By carefully matching the herbal properties with the symptoms being treated, it's possible to confront the entire scope of a disease at once, achieving a cure quickly and with the minimum possible dosage.  Also, by referencing the herbal properties, it becomes easier to substitute one herb for another.  The remarkable aspect of herbs is their combination of several different healing properties.  Thus each herb will have a combination of specific effects on particular systems of the body, and also some very general effects. 

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Alteratives

Also known as blood purifiers, these agents gradually and favorably alter the condition of the body.  They are used in treating toxicity of the blood, infections, arthritis, cancer and skin eruptions.  Some Alteratives include: Red Clover, Echinacea, Dandelion Root, Alfalfa, Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Marshmallow, and Nettles.

Analgesics

Herbs that are taken to relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness.  Some Analgesics include: Cloves, Catnip, Chamomile, Skullcap, Lobelia, and Valerian.

Antacids

Herbs that are able to neutralize excess acids in the stomach and intestines.  In most cases, these also have demulcent properties to protect the stomach lining.  Some Antacids are Dandelion Root, Fennel Seed, Slippery Elm, and Kelp.

Antiabortives

Herbs that help to inhibit abortive tendencies.  These are taken in small quantities during pregnancy, and include Lobelia, Raspberry Leaf, and Cramp Bark.   The herbs will not interfere with the natural process of miscarriage when the fetus is damaged or improperly secured.

Antiasthmatics

Herbs that relieve the symptoms of asthma.  Some, like Lobelia, are strong Antispasmodics that dilate the bronchioles.  Others, like Yerba Santa help break up the mucus.  Some herbs may be smoked for quick relief including Coltsfoot and Mullein, which may also be taken as teas. Other Antiasthmatics include Comfrey, Wild Yam, and Wild Cherry Bark.

Antibiotics

Substances that inhibit the growth of, or destroy, bacteria, viruses or amoebas.  While many herbal antibiotics have direct germ killing effects, they have as a primary action, the stimulations of the body's own immune response.  Excessive use of antibiotics will eventually destroy the beneficial bacteria of the intestines.  In fighting stubborn infections it is a good idea to maintain favorable intestinal flora by eating miso, tamari, or fresh yogurt.  Important antibiotic herbs include, Echinacea, Olive Leaf, Juniper Berries, Thyme, and Garlic.

Anticatarrhals

Herbs that eliminate or counteract the formation of mucus.  A treatment for catarrh should also include the use of herbs that aid elimination through sweat (diaphoretics), urine (diuretics), and feces (laxatives).  Anticatarrhal herbs include: Black Pepper, Cayenne, Ginger, Sage, Cinnamon, Anise, Mullein, Comfrey, Wild Cherry Bark, and Yerba Santa.

Antipyretics

Cooling herbs used to reduce or prevent fevers.  Cooling may refer to neutralizing harmful acids in the blood (excess heat) as well as reducing body temperature.  Antipyretics include: Alfalfa, Basil, Skullcap, Dulse, and Kelp.

Antiseptics

Herbs that can be applied to the skin to prevent the growth of bacteria.  This includes the Astringents.  Some Antiseptics include: Calendula, Thyme, Garlic, Juniper Berries, and Sage.

Antispasmodics

Herbs that prevent or relax muscle spasms.  They may be applied either internally or externally for relief.  One of the most important antispasmodics is Lobelia.  Antispasmodics are included in most herb formulas to relax the body and allow it to use its full energy for healing.  Some Antispasmodics include: Skullcap, Valerian, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, and Raspberry Leaf.

Aphrodisiacs

Substances used to improve sexual potency and power.  Aphrodisiacs include:  Astragalus, Burdock, and Maca Root.

Astringents

Herbs that have a constricting or binding effect.  They are commonly used to check hemorrhages and secretions, and to treat swollen tonsils and hemorrhoids.  The main herbal Astringents contain tannins, which are found in most plants, especially in tree barks.  Important Astringents include: White Oak Bark, Calendula, Shavegrass,  and Juniper Berries.

Carminatives

Herbs and spices taken to relieve gas and griping (severe pains in the bowels).  Examples of Carminatives include: Anise, Fennel, Cumin, Ginger, and Peppermint.

Cholagogues

Substances used to promote the flow and discharge of bile into the small intestine.  These will also be laxatives, as the bile will stimulate elimination.  Some Cholagogues are: Aloe Vera, Mandrake, and Licorice.

Demulcents

Soothing substances, usually mucilage, taken internally to protect damaged or inflamed tissues.  Usually a Demulcent herb will be used along with diuretics to protect the kidney and urinary tract, especially when kidney stones and gravel are present.  Important Demulcents include: Marshmallow, Comfrey, Slippery Elm, Licorice, Burdock, and Aloe Vera.

Diaphoretics

Herbs used to induce sweating. To administer Diaphoretics effectively, the stomach and bowels should be emptied by fasting and using an enema.  However, laxatives should not be used before using these herbs.  Sweating teas should be hot; when given cold, they act as diuretics.  Some Diaphoretics include: Lemon Balm, and Catnip.  Diaphoretics that should be taken with Ginger or Cayenne include: Yarrow, Hyssop, and Peppermint.

Diuretics

Herbs that increase the flow of urine.  They are used to treat water retention, obesity, lymphatic swellings, nerve inflammations such as lumbago and sciatica, infections of the urinary tract, skin eruptions, and kidney stones.  Whenever a Diuretic is given, a lesser amount of Demulcent herb is also given to buffer the effect of the diuretic on the kidneys (especially when the Diuretic contains irritating properties) and to protect the tissues from the movement of kidney stones.  Some Diuretics include: Shavegrass, Parsley, Juniper Berries, Marshmallow, Nettles, Burdock, Dandelion, and Hawthorn Berries.

Emetics

Herbs that induce vomiting and cause the stomach to empty.  In small quantities, these will not cause vomiting, but will have other important effects on the body.  Some Emetics are Lobelia, Black Mustard Seed, Ipecac, Elecampane, and Blessed Thistle.

Emmenagogues

Herbs that promote menstruation, usually causing it to occur earlier, and sometimes with increased flow.  These have been used in the past to induce abortions, so extreme caution is advised.  All of these, when taken in sufficient quantity to cause abortion, have other strong effects on the body.  None of these should be taken when a woman wants to be pregnant.  These are now commonly used to help regulate the menstrual cycle.  Herbs with strong Emmenagogue properties include: Pennyroyal, Juniper Berries, and Black Cohosh.

Emollients

Substances that are softening, soothing, and protective to the skin.  These include Marshmallow, Comfrey, and Slippery Elm.

Expectorants

Herbs that assist in expelling mucus from the lungs and throat.  Expectorants include: Wild Cherry Bark, Yerba Santa, Lobelia, Mullein, and Anise.  Also, to loosen mucus, inhale steam from boiled water with Eucalyptus, Bay Leaves, and Sage.

Galactogogues

Substances that increase the secretion of milk.  Anise Seed, Cumin, and Fennel.

Hemostatics

Substances that arrest hemorrhaging.  These include astringents and herbs that affect the coagulation of blood.  Cayenne, Mullein, Shavegrass, and White Oak Bark.

Laxatives/Purgatives

Herbs that promote bowel movements.  A strong laxative that causes increased intestinal peristalsis is called a purgative in many texts.

Lithotriptics

Herbs that help to dissolve and eliminate urinary and biliary stones and gravel.  For the kidney and bladder stones, use Parsley, Dandelion, Nettle, and Shavegrass (Horsetail).  For the gallbladder, use Wild Cherry Bark and Cascara Sagrada.

Nervines

Herbs that calm nervous tension and nourish the nervous system.   See Tonics

Oxytocics

Substances that stimulate uterine contractions to assist and induce labor, thus hastening childbirth.  Oxytocics include: Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, and Juniper Berries.

Parasiticides

Herbs that destroy parasites in the digestive tract or on the skin.  Parasiticides include: Garlic and Thyme Infused Oil.

Rubefacients

Substances that increase the flow of blood at the surface of the skin and produce redness where they are applied.  Their function is to draw inflammation and congestions from deeper areas.  They are useful for the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, and other joint problems and for sprains.  Rubefacients include: Cayenne, Thyme Infused Oil, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and Eucalyptus.

Sedatives

Herbs that strongly quiet the nervous system.  These will include antispasmodics and nervines.  Useful Sedatives include: Valerian, Hops, Chamomile, Passionflower, Catnip, and Scullcap.

Sialagogues

Substances that stimulate the flow of saliva and thus aid in the digestion of starches.  Some Sialagogues are Echinacea, Black Pepper, Cayenne, Ginger, Licorice, and Yerba Santa.

Stimulants

Herbs that increase the energy of the body, drive the circulation, break up obstruction and warm the body.  Stimulants include: Anise Seed, Cayenne, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Echinacea, Ginseng, Dandelion, Ginger, Yarrow, Rosemary, Garlic, Juniper Berries, Sage, Pennyroyal, and Astragalus.

Tonics/Stomachics

Herbs that promote the functions of the systems of the body.  Most Tonics have general effects on the whole body, but also have a marked effect on a specific system.

Vulneraries

Herbs that encourage the healing of wounds by promoting cell growth and repair.  Some Vulneraries are: Aloe Vera, Cayenne, Comfrey, Garlic, Calendula, Rosemary, Thyme, Marshmallow, and Slippery Elm.