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