"Hormonal modulating action increases the body's resistance and endurance to a wide variety of adverse influences from physical, chemical, and biological stressors, assisting the body's ability to cope and adapt" - James Green.
Adaptogens help the body cope and respond to stress. Generally, it has a sweet taste, building and nourishing. It is helpful to use with fatigue, adrenal support, thyroid issues, low stress tolerance, low immunity, longevity, and deficiency.
Examples: Ginseng, Eleuthero, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Rhodiola, Reishi, Licorice, Schisandra berry, Tulsi.

"Promote a healthy and balanced state of functioning by supporting the liver, kidneys, lymphatic & immune system and adrenals" Jim McDonald. Generally, it supports overall health by improving metabolic processes. Known as "blood purifiers" in older terms. Alteratives move fluids and promote secretions in the elimination organs such as liver, lymph nodes and kidneys. Mostly they are cooling. Often used for a long period of time and with chronic conditions such as inflammation, chronic fatigue, impaired immune function, eczema, swollen glands and acne. 

Examples: Red clover, Red Root, Burdock, Nettle, Yellow dock, Oregon Grape, Dandelion, Calendula, Sarsaparilla.

Dry, draw and shrink swollen tissue. Contracts and tightens. High in tannins. Astringents are drying locally but moistening constitutionally. They stop bleeding, help heal wounds, reduce inflammation and swelling (great for sore throats), stop diarrhea, tighten spongy gums, it is useful after a long labor. Rose family characteristics: regular flowers with 5 sepals, 5 petals, usually with numerous stamens. Oval serrate leaves. page 100 in Botany in A Day 

Examples: Rose, Wild Geranium, Agrimony, Potentilla, Oak Leaf and Bark, Raspberry Leaf, Sage, Uva Ursi, Sumac Berry, Black Berry Root, Red Dock.

Also known as digestive aromatics. Often high in volatile oils. Generally warming, with the exception of some mints, helps kindle digestive fire. They promote digestion, relieve gas and bloating, soothe stomach, relieve spasms by warming and bring blood to intestines. Use with signs of coldness, food stagnation, nausea.

Examples: Coriander, Fennel, Chamomile, Angelica, Bee Balm, Mints, Ginger, Cow Parsnip Seed, Cinnamon, Cumin, Dill Seed.

Contains mucilage, a polysaccharide that when in contact with water swells up and creates a slimy, slippery substance that soothes, coats and protects mucus membranes. Cooling and moistening. Demulcent=internal, Emollient=external. Have direct and indirect actions. Soluble in cold water. Use in conditions when there is too much dryness, cough, ulcers, inflammation, especially useful with digestive inflammation like gastric, colitis, diverticulitis, wound healing, burns, sore throat, expectorant, and UTI. Demulcent herbs; relax, soothe and protect
Examples: Marshmallow, Mallows, Yerba de la Negrita, Slippery Elm, Comfrey, Aloe, Flax, Chia, Plantain, Linden, Violet, Mullein Leaf (only to the lungs), Cinnamon.

Antipyretic/Febrifuge "Induces and increases perspiration, dilates capillaries, increases elimination through skin." James Green.

These actions can occur by two different means.

Relaxing diaphoretic- (antipyretic) works by dilating and relaxing pores so the body can release heat. Use when a person has a fever and feels hot but not sweating, restless, headache, uncomfortable. Cooling and relaxing. Examples: Elder flower, Catnip, Lemon balm, Linden, Boneset

Stimulating diaphoretic- works by increasing circulation to warm up body and push heat out. Use with a person who has a fever but feels cold, chilled, curled up. Warming, stimulating, pungent. Volatile oil creates movement. -Example: Ginger, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Osha, Monarda, Elecampane, Yarrow, Peppermint, Calendula.

"Supports the respiratory system by assisting it to remove excess mucus" James Green

Moistening- helps bring moisture to lungs and thin mucus. Good for unproductive cough, when mucus is present but dried up, spasmodic cough no mucus present, symptoms of dryness. Cooling/neutral, moistening, relaxing, sweet taste.

Examples: Marshmallow, Slippery Elm, Licorice, Linden, Plantain, Mullein, False Solomon's Seal, Fenugreek.

Stimulating and irritating causing the lungs to respond. Use with a productive cough with lots of mucus present. Do not suppress.

Examples of stimulating warming herbs: Ginger, Elecampane, Osha, Monarda, Garlic, Thyme, Horseradish, Cayenne.

Examples of cooling stimulating expectorants: grindelia, horehound, immortal, pleurisy root.

Affects the nervous system. Relax constricted tissues through the nervous system: Use with restlessness, stress, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, asthma, muscle spasm, insomnia.

There are four categories of nervines: antidepressant, hypnotic or sedative, antispasmodic and nerve tonic

Examples: Warming: Damiana, Valerian, Nutmeg, Sage, Tulsi, Cramp Bark.

Examples: Cooling: Chamomile, California Poppy, Hops, St. John's Wort, Passionflower, Skullcap, Motherwort, Milky Oat Seed, Kava Kava, Pedicularis.

Stimulates lax or stagnant tissues through the nervous system: low vitality, lax tissues. Stimulating and drying.

Examples: Warming: Rosemary, Peppermint, Ginger.

Examples: Cooling: Cocoa, Coffee, Tea (Camellia sinensis), Mate.

Strengthen and tone tissue. Promote overall health. Low energy, deficiency. Tonics have specific systems that they are used with.

For example, there are liver tonics like dandelion and milk thistle. 

Nerve tonics like motherwort and milky oats. 

Kidney tonics like nettle and nettle seed. 

Heart tonics like hawthorn and linden.