Herbal Glossary
A
Analeptic – has a stimulating or restorative effect on the central nervous system
Analgesic – helps to relieve pain
Antibacterial – destroys or inhibits the growth of bacteria
Antifungal – Inhibits or eliminates fungal infections
Anti-inflammatory – reduces inflammation (a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain, swelling, redness, and heat)
Antimicrobial – destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms
Antianemic - preventing or curing anemia
Antidiarrhetic: substances use to prevent or treat diarrhea
Antioxidant – prohibits oxidization of cells, thus reduces free radicals
Antispasmodic: can prevent or ease spasms or cramps in the muscles of the body. Many of these herbs are also Nervines & Carminatives and so will reduce both physical and psychological tension as well.
Antiviral –opposes viral activity in the body, can be taken as a preventative
C
Cellular health – an agent or phytochemical that promotes apoptosis, which is programmed death, and excretion, of cells that have become abnormal, or what western medicine refers to as cancerous
Cardiotonic – strengthens and tones the heart muscle in response to normal tension or stimuli
D
Demulcent: soothing action on inflammation, especially of mucous membranes
note: an emollient is generally referred to use externally, used internally, an emollient is referred to as a demulcent. Emollient/demulcent herbs include marshmallow root, comfrey root and leaf, and slippery elm bark
Diaphoretic: helps to promote perspiration by stimulating peripheral circulation (syn: sudorific), and therefore promotes fever for healing
Digestive bitter – improves digestive function and may stimulate appetite when taken prior to meals
Diuretic – reduces water retention and swelling and increases urine flow
E
Ellagic acid is known for its antioxidant properties. That means it removes toxins from your body and protects against harmful molecules known as free radicals. Plants also produce this antioxidant compound as a defense mechanism against infection and pests
Emmenagogue herbs are distinguished by their ability to stimulate blood flow in the uterus and around the pelvic regions of women. Due to this unique character of these herbs, some women do use them for regulating menstrual irregularities, preventing ovulation, preventing pregnancy and for inducing abortion. Other emmenagogue herbs include; parsley, mugwort and chamomile.
Emollient: softens and soothes irritated or inflamed skin, moisturizes and helps to replenish the skin’s natural oils
note: An emollient is generally referred to use externally, used internally,
Expectorant: facilitates removal of secretions an emollient is referred to as a demulcent. Emollient/demulcent herbs include marshmallow root, comfrey root and leaf, and slippery elm bark
F
Flavonoid: Any of a large group of water-soluble plant pigments that are beneficial to health. Flavonoids are polyphenols and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. They also help to maintain the health of small blood vessels and connective tissue, and some are under study as possible treatments of cancer. Also called bioflavonoid
H
Herb: the word herb (sometimes referred to as botanical) has several different meanings depending on the perspective:
Holistic medicine: identifying with principles of holism in a system of therapeutics, especially one considered outside the mainstream of scientific medicine, as naturopathy or chiropractic, and often involving nutritional measures: holistic medicine .
Homeopathy: system of medicine founded in the late 18th century in which remedies consist of diluted substances from plants, minerals and animals. It is based on a theory that “like cures like.” Remedies specifically match different symptom pattern profiles of illness to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
Hypertensive: raises blood pressure
Hypoglycemant: agent that lowers blood sugar
Hypotensive: lowers blood pressure
I
Infusion: a tea made by pouring water over plant material (usually dried flowers, fruit, leaves, and other parts, though fresh plant material may also be used), then allowed to steep. The water is usually boiling, but cold infusions are also an option. May be used therapeutically, as hot tea is an excellent way to administer herbs.
Inflammation: a local response to cellular injury that is marked by capillary dilatation, leukocytic infiltration, redness, heat, and pain and that serves as a mechanism initiating the elimination of noxious agents and of damaged tissue.
L
Liniment: extract of a plant added to either alcohol or vinegar and applied topically to employ the therapeutic benefits.
M
Materia medica: from Latin and literally means “healing materials” More specifically, a materia medica is a body of knowledge that describes how plants have been used therapeutically throughout the ages. please refer to What is a Materia Medica?
N
Naturopathy: A holistic medical system that treats health conditions by utilizing what is believed to be the body’s innate ability to heal. Naturopathic physicians aid healing processes by incorporating a variety of natural methods based on the patient’s individual needs.
Nervine: a nerve tonic
nervine relaxant – helps to calm tension and irritability in the nervous system
nervine stimulant – assists in stimulating the nervous system
Neuralgia: severe sharp pain along the course of a nerve
P
Phytochemical – a chemical compound found in plants that is considered beneficial to human health
Poultice: therapeutic topical application of a soft moist mass of plant material (such as bruised fresh herbs), usually wrapped in a fine woven cloth.
Phenolic: often referred to as phenols or polyphenos, elements behind the red color of red wine, blueberries, elderberries, etc. It is an organic compound released by plants and animals as a part of their defense mechanisms with a central cyclic benzene ring and a varying number of hydroxyl groups as substituents.
Pharmacognosy: The study of natural products (i.e., plant, animal, organism, or mineral in nature) used as drugs or for the preparation of drugs. Derived from the Greek pharmakon meaning drug and gnosis meaning knowledge.
Phytochemicals: chemical compounds or chemical constituents formed in the plant’s normal metabolic processes. The chemicals are often referred to as “secondary metabolites” of which there are several classes including alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, fats, flavonoids, glycosides, gums, iridoids, mucilages, phenols, phytoestrogens, tannins, terpenes, and terpenoids, to mention a few. Extracts contain many chemical constituents, while chemicals that have been isolated from the plant are considered pharmaceutical drugs (i.e., digoxin having been isolated from the foxglove or Digitalis lanata plant).
Phytomedicinals: medicinal substances that originate from plants. This may include certain phytochemicals as well as whole plants or herbal preparations.
Phytonutrients: same as phytochemical, any of various bioactive chemical compounds found in plants, as antioxidants, considered to be beneficial to human health.
Phytoestrogens: type of phytochemical with some influence on the estrogenic activity or hormonal system in humans. This rather broad term does not mean that the plant mimics human estrogen, only acts to affect it in some way.
Polyphenol: a structural class of mainly natural, but also synthetic or semisynthetic, organic chemicals characterized by the presence of large multiples of phenol structural units.
Polysaccharide: broadly refers to complex, long-chain carbohydrates that provide nutritive elements in the human diet, and may also possess anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory properties, among other health benefits.
Psychogenic: Greek, psyche + genein, to produce, originating within the mind as opposed to having a physical cause
Purgative laxative, causes the evacuation of intestinal contents
R
Rheumatism: a general term for acute or chronic conditions characterized by inflammation of the muscles and joints (includes arthritis, gout, bursitis, myositis, and fibromyositis).
Rubefacient: agent which reddens skin, dilates the vessels, and increases blood supply locally
Rhizoma: refers to the rhizome or a creeping horizontal stem, generally bearing roots on its underside.
S
Stimulant: temporarily increases body or organ function
Stomachic: aids the stomach and digestion action
Sudorific: acts to increase perspiration
Syrup: pleasant way for children or adults to take herbal medicine. The herbs are mixed with a sweet base, creating a palatable edible medicine.
T
Tincture: extract of a plant made by soaking herbs in a dark place with a desired amount of either glycerine, alcohol, or vinegar for two to six weeks. The liquid is strained from the plant material and then may be used therapeutically.
Tisane: an infusion of dried or fresh leaves or flowers
Tonic: pertaining to, maintaining, increasing, or restoring the tone or health of the body or an organ
V
Vermifugal: destructive to parasitic worms; called also antihelmintic and anthelminticl
The information provided on this website is purely for education purposes. We encourage everyone to be diligent in their own wellness research.
Analeptic – has a stimulating or restorative effect on the central nervous system
Analgesic – helps to relieve pain
Antibacterial – destroys or inhibits the growth of bacteria
Antifungal – Inhibits or eliminates fungal infections
Anti-inflammatory – reduces inflammation (a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain, swelling, redness, and heat)
Antimicrobial – destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms
Antianemic - preventing or curing anemia
Antidiarrhetic: substances use to prevent or treat diarrhea
Antioxidant – prohibits oxidization of cells, thus reduces free radicals
Antispasmodic: can prevent or ease spasms or cramps in the muscles of the body. Many of these herbs are also Nervines & Carminatives and so will reduce both physical and psychological tension as well.
Antiviral –opposes viral activity in the body, can be taken as a preventative
C
Cellular health – an agent or phytochemical that promotes apoptosis, which is programmed death, and excretion, of cells that have become abnormal, or what western medicine refers to as cancerous
Cardiotonic – strengthens and tones the heart muscle in response to normal tension or stimuli
D
Demulcent: soothing action on inflammation, especially of mucous membranes
note: an emollient is generally referred to use externally, used internally, an emollient is referred to as a demulcent. Emollient/demulcent herbs include marshmallow root, comfrey root and leaf, and slippery elm bark
Diaphoretic: helps to promote perspiration by stimulating peripheral circulation (syn: sudorific), and therefore promotes fever for healing
Digestive bitter – improves digestive function and may stimulate appetite when taken prior to meals
Diuretic – reduces water retention and swelling and increases urine flow
E
Ellagic acid is known for its antioxidant properties. That means it removes toxins from your body and protects against harmful molecules known as free radicals. Plants also produce this antioxidant compound as a defense mechanism against infection and pests
Emmenagogue herbs are distinguished by their ability to stimulate blood flow in the uterus and around the pelvic regions of women. Due to this unique character of these herbs, some women do use them for regulating menstrual irregularities, preventing ovulation, preventing pregnancy and for inducing abortion. Other emmenagogue herbs include; parsley, mugwort and chamomile.
Emollient: softens and soothes irritated or inflamed skin, moisturizes and helps to replenish the skin’s natural oils
note: An emollient is generally referred to use externally, used internally,
Expectorant: facilitates removal of secretions an emollient is referred to as a demulcent. Emollient/demulcent herbs include marshmallow root, comfrey root and leaf, and slippery elm bark
F
Flavonoid: Any of a large group of water-soluble plant pigments that are beneficial to health. Flavonoids are polyphenols and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. They also help to maintain the health of small blood vessels and connective tissue, and some are under study as possible treatments of cancer. Also called bioflavonoid
H
Herb: the word herb (sometimes referred to as botanical) has several different meanings depending on the perspective:
- In commercial terms – herb generally refers to plants used for culinary purposes. Additionally the terminology differentiates Temperate Zone plants from tropical and sub-tropical plants (i.e., spices).
- In horticultural terms – herb refers to “herbaceous,” which describes the appearance of the plant (i.e., a non-woody, vascular plant).
- In taxonomic terms – herb generally refers to the aboveground parts or the aerial parts (i.e., the flower, leaf, and stem).
- In terms of herbal medicine – herb refers to plants used in various forms or preparations, valued for their therapeutic benefits, and sold as dietary supplements in the U.S. marketplace.
Holistic medicine: identifying with principles of holism in a system of therapeutics, especially one considered outside the mainstream of scientific medicine, as naturopathy or chiropractic, and often involving nutritional measures: holistic medicine .
Homeopathy: system of medicine founded in the late 18th century in which remedies consist of diluted substances from plants, minerals and animals. It is based on a theory that “like cures like.” Remedies specifically match different symptom pattern profiles of illness to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
Hypertensive: raises blood pressure
Hypoglycemant: agent that lowers blood sugar
Hypotensive: lowers blood pressure
I
Infusion: a tea made by pouring water over plant material (usually dried flowers, fruit, leaves, and other parts, though fresh plant material may also be used), then allowed to steep. The water is usually boiling, but cold infusions are also an option. May be used therapeutically, as hot tea is an excellent way to administer herbs.
Inflammation: a local response to cellular injury that is marked by capillary dilatation, leukocytic infiltration, redness, heat, and pain and that serves as a mechanism initiating the elimination of noxious agents and of damaged tissue.
L
Liniment: extract of a plant added to either alcohol or vinegar and applied topically to employ the therapeutic benefits.
M
Materia medica: from Latin and literally means “healing materials” More specifically, a materia medica is a body of knowledge that describes how plants have been used therapeutically throughout the ages. please refer to What is a Materia Medica?
N
Naturopathy: A holistic medical system that treats health conditions by utilizing what is believed to be the body’s innate ability to heal. Naturopathic physicians aid healing processes by incorporating a variety of natural methods based on the patient’s individual needs.
Nervine: a nerve tonic
nervine relaxant – helps to calm tension and irritability in the nervous system
nervine stimulant – assists in stimulating the nervous system
Neuralgia: severe sharp pain along the course of a nerve
P
Phytochemical – a chemical compound found in plants that is considered beneficial to human health
Poultice: therapeutic topical application of a soft moist mass of plant material (such as bruised fresh herbs), usually wrapped in a fine woven cloth.
Phenolic: often referred to as phenols or polyphenos, elements behind the red color of red wine, blueberries, elderberries, etc. It is an organic compound released by plants and animals as a part of their defense mechanisms with a central cyclic benzene ring and a varying number of hydroxyl groups as substituents.
Pharmacognosy: The study of natural products (i.e., plant, animal, organism, or mineral in nature) used as drugs or for the preparation of drugs. Derived from the Greek pharmakon meaning drug and gnosis meaning knowledge.
Phytochemicals: chemical compounds or chemical constituents formed in the plant’s normal metabolic processes. The chemicals are often referred to as “secondary metabolites” of which there are several classes including alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, fats, flavonoids, glycosides, gums, iridoids, mucilages, phenols, phytoestrogens, tannins, terpenes, and terpenoids, to mention a few. Extracts contain many chemical constituents, while chemicals that have been isolated from the plant are considered pharmaceutical drugs (i.e., digoxin having been isolated from the foxglove or Digitalis lanata plant).
Phytomedicinals: medicinal substances that originate from plants. This may include certain phytochemicals as well as whole plants or herbal preparations.
Phytonutrients: same as phytochemical, any of various bioactive chemical compounds found in plants, as antioxidants, considered to be beneficial to human health.
Phytoestrogens: type of phytochemical with some influence on the estrogenic activity or hormonal system in humans. This rather broad term does not mean that the plant mimics human estrogen, only acts to affect it in some way.
Polyphenol: a structural class of mainly natural, but also synthetic or semisynthetic, organic chemicals characterized by the presence of large multiples of phenol structural units.
Polysaccharide: broadly refers to complex, long-chain carbohydrates that provide nutritive elements in the human diet, and may also possess anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory properties, among other health benefits.
Psychogenic: Greek, psyche + genein, to produce, originating within the mind as opposed to having a physical cause
Purgative laxative, causes the evacuation of intestinal contents
R
Rheumatism: a general term for acute or chronic conditions characterized by inflammation of the muscles and joints (includes arthritis, gout, bursitis, myositis, and fibromyositis).
Rubefacient: agent which reddens skin, dilates the vessels, and increases blood supply locally
Rhizoma: refers to the rhizome or a creeping horizontal stem, generally bearing roots on its underside.
S
Stimulant: temporarily increases body or organ function
Stomachic: aids the stomach and digestion action
Sudorific: acts to increase perspiration
Syrup: pleasant way for children or adults to take herbal medicine. The herbs are mixed with a sweet base, creating a palatable edible medicine.
T
Tincture: extract of a plant made by soaking herbs in a dark place with a desired amount of either glycerine, alcohol, or vinegar for two to six weeks. The liquid is strained from the plant material and then may be used therapeutically.
Tisane: an infusion of dried or fresh leaves or flowers
Tonic: pertaining to, maintaining, increasing, or restoring the tone or health of the body or an organ
V
Vermifugal: destructive to parasitic worms; called also antihelmintic and anthelminticl
The information provided on this website is purely for education purposes. We encourage everyone to be diligent in their own wellness research.