Abortifacient A substance that brings on an abortion.
Adaptogen Herbs that work on the immune and neuro-endocrine systems, increasing the body’s resistance and adaptability to stress while balancing the overall physiology without being toxic, even with long-term use. Tonic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, not specific to any organ but helps to regulate organ and system function in general, and maintain homeostasis.
Adjuvant A substance that aids the action of a medicinal agent or medical treatment.
Alterative A medicine that favourably alters the course of an ailment and gradually restores health.
Amenorrhea Absence of menstruation, usually due to either stress, weight gain or loss, excessive exercise, cysts or tumours, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy or lactation. May be erratic, occuring for short periods of time.
Analeptic An agent that has a restorative or stimulating effect, as on the central nervous system; may act as an anticonvulsant.
Analgesic An agent that relieves pain.
Anaphrodisiac An agent that reduces one’s capacity for sexual arousal.
Anodyne An agent that relieves pain or promotes comfort, usually externally.
Anthelmintic A substance that kills and expels intestinal parasitic worms.
Antibiotic An agent that inhibits the growth of or kills an organism, usually in reference to bacteria or microorganisms.
Anti-inflammatory An agent that reduces redness, heat and swelling of inflamed tissues.
Antioxidant An agent that helps protect the body from damage by free radicals, a major cause of disease and aging.
Antipyretic An agent that prevents or reduces fever.
Antilithic A substance that dissolves or reduces the size of kidney stones.
Antitussive A substance that relieves coughs.
Aperient An agent that is mildly purgative or laxative.
Astringent Remedies that cause soft tissues to pucker or draw together, usually due to the presence of tannins. They are useful for reducing irritation and inflammation and create a barrier against infection in wounds and burns. They diminish secretions, check minor bleeding, and control diarrhea. Not recommended for long-term use.
Bitters Herbs having a bitter taste which stimulate digestive juices and bile production, and subsequently increase appetite. They may also stimulate peristalsis and help repair damage in the gastrointestinal wall.
Brachycardiac An agent that makes the heart beat slower.
Carminative Soothes the gut, easing pain and causing release of stomach or intestinal gas. This action is due to the presence of volatile oils which have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antimicrobial effects on the lining of the intestines.
Catarrh A condition where the mucous membranes of the nose and breathing passages are inflamed, often chronically.
Cathartic A purgative or laxative causing evacuation of the bowels.
Cholagogue An agent that increases the flow of bile from the gallbladder, which in turn facilitates fat digestion and works as a natural laxative. Should not be used with toxic liver disorders, acute viral hepatitis, painful gallstones or other acute liver problems.
Decoction A herbal preparation of roots or woody plant material boiled in water.
Demulcent Herbs which tend to become slimy in water and work to form a barrier on irritated tissues, soothing inflammation of the mucous membranes. They reduce irritation all through the digestive tract, easing muscle spasms and sensitivity to gastric acids, as well as easing coughs, sore throat, and pain in the bladder and urinary systems.
Depurative An agent that has a purifying effect.
Diaphoretic An agent that usually works by relaxing the sweat glands and inducing a greater outward flow of blood, thereby increasing the amount of perspiration. This rids the body of offensive materials and aids the immune and endocrine systems.
Diuretic An agent that helps the body get rid of excess fluids by increasing urine flow, helping with a wide range of disorders where too much fluid accumulates in the tissues (edema).
Dropsy An old-fashioned term for edema or lymph congestion.
Dysmenorrhea Painful menstruation with cramping, due to a variety of underlying causes.
Edema A build-up of fluids in the tissues causing swelling.
Emetic An agent that induces vomiting.
Emmenagogue An agent that regulates and stimulates normal menstruation, as well as having a toning effect on the female reproductive system.
Expectorant An agent that facilitates the expulsion of phlegm from the respiratory tract by irritating and stimulating the bronchioles to liquefy and move thick sputum upwards so it can be cleared more easily by coughing, or by relaxing and loosening thinner mucous as in a dry cough.
Febrifuge An agent that relieves fever.
Galactagogue An agent that promotes the flow of milk.
Hemagogue An agent that promotes the flow of blood.
Hemostatic An agent that controls or stops bleeding.
Hepatic A herbal remedy that supports the liver by toning, strengthening, and in some cases detoxifying and increasing the flow of bile, which in turn affects the entire digestive system.
Hypnotic A herb that promotes sleep and has a relaxing effect on the nervous system.
Hypertensive An agent that causes a rise in blood pressure.
Hypotensive An agent that reduces elevated blood pressure.
Infusion A herbal preparation made by soaking it in hot or cold water to be drunk as a tea.
Lactifuge An agent that increases the flow of milk in lactating women.
Leukorrhea Thick, white vaginal discharge.
Menorrhagia Excessive menstrual bleeding; in younger women usually as a result of fibroids, tumours, polyps, endometriosis, or blood-clotting problems; in older women typically caused by erratic hormones due to premenopause.
Mucilaginous Containing a gel-like, slimy substance called mucilage which can be helpful in soothing inflammation.
Nervine An agent that has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Depending on the plant, this can work as a tonic, which repairs damage to the nervous system in cases of trauma or stress; as a relaxant, which eases anxiety and relaxes the peripheral nerves, muscles and organs of the body; or as a stimulant, which helps enhance vitality where the body is sluggish.
Parturient A substance which aids in the birthing process.
Poultice A warm mass of plant material, or a cloth wrapped in plant material, which is applied to the skin to cause a medicinal action.
Purgative An agent that acts as a strong laxative, cleansing the bowel, often with cramping and pain.
Rubefacient Causing localized reddening of the skin.
Saponin A compound in some plants that has a foaming or soapy action when shaken with water.
Scrofula Swellings of the lymph glands in the neck, caused by tuberculosis.
Styptic A substance that slows or stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels; astringent.
Stomachic An agent that aids the stomach and digestion.
Tincture A herbal medicine prepared by soaking plant material in alcohol, cider vinegar, or glycerine over a period of time and then straining, in order to extract the medicinal compounds.
Vermifuge An agent that rids the body of worms (anthelmintic).
Vulnerary A remedy that promotes healing of wounds.