Student Resource · Referenced throughout the course

Herbal Preparations, Glossary & Botanical Names

Every preparation method, therapeutic term, and botanical (Latin) name used across the 12-lesson Fundamental Herbology course, in one place — so you're never more than a click away from a definition.

Part One

Herbal preparations & applications

There are many different methods for preparing and using medicinal herbs. Some can be made simply at home and used immediately; others are more convenient to buy ready-made.

Prepare at home

Hot infusion

Measure 1 heaped teaspoon of mixed herbs per cup, pour over boiling water, cover to keep volatile oils from escaping and steep 3-5 minutes. Strain before use. Keeps covered in the fridge up to 24 hours; gently warm before drinking.

Cold infusion

For delicate herbs whose active ingredients are damaged by heat. Pour 1 cup of cold water over 1 heaped teaspoon of mixed herbs, cover and steep 8-12 hours. Strain and warm slightly before drinking.

Decoction

Used to extract medicine from harder plant parts - roots, bark, twigs, berries. Simmer 1 heaped teaspoon of herbs per cup of cold water for 10-15 minutes and strain. Keeps refrigerated up to 48 hours.

Herb bath

Steep about 200g dried herbs in 2-3L cold water for 12 hours, gently heat and strain into a warm bath. Especially helpful for arthritis, rheumatism and skin conditions. Relax in the bath for 10-15 minutes.

Sitz bath

A hip-deep bath used to stimulate circulation in the abdominal area. Steep about 100g dried herbs in 1-2L cold water for 12 hours, heat and strain into water covering the kidney area.

Foot bath

For tired, aching feet, tinea, chilblains and poor circulation. Steep about 50g dried herbs in cold water for 12 hours, heat, strain into a tub of warm water and bathe feet for 20 minutes.

Fomentation

A cloth soaked in a herbal infusion or decoction and applied externally, as hot as possible, to relieve bruising, swelling, pain, inflammation, headaches, fevers and some skin complaints.

Poultice

Softened fresh or dried herbs applied directly to the skin to relieve muscular pain and sporting injuries, or to draw pus from boils and infected wounds. Steam the herbs, spread on a cloth, apply and cover with wool for about 2 hours.

Inhalation

Place 50g dried herbs in a bowl, pour over 1L boiling water, cover your head and the bowl with a towel and inhale the steam for 20-30 minutes to relieve congestion, colds, flu, hayfever and sinusitis.

Swedish Bitters' compress

Soak cotton wool or cloth in Swedish Bitters, apply calendula cream to protect the skin first, apply the compress, overwrap with plastic film and a woollen cloth, and secure for 4-5 hours or overnight.

Commercial preparations

Capsules

Dry plant extracts, carefully dehydrated to preserve active ingredients. Useful when a large, concentrated dose is needed.

Liquid extracts and tinctures

Fast-absorbing forms well suited to people with poor digestion. Alcohol both extracts non-water-soluble compounds and preserves the preparation.

Medicinal teas

The most ancient and least expensive form of herbal medicine - gentle, soothing, and a helpful way to increase daily fluid intake and reduce caffeine.

Creams and ointments

Creams are water-based and absorb quickly, bringing soothing relief for skin problems. Ointments are oil-based, thicker, and form a protective layer.

Liniments

Medicated preparations applied topically for muscular aches from sport and exercise, or age-related conditions like rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia and lumbago.

Part Two

Glossary of therapeutic terms

Everyday-language definitions of the therapeutic terms used throughout the ASOHM course. For more thorough clinical definitions, consult a medical dictionary.

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Abortifacient: produces abortion
Acidosis: excess acid
Aciduria: excess acid in the urine
Alterative: gradually restores healthy bodily functions
Analgesic: relieves pain
Anaphrodisiac: sexual depressant
Angina: cramplike, choking feeling in the chest
Anodyne: lessens pain
Anthelmintic: kills or expels intestinal worms
Anti-anaemic: agent to restore red blood cell count
Antibiotic: kills bacteria
Anticatarrhal: soothes the mucous membranes
Antidepressant: battles depression
Antidote: counteracting the effect of poison
Anti-emetic: stops vomiting
Antihaemorrhagic: stops bleeding
Anti-inflammatory: counters inflammation
Antilithic: stops stones building up in urinary tract
Antiperiodic: agent to battle certain fevers
Antirheumatic: relieves or cures rheumatism
Antiscorbutic: counteracts scurvy
Antiseptic: prevents infection
Antispasmodic: prevents or cures spasms
Antisyphilitic: fights venereal disease
Antiviral: counters viruses
Aperient: very mild laxative
Aphrodisiac: excites sexual organs
Appetizer: stimulates the appetite
Aromatic: pleasant aroma
Arteriosclerosis: narrowing of the arteries
Astringent: causes tissues to contract
Bactericidal: destroys bacteria
Balsamic: healing or soothing agent
Bitter tonic: increases appetite and improves digestion
Calminative: calms the nerves
Cardiac: pertaining to the heart
Cardioactive: affecting the heart
Cardiotonic: supporting the heart
Carminative: relieves flatulence or wind
Cataplasm: mixture applied to wounds and sores
Catarrhal: inflammation of the mucous membrane
Cathartic: middling laxative
Cordial: invigorating and stimulating
Corroborant: invigorating tonic
Counterirritant: battles inflammation
Cystitis: inflammation of the bladder
Decongestant: relieves lung congestion
Demulcent: soothes and protects the digestive tract
Deobstruent: removes bowel obstructions
Depurative: purifying agent
Dermatonic: helpful to the skin
Detergent: cleansing agent
Diaphoretic: promotes perspiration
Digestive: aids digestion
Diuretic: promotes the flow of urine
Dysmenorrhoea: painful menstruation
Emetic: causes vomiting
Emmenagogue: facilitates menstrual flow
Emollient: soothes the skin
Escharotic: abrasive agent
Excoriated: surface with outer covering removed
Expectorant: encourages discharge of phlegm or spitting
Febrifuge: reduces fever
Flux: bloody discharge from the bowel
Fungicide: kills fungi
Gastric: pertaining to the stomach
Germicide: destroys germs
Gravel: fine stones in the bladder
Haematuria: blood in the urine
Haemostatic: controls bleeding
Hallucinatory: producing mental illusion
Hepatic: pertaining to the liver
Hypertensive: agent to increase blood pressure
Hypnotic: sleep inducing
Hypotensive: agent to decrease blood pressure
Indigenous: native or original
Infusion: liquid poured on herbs
Invigorant: strength-stimulating
Laxative: bowel stimulant
Leucorrhoea: white discharge from the vagina
Lithotriptic: dissolves stones in the urinary tract
Mastitis: inflammation of the breasts
Menorrhagic: excessive or prolonged menstruation
Mucilaginous: soothes inflamed parts
Nephritis: kidney inflammation
Nervine: calms the nervous system
Neurasthenia: nervous exhaustion
Neuritis: inflammation of the nerves
Nutrient: nourishment
Oedema: fluid retention
Pectoral: battles chest and lung infections
Poultice: moistened herbs applied to wounds or sores
Prostatelium: mixture to eliminate prostate disorders
Purgative: strong laxative
Putrefaction: rots or goes bad
Pyelitis: inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney
Refrigerant: relieves thirst, cools the body
Remedial: has a healing effect
Resolvent: reduces swelling
Restorative: restores health and strength
Rubefacient: irritates skin
Scrofula: disease of the lymphatic gland
Sedative: calms the nervous system
Sialagogue: stimulates saliva flow
Soporific: promotes sleep
Spasmolytic: lessens spasms
Spermatorrhoea: excess sperm production
Staphylococcus: pus-producing bacteria
Sternutatory: initiates sneezing
Stimulant: increases vital energy
Stomachic: settles upset stomachs
Stomatitis: sore mouth
Styptic: stops bleeding
Sudorific: produces ample sweating
Tonic: promotes general well being
Vasodilator: widens blood vessels
Vermifuge: expels worms from the body
Vulnerary: useful in healing wounds

No matching glossary terms.

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Part Three

Herbal glossary — botanical names

Every herb referenced across the 12-lesson course, cross-referenced from its common name to its botanical (Latin) name — useful when researching a herb further or checking you have the right plant.

Botanical names are the universal, unambiguous way to identify a plant — several unrelated herbs can share the same common name in different regions. Always confirm the botanical name when sourcing or identifying a plant, and see Lesson One for guidance on correct plant identification.

Search botanical names

Agar Agar: Gelidium amansii
Agrimony: Agrimonia eupatoria
Albizza: Albizza lebbek
Aloes: Aloe vera
American Cranesbill: Geranium maculatum
Angelica (or Root): Angelica archangelica
Aniseed: Pimpinella anisum
Apples: Malus pumila
Asparagus Root: Asparagus officinalis
Astragalus: Astragalus membranaceus
Balm of Gilead: Populus gileadensis
Barberry Bark: Berberis vulgaris
Barley: Hordeum vulgare
Bayberry: Myrica cerifera
Bearberry: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Beth Root: Trillium erectum
Betony: Stachys betonica
Black Cohosh: Cimifuga racemosa
Black Haw: Viburnum prunifolium
Black Horehound: Ballota nigra
Black Root: Leptandra virginica
Bladderwrack: Fucus vesiculosis
Blessed Thistle: Cnicus benedictus
Blood Root: Sanguinaria canadensis
Blue Blooming Wisteria: Wisteria chinensis
Blue Cohosh: Caulophylum thalictroides
Blue Flag: Iris versicolor
Boldo: Peumus boldo
Boneset: Eupatorium perfoliatum
Borage: Borago officinalis
Broccoli: Brassica oleracea
Broom: Cytisus scoparius
Buchu: Barosma betulina
Buckwheat: Fagopyrum esculentum
Bugleweed: Lycopus virginicus
Burdock: Arctium lappa
Butternut: Juglans cinerea
Cabbage: Brassica oleracea
Calendula: Calendula officinalis
Camomile: Matricaria recutita
Caraway: Carum carvi
Cardamom: Elettaria cardamomum
Carrots: Daucus carota
Cascara: Rhamnus purshiana
Catmint: Nepeta cataria
Cauliflower: Brassica oleracea
Cayenne: Capsicum minimum
Celery Seed: Apium graveolens
Centaury: Erythraea centaurium
Chaparral: Larrea tridentata
Chaste Tree or Berry: Vitex agnus-castus
Chickweed: Stellaria media
Chicory: Cichorium intybus
Chilli Peppers: Capsicum frutescens
Chrysanthemum Flowers: Chrysanthemum indicum
Cinchona: Cinchona calisaya
Cinnamon: Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Cleavers: Galium aparine
Cocoa: Theobroma cacao
Codonopsis: Codonopsis pilosula
Coffee: Coffea arabica
Coltsfoot: Tussilago farfara
Comfrey Leaf: Symphytum officinale herba
Comfrey Root: Symphytum officinale radix
Common Thyme: Thymus vulgaris
Condurango: Marsdenia condurango
Coriander: Coriandrum sativum
Corn Silk: Zea mays
Cotton Root: Gossypium herbaceum
Couch Grass: Agropyron repens
Cramp Bark: Viburnum opulus
Cranesbill: Geranium robertianum
Damiana: Turnera diffusa
Dandelion Leaves: Taraxacum officinale folia
Dandelion Root: Taraxacum officinale
Deadly Nightshade: Atropa belladonna
Devil's Claw: Harpagophytum procumbens
Dill: Anethum graveolens
Dong Quai: Angelica sinensis
Echinacea: Echinacea angustifolia (or) Echinacea purpurea
Elder Flowers: Sambucus nigra
Elecampane: Inula helenium
English Rhubarb: Rheum officinale
Ephedra (or Ma Huang): Ephedra sinica
Epilobium: Epilobium parviflorum
Euphorbia: Euphorbia hirta
False Unicorn Root: Chamaelirium luteum
Fennel: Foeniculum vulgare
Fenugreek: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Feverfew: Chrysanthemum parthenium
Fly Agaric: Amanita muscaria
Foxglove: Digitalis purpurea
Frangula Bark: Rhamnus frangula
Fringe Tree: Chionanthus virginicus
Fumitory: Fumaria officinalis
Garlic: Allium sativum
Gentian: Gentiana lutea
German Camomile: Matricaria recutita
Ginger: Zingiber officinale
Ginkgo: Ginkgo biloba
Globe Artichoke: Cynara scolymus
Goat's Rue: Galega officinalis
Golden Rod: Solidago virgaurea
Golden Seal: Hydrastis canadensis
Gotu Kola: Centella asiatica
Gravel Root: Eupatorium purpureum
Greater Celandine: Chelidonium majus
Grindelia: Grindelia camporum
Ground Ivy: Nepeta hederacea
Guaiacum: Guaiacum officinale
Guarana: Paullinia cupana
Hawthorn or Berries: Crataegus oxyacanthoides
Heartsease: Viola tricolor
Henbane: Hyoscyamus niger
Hops: Humulus lupulus
Horse Chestnut: Aesculus hippocastanum
Horseradish: Cochlearia armoracia
Horsetail: Equisetum arvense
Hyssop: Hyssopus officinalis
Iceland Moss: Cetraria islandica
Ipecacuanha: Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Irish Moss: Chondrus crispus
Jaborandi: Pilocarpus jaborandi
Jamaican Dogwood: Piscidia erythrina
Java Plum: Syzygium cumini
Job's Tears: Coix lachryma
Juniper: Juniperus communis
Kola Nut: Cola vera
Korean Ginseng: Panax ginseng
Lady's Mantle: Alchemilla vulgaris
Lavender: Lavandula officinalis
Lemon Balm: Melissa officinalis
Lemons: Citrus limonia
Lettuce: Lactuca sativa
Lily-of-the-valley: Convallaria majalis
Lime Flowers: Tilia europea
Linseed: Linum usitatissimum
Liquorice: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Lobelia: Lobelia inflata
Lovage: Levisticum officinale
Lungwort: Pulmonaria sticta
Madagascan Periwinkle: Catharanthus roseus
Maidenhair Tree: Ginkgo biloba
Maitake Mushroom: Grifola frondosa
Mandrake: Podophylum peltatum
Mandrake (Atropa): Atropa mandragora
Marsh Cudweed: Gnaphalium uliginosum
Marshmallow Leaf: Althaea officinalis folium
Marshmallow Root: Althaea officinalis radix
Mate: Ilex paraguensis
Meadowsweet: Filipendula ulmaria
Mexican Yam: Dioscorea mexicana
Mistletoe: Viscum album
Moreton Bay Chestnut: Castanospermum australe
Motherwort: Leonurus cardiaca
Mugwort: Artemisia vulgaris
Mullein: Verbascum thapsus
Mustard: Brassica alba
Mustard Seeds: Brassica nigra
Myrrh: Commiphora molmol
Night-blooming Cactus: Selenicerus grandiflorus
Oak Bark: Quercus robor
Oats: Avena sativa
Oldenlandia: Oldenlandia diffusa
Ololiuqui: Corymbosa
Opium Poppy: Papaver somniferum
Oregon Grape: Berberis aquifolium
Parsley: Petroselinum crispum
Parsley Piert: Aphanes arvensis
Parsley Root or Seeds: Petroselinum crispum
Pasque Flower: Anemone pulsatilla
Passionflower: Passiflora incarnata
Pau D'arco: Tabebuia avellanedae
Peach Leaves: Prunus persica
Pellitory-of-the-wall: Parietaria officinalis
Peppermint: Mentha piperita
Peyote: Lophophora williamsii
Plantain: Plantago lanceolata
Pleurisy Root: Asclepias tuberosa
Poke Root: Phytolacca decandra
Prickly Ash: Zanthoxylum americanum
Psilocybe: Psilocybe mexicana
Psyllium Seeds: Plantago afra
Pulsatilla: Anemone pulsatilla
Purslane: Portulaca oleracea
Qing Hao: Artemisia annua
Queen's Delight: Stillingia sylvatica
Red Clover: Trifolium pratense
Red Raspberry Leaves: Rubus idaeus
Reishi Mushroom: Glanoderma lucidum
Ribwort: Plantago lanceolata
Rosemary: Rosmarinus officinalis
Rue: Ruta graveolens
Sage: Salvia officinalis
Sarsaparilla: Smilax ornata
Saw Palmetto: Serenoa serrulata
Self-heal: Prunella vulgaris
Senega: Polygala senega
Senna: Cassia angustifolia
Seven Barks: Hydrangea arborescens
Shepherd's Purse: Capsella bursa-pastoris
Shitake Mushroom: Lentinus edodes
Siberian Ginseng: Eleutherococcus senticosus
Skullcap: Scutellaria lateriflora
Skunk Cabbage: Symplocarpus foetidus
Slippery Elm: Ulmus fulva
Southernwood: Artemisia abrotanum
Spinach: Spinacia oleracea
Stinging Nettle: Urtica dioica
Squaw Vine: Mitchella repens
Squill: Urginea maritima
St John's Wort: Hypericum perforatum
St Mary's Thistle: Silybum marianum
Stone Root: Collinsonia canadensis
Sundew: Drosera rotundifolia
Sweet Violet: Viola odorata
Tea: Camellia sinensis
Thornapple: Datura stramonium
Thuja: Thuja occidentalis
Thyme: Thymus vulgaris
Tormentil: Potentilla tormentilla
Turkey Rhubarb: Rheum palmatum
Valerian: Valeriana officinalis
Vervain: Verbena officinalis
Water Chestnut: Trapa natans
White Bryony: Bryonia alba
White Horehound: Marrubium vulgare
White Pond Lily: Nymphaea odorata
White Poplar: Populus tremuloides
White Willow Bark: Salix alba
Wild Carrot: Daucus carota
Wild Cherry Bark: Prunus serotina
Wild Indigo: Baptisia tinctoria
Wild Lettuce: Lactusa virosa
Wild Thyme: Thymus serpyllum
Wild Yam: Dioscorea villosa
Willow Bark: Salix alba
Willow Herb (Small-Flowered): Epilobium parviflorum
Wintergreen: Gaultheria procumbens
Witch Hazel: Hammamelis virginiana
Wormwood: Artemisia absinthium
Yarrow: Achillea millifolium
Yellow Dock: Rumex crispus
Yellow Jasmine: Gelsemium sempervirens

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