Medicinal properties

Many plants have traditional medical uses. Ethnobotanists and pharmacognacists catalog and study these plants and uses. This is a list of some of the more common medicinal properties that are ascribed to plants.

• Anti-catarrhal -- eliminates or counteracts mucous conditions
• Anti-coagulant -- prevent coagulation of blood
• Anti-histamine -- reduce or eliminate allergic effects mediated by histamine
• Anti-emetic -- relieves vomiting
• Anti-inflammatory -- reduces inflammation
• Anti-microbial -- kills or slows the growth of microbes
  • Anti-bacterial -- kills or slows the growth of bacteria
  • Anti-fungal -- kills or slows the growth of fungi
  • Anti-viral -- kills or slows the growth of viruses
  • Anti-parasitic -- kills or slows the growth of parasites
• Anti-pyretic -- prevents or reduces fever by lowering body temperature
• Anti-spasmodic -- suppresses smooth muscle contractions
• Astringent -- shrinks or constricts body tissues
• Carminative -- anti-spasmodic, used particularly against cramps of the digestive tract
• Cholagogue -- promotes the discharge of bile from the system
• Demulcent -- acts as a protective barrier on irritated or inflamed tissue
• Diaphoretic -- increases perspiration
• Diuretic -- elevates the rate of bodily urine excretion
• Emetic -- induces vomiting
• Emmenagogue -- stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus
• Expectorant -- loosen mucus from the respiratory tract
• Hepatic -- strengthens or regulates the secretion of bile
• Laxative -- promotes defecation
• Nervine -- has a beneficial effect upon the nervous system in some way
  • Sedative -- depresses the central nervous system, causing calmness, relaxation and similar, stronger effects
• Tonic -- strengthens and improves specific organs, systems, weaknesses or the body as a whole
• Stomachic -- tones the stomach, improving its function and increasing appetite
• Vulnerary -- used in healing or treating wounds

See also

• Alternative medicine
• Herbalism
• List of medicinal herbs