HERB            TASTE           ENERGY          ACTION
Dill     pungent, bitter        cooling    carminative, alterative, expectorant.
Fennel    sweet, pungent        cooling    carminative, diuretic, antispasmodic
Fennugreek  bitter, pungent,    cooling    stimulant, tonic, expectorant,
sweet                           rejuvenator
Garlic   all but sour           heating    stimulant, carminative, expectorant,
        alterative
Ginger  pungent, sweet          heating   stimulant, diaphoretic,
expectorant,                                            carminative
Lemon      sour                 cooling   expectorant, carminative, astringent
Lime       sour, bitter         cooling   refrigerant, carminative,
expectorant
Mace      pungent, sweet        heating   antispamodic, emetic, expectorant,
diaphoretic
Marjoram    pungent             heating   stimulant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic
Mustard seed   pungent          heating   stimulant, expectorant, carminative
Nutmeg       pungent            heating   astringent, carminative, sedative,
nervine
Onion       pungent, sweet      heating   diaphoretic, tonic, aphrodisiac
Oregano    pungent              heating   stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic
Paprika      pungent            heating      stimulant, carminative
Parsley      pungent            heating   diuretic, emmenagogue, carminative
Peppermint   pungent            cooling   diaphoretic, carminative, nervine
Rosemary   pungent, bitter      heating   diaphoretic, carminative, stimulant,
                                emmenagogue
Sage pungent, bitter, astringent  heating  diaphoretic, expectorant,
nervine,                                                        astringent
Savory       pungent            heating     stimulant, carminative, astringent
Spearmint   pungent             cooling     diaphoretic, diuretic, carminative
Star Anise    pungent           heating      stimulant, carminative
Tarragon  bitter, pungent       heating    emmenagogue, diuretic, carminative
Thyme          pungent          heating         antispamodic, carminative
Turmeric       pungent, bitter  heating    stimulant, alterative,
antibacterial,                                                  vulnerary

Glossary:
Anti-spasmodic(action): releives spasms of voluntary and involuntary muscles.
Astringent (action): firms tissues and organs, reduces discharges and
secretions.
Emetic(action): induces vomiting.
Emmenagogue(action): helps promote and regulate menstruation.
Refrigerant(action): reduces body temperature, relieves thirst.
Sour (flavor): the sour flavor is stimulating, promotes digestion,
increases appetite and is carminative. It is nourishing to all tissue
elements except the reproductive tissue. It promotes metabolism,
circulation, along with sensory and brain functioning. Sour taste occurs
largely from the presence of various acids in plants.
(Other definitions can be found in part one of this series.)

Bibliography:
Planetary Herbalism, Michael Tierra, 1988, Lotus Press
The yoga of herbs, Frawley and Lad, 1986, Lotus Press

I'm preparing another instalement on the medicinal properties of foods
according to eastern and western traditional therapies. If there is
objection as to the possible "non-paleoness" of the topic, though I don't
necessarily agree, please let me know and I won't post it. Those interested
can e-mail me privatly.


Willow, who has discoved the sensuous joys of coconut milk