Grounded Language: 44 herbalism terms defined
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Understanding herbal terminology
The most common feedback I receive about our products is that it's confusing and that I need to make it VERY simple to understand by grounding down the language.
Totally valid.
The hang up is that I'm fascinated by these plants and assume (often incorrectly) that others share that stoke.
Maybe you do, maybe you don't.
So how about a compromise? I'll try to keep most of the messaging at a 6th grade level, but will be digging deeper into the art and science of plants in blogs posts like these.
The world of herbalism has its own language – words like adaptogen, nervine, tonic, hypnotic – it's a lot to take in.
But if you're like me, you want to know what you're putting in your body, how it works, and why.
When I first started working with plants, I had to look up every single term (I still do).
It took time to learn that these terms and the physiological function in the body. I came to learn that the terms are descriptions of what plants do in your body, how they work, and what they support.
At Altar Native, we work with adaptogens like rhodiola and schisandra, nervines like blue lotus and damiana, anti-depressive/thymoleptic plants like kanna, and anxiolytics like kava.
I want you to know what all that means – not just for our blends, but for any herbal product you encounter.
So here's a breakdown of 44 terms you'll see in herbalism. I've organized them by what part of the body or which function they support. Some of these you'll use all the time. Others are more niche. But knowing this language means you get to make informed choices about what you're bringing into your body, and hopefully opens you up to harnessing more plant power.
Because herbalism isn't alternative medicine, it's the original.
Supporting the Whole System
Adaptogen
These are the plants that help your body adapt to stress. They don't sedate you or hype you up - they help you find equilibrium. Rhodiola and schisandra (the base of our Long Rhode blend) are adaptogens. So are ashwagandha and holy basil. When I'm in the thick of transition - like this road trip I just did from Austin to Baja - adaptogens are what I lean on to stay regulated and resilient.
Alterative
Sometimes called blood cleansers, though I think that term is a little dramatic. These plants support your elimination pathways - your liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, skin. They help your body clear out what it doesn't need. Examples include burdock root, dandelion, and red clover.
Tonic
A strengthener. Tonics are the long game. You don't take them once and feel a shift - you take them consistently over time and they nourish and build vitality. Examples include nettles, oatstraw, and astragalus.
Trophorestorative
This is like a tonic, but more specific. Trophorestoratives actually help restore function to organs or systems that have been depleted or damaged. Hawthorn works for the heart. Milky oats restore the nervous system.
Calming the Body and Mind
Nervine
Plants that support the nervous system. Some nervines are stimulating, like rosemary. Some are nourishing, like milky oats. And some are relaxing - chamomile, kava, damiana. When people say nervine, they usually mean the relaxing kind. Our Altarita blend uses kava and damiana as nervines to help ease tension and shift your mood. Blue lotus, which we use in our Lucid blend, is also a nervine - it helps you drop into a more meditative, introspective state.
Sedative
Stronger than a nervine. These actively slow down your nervous system and help you sleep. Examples include valerian, hops, and California poppy.
Hypnotic
Even stronger. These induce sleep. I don't work with many hypnotics because they're intense, but blue lotus, which we use in our Lucid blend, has mild hypnotic qualities. It helps you drop into a more meditative, introspective state without knocking you out. Other examples include passionflower and wild lettuce.
Anodyne
Pain reliever. Not the kind that numbs you completely, but the kind that takes the edge off. Examples include willow bark, cramp bark, and California poppy.
Antispasmodic / Spasmolytic
Relieves muscle tension and spasms - whether that's in your digestive tract, your uterus, or your back. Examples include cramp bark, valerian, and wild yam.
Anti-depressive / Thymoleptic
Supports mood. Eases depression. St. John's wort is probably the most well-known, but there's also lemon balm, mimosa bark, and kanna. Kanna is what we use in our Ecstatic blend - it's a heart-opener that genuinely shifts your capacity for joy and connection.
Digestion and Gut Health
Bitter
This one's important. Bitters stimulate digestion by activating receptors on your tongue, which then trigger your whole digestive cascade - saliva, stomach acid, bile, enzymes. If you have sluggish digestion, bitters are your friend. Dandelion root, gentian, artichoke leaf.
Carminative
Eases gas, bloating, digestive cramping. Usually these are aromatic plants with a lot of volatile oils. Fennel, ginger, peppermint, cardamom.
Aromatic
Plants that are fragrant because they're rich in volatile oils. A lot of aromatics are also carminative. Rosemary, lavender, tulsi, thyme.
Cholagogue
Stimulates bile flow from your gallbladder. Bile helps you digest fats. Dandelion, Oregon grape root, artichoke.
Choleretic
Stimulates bile production in your liver. Yellow dock, turmeric, burdock.
Hepatic
Supports liver function in general. Milk thistle, dandelion root, schisandra.
Aperient
A very gentle laxative. Gives your bowels a little nudge if things are moving slowly. Dandelion root, yellow dock.
Laxative
Stronger. Actually promotes bowel movements. Senna, cascara sagrada, aloe. I don't recommend using these regularly - they can create dependency.
Emetic
Induces vomiting. Not commonly used in modern herbalism, but lobelia and ipecac fall into this category. Obviously, handle with care.
Demulcent
Soothes and coats mucous membranes. These are the slippery, cooling herbs. Marshmallow root, slippery elm, licorice. Great for sore throats, irritated digestive tracts, inflamed anything.
Emollient
Same idea as demulcent, but for topical use. Softens and soothes skin. Calendula, plantain, comfrey.
Immune Support and Inflammation
Anti-inflammatory
Reduces inflammation. This is a big category because inflammation is involved in so many chronic conditions. Turmeric, ginger, boswellia, willow bark.
Anti-microbial
Fights bacteria, viruses, fungi. Oregano, thyme, garlic, goldenseal, echinacea.
Anti-parasitic
Targets parasites. Wormwood, black walnut, clove.
Anthelmintic
Specifically for expelling intestinal worms. Wormwood, garlic, pumpkin seeds.
Vulnerary
Promotes wound healing. Calendula, comfrey, plantain, yarrow.
Styptic
Stops bleeding - either by constricting blood vessels or promoting clotting. Yarrow, shepherd's purse.
Anti-hemorrhagic
Prevents excessive bleeding. Yarrow, shepherd's purse, witch hazel.
Respiratory System
Expectorant
Helps you cough up mucus. It thins and loosens phlegm so you can actually clear it out instead of having it sit in your chest. Mullein, elecampane, licorice.
Anti-catarrhal
Reduces mucus production. Good for chronic congestion. Goldenrod, elderflower, yerba santa.
Diaphoretic
Induces sweating. Used to break fevers or support detox through your skin. Yarrow, elder flower, ginger.
Febrifuge / Anti-pyretic
Reduces fever. Boneset, yarrow, elderflower.
Fluid Balance and Circulation
Diuretic
Increases urine output. Supports kidney function and helps your body regulate fluid balance. Dandelion leaf, nettle, cleavers.
Anti-lithic
Prevents or dissolves stones - kidney stones, bladder stones, gallstones. Hydrangea root, gravel root, stone root.
Cardiac Tonic
Strengthens and supports heart function. Hawthorn is the classic example.
Rubefacient
Increases blood flow to the skin, which creates warmth and redness. Used topically for sore muscles. Cayenne, mustard, ginger.
Reproductive Health
Emmenagogue
Promotes menstrual flow. Can bring on a delayed period. Mugwort, motherwort, ginger. Do not use if you're pregnant.
Galactagogue
Increases breast milk production. Fenugreek, blessed thistle, fennel.
Stimulation and Activation
Stimulant
Increases activity - in your circulation, your digestion, or your nervous system. Cayenne, ginger, coffee, yerba mate.
Depurative
Purifying. Supports your body's detox processes. Burdock, red clover, cleavers.
Astringent
Tightens and tones tissues. Useful for diarrhea, excessive bleeding, or topically for wounds. Witch hazel, oak bark, raspberry leaf.
Why This Matters
Learning these terms isn't about memorizing a list. It's about understanding how plants work so you can make choices that actually support your body.
Once you know that a nervine calms your nervous system, that a bitter jumpstarts digestion, and that an adaptogen helps you handle stress without burning out... you can start to see which plants might support what you're going through.
This is the language herbalists use to talk to each other. And to the plants. It's ancient, it's precise, and now you know it too.
Plants aren't alternative medicine, they're the original.
Experience These Plants for Yourself
At Altar Native, we blend these botanicals into tinctures designed for how you actually want to feel. Each blend combines multiple herbal actions to give you flavor, feeling, and function.
Altarita ✦ Kava + Damiana
Kava and damiana to ease tension and elevate your mood.
Herbal actions: Nervine, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), mild aphrodisiac
Ecstatic ⟡ Kanna + Damiana
Kanna and damiana to open your heart and increase your capacity for joy.
Herbal actions: Thymoleptic (mood enhancer), nervine, mild aphrodisiac
Lucid ✦ Blue Lotus
Blue lotus to help you chill out and drop into something deeper – whether that's conversation or meditation.
Herbal actions: Nervine, mild hypnotic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic
Long Rhode ⟡ Rhodiola + Schisandra
Rhodiola and schisandra to help you stay regulated and resilient when life gets intense.
Herbal actions: Adaptogen, stimulant, hepatic (liver support)
If you've read this far, thank you. I genuinely hope this helps you feel more confident navigating the world of plant medicine. And if you have questions about any of this - or about how to use our blends - reach out. We're still small enough that I can personally respond to every message.
One more thing: pick one category that resonates with where you are right now. Maybe nervines if you're stressed or adaptogens if you're running on empty. Start there. Explore those plants. Taste them. Feel what they do. Let them teach you.