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- Abortifacient:
- Induces the
premature expulsion (abortion) of a
fetus. Same meaning as Ecbolic. For
example, pennyroyal.
- Adaptogenic:
- Helping the human
organism adapt to stressful
conditions.
- Ague:
- An intermittent
fever, sometimes with chills, as in
malaria.
- Alkaloid:
- A large, varied
group of complex nitrogen-containing
compounds, usually alkaline, that
react with acids to form soluble
salts, many of which have
physiological effects on humans.
Includes nicotine, cocaine, caffeine,
etc.
- Alterative:
- A medicinal
substance that gradually restores
health.
- Amenorrhea:
- Absence or
suppression of menstruation.
- Analgesic:
- A pain-relieving
medicine.
- Anhydrotic:
- Stops sweating.
- Anodyne:
- A pain-relieving
medicine, milder than analgesic.
- Antacid:
- Neutralizes the
acid produced by the stomach.
- Anthelmintic:
- An agent that
destroys and expels worms from the
intestines. Same as vermifuge.
- Anti-aphrodisiac:
- Suppressing
sexual desire.
- Antibacterial:
- Destroys or stops
the growth of bacteria.
- Antibilious:
- An herb that
combats biliousness. The term
biliousness refers to a group of
symptoms consisting of nausea,
abdominal discomfort, headache,
constipation, and gas that is caused
by an excessive secretion of bile.
- Antibiotic:
- An agent that
inhibits the growth or multiplication
of, or kills, a living organism;
usually used in reference to bacteria
or other microorganisms.
- Anti-convulsant:
- Reducing or
relieving convulsions or cramps.
- Anti-emetic:
- Prevents or
alleviates nausea and vomiting.
- Anti-epileptic:
- An agent that
combats the convulsions or seizures of
epilepsy.
- Antifungal:
- An agent that
inhibits the growth or multiplication
of fungi, or kills them outright.
- Antigalactagogue:
- Prevents or
decreases secretion of milk.
- Antihistaminic:
- Neutralizing the
effect or inhibiting production of
histamine.
- Anti-inflammatory:
- Reducing or
neutralizing inflammation.
- Anti-lithic:
- Aids in
preventing the formation of stones in
the kidneys and bladder.
- Antimicrobial:
- An agent that
inhibits the growth or multiplication
of microorganisms, or kills them.
- Anti-oxidant:
- Preventing
oxidation; a preservative.
- Antiparasitical:
- Destructive to
parasites.
- Anti-periodic:
- Prevents the
periodic recurrence of attacks of a
disease; as in malaria.
- Antiphlogistic:
- An agent that
counteracts inflammation.
- Antipyretic:
- Reduces fever.
Same as febrifuge or refrigerant.
- Anti-rheumatic:
- An agent that
relieves or cures rheumatism.
- Antiscorbutic:
- An agent
effective against scurvy.
- Antiseptic:
- Preventing
sepsis, decay, putrefaction; also, an
agent that kills germs, microbes.
- Antispasmodic:
- Preventing or
relieving spasms or cramps.
- Anti-syphilitic:
- Herbs that
improve or cure syphilis. Also called
antileutic.
- Antitumor:
- Preventing or
effective against tumors or cancers.
- Antitussive:
- Preventing or
relieving cough.
- Antivenomous:
- Acts against
poisonous matter from animals and
snakes.
- Antiviral:
- An agent that
inhibits growth or multiplication of
viruses, or kills them.
- Antizymotic:
- Herbs that can
destroy disease-producing organisms.
- Aperient:
- Causes a gentle
bowel movement.
- Aphasia:
- Inability to
express oneself properly through
speech or loss of verbal
comprehension; sensory and motor areas
may be involved.
- Aphrodisiac:
- Increasing or
exciting sexual desire.
- Apoplexy:
- The result of a
stroke (cerebrovascular accident
(CVA)).
- Aromatic:
- Agents which emit
a fragrant smell and produce a pungent
taste. Used chiefly to make other
medicines more palatable.
- Ascaris:
- Roundworm (also
called maw-worm and eelworm) found in
the small intestine causing colicky
pains and diarrhea, especially in
children.
- Ascites:
- Excessive
accumulation of serous fluid in the
peritoneal (abdominal) cavity.
- Asthenia:
- Lack or loss of
strength, usually involving muscular
system.
- Astringent:
- An agent that
causes tissue to contract.
- Bactericidal:
- An agent that
kills bacteria.
- Balsam:
- The resin of a
tree that is healing and soothing.
Example: myrrh
- Bitter tonic:
- Bitter-tasting
properties which stimulate the flow of
saliva and gastric juice. Used to
increase the appetite and aid in the
process of digestion.
- Bolus:
- A suppository
injected into the rectum or vagina.
- Calmative:
- An agent with
mild sedative or calming effects.
- Cardioactive:
- Affecting the
heart.
- Carminative:
- An agent that
relieves and removes gas from the
digestive system.
- Cataplasm:
- Another name for
poultice.
- Catarrh:
- An inflammation
of the mucous membranes with a free
discharge. This has special reference
to the air passages of the head and
throat. For example; hayfever,
rhinitis, influenza, bronchitis,
pharyngitis, asthma.
- Cathartic:
- A powerful
purgative or laxative, causing severe
evacuation, with or without pain.
- Cephalic:
- Referring to
diseases affecting the head and upper
part of the body.
- Cholagogue:
- An agent that
increases bile flow to the intestines.
- Chorea:
- Nervous disorder
marked by muscular twitching of arms,
legs and face.
- CNS:
- Central nervous
system.
- Condiment:
- Enhances the
flavor of food.
- Cordial:
- A stimulating
medicine or drink.
- Counterirritant:
- An agent that
produces inflammation or irritation
when applied locally to affect
another, usually irritated surface to
stimulate circulation. (Example: a
mustard plaster or liniment).
- Cystitis:
- Inflammation of
the urinary bladder.
- Cytotoxic:
- An agent that is
toxic to certain organs, tissues, or
cells.
- Decoction:
- A preparation
made by boiling a plant part in water.
Compare with Infusion.
- Demulcent:
- An agent that is
locally soothing and softening.
- Demulcent
febrifuge:
- Reduces heat
while building bodily fluids.
- Deobstruent:
- Removes
obstructions by opening natural
passages or pores of the body.
- Depurative:
- Tends to purify
and cleanse the blood. Same as blood
purifier.
- Dermatomycoses:
- Skin infection
caused by fungi.
- Detergent:
- An agent that
cleanses boils, sores, wounds, etc.
- Detoxicant:
- Removes toxins.
- Diaphoretic:
- An agent that
induces sweating.
- Digestant:
- Contains
substances (i.e. ferments, acids)
which aid in digestion.
- Digestive:
- An agent that
promotes digestion.
- Discutient:
- An agent that
dissolves or causes something, such as
a tumor, to disappear. Also called
discussive.
- Diuretic:
- An agent that
induces urination.
- Drastic:
- A violent
purgative.
- Dropsy:
- Generalized edema
(swelling).
- Dyskinesia:
- Defect in
voluntary movement.
- Dyspnea:
- Sense of
difficulty in breathing, often
associated with lung or heart disease.
- Ecbolic:
- See
abortifacient.
- Emetic:
- An agent that
induces vomiting.
- Emmenagogue:
- A substance that
promotes or assists the flow of
menstrual fluid.
- Emollient:
- An agent that
softens and soothes the skin when
applied locally.
- Enteritis:
- Inflammation of
the small intestine.
- Enterorrhagia:
- Hemorrhage from
the intestine.
- Enuresis:
- Involuntary
urination.
- Ephidrosis:
- Abnormal amount
of sweating.
- Epigastric:
- Upper middle
region of the abdomen.
- Eructation:
- Belching.
- Erysipelis:
- An acute disease
of skin and subcutaneous tissue with
spreading inflammation and swelling.
- Esculent:
- Edible or fit for
eating.
- Estrogenic:
- A substance that
induces female hormonal activity.
- Exanthematous:
- Refers to any
eruptive disease or fever. An herbal
remedy for skin eruptions such as
measles, scarlet fever, etc.
- Exophthalmic:
- Protrusion of the
eyeball.
- Expectorant:
- An agent that
induces the removal (coughing up) of
mucous secretions from the lungs.
- Farinaceous:
- Of the nature of
flour or meal. Starchy or containing
starch.
- Febrifuge:
- That which
reduces fever. Same as antipyretic or
refrigerant.
- Fistula:
- Abnormal tubelike
passage from a normal cavity or tube
to a free surface or to another
cavity.
- Flux:
- Excessive flow or
discharge. For example, in dysentery
or excessive menstruation.
- Fungicidal:
- An agent that
kills fungi.
- Galactagogue:
- Promotes
secretion of milk.
- Gastralgia:
- Pain in the
stomach.
- Gastroenteritis:
- Inflammation of
the stomach and intestinal tract.
- Gastroptosis:
- Condition in
which the stomach occupies an
abnormally low position in the
abdomen.
- Gleet:
- A urethral
discharge, either of mucus or pus;
commonly seen in the chronic form of
gonorrheal urethritis.
- Hemiplegia:
- Paralysis of one
half of the body.
- Hemostatic:
- An agent that
checks bleeding.
- Hepatic:
- An herb that
promotes the well-being of the liver
and increases the secretion of bile.
For example; golden seal.
- Herpatic:
- A remedy for skin
eruptions, ringworm, etc.
- Homeopathic:
- Relating to
homeopathy, a system of medicine
founded in the late 1700's by Samuel
Hahnemann. The system is based on the
principle that "like cures
like". Practitioners believe that
a substance that produces a set of
symptoms in a well person will, in
minute," potentized" doses,
cure those same symptoms in a diseased
individual.
- Homeostasis:
- Equilibrium of
internal environment.
- Hydrogogue:
- Promotes watery
evacuation of bowels.
- Hydrophobia:
- Rabies.
- Hyperchlorhydria:
- Excess of
hydrochloric acid in gastric
secretion.
- Hypertensive:
- Causing or
marking a rise in blood pressure.
- Hypochondriac:
- Upper lateral
region on each side of the body and
below the thorax; beneath the ribs.
- Hypnotic:
- Tends to produce
sleep.
- Hypoglycemic:
- Causing a
deficiency of blood sugar.
- Hypotensive:
- Causing or
marking a lowering of blood pressure.
- Immunostimulant:
- Stimulating
various functions or activities of the
immune system.
- Infusion:
- A preparation
made by soaking a plant part in hot
water (or cold water, for a cold
infusion); in essence, a
"tea". Compare Decoction.
Intercostal: Between the ribs.
- Laxative:
- A mild purgative.
An herb that acts to promote
evacuation of the bowels.
- Leukorrhea:
- A whitish, viscid
discharge from the vagina.
- Lithotriptic:
- Causing the
dissolution or destruction of stones
in the bladder or kidneys.
- Lung fever:
- A severe lung
infection, as pneumonia.
- Maturating:
- An agent that
promotes the maturing or bringing to a
head of boils, carbuncles, etc.
- Menorrhagia:
- Excessive
bleeding during menstruation.
- Mitogenic:
- An agent that
affects cell division.
- Monoplegia:
- Paralysis of a
single limb or a single group of
muscles.
- Mortification:
- Gangrene.
- Moxa:
- A dried herb
substance burned on or above the skin
to stimulate an acupuncture point or
serve as a counterirritant. A famous
technique of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, using dried, pressed leaves
of Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris).
- Mucilaginous:
- Pertaining to or
resembling or containing mucilage:
slimy. Herbs that have a soothing
effect on inflamed mucous membranes.
- Mydriatic:
- Dilates the
pupil.
- Narcotic:
- An addicting
substance that reduces pain and
produces sleep.
- Nauseant:
- An herb that
causes nausea and vomiting. Somewhat
similar to an emetic.
- Nervine:
- An agent that
affects, strengthens, or calms the
nerves.
- Neurasthenia:
- Severe nerve
weakness; nervous exhaustion.
- Neurodermatitis:
- Inflammation of
skin with itching that is associated
with emotional disturbance.
- Nutrient or
Nutritive:
- Nourishing,
increases weight and density.
- Ophthalmic:
- Healing for
disorders and diseases of the eye.
- Ophthalmicum:
- A remedy for
diseases of the eye.
- Osteomyelitis:
- Inflammation of
the bone, especially the marrow.
- Oxyuris:
- Genus of nematode
intestinal worms which includes
pinworms (also called threadworm and
seatworm).
- Panacea:
- An agent good for
what ails you, or what doesn't ail
you. A "cure-all".
- Parturient:
- A substance that
induces and promotes labor.
- Pectoral:
- Relieves
disorders of the chest and lungs, as
an expectorant.
- Phagocytosis:
- Ingestion and
digestion of bacteria and particles by
phagocytes.
- Plethora:
- Overfullness of
blood vessels or of the total quantity
of any fluid in the body.
- Portal:
- Concerning
entrance to an organ, especially that
through which blood is carried to
liver.
- Poultice:
- A moist, usually
warm or hot mass of plant material
applied to the skin, or with cloth
between the skin and plant material,
to effect a medicinal action.
- Prophylactic:
- Agent which wards
off disease.
- Pruritis:
- Severe itching.
- Pterygium:
- Opaque triangular
thickening of tissue extending from
inner canthus to border or cornea with
apex toward the pupil of the eye.
- Puerperal:
- Period following
childbirth.
- Pungent:
- Irritating or
shapely painful. Producing a sharp
sensation of taste or smell.
- Purgative:
- An agent that
causes cleansing or watery evacuation
of the bowels, usually with griping
(painful cramps).
- Pyelitis:
- Inflammation of
the pelvis of the kidney and its
calices.
- Quicksilver:
- An old term for
mercury.
- Quinsy:
- Peritonsillar
abscess or tonsillitis.
- Refrigerant:
- Relieves fever
and thirst. A cooling remedy. Lowers
body temperature.
- Relaxant:
- Tends to relax
and relieve tension, especially
muscular tension.
- Resolvent:
- Promotes the
resolving and removing of abnormal
growths, such as a tumor.
- Rhinitis:
- Inflammation of
nasal mucosa.
- Rubefacient:
- An agent that
causes reddening or irritation when
applied to the skin.
- Saponin:
- A glycoside
compound in plants, which, when shaken
with water, has a foaming or
"soapy" action.
- Scald head:
- Ringworm, or some
similar affliction, of the scalp. May
also refer to a disease of the hair
follicles with formation of small
yellow crusts and a very offensive
odor; usually affects the scalp.
- Scorbutic:
- Concerning or
affected with scurvy.
- Scrofula:
- Tuberculosis
involving the lymph nodes of the neck,
usually occurs in early life. Now very
rarely seen.
- Sedative:
- Calms the nerves,
allays excitement, induces relaxation,
and is conducive to sleep.
- Sialagogue:
- Promotes the flow
of saliva.
- Sleeping
disease:
- Sleeping
sickness; commonly found in Africa.
Also viral encephalitis in which
lethargy is a prominent feature.
- Soporific:
- Herbs that help
to produce sleep.
- Spasmolytic:
- Checking spasms
or cramps.
- Specific:
- A remedy having a
curative effect on a particular
disease or symptom.
- Spermatorrhea:
- Abnormally
frequent involuntary loss of semen
without orgasm.
- Spondylosis:
- Abnormal
immobility and fixation of vertebral
joints.
- Stimulant:
- An agent that
causes increased activity of another
agent, cell, tissue, organ, or
organism.
- Stomachic:
- Substances which
give strength and tone to the stomach.
Also used to stimulate the appetite.
- Strangury:
- A slow and
painful passage of the urine due to
spasm of the urethra and urinary
bladder.
- Styptic:
- Checking bleeding
by contracting blood vessels.
- Subcostal:
- Beneath the ribs.
- Sudorific:
- Herbs that cause
heavy perspiration.
- Tetters:
- A once popular
name for various eczematous skin
diseases. May also refer to a skin
disease of animals communicable to man
with intense itching.
- Tincture:
- A diluted alcohol
solution of plant parts.
- Tinea capitis:
- Fungal skin
disease of the scalp.
- Tisane:
- A term used
frequently in Europe referring to
popular herbal infusions, such as
chamomile flowers, etc., which are
commonly taken as a beverage or for
mildly medicinal effects.
- Teratogen:
- A substance that
can cause the deformity of a fetus.
- Tonic:
- An ambiguous term
referring to a substance thought to
have an overall positive medicinal
effect of an unspecified nature (see
adaptogenic).
- Tuberculostatic:
- Arresting the
tubercle bacillus (the germ
responsible for causing tuberculosis).
- Uterotonic:
- Having a positive
effect on an unspecified nature of the
uterus.
- Vasoconstrictor:
- An agent that
causes blood vessels to constrict, or
narrow the caliber.
- Vasodepressant:
- Lowers blood
pressure by dilatation of blood
vessels; having a depressing influence
on circulation.
- Vasodilator:
- An agent that
causes blood vessels to relax and
dilate.
- Vermicidal:
- Having
worm-killing properties; an agent that
kills worms; a vermifuge. Also
Vermicide.
- Vermifuge:
- Having
worm-killing properties; an agent that
kills worms.
- Vesicant:
- An agent that
causes blistering, such as poison ivy.
- Vulnerary:
- An agent or herb
used for healing wounds, fresh cuts,
etc., usually used as a poultice.
- Whites:
- See leukorrhea.
- Zymotic:
- Caused by or
pertaining to any infectious or
contagious disease.
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