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Page 81
| Appendix |
| Action of Herbs |
| Adaptogens increase resistance and resilience to stress, enabling the body to avoid collapse by adapting to the problem. Adaptogens appear to work through support of the adrenal glands. |
| Alteratives gradually restore proper functioning of the body, increasing health and vitality. Some alternatives support natural waste elimination via the kidneys, liver, lungs or skin. Others stimulate digestive function or are antimicrobial. |
| Anti-catarrhals help the body remove excess mucous, whether in the sinus area or other parts of the body. Catarrh is not of itself a problem, but when too much is produced it is usually in response to an infection or excess carbohydrate in the body. |
| Anti-inflammatories soothe inflammations or reduce the inflammation of the tissue directly. They work in a number of different ways, but rarely inhibit the natural inflammatory reaction as such; rather they support and encourage the work the body is undertaking. |
| Antimicrobials help the body destroy or resist pathogenic microorganisms. They help the body strengthen its own resistance to infective organisms and throw off the illness. While some contain chemicals which are antiseptic or specific poisons to certain organisms, in general they aid the body's natural immunity. |
| Antispasmodics ease cramps in muscles. They alleviate |
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