Mucilaginous: An herb or substance that is characterized by a gummy or gelatinous consistency which is soothing and healing to inflamed surfaces and mucous membranes

Narcotic: An herb or substance that will relieve pain and induce sleep when used in medicinal doses, but which can produce stupor, convulsions, unconsciousness, coma, or death if the dosage is too large, and addiction if the dosage is repeated too often. (Syn: Analgesic, Anesthetic, Anodyne, Sedative, Soporific)

Nauseant: An herb or substance that produces vomiting and nausea. (Syn: Emetic)

Nervine: An herb or substance that relaxes, soothes, calms, and quiets the nerves, or which acts on the entire nervous system in a beneficial manner to allay nervous excitement. (Syn: Relaxant, Tranquilizer, Sedative, Narcotic)

Nutriant: Same as Nutrient

Nutrient: An herb or substance that affects the nutritive processes and metabolic changes in the body, supplies material for tissue building, contains necessary food values such as vitamins and minerals, or which acts to release these elements from other food which has already been eaten but not assimilated. (Syn: Nutriant, Nutritive)

Nutritive: Same as Nutrient

Opthalmic: An herb or substance that acts to heal, soothe, or strengthen the eyes, or which acts as a remedy for diseases of the eye.

Peptic: An herb or substance that aides in the digestion of food. (Syn: Digestive, Eupeptic)

Purgative: An herb or substance that produces a vigorous and rapid evacuation of the bowels. (Syn: Aperient, Laxative, Drastic, Cathartic, Purge) May also refer to discharges other than from the bowels.

Refrigerant: An herb or substance that imparts a cooling sensation to the mucous membranes, allays thirst, and reduces abnormal body heat and fever. Externally it cools by evaporation. (Syn: Febrifuge, Anti-Pyretic)
Relaxant: An herb or substance that relaxes, eases, and relieves tension and strain. (Syn: Calmative, Nervine, Sedative, Tranquilizer)

Renal: An herb or substance that strengthens, heals, cleanses, or otherwise affects the kidneys, or is used to treat diseases of the kidneys. (Syn: Diuretic, Nephritic)

Sedative: Herb that allays excitement, induces relaxation, and is conducive to sleep.

Sialagogue: Promotes the flow of saliva.

Soporific: Herbs that help to produce sleep.

Stimulant: Herb that increases the activity or efficiency of a system or organ; acts more rapidly than a tonic.

Stomachic: Herbs that give strength and tone to the stomach, stimulate digestion, and improve the appetite.

Tincture: A solution of the active principal of an herb in alcohol.

Tonic: Herbs that restore and strengthen the entire system. Produces and restores normal tone. A general tonic would be one that braces up the whole system.

Tonic (nutritive): Permanently increases the tone of a part of the body, or the entire system by nourishing and increasing weight.

Vermicide: Herb that kills intestinal worms. (see anthelmintic.)

Vulnerary: An herb used in treating fresh cuts and wounds, usually used as a poultice. A healing substance.