 Herbal
Glossary | Medicinal Glossary
| Herbal Preparations
Glossary
Medical Terms
- 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. Same as anaphrodisiac.
- Anhydrotic:
- Stops sweating.
- Anodyne:
- A pain-relieving medicine, milder than analgesic.
- Antacid:
- Neutralizes the acid produced by the stomach. Do the self-test to see if excessive acid is the cause of indigestion.
- 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 (cerbrovascular 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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