appendix 4

Glossary of
Herbal Terminology

Abortifacient: induces abortion

Adaptogens: herbs that help us adapt to stress by supporting the adrenal glands, the endocrine system, and the whole person. These herbs help us adapt to stress by supporting the adrenal glands, the endocrine system. They work holistically.

Adjuvant: aids the action of a medicinal agent

Alterative: herbs alter or change a long-standing condition by aiding the elimination of metabolic toxins. Known as “blood cleansers” in the past, these herbs improve lymphatic circulation, boost immunity, and help clear chronic conditions, particularly of the skin. These herbs help chronic conditions because they aid in the elimination of metabolic toxins.

Amoebicidal: treats diseases caused by amoeba such as amoebic dysentery

Anaesthetics: induces loss of sensation or consciousness due to the depression of nerve function

Analeptic: restorative or stimulating effect on central nervous system

Analgesic: relieves pain

Anaphrodisiac: decreases sexual desires

Anodyne: relieves pain

Antacid: neutralises excess acid produced by the stomach

Anthelmintic: an agent that destroys and expels worms from the intestines

Antianaemic: prevents or cures anaemia

Antibacterial: destroys or stops the growth of bacteria

Antibilious: combats nausea

Antibiotic: inhibits the growth of germs, bacteria, and harmful microbes

Anticatarrh: reduces inflamed mucous membranes of head and throat

Antidepressant: therapy that acts to prevent, cure, or alleviate mental depression

Antidiabetic: lowers blood sugar

Antidiarrhoeal: substances used to prevent or treat diarrhoea

Antiemetic: stops vomiting

Antiepileptic: combats the convulsions or seizures of epilepsy

Antifungal: destroys or inhibits the growth of fungus

Antiheamorrhagic: controls haemorrhaging or bleeding

Anti-infectious: counteracts infection

Anti-inflammatory: controls inflammation, a reaction to injury or infection

Antilithic: combats the formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder

Antimalarial: preventing or relieving malaria

Antimicrobial: destructive to microbes

Antioxidant: prevents or inhibits oxidation

Antiperiodic: prevents the periodic recurrence of attacks of a disease

Antiphlogistic: counteracts inflammation.

Antipruritic: prevents or relieves itching

Antipyretic: agent that reduces fever (febrifuge)

Antipyretic: reduces fever

Antirheumatic: eases pain of rheumatism, inflammation of joints and muscles

Antiscorbutic: prevents or treats scurvy

Antiseptic: prevents decay or putrefaction

Antispasmodic: relieves or prevents involuntary muscle spasms or cramps

Antitussive: controls or prevents cough

Antivenomous: acts against poisonous matter from animals

Antiviral: opposes the action of a virus

Antizymotic: herbs that destroy disease-producing organisms

Aperient: a very mild laxative

Aperitive: stimulates the appetite for food

Aphrodisiac: a substance that increases capacity for sexual arousal

Appetizer: stimulates the appetite

Aromatic: a herb with a pleasant, fragrant scent and a pungent taste

Asepsis: sterile, a condition free of germs, infection, and any form of life

Astringent: causes a local contraction of the skin, blood vessels, and other tissues, thereby arresting the discharge of blood, mucus, etc.

Balsamic: a healing or soothing agent

Bitter: stimulates appetite or digestive function

Calmative: herbs that are soothing or sedating

Cardiac Stimulant: herbs that promote circulation when there is a weak heart

Cardiotonic: increases strength and tone (normal tension or response to stimuli) of the heart

Carminative: causes the release of stomach or intestinal gas

Catarrhal: pertains to inflammation of mucous membranes of the head and throat

Cathartic: an active purgative, producing bowel movements

Cholagogue: increases flow of bile from gallbladder

Cicatrizant: aids formation of scar tissue and healing wounds

Counterirritant: produces an inflammatory response for affecting an adjacent area

Decongestant: relieves congestion

Demulcent: soothing action on an inflammation

Depurative: purifies and cleanses the blood

Detergent: cleanses boils, ulcers, wounds, etc.

Diaphoretic: promotes perspiration

Digestives: assists the stomach and intestines in normal digestion

Discutient: dissolves or causes something, such as a tumour, to disappear

Disinfectant: destroys germs

Diuretic: increases urine flow

Drastic: violent purgative

Ecbolic: increases contractions of uterus, facilitating childbirth

Emetic: causes vomiting

Emmenagogue: brings on menstruation

Emollient: softens and soothes the skin

Epispastic: locally applied to the skin

Errhine: brings on sneezing, increasing flow of mucus in nasal passages

Escharotic: a caustic substance that destroys tissue and causes sloughing

Esculent: edible

Euphoriant: produces a sense of bodily comfort—a temporary, often addictive effect

Exanthematous: remedy for skin eruptions such as measles, etc.

Exhilarant: enlivens and cheers the mind

Expectorant: promotes the ejection of mucus or exudate from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea

Febrifuge: reduces or relieves a fever

Galactogogue: increases breast milk secretion

Germicide: destroys germs and worms

Germifuge: expels germs

Hemagogue: an agent that promotes the flow of blood

Hemostatic: controls the flow or stops the flow of blood

Hepatic: having to do with the liver

Hypertensive: raises blood pressure

Hypnotic: induces sleep

Hypoglycemant: lowers blood sugar

Hypotensive: lowers blood pressure

Lactifuge: reduces the flow of breast milk

Laxative: acts to loosen the bowels’ contents

Lithotriptic: causes dissolution or destruction of stones in the bladder or kidneys

Masticatory: increases flow of saliva upon chewing

Maturating: promotes the bringing to a head of boils, etc.

Mucilaginous: has a soothing effect on inflamed mucous membranes

Narcotic: induces drowsiness and lessens pain

Nauseant: causes nausea and vomiting

Nervine: nerve tonic

Oestrogenic: causes the production of oestrogen

Opthalmicum: remedy for diseases of the eye

Parasiticide: destroys parasites

Parturient/Parturifaciant: induces childbirth or labour

Pungent: a sharp sensation of taste or smell

Purgative: promotes the vigorous evacuation of the bowels

Refrigerant: lowers body temperature

Relaxant: relieves tension, especially muscular tension

Resorbent: aids reabsorption of blood from bruises

Rubefacient: reddens the skin by increasing the local blood supply

Sedative: has tranquilizing effect on the body

Sialagogue: promotes the flow of saliva

Soporific: induces sleep

Stimulant: temporarily increases body or organ function

Stomachic: aids the stomach and digestion action

Styptic: causes vascular contraction of the blood vessels to arrest haemorrhage and bleeding

Sudorific: increases perspiration

Tonic: increases strength and tone

Vermicide: kills intestinal worms

Vermifuge: expels intestinal worms or parasites

Vesicant: causes blistering

Vulnerary: used in treating fresh cuts and wounds

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