Healthy Systems

Glossary 

of 

Herbal Terms

Adaptogen...a term for a substance, usually an herb, that produces suitable adjustments in the body and normalizes body functions without any side effects.  Example; garlic, ginseng, echinacea, ginkgo and goldenseal.

Allergy...an inappropriate response by the immune system to a normally harmless substance.  Example:  hay fever.

Alternative...producing health without perception.

Amino Acid...any of twenty-two nitrogen-containing organic acids from which proteins are made.

Analgesic...substance that relieves pain.

Anemia...a deficiency in the blood's ability to carry oxygen to the body tissue.

Anodyne...relieves mild pain.

Anthelmintic...a medicine that expels worms.

Antibilious...acts on bile, relieving biliousness.

Antibiotic...tending to destroy or inhibit the growth of micro organisms, especially bacteria and/or fungi. 

Antibody...a protein molecule made by the immune system that is designed to intercept and neutralize a specific invading organism or other foreign substance.

Antiemetic...stops vomiting.

Antiperiodic...preventing regular recurrences.

Antilithic...prevents the formation of stones in the urinary organs.

Antirheumatic...relieves or cures rheumatism.

Antiscorbutic...cures or prevents scurvy.

Antiseptic...a medicine that prevents putrefaction.

Antispasmodic...relieves or prevents spasms.

Antisyphilitic...having effect of curing or relieving syphilis.

Antioxidant...a substance that blocks or inhibits destructive oxidation reactions.

Aperient...gentle laxative with purging.

Aromatic...a stimulant, spicy, anti-griping.

Astringent...causes contraction and arrests discharges.

Bacteria...single-celled microorganisms.  Some cause disease; other (friendly) bacteria are present in the body and perform useful functions as aiding digestion and protecting the body from harmful invading organisms.

Bioflavonoid...sometines referred to as vitamin P.  Any group of flavonoids, essential for absorption of vitamin C.

Carcinogen...an agent that is capable of inducing cancerous changes in cells and/or tissues.

Carminative...expels wind from bowels.

Carotene...a yellow or orange pigment that is converted into vitamin A in the body.

Cathartic...evacuates the bowels (a purgative).

Cholagogue...increases the flow of bile into the intestine.

Cholesterol...is a necessary constituent of cell membrane.  Except cholesterol however, can be a potential threat to health.

Cold processed...a term used to describe extraction without the use of heat to preserve nutrients.

Condiment...improves the flavor of foods.

Cruciferous...a term used to describe extraction without the use of heat to preserve nutrients.  This extraction is from a group of vegetables...broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip and rutabaga that contain a substance that may help to prevent colon cancer.

Dementia...a permanent acquired impairment of intellectual function that results in a marked decline in memory, language ability and personality.

Demulcent...soothing, relieves inflammation, especially for skin and mucous membranes.

Deobstruent...removes obstruction.

Depurative...purifies the blood.

Detergent...cleansing.

Detoxification...the process of reducing the buildup of various poisonous substances in the body.

Diaphoretic...produces perspiration.

Discutient...dissolves and heals tumors.

Diuretic...a substance that increases and promotes the secretion and flow of urine.

Emetic...produces vomiting.

Emmenagogue...promotes menstruation.

Emollient...softens and soothes inflamed parts when locally applied.

Enzyme...one of many specific protein catalysts that initiate or speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)...a virus that causes infectious mononucleosis and may cause other health problems especially in people with compromised immune systems.

Esculent...edible.

Exanthematous...pertaining to skin eruptions and diseases.

Expectorant...facilitates expulsion of mucus or phlegm from the lungs and throat.

Febrifuge...abates and reduces fevers.

Fiber...the indigestible protein of plant matter...binds to toxins and escorts them out of the body.

Flavonoid...a large group of crystalline compounds found in plants.

Free radical scavenger...an atom or group of atoms that are highly chemically reactive because it has at least one unpaired electron.

Fungus...a class of organisms that includes yeast, mold, and mushrooms.  A number of fungal species, such as Candida Albicans, are capable of causing severe disease in immunocompromised hosts.

Gastritis...inflammation of the stomach lining.

Gastrointestinal...pertaining to the stomach, small and large intestines, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Hepatic...pertaining to the liver.

Hormone...one of numerous essential substances produced by the endocrine glands that regulate many bodily functions.

Immunity...the condition of being able to resist and overcome disease or infection.

Intestinal Flora...the "friendly" bacteria present in the intestine that are essential for digestion and metabolism of certain nutrients.

Laxative...promotes bowel action.

Lithotriptic...dissolves calculi (stones) in the urinary organs.

Metabolism...the physical and chemical processes necessary to sustain life, including the production of cellular energy, the synthesis of biological substances and degrading of various compounds.

Mucilaginous...soothing to all inflammations.

Nauseant...produces vomiting.

Nervine...acts specially on the nervous system, stops nervous excitement, tonic.

Neurotransmitter...a chemical that transmits nerve impulses from one nerve to another.

Nutriceutical...a food or nutrient-based product or supplement designed and/or used for a specific clinical and/or therapeutic purpose.

Organic...a term used to describe foods that are grown without the use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and hormones.

Parasite...an organism that lives on or in another organism and obtains nourishment from it.

Parturient...induces and promotes labor at childbirth.

Pectoral...a remedy for chest afflictions.

Photochemical...any substance present in fruits and vegetables that have various health-promoting properties.  Some appear to protect against certain types of cancer.

Refrigerant...cooling.

Resolvent...dissolves boils, tumors, and other inflammations.

Rubefacient...increases circulation and produces red skin.

Saturated fat...a fat that is solid at room temperature. Most are animal origin, although a few, such as coconut oil and palm oil, come from plants.

Sedative...quiets nerve action and promotes sleep.

Sialogogue...increases the secretion of saliva.

Stomachic...excites the action of the stomach,  has the effect of strengthening it and relieving indigestion.

Styptic...arrests hemorrhage.

Sudorific...produces profuse perspiration.

Syndrome...a group of signs and symptoms that together are known or presumed to characterize a disorder.

Thrush...a fungal infection caused by Candida Albicans that is characterized by small whitish spots on the tongue and the inside of the cheeks.

Tonic...a remedy which is invigorating, strengthening, and toning.

Toxin...a poison that impairs the health and functioning of the body.

Unsaturated fat...any number of dietary fats that are liquid at room temperature.  These fats come from vegetables and are good sources of essential fatty acids.  Examples include...flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and primrose oil.