Acidic having a pH below 7. The more acidic your diet and body, the more prone you will be to illness, inflammation, and injury.
Acupoint acupuncture points.
Acupressure a technique using the same concept of acupoints as acupuncture, but applying slight pressure with the fingers, not needles, to specific pressure points on the body.
Acupuncture the placement of disposable, hair-thin needles into specific points along the body’s energy channels, which allows qi (energy) to flow within these meridians or pathways. Stimulating qi flow balances a person to relieve symptoms and eliminate illness.
Acute describes a disease or symptoms of short duration but typically severe.
ADD, ADHD (attention deficit disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) a problem of not being able to focus, being overactive, not being able control behavior, or a combination of these.
Adrenal fatigue a condition in which the adrenal glands are exhausted and unable to produce adequate quantities of hormones, primarily cortisol.
Adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys; responsible for producing cortisol as well as aldosterone, which regulates water levels in the body.
Adrenaline a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stress.
Aldosterone a corticosteroid hormone released by the adrenal glands that stimulates absorption of sodium by the kidneys and so regulates water and salt balance.
Algae a large group of nonflowering aquatic plants that includes the seaweeds; high in chlorophyll.
Alkaline having a pH above 7; alkaline foods reduce inflammation and prevent disease.
Anemia a condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in paleness and weakness.
Antioxidant a substance that inhibits oxidation and protects from disease; found in high levels in most plant foods.
Appendix a sac attached to and opening into the lower end of the large intestine.
Autism/autism spectrum disorders a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges.
Autoimmune disease any of a large group of diseases characterized by abnormal functioning of the immune system, causing it to produce antibodies against your own tissues; examples include multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus.
B-complex originally thought to be a single vitamin but now separated into several B vitamins.
Beta-blockers medication that controls heart rhythm, treats angina, and reduces high blood pressure.
Beta-carotene a compound converted into vitamin A in the liver.
Bile digestive juice secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; aids in the digestion of fats.
Bioenergetics the study of the transformation of energy in living organisms.
Bladder a sac for the temporary retention of urine.
Blood fluid that carries oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body.
Blood deficiency not enough blood in an organ; anemia.
Blood sugar the concentration of glucose in the blood.
Candida an overgrowth of yeast in the digestive tract.
Carbohydrates compounds occurring in foods and living tissues, including sugars, starch, and cellulose.
Celiac disease a disease in which the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten, leading to difficulty in digesting food containing gluten.
Channels see meridians
Chinese herbs customized herbal prescriptions administered in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) based on an individual’s symptoms and constitution. Chinese herbal medicine’s goal is to treat the source of a problem and eradicate it.
Chronic an illness persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
Circadian clock/rhythm an internal cyclical process that produces a particular change in a cell or organism within a period of about twenty-four hours; for example, the sleep-wakefulness cycle in humans.
Cleanse the removal of toxins from the body with herbal and/or dietary changes. This can be done through cleansing the liver, the bowel, the blood, and other organs. It is sometimes used in conjunction with fasting.
Congenital a disease present at birth.
Cortisol a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress.
Daiya cheese a vegan, nondairy cheese containing no soy.
Deficiency lack of a particular substance, for example qi, yin, yang, or blood.
Dehydration a depletion or lack of bodily fluids.
Detox/detoxify/detoxing see cleanse
Diagnosis identification of an illness by examination of the symptoms.
Digestive enzymes enzymes that break down food to facilitate their absorption by the body.
Diuretic causing increased passing of urine.
Dysmenorrheal menstrual cramps.
ECG (electrocardiogram) an interpretation of the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time, as detected by electrodes attached to the surface of the skin and recorded by a device external to the body.
Eczema a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding.
Empath those with the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) fatty acids that humans must ingest because the body requires them for good health but cannot synthesize them.
Estrogen a group of steroid hormones that promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body.
5-element theory the ancient Chinese theory that all living things and all of nature are made up five elements: Wood, Earth, Fire, Metal, and Water.
Flank the side of a person’s body between the ribs and the hip
Free radicals unstable molecules that are ferociously searching for their missing electrons and causing untold havoc along the way.
Gallbladder the organ beneath the liver that stores bile after secretion by the liver and before release into the intestines; aids in digestion of fat.
Ginger a hot, fragrant spice that aids in digestion and is used in cooking and drinks, preserved in syrup, or candied.
Ginseng a plant tuber credited with various tonic and medicinal properties.
Gluten a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and spelt; a common cause of food sensitivities.
Glycemic index a system that ranks foods on a scale from 1 to 100 based on their effect on blood sugar levels.
GMOs (genetically modified organisms) food that has foreign genetic material forced into it to achieve a particular result, like more color, bug resistance, or higher yields.
He Gu acupoint on the hand used for pain, stress, and constipation.
Healing crisis a temporary increase in or flushing out of symptoms during the cleansing or detox process; may be mild or severe.
Heart the organ that pumps blood through the body, traditionally thought to be the seat of emotion.
Heavy metal poisoning the toxic accumulation of heavy metals in the soft tissues of the body.
Herbology the study of herbs and their medical properties.
Hodgkin’s disease a type of lymphoma, a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Holter monitor a portable device that records the rhythm of the heart continuously, typically for twenty-four to forty-eight hours, by means of electrodes attached to the chest.
Hyperkeratosis an abnormal thickening of the outer layer of the skin.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms include abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea.
Infertility the state of being unable to produce offspring.
Inflammation a physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and/or often painful; can be the reaction to injury or infection.
Jing qi qi that comes from your ancestors, your genetic inheritance.
Juicing when juice is extracted from vegetables and/or fruit; can be used when doing a cleanse.
Kelp a large brown seaweed with many health benefits.
Kidneys two bean-shaped excretory organs that filter wastes from the blood and excrete them in urine.
Kombu edible kelp that can be used for reducing gas when eating beans and for adding flavor.
Large intestine the second-to-last part of the digestive system that absorbs water from the remaining indigestible food matter and then passes waste material from the body.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) a form of cholesterol; high levels are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Leaky gut syndrome a medical condition of intestinal or bowel hyperpermeability.
Legumes family of food including beans, peas, peanuts, and lentils.
Liver the organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity; secretes bile and helps metabolize protein, carbohydrates, and fat; synthesizes substances involved in the clotting of the blood; synthesizes vitamin A; detoxifies poisonous and toxic substances.
Liver enzymes proteins produced by the liver that help speed up chemical reactions such as metabolism, filtration, storage, and excretion.
Lungs a pair of organs situated within the ribcage, into which air is drawn so that oxygen can pass into the blood and carbon dioxide can be removed.
Lymph nodes part of the immune system.
Lymphatic system the interconnected system of spaces and vessels between body tissues and organs by which lymph circulates throughout the body.
Magnesium chemical element that keeps blood pressure normal, bones strong, and regulates the heart rate.
Manganese chemical element that aids in healthy bone structure and metabolism.
Melatonin a hormone secreted by the pineal gland that is connected with regulating the reproductive and sleep cycles.
Menopause the time in a woman’s life in which the menstrual cycle ends.
Menorrhagia abnormally heavy bleeding at menstruation.
Meridians set of pathways in the body along which qi flows.
Miso a paste made from fermented soybeans and barley or rice malt; used in traditional Japanese cooking.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) a technique that utilizes the properties of magnetic fields to provide images of the body.
Nonorganic/inorganic describes substances that do not derive from organic nature, such as minerals in stones.
Nori an edible seaweed, eaten either fresh or dried in sheets and often used for making vegetable sushi.
Nut butters any ground nuts blended into a butter.
Nutritional yeast a deactivated yeast that is high in B vitamins.
Obese extremely overweight; weighing more than 20 percent (for men) or 25 percent (for women) over their ideal weight determined by height and build.
OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, obsessions, or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something.
Omega-3s fatty acids that help lower triglycerides and blood pressure; studies show that omega-3 fatty acids may help with other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and depression.
Organic relating to foodstuff that is grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, pesticides, or hormones.
Oxidation process in which attacks of free radicals, or unstable molecules, subject our cells to continuous damage; also known as oxidative stress.
Pathways see meridians
Pericardium tissue surrounding and protecting the heart.
Phosphorous chemical element that aids in healthy bone formation, improved digestion, regulated excretion, protein formation, hormonal balance, and improved energy extraction.
Physiology the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.
Phytonutrients plant nutrients that increase overall health and protect against certain diseases, including cancer.
Plant-based diet eating a vegan diet that contains no animal products.
PMS premenstrual syndrome; characterized by mood swings, bloating, water retention, low back pain, and/or uterine cramping.
PMSing mood swings and physical discomfort that may occur before menses.
Prebiotics a food source to make probiotic bacteria more effective; some prebiotics enhance the absorption of important minerals like calcium.
Probiotics live bacteria found naturally in the human intestinal tract that can promote or restore a healthy balance of intestinal flora.
Processed food commercially prepared foods that are packaged in boxes, cans, or bags.
Prolapse a slipping forward or down of one of the parts or organs of the body.
Protein substance that builds new cells, maintains tissues, and synthesizes new proteins, making it possible for you to perform basic bodily functions.
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) an anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as survivor guilt, anxiety, panic attacks, reliving the trauma in dreams, numbness and lack of involvement with reality, or recurrent thoughts and images.
Pungent having a sharp, strong taste or smell.
Qi the energy or life force of the body.
Qi deficiency a lack of qi that is seen with symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and/or low immunity.
Qi stagnation when qi is blocked or not flowing smoothly.
Red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the body.
Rosacea a condition in which certain facial blood vessels enlarge, giving the face a flushed appearance.
San Jiao “triple burner”; energy system in Chinese medicine that has no equivalent in Western conventional medicine; related to digestion.
Sclera the white outer layer of the eyeball.
Sea vegetables seaweed or vegetables grown in the sea, including some members of the red, brown, and green algae families.
Small intestine the part of the intestine that runs between the stomach and the large intestine, where digestion is completed.
Smoothie a drink including fruit, nuts, seeds, and/or vegetables blended together.
Spleen an abdominal organ involved in the production and removal of blood cells; part of the immune system.
Stomach the principal organ of digestion.
Stress test a test of cardiovascular fitness made by monitoring the heart rate during a period of increasingly strenuous exercise.
Suppress/suppressing consciously or unconsciously inhibiting an unpleasant idea or memory to avoid feeling it.
Tai chi a Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation, balance, and health.
Taoism a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu (sixth century BC), advocating humility and religious piety; means “the Way.”
TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is over 5,000 years old and includes healing modalities such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and nutrition.
Tempeh Indonesian food made by a natural culturing fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form; can be used as a meat substitute.
Testosterone a steroid hormone that stimulates development of male secondary sexual characteristics, produced mainly in the testes, but also in the ovaries and adrenal cortex.
Thymus gland generates T lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that help the immune system.
Thyroid gland an organ in the neck that secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism.
Trauma emotional shock following a stressful event or a physical injury; may be associated with physical shock and sometimes leads to long-term neurosis.
Triglycerides the main constituents of natural fats and oils; high concentrations in the blood indicate an elevated risk of stroke.
Tryptophan helps metabolize protein, improve sleep quality, elevate your mood.
Turmeric bright yellow aromatic plant of the ginger family, used for several healing properties such as boosting the immune system and muscle pain, and also for flavoring and coloring in Asian cooking and formerly as a fabric dye.
Vegan a person who does not eat, wear, or use any animal products; the term can relate to just diet where no animal products are consumed.
Vegenaise a vegan version of mayonnaise made by Follow Your Heart.
Vertebrae the series of small bones forming the spine, having several projections for articulation and muscle attachment, and a hole through which the spinal cord passes.
Vitamix a professional-grade blender, excellent for making pureed soups, nut butters, and smoothies.
Western medicine system in which doctors and other health-care professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery; also called conventional medicine, mainstream medicine, orthodox medicine, biomedicine, and allopathic medicine.
White blood cells part of the immune system used to defend the body against the infection.
Whole foods foods that are unprocessed and unrefined before being consumed.
Yang the active male principle of the universe, characterized as creative and associated with heaven, heat, and light; based in Taoism.
Yang deficiency a lack of yang, often characterized by symptoms being worse during the day; may display as feeling cold.
Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine the most important ancient text on Chinese medicine, written in approximately 500 BC.
Yin the passive female principle of the universe, characterized as sustaining and associated with Earth, dark, and cold; originates from Taoism.
Yin deficiency a lack of yin, often characterized by symptoms increasing at night; may manifest as feeling hot.
Yin Tang acupoint between the eyebrows for calming and sedating.