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Adaptogen:  helps the body overcome the effects of stress, stimulates the immune system, increases a general sense of well-being, and is a tonic to the body. Adaptagens do not alter mood, but rather, they help the body function optimally during times of stress by helping to correct or prevent stress-related imbalances, and therefore prevent or minimize disease.

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Adrenal fatigue/exhaustion: a collection of symptoms resulting when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. Most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, it can also arise during or after infections such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia. The main symptom is fatigue that is not relieved by sleep. A person may look and act relatively normal and may not have any obvious signs of physical illness, yet has a general sense of unwellness, tiredness or “gray” feelings. People experiencing adrenal fatigue often have to use coffee, colas and other stimulants for energy. Adrenal fatigue can have wide-reaching effects (see adrenal function). 

 

Adrenal function: regulates the functioning of every tissue, organ and gland in the body to maintain homeostasis and literally keeps one alive. Two tiny (walnut-sized) adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys and secrete hormones such as cortisol, estrogen and testosterone, which affect the entire body, and greatly impact the way one thinks and feels. Adrenal hormones closely modulate metabolic processes, including how the body uses carbohydrates, fats and proteins, how stored fat is distributed, blood sugar regulation and much more. One literally cannot live without adrenal hormones. If adrenal function is low, as it is in adrenal fatigue, the body has difficulty responding properly to daily demands, and this can lead to a variety of serious physical and psychological health problems.

 

Alterative: (also known as blood cleanser) - gradually and favorably alters the condition of the body, restoring proper function and increasing health and vitality. Among many other things, alteratives are used in treating infections, arthritis, cancer and skin eruptions. 

 

Analgesic/anodyne:  interchangeable terms for herbs that reduce pain and are either applied externally or taken internally, depending on the need

 

Angina pectoris: the medical term for chest pain or discomfort due to coronary heart disease.  It occurs when the heart muscle doesn't get as much blood as it needs. This usually happens because one or more of the heart's arteries is narrowed or blocked, also called ischemia.

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Anodyne/analgesic: interchangeable terms for herbs that reduce pain and are either applied externally or taken internally, depending on the need

 

Anti-catarrhal: eliminates or counteracts the formation of mucous

 

Anti-inflammatory: helps the body to reduce inflammation; herbs that are also considered demulcents, emollients and vulneraries will often act in this way, especially when applied externally 

 

Anti-microbial-or-antibiotic: helps the body to destroy or resist bacteria and other disease-causing micro-organisms

 

Anti-neoplastic: Acting to prevent, inhibit or halt the development of a neoplasm (a tumor)

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Anti-phlogistic: anti-inflammatory

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Anti-rheumatic: decreases inflammation, swelling and pain, helps to ease and prevent arthritis and rheumatism (inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissue) 

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Anti-spasmodic: prevents or eases spasms or cramps in the body, for example, certain digestive herbs, such as chamomile, rapidly relax any nervous tension that may be causing digestive smasms or colic.  

 

Anti-tumor: inhibiting the growth of a tumor or tumors.

 

Antimicrobial:  an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth. Antimicrobial medicines can be grouped according to the microorganisms they act primarily against. For example, antibiotics are used against bacteria and antifungals are used against fungi.

 

Antioxidant: 1. a substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products.

                         2. a substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism.

 

Antiseptic: relating to or denoting substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

 

Aphrodisiac: stimulates and rejuvenates sexual function and desire 

 

Aromatic: has a strong and often pleasant smell and stimulates digestion

 

Arteriosclerosis: the thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries, occurring typically in old age.

 

Assimilation: The process of incorporating nutrient material into cells after digestion and absorption. 

 

Asthma: a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. It usually results from an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity.

 

Astringent: substances applied to the skin to prevent the growth of bacteria

 

Ayurvedic medicine: a vast mind/body/spirit medicine whose roots are found in the ancient scriptures of the Vedas, which sees everything in the universe as having a character or constitution. Ayurveda determines an individual’s constitution, and treats the cause of disease by restoring balance in those constitutions. There are three types of constitutions or qualities, called doshas, namely pitta, vata and kapha, and combinations of these as well. Ayurvedic medicine chiefly includes diet (incorporating the seasons and the six tastes), massage, herbal medicine, sweating the body to detoxify it, and other self-care strategies.

 

Bile: the substance responsible for aiding in the digestion of fat in the small intestine

 

Bitter: aids digestion because the taste of bitterness on the tongue stimulates, via reflex circuits in the brain, the secretions of the entire digestive system, from the esophagus to the pancreas

 

Carminative: affects the digestive system by relaxing the stomach muscles, increasing peristalsis of the intestine and reducing gas production—therefore supporting movement of food through the digestive system and relieving distension of the stomach due to gas.

 

Chi tonic: Chi Tonic is a blend of Chinese herbs that help boost and maintain balance in the body's energy system.

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Chinese medicine: Traditional Chinese medicine aims to restore the body's balance and harmony between the natural opposing forces of yin and yang, which can block qi (or chi) and cause disease. Traditional Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, diet, herbal therapy, meditation, physical exercise, and massage.

 

Cholagogue: stimulates the release and excretion of bile from the gall bladder, which can be very beneficial with gall bladder problems such as 

 

Cholecystitis: the most common type of gallbladder disease, cholecystitis is either an acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder. Acute cholecystitis is generally caused by gallstones, but it may also be the result of tumors or various other illnesses. 

 

Choledocholithiasis: gallstones may become lodged in the neck of the gallbladder or in the bile ducts, preventing bile from exiting properly.  This may lead to the gallbladder becoming inflamed or distended. 

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a medical condition of unknown cause, with fever, aching, and prolonged tiredness and depression, typically occurring after a viral infection.

 

Colitis: inflammation of the lining of the colon, which often results in abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding

 

Contraindication: something (as a symptom or condition) that makes a particular treatment, drug, activity or procedure inadvisable 

 

Decoction:  the liquor resulting from concentrating the essence of a substance by heating or boiling, especially a medicinal preparation made from a plant. "a decoction of a root":  the action or process of extracting the essence of something.

 

Degenerative fatty liver: a condition where excess fat accumulates in liver cells (hepatocytes), leading to damage.

 

Demulcent: herbs with a slippery or mucilaginous texture that soothe and protect irritated internal tissue, such as the digestive tract

 

Diaphoretic: causes the body to increase perspiration, greatly increasing the  elimination of toxins through the skin. Diaphoretics are very useful in helping to quickly resolve any fever, and infections affecting the whole body, especially influenza. They greatly speed up the healing process without any detrimental effects.

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Diurectic: increases the secretion and elimination of urine, often needed when there are circulatory or heart problems

 

Dysmenorrhoea: when the menstrual period is accompanied by cramping pains, often so severe that they are debilitating

 

Eczema: a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding, sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation (eczematous dermatitis) but more typically having no obvious external cause.

 

Emmenagogue: stimulates and regulates menstrual flow

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Emollient: used externally to help soften, soothe and protect the skin

 

Erectile dysfunction: inability of a man to maintain an erection sufficient for satisfying sexual activity.

 

Expectorant: supports the removal of excess mucous from the respiratory system

 

Flatulence: the accumulation of gas in the alimentary canal.

 

Galactagog: helps a breastfeeding mother increase the flow of mother’s milk

 

Gallstone: develops when substances in the bile (such as cholesterol, bile salts, and calcium) form hard particles that block the passageway to the gallbladder. Gallstones also tend to form when the gallbladder doesn’t empty completely or often enough. They can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.

 

Gastritis: inflammation of the stomach, especially of its mucous membrane, which often results in a gnawing or burning pain (indigestion), and sometimes includes nausea and vomiting

 

Heart failure: severe failure of the heart to function properly, especially as a cause of death.

 

Hemostatic: adj. Acting to arrest bleeding or hemorrhage. 

 

Hepatic cirrhosis: chronic degenerative disease in which normal liver cells are damaged and are then replaced by scar tissue.

 

Hypotensive: lowers blood pressure

 

Infusion: a drink, remedy, or extract prepared by soaking the leaves of a plant or herb in liquid.

 

Insulin: hormone produced naturally in the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin is necessary for digestion and assimilation, and a lack of insulin causes a form of diabetes. The synthetic drug used to treat diabetes is also called insulin.

 

Laxative:  promotes the healthy evacuation of the bowels

 

Leprosy: a contagious disease that affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves, causing discoloration and lumps on the skin and, in severe cases, disfigurement and deformities. Leprosy is now mainly confined to tropical Africa and Asia.

 

Nervine: benefits the nervous system by toning and strengthening it; some are for stimulating an underactive nervous system; some for calming an overactive one

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Osteoporosis: a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes, or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D.

 

Oxytocic: stimulates uterine contractions to assist and induce labor, helps to speed up childbirth

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Phenol: beneficial compound providing qualities that are nootropic (brain enhancing), anti-oxidative, or anti-apoptotic (slowing cell death).

 

Poultice: fresh or dried herbs made into a paste and applied directly to the skin (or with a thin layer of oil beneath to ease removal) and held in place by thin gauze.

 

Psoriasis: common skin condition that changes the life cycle of skin cells by causing cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, where they form thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches that are sometimes painful

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Rejuvenative: An herbal rejuvenative is a plant or botanical substance used in traditional medicine systems to restore health, promote longevity, and enhance the body's vitality

 

Rubefacient: a substance for topical application that produces redness of the skin e.g. by causing dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation.​

 

Sedative: promoting calm or inducing sleep

 

Septicaemia: a severe infection in the bloodstream, popularly known as blood poisoning, often accompanied by fever, chills, and weakness 

 

Stimulant: increases the energy of the body by warming and increasing circulation; breaks up obstructions

 

Stomachic: promoting the appetite or assisting digestion.

 

Tonic: strengthens and enlivens either specific organs or the whole body. Typically one can and often does continue to use tonics for long periods of time to heal and strengthen the body. Longterm use yields only positive effects. 

 

Vulnerary: applied externally to aid the body in the healing of wounds and cuts

 

Wasting disease: refers to the process by which a debilitating disease causes muscle and fat tissue to "waste" away.