly effect pathogens Ex. Echinacea, Wild Indigo, Goldenseal, Goldthread, Olive leaf, Osha, Myrhh, Cryptolepsis, Thyme, Usnea

Resources:
 
Notes from Paul Bergner's "Vitalist Treatment of Acute Symptoms"

Matthew Wood "The Earthwise Herbal"

David Hoffman "Medical Herbalism"