Aerial: The parts of a plant that grow aboveground, such as the stems, flowers, and leaves.
Annual: A plant that completes its life cycle in one season.
Basal leaves: The leaves that grow at the base of a plant.
Biennial: A plant with a life cycle of two years.
Compound leaf: A leaf comprised of small leaflets along a common stem.
Cultivar: A variety of plant that is developed and cultivated by humans rather than by natural selection in the wild.
Florets: Tiny individual flowers that grow in a dense cluster and make up a larger flower head.
Flower head: A dense cluster of tiny individual flowers.
Kernel: The inner and softer part of a seed or nut.
Leaf axil: The angle formed by a stem and a smaller leaf stem sprouting from it.
Perennial: A plant with a life cycle of more than two years.
Rhizome: A horizontal underground stem that stores nutrients for a plant. It is often regarded as a type of root.
Spike: A long flower-bearing stem without branches or leaves.
Toothed leaf: A leaf with serrated edges.
Umbel: A common flower head structure with multiple stems radiating from a central stem. Although it can be round like a globe, it most often has the shape of an umbrella.
Whorl: A circular or spiral growth pattern of leaves, needles, or flower petals.
Amphoteric: An herb that can react in different ways according to the situation. It can stimulate or relax, warm or cool.
Balm: A type of preparation with a very firm consistency that forms a protective layer on the skin.
Decoction: A preparation created by simmering the tougher parts of plants in water. These include roots, bark, twigs, seeds, nuts, and dried berries.
Fomentation: A treatment that consists of alternating warm and cool compresses.
Infusion: A preparation created by steeping the aerial parts of a plant in water or oil. Seeds and berries are often included.
Liniment: A preparation for rubbing on the body to soothe pain and stiffness by creating a warming counterirritant.
Maceration: A preparation made by steeping plant material in cold water. It is also called a cold infusion.
Ointment: A type of preparation with a slightly firm consistency that forms a protective layer on the skin.
Poultice: A thick herbal paste that is applied topically.
Salve: A type of preparation with a semi-firm consistency that forms a protective layer on the skin.
Sitz bath: A method of bathing in which a person sits in shallow water up to the hips. It is also called a hip bath.
Tea: A mild infusion made from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis.
Tincture: A preparation usually made with alcohol instead of water or oil.
Tisane: A mild infusion made from any plant except the tea plant (Camellia sinensis).
Acne: A common skin problem often resulting from bacteria or clogged hair follicles.
Acute: A condition or disease with a rapid onset that lasts for a short period of time.
Analgesic: A substance that relieves pain.
Antiallergenic: A substance that reduces the symptoms of allergies.
Antibacterial: A substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Antifungal: A substance that inhibits the growth of fungus.
Anti-inflammatory: A substance that reduces inflammation.
Antiseptic: A substance that destroys infection-causing bacteria.
Antispasmodic: A substance that relieves muscle spasms and cramping.
Antiviral: A substance that inhibits the growth of a virus.
Arthritis: The inflammation of one or more joints accompanied by pain and stiffness.
Asthma: A chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the respiratory airways.
Astringent: A substance that dries and contracts organic tissue.
Athlete’s foot: A fungal infection on the foot.
Belching: The release of excess air from the stomach through the mouth.
Bloating: A condition caused by excess air in the stomach or intestines that is not passed by belching or flatulence.
Boil: An infection of a hair follicle or oil gland and the surrounding skin.
Bronchitis: The inflammation of the bronchial tubes of the lungs.
Bursitis: The inflammation of the bursae, the fluid sacs that act as cushions in the joints.
Canker sore: A small lesion in the mouth. It is also called an aphthous ulcer and mouth ulcer.
Carbuncle: A cluster of boils.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition that is characterized by tingling, numbness, and pain in the fingers and hand.
Cartilage: The flexible connective tissue found in many areas of the body. In the joints, it provides cushioning for the bones.
Catarrh: The excessive buildup and discharge of mucus in the nose, sinuses, or throat.
Chalazion: A clogged oil gland on the eyelid.
Chilblains: The painful inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin after exposure to cold.
Chronic: A persistent condition or disease that is long-term.
Cold sores: Blistering sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). They are also called fever blisters.
Colic: A pain in the abdomen caused by intestinal gas or an obstruction.
Congestion: An excess of mucus in the chest or nasal passages due to the common cold, the flu, or allergies.
Constipation: Generally regarded as having three or fewer bowel movements a week.
Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin that causes it to become reddish, swollen, and itchy or sore.
Diarrhea: Loose, watery, and sometimes frequent bowel movements.
Dyspepsia: The discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen. It is also called indigestion and upset stomach.
Eczema: The name for a group of skin conditions characterized by a red itchy rash and other symptoms.
Edema: The swelling that occurs when fluid from small blood vessels builds up in the surrounding tissue.
Flatulence: The passing of intestinal gas through the anus.
Fungal infection: A common infection of the skin caused by a fungus. Fungal infections include athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and yeast infections.
Gingivitis: The inflammation, irritation, and redness of the gums around the base of the teeth.
Goiter: The enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Gout: A type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up and causes joint inflammation.
Halitosis: A condition that results from a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. It is commonly known as bad breath.
Hay fever: A seasonal allergy caused by outdoor allergens.
Heartburn/GERD (Gastroeophageal Reflux Disease): A disorder affecting the muscle between the esophagus and stomach.
Hemorrhoids: A condition caused by swollen rectal veins. They are also called piles.
Hives: The common name for urticaria, which is characterized by swollen pale red patches and welts on the skin.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A disorder that effects the large intestine and impairs the movement of food and waste.
Jock itch: A fungal infection that affects the skin of the genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks.
Laryngitis: The inflammation of the larynx or voice box.
Lumbago: A name used in the past for low back pain.
Lymphedema: The swelling caused by the inability of lymph fluid to flow properly through the lymph vessels and into the bloodstream.
Mastitis: An inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes includes infection.
Motion sickness: A condition most often marked by a queasy stomach and dizziness that can occur with any type of transportation. It is also called travel sickness and seasickness.
Muscle spasm/cramp: A spasm is the sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle that usually does not last long. A muscle cramp is a sustained spasm.
Nausea: A queasy feeling in the stomach that often precedes vomiting.
Nerve pain: Pain that seems to occur for no obvious reason. It is also called neuropathic pain.
Nervine: A substance that restores the nerves and relaxes the nervous system.
Postpartum blues: A condition characterized by mood swings, crying, and sadness following the birth of a baby.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): A term that refers to a wide variety of symptoms that occur before and/or during menstruation.
Prostatitis: The inflammation and swelling of the prostate gland.
Psoriasis: A skin condition that causes itchy or sore patches of thick red skin accompanied by silvery scales.
Rheumatism: This term has been used informally for a variety of inflammation and joint pain symptoms. It is no longer used on its own medically to define a disorder or ailment.
Rheumatoid arthritis: A type of inflammatory arthritis in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints.
Ringworm: A type of fungal infection that is characterized by a circular rash.
Scabies: A contagious and itchy skin infection caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite.
Sciatica: Pain or numbness that runs from the lower back down the leg along the pathway of the sciatic nerve.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): A type of depression that occurs during the same season each year. It most often occurs in winter.
Shin splints: Pain that occurs along the shin bone at the front of the leg below the knee.
Shingles: An infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus that is characterized by a burning, blistering rash.
Sinusitis: A bacterial or viral infection of the sinuses.
Sprain: A stretch and/or tear of a ligament.
Staph infection: An infection caused by a Staphylococcus bacterium.
Stomach pain: A mild to sharp pain or cramp in the stomach or abdomen.
Strain: A stretch and/or tear of a muscle.
Stye: A localized and painful infection on the eyelid. It is known medically as a hordeolum.
Styptic: A substance used externally to stop minor bleeding.
Tendonitis: The irritation or inflammation of a tendon.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain: Pain that occurs in and/or around the joints of the jaw.
Tonsillitis: The inflammation and infection of the tonsils caused by bacteria or a virus.
Vaginitis: An infection or inflammation of vaginal tissue.
Varicose veins: Enlarged, twisted blood vessels that appear blue and bulging through the skin.
Wart: A benign growth caused by a virus in the top layer of the skin.