Essential oil, Herbal and Botanical Terminology Definitions
1)Abortifacient-Capable of inducing abortion. Do not use during pregnancy.
2)Adaptogen-agent that increases resistance to stress.
3)Analgesic-Capable of relieving or reducing pain.
4)Anaphrodisiac- Lessening sexual desire.
5)Anesthetic- Relieving pain by lessening sensation.
6)Anodyne-Relieves pain and quiet disturbed feelings.
7)Anthelmintic- A vermifuge, destroying or expelling intestinal parasites.
8)Anti-acid-Combats acid in the body.
9)Antibacterial-Fights bacterial growth.
10)Anti-bilious-reduces jaundice.
11)Anti-catarrhal-eliminating mucus.
12)Anti-convulsant- Helps control convulsions.
13)Anti-depressive-Helps lift mood and decrease depression.
14)Anti-dontalgic- Helps relieve tooth pain.
15)Anti-emetic- Helps relieve nausea and vomiting.
16)Anti-fungal- Prevents or inhibits the growth of fungus.
17)Anti-hemorrhagic- Combats or controls bleeding.
18)Anti-hypertensive-Decreases blood pressure.
19)Anti-inflammatory-Decreases inflammation.
20)Antihistamine-Combats allergic reactions.
21)Anti-neoplastic-Fights cancer cells.
22)Anti-microbial-reduces or resist microbes.
23)Antioxidant-Prevents or delay oxidation.
24)Anti-parasitic-Acts against parasite.
25)Antiophlogistic-Counters inflammation.
26)Anti-pyritic-Relieves itching.
27)Anti-pyretic-Relieves or reduces fever.
28)Anti-tussive-suppresses cough.
29)Anti-sclerotic- prevents or reduces hardening of the arteries.
30)Anti-seborrheic-Helps control oil secretion from sweat gland.
31)Antiseptic-Helps control infection.
32)Anti-spasmodic-eases spasms and cramps.
33)Anti-sudorific-lessens sweating.
34)Antitussive-Lessens cough.
35)Anti-viral-Inhibits growth and reproduction of viruses.
36)Aperient-Mild laxative.
37)Aphrodisiac-Increases sexual desire.
38)Aromatic-Relieves gas, aids digestion.
39)Arrhythmia-Irregular or skipping heart beat.
40)Astringent-Causing contraction of tissue.
41)Bactericidal-Agent destroying bacteria.
42)Bitter-An alcoholic liquid made with herbs or roots. Stimulates appitite.
43)Blood thinner-Thins blood.
44)Calmative-A sedative, gently calms nerves.
45)Carminative-Settles the digestive system, relieves gas and flatulence.
46)Cathartic-Agent for purging bowels.
47)Cephalic-Stimulates and clears the mind.
48)Cholagogue-Stimulates secretion of bile.
49)Choleretic-Helps liver excretes bile.
50)Cimcifuga-drives away insects, neutralizes stings and bites
51)Coagulant-Helps blood clot.
52)Decoction-Herbal preparation made by boiling material and reducing it to concentration.
53)Decongestant-Substance which relieves congestion.
54)Decoagulant-Prevents or retards the clotting of blood.
55)Demulcent-Agent that protects mucus membranes and decreases irritation.
56)Depurative-Detoxifies blood and body impurities.
57)Diaphoretic-Promotes perspiration.
58)Digestive-Aids digestion.
59)Disinfectant-Destroys the cause of infection
60)Diuretic-Promotes urination.
61)Doctrine of signature-Theory that the appearance of a plant indicates its inherent properties
62)Emetic-Induces vomiting.
63)Emmenagogue-Induces or assist menstruation.
64)Emollient-Softening and soothing to skin.
65)Expectorant-Substance that expels mucus from the lungs.
66)Febrifuge-Helps decrease fever.
67)Fungicide-Substance which destroys fungus.
68)Galactgogue-Substance which increases mother’s milk flow.
69)Germicidal-Kills germs.
70)Hepatic-An agent which support liver, gallbladder and spleen function.
71)Hemostatic-Helps stop bleeding.
72)Hypotensive-Reduces blood pressure.
73)Immuno-stimulent-Enhances and increases the body’s immune mechanism.
74)Infusion-Herbal preparation made by steeping the plant material in water such as tea.
75)Insecticide-Properties that repel insects.
76)Laxative- Promoting elimination of stool.
77)Lithotriptic-An agent that dissolves urinary calculi or stones.
78)Mucolytic-Breaking down mucus to help its expulsion.
79)Nervine-Strengthens and tone nerves and nervous system.
80)Nutritive-Pertaining to the assimilation of food: having the property of nourishing.
81)Oxytoxic-Promoting stimulation of involuntary muscles of uterus.
82)Parturient-Assisting childbirth. Stimulates uterine contractions.
83)Pectoral-Healing to problems in the respiratory system.
84)Relaxant-Relaxes nerves , muscles and tension.
85)Restorative-effective in general regaining of health and strength.
86)Rubefacient-Causing irritation to skin.
87)Sedative-Causing sedation.
88)Sialogogue-Agent stimulating secretion of saliva.
89)Splenic-Pertaining to the spleen.
90)Stimulant-Temporarily quickens a process I the body
91)Stomachic-Agent which helps digestion and improves appetite.
92)Sudorific-Causing sweat.
93)Styptic- Agent that stops external bleeding.
94)Tincture-Herbal material prepared in an alcohol base.
95)Tonic-Invigorates physically and mentally.
96)Unguent-Soothing salve or cream.
97)Vasoconstrictor-Substance which causes constriction of the blood vessels.
98)Vasodilator-Substance causing dilation of the blood vessels.
99)Vermifuge-Agent which expels intestinal worms.
100)Vulnerary-Topical agent which helps wound heal and prevents tissue degeneration.
Sources:
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/>
“The Little Herb Encyclopedia: The handbook of natures remedies for a healthier life” Third edition, by Jack Richardson ND, Woodland Health Books, Pleasant Grove, Utah, copyright 1995
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