Medicinal tags: Support of body systems and herbal energetics

I include herbal energetics tags in my posts as well as the 12 body systems. (Other tags are explained here.) I’m trying to keep the medicine part of my Wild Plant series at a beginner level herbalism. But these tags included with every plant are entry points to delve further into herbal medicine.

It should also be noted that I am not including every imaginable tag for every herb. I’ll be trying to maintain an emphasis on the most traditional, common applications of any given herb. And for some of these “cure-all” plants, a complete list would be utterly overwhelming.

Below these basic explanations, I’ll include the best resources I can find for further learning, as well as links to the top recommended herbalist schools.

12 Body Systems

(12 SYSTEMS) Cardiovascular, Digestive, Endocrine, Integumentary, Immune, Lymphatic, Muscular, Nervous, Reproductive, Respiratory, Skeletal, Urinary

Basic Herbal Energetics

(ENERGETICS BASIC) Neutral and Neutral, Warm and Dry, Cooling, Cool and Dry, Cool and Moist, Cool and Neutral, etc. Dual Entergetics describes an herb that can be warm, cool, dry or moist.

Advanced Herbal Energetics

(ENERGETICS ADVANCED) Adaptogen, Alterative, Anodyne, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Antihelminthic, Astringent, Bitters, Cardio tonic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Circulatory (Stimulant), Demulcent, Diaphoretic, Diffusive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hypotensive, Immunomodulating, Immunostimulant, Laxative, Lymphatic, Nervine, Tonic, Throphorestorative, Vulnerary

Here’s a breakdown of this list of herbal energetics by Rosalee de la Forêt: herbal-energetics.html.

More Tags

Added Lithotriptic, which refers to the breakdown of bladder stones. There will be extra tags like this, now and then. These also include Analgesic which refers to painkilling, Antipyretic which may dull fevers, and Antitussive, which is a cough suppressant. Emetic might induce vomiting. Emollient is soothing to the skin. Styptic helps stop bleeding.

I’ve tried to not be too redundant with all these tags. Again, I’ve also not included every possible tag – opting out some of the lesser effects of individual plants.

Learn More

Warnings, Again

And the Usual Cautions:

1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation.

2) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk.

3) For medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored. Herbalists do not have an official certification yet, but that may be in the works.

4) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.

5) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.