if aff['stupidity'] then
    eat('orphine')
elseif aff['paralysis'] then
    eat('maidenhair')
etc..

for _,name in pairs (names) do
  if aff[name] then
    eat(cures[name])
  end
end

curesHerbs = {["stupidity"] = "orphine", ["paralysis"] = "maidenhair"}

function curePrompt ()
    if canEat () then cureHerb () end
end

function cureHerb ()
    for _,name in pairs (curesHerbs) do
      if aff[name] then
        eat(curesHerbs[name])
      end
    end
end

function canEat ()
    if bHerb and doHerb == false then
        if anorexia == false or doSalve == "epidermal" or doFocus then
            if unconcious ~= true and stunned ~= true and sleeping ~= true then
                if entangle['transfix'] ~= true then
                    return true
                end
            end
        end
    end
    return false
end

-- table of herbs and cures

curesHerbs =
{
  { name = "stupidity", cure = "orphine" },
  { name = "paralysis", cure = "maidenhair" },
  { name = "sleep", cure = "wildvine" },

}

tprint (curesHerbs)

-- current afflictions

currentAffs = {}

table.insert (currentAffs, curesHerbs [1])
table.insert (currentAffs, curesHerbs [3])

for k, v in currentAffs do
  print ("name = ", v.name)
  print ("cure = ", v.cure)
end -- for 

-- remove 2nd item

table.remove (currentAffs, 2)

tprint (currentAffs)

Master table 

1:
  cure=orphine
  name=stupidity
2:
  cure=maidenhair
  name=paralysis
3:
  cure=wildvine
  name=sleep

For loop, showing current afflictions

name =  stupidity
cure =  orphine
name =  sleep
cure =  wildvine

Current afflictions, after removing 2nd item

1:
  cure=orphine
  name=stupidity