action: Herbal actions help describe how a plant works in the body. Most plants have multiple.

analgesic: reduces pain, usually by decreasing inflammation.

antiemetic: prevents vomiting.

anti-inflammatory: quells inflammation, through a variety of pathways.

antimicrobial: helps ward off or breakdown microbes, through a variety of pathways.

antispasmodic: decreases spasm or tension in muscles.

aphrodisiac: increases libido & sexual desire but not like a magic potion or viagra. Aphrodisiac plants are warming, stimulating, & grounding. They act on the nervous system to calm you down, stimulate blood flow, and release tension. All processes that help one feel safe, be open, and connect to sensuality.

aromatic: contains volatile oils that smell strongly and often smell nice. Usually aromatic herbs have a diffusive nature, and are carminative.

astringent: shrinks or constricts body tissues.

carminative: relieves bloating & gas by relieving tension, and is typically aromatic and warming.

diaphoretic: disperses heat and promotes sweating. Relaxing diaphoretics are typically more cooling in nature and allow heat to be released, & stimulating diaphoretics stimulate vitality & heat to produce sweating.

diuretic: increases urine output by balancing minerals, stimulating the kidney, or increasing blood flow.

emetic: stimulates vomiting.

emmenagogue: brings on and normalizes menses. Useful for sluggish menses. Careful with plants of this quality when pregnant, especially in the first trimester.

energetics:

doshas: referring to the 3 bio-energies in Ayurveda that are thought to circulate in everyone and govern physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. The 3 doshas are vata, pitta, & kapha. In Ayurveda, it is thought that health is achieved by balancing these 3 energies.

nervine: has an affinity for or acts upon the nervous system.

poultice: applications of thickly packed herbs that are used topically to sooth inflammation, draw out toxins, and heal wounds. A traditional and on-the-go way to make poultices is to thoroughly chew up some fresh plant material and apply it directly to the area in need.

taste:

tincture: An alcohol extraction of plant material.

tissue states: a model to make sense of physiological & pathological conditions. According to Matt Wood, the 6 tissue states are: excitation, constriction, relaxation, atrophy, stagnation, & depression.