A Dynamic Herbal Dictionary
This herbal dictionary is being compiled as an easy to read and an uncomplicated way of understanding the terminology used in this website.
It is slowly been built up, as and when new terms and words are being used.
Our sources for the simple explanations are given wherever possible.
Now you no longer have to wonder what all these strange looking words and herbal terminologies mean, you can find out for yourself.
A.
absolute
A concentrated, highly aromatic, oily mixture extracted from plants, using solvent techniques or, more traditionally, through enfleurage.
adaptogen
A plant which improves physical energy, and increases the body's immunity to minor infections, stress and anxiety.
alkoloid
A group of naturally occurring chemical compounds which mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms. The best known is probably caffeine". www.wikipedia.org
allergen
An antigenic substance that causes and acute defensive reaction in a person's immune system (an allergy). Common allergens are pet dander, smoke and pollen.
alopecia areata
Is the term used when the hair falls out in patches.
alopecia totalis
Means the loss of all the scalp hair.
alopecia universalis
Means the loss of all body hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes.
androgenetic alopecia (AGA)
A less dramatic, but more prevalent, type of hair loss implies, a genetic or hereditary predisposition to the disorder and the presense of androgens - male sex hormones - are involved in this condition.
alkoloid
"A group of naturally occurring chemical compounds which mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms. The best known is probably caffeine". www.wikipedia.org
alterative
"A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change and restores health functions".
www.wiktionary.org
anabolic
Strengthens and bulds body tissue and encourges weight gain or anabolism.
analeptic"An analeptic in medicine is a central nervous system stimulant medication". www.wikipedia.org
analgesic
A medicine that reduces or eliminates pain.
anodyne"In medicine, before the 20th century an anodyne was a medicine that was believed to relieve or soothe pain by lessening the sensitivy of the brain or nervous system". www.wikipedia.org
antiemetic
"Is a substance that is effective against vomiting and nausea". www.wikipedia.org
anthelmintic
"Are substances that expel parasitic worms from the body, they may also be called vermifuges". www.wikipedia.org
anti-arrhythmic
A drug used to treat abnormal or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
anti-atherosclerotic
A substance or drug used to treat atherosclerosis, the process of progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of the heart's arteries from fat deposits on their inner lining.
anti-catarrhal
"Counteracting or supressing catarrh (inflammation of the mucous membranes)". www.wiktionary.org
anticonvulsant
A drug or substance used to treat or prevent convulsions (as in epilepsy).
anti-ecchymotic
A substance to treat ecchymoses, commonly known as bruses, a discoloration and tenderness of the skin due to the leakage of blood from an injured blood vessel into the tissues.
anti-histamine
"A substance that counteracts the effects of histamine, used in treating allergies."The Oxford English Dictionary
antihalitotic
A treatment for bad breath.
anti-inflammatory "Refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation".
www.wikipedia.org
antimicrobial
A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of micro-organisms suc as bacteria or fungi.
antioxidant "antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules."
www.wikipedia.org
anti-platelet
A substance that decreases platelet aggregation and inhibits thrombus formation.
anti-pyretic
"Are drugs or herbs that reduce fever."
www.wikipedia.org
antiretrovral
The group of medications used to treat HIV/AIDS.
antitussive
Inhibits the cough reflex.
anti-spasmodic
"One type of antispasmodics is used for smooth muscle contraction, especially in tubular organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The effect is to prevent spasms of the stomach, intestine or urinary bladder".www.wikipedia.org
antivertigo
Treatment of vertigo - a sensation of dizziness, moving or spinning. It is commonly caused by a problem with the balance mechansms within the inner ear.
antivinous
An anti-oxidant substance that treats addiction to alcohol.
aperient
"A laxative in the form of a medicine or a food". www.wiktionary.org
astringent"Causing skin or body tissue to contract."
The Oxford English Dictionary
B.
balsamic
means "balsam-like" in the sense of "restorative" or "curative".
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
The increase in size of the prostate gland in middle-agend and elderly men that appears to be part of the natural ageing process; it s a non-cancerous condition".
beta-carotene
the molecule that gives carrots and other fruit and vegetables their colour. It is part of a family of chemicals called the carotenoids".
blepharitis"Blepharitis is an ocular condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the eyelid."
The www.wikipedia.org.
British National Formulary (BNF)
is a bi-annual publication containing a wide spectrum of information on drugs, drawn from the manufacturers' product literature, medical and pharmaceutical literature, regulatory authorities and professional bodies.
C.
calcareous
Containing or resembling calcium..
carminative
""Is a herb or preparation that either prevents formation of gas in the gastro-intestinal tract or facilitates the expulsion of said gas, combating flatulence. www.wikipedia.org
cathartic
In medicine, a substance which accelerates defaction.
cholagogue
""Cholagogue is a medicinal agent which promotes the discharge of bile from the system. www.wikipedia.org
choleretic
An agent that stimulates the liver to increase output of bile.
cicatrizant
""Is the term used to describe a product that promotes healing through the promotion of scar tissue. www.wikipedia.org
D.
decoction
"An extract obtained by boiling or digesting in hot water."
www.wikipedia.org.
demulcent
"An agent that forms a soothing film over a mucous membrane relieving pain and inflammation."
www.wikipedia.org.
"used for or capable of depurating, purifying, purgative."
www.thefreedictionary.com.
"is the state of sweating profusely commonly associated with shock and other medical emergencies."
The Oxford English Dictionary.
diuretic
"A substance that causes more urine to be secreted."
The Oxford English Dictionary.
DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis.
E.
emetic
a substance or agent that induces vomiting.
emmenagogue
"are herbs which stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area, some stimulate menstruation". www.wikipedia.org
emollient
A substance that softens and soothes the skin.
enteritis
Inflammation of the intestine (especially the small intestine) usually characterized by diarrhoea.
essential fatty acids (EFA)
These are polyunsaturated dfatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, that cannot be made in the body and must be provided by diet.
eupeptic
Having properties which encourage health, functioning digestion.
exfoliation
"involves the removal of the oldest dead skin cells on the skin's outermost surface and has been used for many years to help maintain the skin ". www.wikipedia.org
expectorant
"is any agent which dissolves thick mucus and is usuallly used to help respiratory difficulties". www.wikipedia.org
F.
febrifuge
A medicine that reduces fever; an antipyretic.
flavenoids
"Compounds found in fruits and vegetables that have beneficial anti-oxidant effects"
The Linus Pauling Institute - winner of the Nobel Chemistry prize 1954.
free radicals
Any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell.
G.
galactogogue
A substance which is used to increase the production of breast milk in humans.
Gingivitis
Inflamed and bleeding gums.
GLA
Gamma-linolenic acid. An essential fatty acid found primarily in vegetable oils
glossitis
Inflammation of the tongue.
H.
haemostatic
A medicine or application that stops bleeding, serving to arrest haemorrhage.
hallucinogen
A pharmacological agent that amplifies familiar states of mind and induce experiences such as trance, meditation, conversion experiences and dreams.
HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein is a protective type of cholesterol.
hepatotonic
A substance that is tonic to the liver -usually employed to noromalize liver enzymes and function.
histamine
a naturally occurring substance in the body that causess allergic reactions (redness, itching and swelling) of the nose and eyes.
hypnotic
drugs or substances whose primary function is to induce sleep.
hypoglycaemic
having abnormally low blood sugar, usually resulting from excessive insulin or a poor diet.
I.
Infusion
"A liquid made by steeping (tea or herbs etc) in boiling water".
The Oxford English Dictionary.
M.
maceration
"A mixture made soft by steeping in a liquid".
The Oxford English Dictionary.
N.
nervine
"A nervine is a plant remedy that has a beneficial effect on the nervous system in some way.".
www.wikipedia.com.
O.
ointment
"A thick slippery paste rubbed on the skin to heal roughness, injuries or inflammation".
The Oxford English Dictionary.
P.
parturient
"Pertaining to child birth.
poultice
"A soft heated mass applied to an inflamed or sore area of skin".
The Oxford English Dictionary.
R.
rubefacient
"is a substance for topical application causing dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation".
www.wikipedia.org
S.
salicylates
"Salicylates are derivatives of salicylic acid that occur naturally in plants and serve as a natural immune hormone and preservative, protecting the plants against diseases, insects, fungi, and harmful bacteria. Salicylates can also be found in many medications, perfumes and preservatives. Both natural and synthetic salicylates can cause health problems in anyone when consumed in large doses. But for those who are salicylate intolerant, even small doses of salicylate can cause adverse reactions". www.wikipedia.org.
spasmolytic
"may refer to a type of muscle relaxant.".
www.wikipedia.org.
stomachic
"while many herbs claim stomachic effect, modern pharmacology does not have an equivalent term fo this type of effect".
www.wikipedia.org.
syrup
"A thick sweet liquid".
The Oxford English Dictionary.
T.
tincture
"A solution consisting of a medicinal substance dissolved in alcohol".
The Oxford English Dictionary.
V.
vasodilation
"Refers to the widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxing of
smooth muscles cells within the vessel walls particularly in the large
arteries and large veins.."
www.wikipedia.com.
vulnerary
"A remedy used in healing or treatment of wounds."
www.medterms.com.
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"The art of healing comes from nature and not from the Physician. Therefore the Physician must start from nature with an open mind."
~ Paracelsus ~
Related Content
Quick way to search this site.
Site Map 1.
Search for Remedies arranged alphabetically from A through to O.
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Site Map 3.
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Tips for Herbs
Did you know that....
Just 75g of oats daily can help lower your cholesterol level. It's also a great natural way to supplement the minerals magnesium and zinc.
~
It helps stabilize your blood-sugar level and eases constipation.
~
Oats also contain psychoactive compounds that may combat nicotine cravings and have anti-depressant powers
~
Quote of Note
"oh, that miracle clove! Not only does garlic taste good, it cures baldness and tennis elbow too".
~ Laurie Burrows Grad ~
"An onion can make people cry but there has never been a vegetable that can make people laugh."
~ Will Rogers ~
"When life gives you a lemon, sell it on ebay".
~ Unknown ~
Olive Oil
Olive Oil is an artery protector that lowers bad LDL cholesterol without lowering good HDL cholesterol.
It helps keep bad cholesterol from been converted to a toxic or "oxidized" form.
Thus, helps protect arteries from plaque.
And it also helps reduce blood pressure, helps regulate blood sugar, has potent antioxidant activity and may also help ward off cancer.
Quote of Note
The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life. Either we suffer in health or we suffer in soul, or we get fat.
We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons. ~Alfred E. Newman
Healthy Quotation
Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon. ~Doug Larson
Red meat is not bad for you. Now blue-green meat, that's bad for you! ~Tommy Smothers
Arthritis and Attitude
There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.
~ Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar~
For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.
~ Lily Tomlin
~
If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one
. ~ Cavett
Robert ~
It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to.
~ Annie Gottlier ~
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.
~ Winston Churchill ~
Help for Arthritis
Home Remedies for Osteoarthritis
Natural Remedies for Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief
Herbs for Reheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis Quotes
“When we are no longer able to change a situation… We are challenged to change ourselves”
~ Viktor Frankl ~
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
~ M. Kathleen
Casey ~
"The Doctor called my mom saying - "your check came back, and my mom answered "So did my arthritis"
~ unknown ~
A Healthy Nursery Rhyme
The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water,
rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If
only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And
charge you not a shilling.
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the
River Knows, 1990.
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