Herbs and Herbalism

Glossary of Terms

Abortifacient causes abortions

Adaptogen Aids the body to adapt especially to stress

Alterative A substance that hastens renewal of tissues

Amenorrhoea Absence of menstruation

Analgesic a substance that relieves pain

Anodyne Eases pain

Anthelmintic Cause death or removal of worms in the body

Anti-bilious Against excess bile

Anticatarrhal a substance that helps removes excess catarrh from the body

Antidiarrhoeal Combats and arrests diarrhoea

Antihypertensive Reduces blood pressure

Antioxidant Prevents the production of harmful oxygen radicals

Antiphlogistic Relieves pain and inflammation

Anti-platelet Inhibits the aggregation of blood platelets

Antipyretic An agent that counteracts fever

Antiseptic Prevents infection

Antiscorbutic Prevents scurvy/ a source of vitamin C

Antispasmodic A substance that relieves or prevents spasms

Anti – scrophulous Prevents and cures scropula

Antitussive Prevents cough

Aperitif Stimulates appetite

Astringent a substance that causes contraction and firmness of a tissue

Arteriosclerosis deposit of fatty tissue

Bacterialstatic/Bactericidal Preventing the multiplication of bacteria

Bitter a substance, which stimulate the appetite and promote stimulation of digestive system by exciting the taste buds and gastric nerve.

Cardiac that which pertains to the heart

Cardiotonic a substance having a stimulated effect on the heart

Carminative that which relieves wind and flatulence

Cathartic a purgative or a substance causing violent purging or catharsis of the body

Cholagogue a substance increasing the release of bile from the gallbladder into the duodenum

Choleretic a substance that stimulates the production of bile by the liver

Colic Pain due to contraction of the involuntary smooth muscle of the abdominal organs

Constipation Congestion of the bowel; incomplete or infrequent action of the bowels

Cutaneous relating to the skin

Demulcent a substance which smoothes irritation of and yields protection to mucous membranes

Deobstruent clears obstructions by opening the natural passages of the body

Depurative detoxifying and blood cleansing agent

Detergent Cleaning

Diaphoretic a substance promoting sweating

Digestive aids digestion

Diuretic a substance that increases elimination via the kidneys resulting in increased urine production and flow

Dysmenorrhoea Painful menstruation

Dyspepsia Digestion problems associated with pain, flatulence, heartburn and nausea

Emetic a substance that induces vomiting

Emmenogogue Induces or assists menstruation

Emollient a substance which softens and smoothes inflamed and irritated skin

Expectorant a substance that helps remove mucous from the respiratory system

Febrifuge A substance that counteracts fever

Gastritis inflammation of stomach lining

Haemostatic a substance that stops the flow of blood

Haematuria Blood in the urine

Haemorrhoids distended rectal veins (pertaining to the hepatic portal system)

Hepatic Pertaining to the liver

Hormone a substance produced by glands, which travels to and has its effect on the activity of cells in a different site to its point of origin

Hypertension high blood pressure

Hypoglycaemia lowered concentrations of blood sugar

Hypotensive that which lowers blood pressure

Laxative that which promotes evacuation of the bowels

Leucocytosis an increase in the number of white blood cells above the normal range

Mucilage a substance containing gelatinous constituents, which are demulcent

 Mucolytic Dissolving or breaking down mucous

Nervine Toning and supportive of the nervous system

Nephritis inflammation of the nephrons in the kidney

Neuralgia a shooting, stabbing pain along a nerve pathway

Neurasthenia nervous exhaustion

Oedema Swelling beneath the skin’s surface due to inflammation or fluid retention

Olfaction the sense of smell

Ophthalmia inflammation of the eye

Orexigenic Stimulates the appetite

Otitis inflammation of the ear

Peptic refers to gastric secretions and areas affected by them

Pharmacology medical science of drug action on the body and the properties and charactertics of such agents

Phlebitis inflammation of veins

Pulmonary pertaining to the lungs

Purgative that which stimulates evacuation of the bowels

Refrigerant Relives thirst

Renal Pertaining to the kidneys

Restoratives a substance that helps strengthen and revive the body system

Rhinitis Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose

Rubefacient a substance causing redness and possible irritation of the skin

Seborrhoea increased secretion of the sebum

Sedative sedates

Sialogogue that which stimulates secretion of salvia

Soporific that which induces sleep

Synergistic simultaneous action of two or more substances in one plant whose combined effect is greater than the sum of each working in isolation.

Thrombosis formation of blood clot or thrombus

Tonic that which strengths or enlivens the body system or organ

Urticaria hives, nettle rash, acute or chronic condition of the skin characterised by weal formation, itching, stinging or burning

Vasoconstrictor that which constricts the blood vessels

Vasodilator that which opens of dilates the blood vessels

Vesicant small blister or sac containing fluid

Vulnerary that which promotes healing of wounds

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