Diaphoretic: Herbs That Induce Perspiration,sweating



Diaphoretic or sudorific herbs induce involuntary perspiration that helps to reduce fever, cool the body, and speed the elimination of toxins from the system. These herbs are useful in fevers, colds, and detoxification formulations. Peppermint, is condidered one of the premium herbs used as a diaphoretic because of its effectiveness and safety.


  • Herb Properties
  • Herbs Alphabetical by Common Name


    • See List Herbs by Botanical Name
  • Angelica root Angelica root, Angelica archangelica : Choraka
    Biennial/Tender Perennial herb : Angelica is a good herb to add to treatments for colds, congestion, and fevers. Angelica root is warming and stimulating to the lungs, helping to ease chest congestion...
  • Anise Seed Anise Seed, Pimpinella anisum : Aniseed
    Annual : Sweet and very aromatic, anise is commonly used to break up congestion, ease coughing and relieve gas and indigestion....
  • Basil Basil, Ocimum basilicum : Sweet Basil
    herb : Stellar culinary herb and aromatherapy oil. Stimulates appetite, uplifts mood. The uses of basil are limited only by your imagination....
  • Bay Rum Oil Bay Rum Oil, Pimenta racemosa : Bay Rum Tree
    tree : also known as the Bay Rum Tree, and is not to be confused with Bay Laurel...
  • Blessed Thistle Blessed Thistle, Cnicus benedictus : Holy thistle, St. Benedict's thistle
    Annual Herb : Blessed thistle is a bitter tonic, and as such is an excellent herb to use for both the liver and digestion...
  • Boneset Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum : Common Thorough wort, Agueweed, Indian Sage
    : This Native American remedy for colds and fever was adopted by early settlers to America. Only the advent of aspirin displaced boneset as the popular choice for colds and fever....
  • Butcher's Broom Butcher's Broom, Ruscus aculeatus : Jew's Myrtle, Sweet Broom, Scotch Broom
    Evergreen Shrub : Butchers Broom has a long history of use in herbal medicine traditions as a diuretic and blood vessel toner. Broom herbal extracts from the roots of this plant seem to have the ability to strengthen and tone blood vessels...
  • Butterbur Butterbur, Petasites vulgaris : Langwort, Umbrella Plan
    : Butterbur is thought to work by reducing spasms in muscle tissues, including blood vessels. However, there are concerns about possible liver damage....
  • Cajeput Oil Cajeput Oil, Melaleuca leucadendron, M. leucadendra : Weeping tea tree, weeping paperbark
    Tree : Cajeput essential oil has a sweet middle note and is very stimulating and warming with a penetrating, camphoraceous scent. Cajeput is a good inhalant oil for colds and sinus infections....
  • Calendula Calendula, Calendula officinalis : Pot marigold
    perennial herbaceous plants : Calendula flower oil is one of the first herbs to consider in minor first aid applications. Particularly good treatment for cuts, scrapes, bruises, and minor wounds....
  • Camphor Camphor, Cinnamomum camphora :
    Evergreen Tree : When first applied camphor oil numbs and cools the peripheral nerve endings, then warms the painful area as it stimulates circulation to cold, stiff muscles and limbs....
  • Catnip Catnip, Nepeta cataria : Catmint, Nep,Catnep
    Perennial herb : A harmless high for felines, and beneficial for humans, Catnip leaves contain considerable quantities of vitamins C and E, both excellent antioxidants...
  • Chamomile Chamomile, Matricaria recutita : Camomile, Chamomilla, German chamomile
    Annual herb : Chamomile is an excellent remedy for any emotional disorders that involve stress, anxiety, and tension. The apple-like aroma relaxes and calms and the tea is used home remedies....
  • Epazote Epazote , Chenopodium ambrosioides : Wormseed, Jesuit's Tea, Mexican Tea, Herba Sancti Mariæ
    Annual or short-lived perennial : The use of epazote can be traced back to the Aztecs. Epazote contains up to 70% ascaridole, which gives it a similar character to boldo, another pungent herb ...
  • Garlic Garlic, Allium sativum : Poor Man's Treacle, Bawang, Bauang
    Monocot Perennial : Readily available and inexpensive garlic may be the first line of defense in treating high blood pressure, and dealing with common skin and fungal infections....
  • Holy Basil Holy Basil, Ocimum sanctum : Tulsi, Tulasi, Indian Basil
    Herb : Holy Basil has been used for thousands of years in the traditional medicinal of India, Ayurveda. Known to Hindus as Tulsi ...
  • Horseradish root Horseradish root, Armoracia rusticana :
    perennial plant : Grated, fresh horseradish is pungent source of mustard oil, and is used in herbal kitchen medicine in much the same way as mustard. Horseradish may be one of the fastest ways to clear congested sinuses, and its antibiotic properties helps to h...
  • Hyssop Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis :
    Woody perennial : An aromatic and medicinal herb, Hyssop is a good expectorant and antiviral commonly used to treat respiratory conditions such as influenza, sinus infections, colds and bronchitis ...
  • Juniper Berries Juniper Berries, Juniperus communis :
    tree : Juniper is used as a mild diuretic to treat to treat urinary problems. Juniper detoxifies the system and helps prevent the buildup of uric acid in cases of gout and rheumatoid arthritis....
  • Kava-Kava Kava-Kava, Piper methysticum : Ava. Intoxicating Peper
    shrub : Kava kava can be used as a mild sedative for nervous tension and stress. The active constituents in the roots, kava lactones, have relaxing and intoxicating properties....
  • Lavender Lavender, Lavandula spp :
    Woody Perennial Herb : Lavender can lift your spirits, help you sleep, relieve pain, kill germs, heal burns and rashes, and help keep annoying insects at bay. Lavender oil is also antibacterial and healing to the skin...
  • Lemon Balm Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis : Melissa
    Perennial herb : Lemon balm is an aromatic mint with soothing, calming properties. Drink lemon balm tea when nerves, headaches or mild depression are preventing you from getting a good night's sleep...
  • Linden Linden, Tilia spp : Lime tree, Basswood
    Deciduous tree : Herbalists recommend linden as a mild tonic for nervousness, insomnia as well as colds and fever. You will find linden often combined with yarrow flowers and sage in cold remedies....
  • Lobelia Lobelia, Lobelia inflata : Indian-Tobacco. Pukeweed. Asthma Weed.
    Annual Herb : The name Indian Tobacco might have arisen either from the peculiar tobacco-like sensation imparted to the tongue and stomach on chewing the leaves...
  • Long Pepper, Pippali Long Pepper, Pippali, Piper longum : Bengal Pepper, Indonesian Long Pepper, Java Pepper
    Flowering plant : Pippali is valued in Ayurvedic medicine and foods for enhancing digestion and metabolism....
  • Lovage Lovage, Levisticum officinale :
    Herb perennial : Lovage is an old English garden herb whose use dates from the fourteenth century. ...
  • Milkweed Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, A. cornuti :
    Perennial Dicot : All the plant members of the milkweed family have similar properties, however, milkweed, Asclepias syriaca is better known as the preferred food of the milkweed butterfly (Danaus plexippus). ...
  • Motherwort Motherwort, Leonurus caridica L. : Lion's tail, lion's ear
    Perennial herb : The use of motherwort is an old one, the ancient Greeks and Romans honored it for a remedy for both physical and emotional heart troubles, especially when associated with anxiety...
  • Mugwort Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris : St. John's Plant
    herbaceous perennial : Mugwort is a favorite herb of wise women, most widely known for its affinity for the female reproductive system. It is used widely both in western and eastern herbal traditions ...
  • Oregano Oregano, Origanum vulgare : Wild Marjoram
    herb : Oregano has a very ancient reputation and has been used in both the kitchen and the sickroom since the time of the ancients. Many would be surprised to learn that oregano is ranked first among the culinary herbs in antioxidant power. Many of the ...
  • Peppermint Peppermint, Mentha piperita : Yerba Buena
    Perennial Herb : Peppermint has an antispasmodic effect that soothes stomachaches and relieves gas. Peppermint oil is cooling and analgesic, relieving heat and inflammation while it increases blood flow to the painful area....
  • Rosemary Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis :
    Woody perennial herb : Amazing, versatile rosemary is valued by cooks, herbalists, aromatherapists, and gardeners alike. Rosemary oil combats mental fatigue, increasing concentration and memory...
  • Saffron Saffron , Crocus sativus :
    crocus : Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, is derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus. Traditional uses of saffron extend far beyond the kitchen. ...
  • Salad Burnet Salad Burnet, Sanguisorba minor : Lesser Burnet
    Perennial herb : Salad burnet, while not considered one of the major additions to the herbal pharmacopoeia, is still a decorative and endearing herb...
  • Sassafras root Sassafras root, Sassafras albidum : Sassafrass, Saloop, ague tree, root beer tree,
    Tree : A cup of sassafras root tea has been a traditional spring tonic in the South for hundreds of years, and was part of the home medicine of the early American colonists...
  • Sheep Sorrel Sheep Sorrel, Rumex acetosella var. vulgaris : Sheep or field sorrel, oseille
    Perennial : Sheep sorrel is used most famously as an ingredient in Essiac formulas, and the herb has a long history of use in folklore...
  • Snakeroot Snakeroot , Aristolochia spp : Virginia snakeroot, birthworts, pipevines or Dutchman's pipes
    evergreen and deciduous woody vines and herbaceous perennials : Snakeroot was used in early America in adjunct to quinine to promote perspiration and break fevers, and treat snakebites. Other Aristolochia spp have been used in TCM. ...
  • Solomon's Seal Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum biflorum :
    Perennial herb : Polygonatum has been used medicinally by many diverse folk traditions, Native American healers in North America, and in ancient Chinese medicine in Asia in lung, stomach and skin complaints. ...
  • Speedwell Speedwell, Veronica officinalis : common speedwell ,common gypsyweed, Fluellin, Paul's Betony Groundhele
    Perennial Herb : Speedwell can be used in herbal tea cough remedies as an expectorant, and also has diaphoretic, diuretic and tonic properties....
  • Spikenard Spikenard, Aralia racemosa : Indian Root, Spignet, Fleabane
    rhizomatous herbaceous perennial : Spikenard root has a mild, pleasant licorice like flavor, often used as a substitute for sarsaparilla, though unrelated botanically, Spikenard is a relative of ginseng....
  • Sweet Woodruff Sweet Woodruff, Galium odoratum : Wild Baby's Breath
    Perennial herb : Sweet woodruff teas are anti-inflammatory, diuretic and gently sedating. ...
  • Thuja oil Thuja oil, Thuja occidentalis : Arborvitae, tree of life, white cedar, yellow cedar, American cedar
    evergreen coniferous tree : Thuja may be used in hot compresses and steam baths to ease rheumatism, arthritis, and achy muscles....
  • Violet Leaf Violet Leaf, Viola spp :
    Perennial WildFlower : Violets and pansies have been used medicinally for ages, and are an important part of traditional folk medicine. ...
  • Wild Ginger Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense : Canadian snakeroot
    Herbaceous perennial : Wild ginger is a native American plant whose medicinal qualities were known to many Indian tribes....