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