| Property |
Therapeutic
Action |
| Abortifacient |
Causes abortion |
| Alkali |
Stimulates alkali acid and
checks alkaline secretions |
| Alterative |
Alters morbid conditions;
furthers metabolism |
| Anaphrodisiac |
Lessens sexual appetite |
| Anesthetic |
Causes loss of sense of touch
or feeling |
| Anodyne |
Relieves pain |
| Anthelmintic |
Kills or expels intestinal
worms |
| Antiemetic |
Lessens nausea and vomiting |
| Antihydrotic |
Checks perspiration |
| Antilithic |
Prevents formation of urinary
stones |
| Antiperiodic |
Prevents or modifies fevers |
| Antiphlogistic |
Reduces inflammation of
membranes |
| Antiscorbutic |
Corrects scurvy |
| Antiseptic |
Prevents decay or putrefaction |
| Antispasmodic |
See stimulant |
| Antizymotic |
Arrests fermentation |
| Aperient |
Acts as gentle purgative |
| Aphrodisiac |
Stimulates sexual appetite |
| Aromatic |
See carminative |
| Astringent |
Contracts muscular fiber by
irritation; arrests discharges |
| Bitter |
Increases tone of
gastrointestinal tissue |
| Cardiac Depressant |
Lessens force and frequency of
heart action |
| Cardiac Stimulant |
Slows and strengthens
contractions of heart |
| Carminative |
Expels gases from stomach and
intestines |
| Cathartic |
Hastens intestinal evacuations |
| Caustic |
See escharotic |
| Cephalic |
Acts on head |
| Cerebral Depressant |
See sedative |
| Cerebral Excitant |
See stimulant |
| Cholagogue |
Promotes discharge of bile |
| Ciliary Excitant |
Promotes bronchial mucus
elimination |
| Cordial |
Acts as strong aromatic |
| Demulcent |
Soothes skin and membranes |
| Dental Anodyne |
Stems pain of caries |
| Deobstruent |
Removes obstructions |
| Diaphoretic |
Increases perspiration |
| Disinfectant |
Destroys infection |
| Diuretic |
Increases kidney secretions |
| Drastic |
Acts as violent purgative |
| Ecbolic |
Causes abortion |
| Emetic |
Causes vomiting |
| Emmenagogue |
Restores menstrual function |
| Emollient |
Softens and relaxes skin |
| Epispastic |
See vesicant |
| Errhine |
Increases nasal secretion |
| Escharotic |
Destroys tissue, skin |
| Expectorant |
Promotes mucus membrane
secretions |
| Febrifuge |
See antiperiodics |
| Galactagogue |
Increases flow of breast milk |
| Germicide |
See parasiticide |
| Hemostatic |
See styptic |
| Hypnotic |
Causes sleep |
| Irritant |
Causes activity on skin surface |
| Lactagogue |
See galactagogue |
| Laxative |
See aperient |
| Lithotropic |
Dissolves urinary stones |
| Motor Depressant |
Lowers activity of motor
functions and ultimately paralyzes |
| Motor Excitant |
Increases motor activities and
reflex excitability |
| Mydriatic |
Dilates pupil |
| Myotic |
Contracts pupil |
| Narcotic |
Produces stupor or
unconsciousness |
| Nervine |
Reduces nervous excitement |
| Oxytocic |
See ecbolic |
| Parasiticide |
Kills parasites |
| Pectoral |
Is good for diseases of chest |
| Protective |
Protects injured parts |
| Pulmonary Sedative |
Lessens irritability of
respiratory nerves |
| Purgative |
Activates peristalsis |
| Pustulant |
Causes pustules |
| Refrigerant |
Allays thirst; cools |
| Resolvent |
Promotes resolution of disease |
| Respiratory Depressant |
Lowers function of respiratory
center |
| Respiratory Stimulant |
Increases function of
respiratory center |
| Restorative |
Restores strength and vitality |
| Rubefacient |
Causes temporary skin redness |
| Sedative |
Lessens higher brain functions
but initially excites |
| Sialagogue |
Promotes secretion of saliva |
| Soporific |
Produces deep sleep |
| Spinant |
See motor excitant |
| Sternutatory |
Causes sneezing |
| Stimulant |
Increases functional activity
of brain |
| Stomachic |
Acts as gastric stimulant |
| Styptic |
Arrests hemorrhage |
| Sudorific |
Causes profuse perspiration |
| Tenifuge |
Expels tapeworms |
| Tonic |
Produces and restores normal
tissue tone |
| Vermifuge |
Expels intestinal worms |
| Vesicant |
Causes inflammation of skin,
blisters |
| Vulnerary |
Promotes healing of wounds |
