Abortifacient

Causes induced abortion. Any herb that induces the spontaneous expulsion of the foetus before it can survive.

Adaptogen

Aiding adaptation of the body, particularly to stress.

Ague

Malaria or intermittent fever

Alexipharmic

A medicine neutralizing a poison.

Allopathy

Treatment by drugs which induce in the body actions of a different kind to those produced by disease,( incorrectly but commonly used to describe the normal system of Western medicine)

Alterative

Tending to restore normal health; cleanses and purifies the blood; alters existing nutritive and excretory processes gradually restoring normal body functions. A vague term to indicate a substance which hastens the renewal of the tissues so that they can better carry out their functions.

Amenorrhea

Delayed menstruation. Absence or suppression of menstruation

Analgesic

Relieves pain when taken orally. Pain relieving

Anhydrotic

Stops sweating

Anodyne

Relieves pain when applied externally. Pain easing.

Annular

Ring shaped

Anthelmintic

Helps destroy and dispel parasites ( includes vermicides and vermifuges. Any herb used to aid the expulsion of worms from the intestinal tract. Causing death or removal of worms in the body.

Anthilic

Any herb that prevents the formation of stones within the urinary tract.

Antibacterial

Destroying or stopping the growth of bacteria

Antibilious

Reduces biliary or jaundice condition. Against biliousness or excess bile. Any herb used to prevent the excessive production of bile and the unpleasant symptoms of such.

Antibiotic

Inhibits growth of or destroys micro-organisms

Antiemetic

Lessens nausea and prevents or relieves vomiting. Any herb used to prevent vomiting, or the regurgitation of the gastric contents into oesophagus.

Antifungal

Destroying or preventing the growth of fungi

Antigalactagogue

Prevents or decreases secretion of milk

Anti-inflammatory

Counteracting or diminishing inflammation or its effects.

Antileptic

Any herb that has the property of reducing morbid fits or seizures.

Antinauseant

Any herb used to prevent the feeling of nausea.

Antioxidant

Inhibits oxidation

Antiparasitical

Destruction to parasites

Antiperiodic

Relieves malarial-type fevers and chills; prevents regular recurrences

Antiphlogistic

Relieves inflammation and pain.

Antipyretic

Dispels heat, fire and fever

Antiscorbutent

A herb used in the prevention of scurvy or some other illness that causes skin delammination.

Antiscorbutic

Effective against or a remedy for scurvy.

Antiscrophulous

Preventing or curing scrophula, an old fashioned term for diseases causing swelling of the lymph glands, especially in the neck, also known as king’s evil.

Antiseptic

Preventing putrefaction or infection. Any herb that prevents tissue degeneration and the formation of puss.

Antispasmodic

Relieves spasms of voluntary and involuntary muscles. Any herb used to treat diseases characterized by symptoms of sudden onset such as angina. A drug that relieves sudden pain (spasm) or convulsions

Antitussive

Prevents or relieves coughing. Drugs used for the treatment of coughs.

Antiviral

Inhibits a virus

Aperient

A mild laxative. Any herb that is mildly laxative in nature, but not as potent as a cathartic.

Aphasia

Inability to express oneself properly through speech or loss of verbal comprehension; sensory and motor areas may be involved

Aphrodisiac

Any herb that facilitates sexual excitement, i.e, causes a physical arousal within the sexual organs through an irritant action, or a strong mental desire to engage in sexual activity.

Apoplexy

Paralysis from rupture of cerebral vessel

Aromatic

Herbs which contain volatile, essential oils which aid digestion and relieve gas. A fragrant herb. Any herb that acts as a stimulant to the digestive organs.

Ascaris

Roundworm (called maw-worm and eelworm) found in the small intestine causing colicky pains and diarrhea, especially in children

Ascites

Excessive accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Asthenia

Lack or loss of strength, usually involving muscular system

Astringent

Firms tissues and organs; reduces discharges and secretions. Any herb that draws together or tightens the tissues. Plants rich in tannins are usually astringent. Producing contraction of organic tissue, or arrest of a discharge, binding.

Atony

Abnormally low muscular tone.

Axungia

Lard

Balsamic

Of the nature of a balsam. Usually applied to substances containing resins and benzoic acid.

Bactericide

Destroys bacteria

Biles

Boils

Biliary stasis

Cessation of bile flow.

Bitter

Bitter herbs which in small amounts stimulate digestion and otherwise help regulate fire in the body. Any herb that has a bitter but not necessarily unpleasant taste. Applied to bitter tasting substances used to stimulate the appetite.

Blain

A blister or pustule.

Bloody flux

Dysentery

Bolus

A suppository injected into the rectum or vagina

Cachexia

Severe wasting as in terminal disease. A profound and marked state of constitutional disorder; general ill health and malnutrition.

Calculus

Stone or concretion in some part of the body.

Calmative

Soothing, sedative action

Cantharides

Dried and powdered beetle

Cardiac

Heart tonic or restorative. .Having an effect upon the heart.

Carminative

Relieves intestinal gas, pain and distention; promotes peristalsis. Any herb that assists the expulsion of gas from the intestines and stomach.

Casting

Vomiting

Catamenia

Menstrual Flow

Cataplasm

Another name for poultice

Cathartic

Strong laxative which causes rapid evacuation. A purgative medicine.

Cephalic

A medicine to clear the head. Petaining to the head, or to the head end of the body.. Any herb used to treat diseases of the brain.

Ceruse

Lead carbonate.

Cholagogue

Promotes flow and discharge of bile into intestine. Any herb that increases or promotes bile production.

Choler

Bile

Choleretic

Preventing excessive bile.

Chorea

Nervous disorder marked by muscular twitching of arms, legs and face

Cicatrisation

The formation of scar tissue.

Clysters

Enema or injection

Corrective

Restoring to a healthy state.

Counterirritant

External application of an irritating substance to relieve pain in another more deep-seated part or to speed healing from increased circulation of the area

Courses

Menstrual Flow.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder

Decoction

A medicine produced by boiling roots, bark etc in water.

Defluxion

Catarrh

Demulcent

Soothes, protects and nurtures internal membranes. Applied to drugs which soothe and protect the alimentary canal. Any herb that soothes and lubricates the intestines.

Demulcent febrifuge

Reduces heat while building bodily fluids

Deobstruent

Removes body obstructions. Clearing away obstructions by opening the natural passages of the body. Any herb with laxative properties. An aperient

Depurative

Cleans or purifies blood by promoting eliminative functions. Any herb that purifies the blood. A purifying agent.

Dermatic

Applied to drugs with an action upon the skin.

Dermatomycoses

Skin infection caused by fungi

Detergent

Cleansing to wounds, ulcers or skin itself. Any herb with antiseptic properties, but normally used to cleanse the skin

Detersive

Cleansing medicine

Detoxicant

Removes toxins

Diaphoretic

Causes perspiration and increases elimination through the skin. Inducing sweating.

Digestant

Contains substances (i.e ferments, acids) which aid in digestion

Digestive

Aiding digestion

Digestion

A special technique used in the production of strong macerations or tinctures.

Distemper

A name for several infectious diseases of animals, especially canine.

Distillation

A trickling discharge

Diuretic

Promotes activity of kidney and bladder and increases urination.

Drastic

A very active cathartic which produces violent peristalsis

Draught

A quantity of medicine taken in one dose.

Dropsy

Generalized edema. Watery swelling in the tissues of cavities of the body.

Dyskinesia

Defect in voluntary movement

Dysmenorrhea

Painful or difficult menstruation

Dyspnea

Sense of difficulty in breathing, often associated with lung or heart disease

Eczema

An irritating skin disease.

Electuary

A confection.

Emetic

Induces vomiting

Emmenagogue

Helps promote and regulate menstruation

Emollient

Soothes, softens and protects the skin

Enteritis

inflammation of the small intestine

Enterorrhagia

Hemorrhage from the intestine

Enuresis

Involuntary urination

Ephidrosis

Abnormal amount of sweating

Epigastric

Upper middle region of abdomen

Eructations

Belching

Erysipelis

An acute disease of skin and subcutaneous tissue with spreading inflammation and swelling

Exanthema

Any eruption of the skin accompanied by inflammation

Exanthemate

A herbal remedy that is used in the treatment of skin eruptions.

Excoriation

Abrasion

Excrement

Faeces

Exophthalmic

Protrusion of the eyeball

Expectorant

Promotes discharge of phlegm and mucus from lungs and throat

Expectorants

Drugs used in the treatment of dry coughs by increasing the production of sputum

Falling sickness

Epilepsy

Febrifuge

Reduces fever

Felon

Whitlow

Filiform

Thread-like

Fistula

Abnormal tubelike passage from a normal cavity or tube to a free surface or to another cavity

Flatulence

Having gases in the intestine, distention; windiness.

Flavonoids

A group of glycosides. Flavonoids are especially potent antioxidants and metal chelators. They are chemical compounds that plants produce to protect themselves parasites, bacteria, and cell injury. Numerous medicinal herbs contain therapeutic amounts of flavonoids, they often are a major component of an herb’s medicinal activity.

Fluor albus

Whitish vaginal discharge.

Flux

Excessive flow of any body secretion.

Fundament

The anus.

Furuncle

Boil

Fusiform

Spindle-shaped.

Galactagogue

Promotes secretion of milk

Gall

Bile.

Gargarism

A gargle

Gastralgia

Pain in the stomach

Gastroenteritis

Inflammation of the stomach and intestine tract

Gastroptosis

Condition in which stomach occupies an abnormally low position in the abdomen

Gleet

Mucous discharge from urethra in chronic gonorrhea in the urine

Glycoside

Glycosides are substances that are decomposed into non-sugar part, and one or several sugars when hydrolysed by enzymes, by dilute acids or alkalis or by boiling. Their medicinal action is due to the non-sugar part of the molecules which are chemically very diverse.

Gravel

Sand-like deposit in urine

Haematoma

A bruise or swelling containing clotted blood.

Haemolysis

The dissolution of red blood cells. Large doses of saponins in the blood stream are dangerous, and may prove fatal by dissolving the red blood corpuscles (haemolysis).

Haemostatic

Any herb used to arrest bleeding or promote blood clotting.

Hallucinogen

Producing visions or hallucinations.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis of one half of the body

Hemostatic

Stops the flow of blood; type of astringent that stops internal bleeding or hemorrhaging

Hepatic

Any herb that stimulates or aids the function of the liver or gall bladder. Used in connection with substances having an effect upon the liver.

Herpatic

A herbal remedy that is used in the treatment of skin eruptions.

Homeostasis

Equilibrium of internal environment

Homoeopathy

Is a therapeutic method which selects remedies according to the Law of Similars, and administers remedies according to the Law of the Minimum Dose. Similia Similibus Cur Antur-like cures like-is a Natural Law of Cure. Similia Similibus Cur Entur-let like be cured by like-is the Homoeopathic Law based on the Natural Law of Cure.

Humours

Any fluid of the body

Hydragogue

Promotes watery evacuation of bowels

Hydrogue

Having the property of removing accumulations of water or serum. Causing watery evacuations.

Hyperaemea

A localized increase in blood content with distention of blood vessels.

Hyperchlorhydria

Excess of hydrochloric acid in gastric secretion

Hypnotic

Any herb that induces drowsiness, sleep or a trance-like state within the patient. Powerful nervine relaxant and sedative that induces sleep. Hypnotics are not to be confused with sedatives.

Hypochondrium

Upper part of the abdomen. Upper lateral region on each side of the body and below the thorax; beneath the ribs

Hypoglycaemic

Abnormally low blood sugar level

Imposthume

Purulent ( containing or forming pus), swelling or abscess.

Insecticide

Having the property to kill insects.

Intercostal

Between the ribs

Irritant

Any herb that produces pain, itchiness or swellings on contact with skin, or alternatively, any plant that generates sexual excitement when applied externally to the genital organs or taken internally. Causing irritation.

Inulin

A carbohydrate produced by many plants of the family Compositae

Kernels

Hard swellings

Kibes

Chilblains

King’s-evil

Constitutional condition with glandular swellings, and tendency to tuberculosis, scrofula.

Laxative

A gentle bowel stimulant. Promotes bowel movements

Leprosy

Chronic infectious disease affecting the skin.

Lethargy

Drowsiness or sleeping sickness.

Leucocytes

White blood cells

Leucorrhoea

Vaginal discharge

Ligulate

Strap-shaped

Lochia

Vaginal discharge after labour

Lye

A alkaline solution filtered from wood ashes, detergent.

Lithotriptic

Any plant that encourages the catabolism or breakdown of urinary stones or calculi.Dissolves or discharges urinary and biliary concretions

Matrix

The womb

Megrim

Migraine

Menorrhagia

Excessive bleeding during menstruation

Mithridate

A medicine to protect against poison by giving gradually increasing doses of the toxic substance

Monoplegia

Paralysis of a single limb or a single group of muscles

Morphy

Scleroderma, a chronic skin disease

Mucilage

Mucilage in plants has the property of swelling in water to produce plastic masses or viscous solutions; It is this property that produces their laxative effect; Water is retained in the intestine, which prevents the contents from hardening and on the contrary acts as a lubricant.

Mucosa

A mucous membrane e.g. of the mouth.

Mydriatic

Any herb that increases the size of the pupil of the eye. Dilates the pupil

Myotic

Any herb that possesses the ability to constrict the pupil of the eye. Contracting the pupil.

Narcotic

Applied to drugs producing stupor and insensibility. Depresses central nervous system, thus relieving pain and promoting sleep

Naturant

A herb that is a good ‘drawing’ medium and can bring ‘blind’ spots or boils to a head thus creating a natural apex through which putrid matter can be expelled.

Nauseant

Any herb used to prevent the feeling of nausea.

Nephritis

Drugs having an action upon the kidneys. Inflammation of the kidney

Nervine

Any herb that allays or remedies nervous disorders. Applied to drugs used to restore the nerves to their natural state. Strengthens functional activity of nervous system; may be stimulants or sedatives. Restoring the nerves, mildly tranquillizing.

Neurasthenia

Severe nerve weakness; nervous exhaustion

Neurodermatitis

Inflammation of skin with itching that is associated with emotional disturbances

Nutritive

Nourishing. Increases weight and density; nourishes the body

Oedema

Dropsy; excessive accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissues.

Olibanum

Frankincense, a gum resin; of the balsam family.

Opthalmic

Healing to disorders and diseases of the eyes

Opthalmicum

Any herb regarded as being benefit to the eyes.

Orbiculate

Rounded.

Orexigenic

Stimulating the appetite.

Osteomyelitis

Inflammation of the bone, especially the marrow

Oxymel

A mixture of honey and vinegar

Oxytocic

Hastening birth by stimulating the contraction of the uterus.

Oxyuris

Genus of nematode intestinal worms which includes pinworms ( also called threadworm and seatworm)

Palsy

Paralysis

Parasiticide

Destroying parasites.

Parenteral

Not by the alimentary tract (e.g. drugs administered by injection)

Parturient

Any herb that hastens or initiates the onset of parturtition or birth. There is no real difference between a parturient and an abortifacient other than in the dosage given at the time at which it is taken. It goes without saying that no herbal or other parturient should be taken to initiate labour except under strict medical supervision. Applied to substances used during childbirth. Stimulates uterine contractions which induce and assist labor

Pectoral

Used in connection with drugs used internally for affections of the chest and lungs. Healing to problems in the broncho-pulmonary area

Peristalis

Automatic muscular movement propelling contents along the alimentary canal.

Pestilence

Any deadly epidemic disease

Phagocytosis

Ingestion and digestion of bacteria and particles by phagocytes

Phlegm

Mucous from the bronchial tubes.

Phthisis

Advanced or chronic tuberculosis in which wasting is marked

Pin and web

Disease of the eye with film or excrescence,( an abnormal outgrowth, or a projection related to a disease or pathologic condition).

Plague

An acute fever transmitted by the bites of fleas which have derived the infection from rats.

Plethora

Over fullness of blood vessels or of the total quantity of any fluid in the body

Plicate

Folded.

Polymorphic

Occurring in different forms.

Portal

Concerning entrance to an organ, especially that through which blood is carried to the liver

Posset

Drink made of hot milk, curdled with ale and flavoured with herbs and used as a cold remedy.

Prophylactic

Agent which wards off disease

Protozoicidal

A substance which kills rotozoa, e.g amoebae.( a type of parasite carried by a primary division of the plant and animal kingdom, comprising the unicellular eukaryotic organisms, that are assumed to have a common ancestry).

Pruritis

Severe itching

Psoriasis

A scaly skin disease.

Pterygium

Opaque triangular thickening of tissue extending from inner canthus to border or cornea with apex toward pupil

Pubescent

Arriving at the age of puberty. Softly haired.

Puerpural

Period following childbirth.

Purgative

Drugs which evacuate the bowels. More drastic then a laxative or aperient. Causes watery evacuation of intestinal contents

Pyelitis

Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney and its calices

Reds

Menstrual flow

Refrigerant

Relieving thirst and giving a feeling of coolness. Reduces body temperature and relieves thirst. Similar to an emollient but being particularly useful in the treatment of burns and rashes.

Reins

The kidneys, loins.

Reniform

Kidney-shaped

Resolvent

Dissolves boils and tumours. Often called a discutient. A term used to denote substances applied to swellings in order to reduce them.

Revolute

Rolled downwards

Rhagades

Fissures in the skin

Rheum

Watery or catarrhal discharge.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of nasal mucosa

Rubefacient

Applied to counter-irritants. Substances which produce blisters or inflammation. With local application stimulates capillary dilation and action, causing skin redness. Causing reddening of the skin, applied to substances producing inflammation and sometimes used as a rub for muscular pain.

Saponins

A group of glycosides widely distributed in the plant world characterized by their property of forming durable foam when their watery solutions are shaken.

Schirrhi

Hard tumours

Sciatica

Neuralgia along the course of the sciatic nerve ( the pain travels down from the back or thigh along its course in the leg and into the foot and toes. Can cause muscles in leg to be partly or completely paralysed.

Scorbutic

Concerning or affected with scurvy

Scrofula

Constitutional condition with glandular swellings and tendency to tuberculosis. (king’s evil). Variety of tuberculous adenitis

Scruple

Twenty grains

Secundines

The afterbirth

Sedative

Any herb that has the ability to induce restful sleep or a feeling of calmness within the patient. Drugs which calm nervous excitement. Calms or tranquilizes by lowering functional activity of organ or body part. Causing sedation. Reducing nervous excitement.

Septicemia

Presence of pathogenic bacteria in the blood; blood poisoning

Sialagogue

Promotes secretion and flow of saliva

Silicious

Comprising of mineral silicates; as in agate, amethyst; used in dentistry, as a constituent silica, of dental porcelain.

Simple

Any herbal medicine that is made from one herb only, as compared to compound remedies that are made from two or more herbs.

Simpler

A herb doctor

Simples

Medicine herbs

Spasmolytic

A drug that relieves sudden pain (spasm) or convulsions.( Antispasmodic).

Specific

A remedy having a curative effect on a particular disease or symptom

Spermatorrhea

Abnormally frequent involuntary loss of semen without orgasm

Spondylosis

Abnormal immobility and fixation of vertebral joints

St Anthony’s fire

Erysipelas, an acute inflammatory disease involving the skin. ( a form of cellulitis).

Sternutatory

Producing sneezing by irritation of the mucous membrane.

Stimulant

Any herb which (a) increases the flow of adrenalin, (b) increases the body’s basal metabolic rate, or (c) stimulates the production of digestive juices.Increases internal heat, dispels internal chill and strengthens metabolism and circulation

Stomatic/Stomachics

These herbs relieve the symptoms of one or more gastric disorders. Applied to drugs which ease stomach pain. Strengthens stomach function

Stone

A stone-like concretion formed in the urinary tract or in the gall bladder.

Strangury

Painful urination drop by drop.

Striate

Marked with long narrow ridges or stripes/ streaks.

Styptic

An agent that checks haemorrhage. A substance which stops bleeding by clotting the blood, applied externally to cuts or wounds. Externally applied will arrest local bleeding by contracting blood vessels

Subcostal

Beneath the ribs

Sudorific

Stimulates production and secretion of perspiration

Suppuration

The formation of pus.

Taenicide

Applied to drugs used to expel tape-worm.

Taxonomy

The science of classification. The orderly classification of organisms or lists into appropriate categories; with application of suitable correct names.; mainly used in bacteriology.

Ternate

Divided into three (3) more or less equal parts.

Tetters

A form of herpes, ringworm or eczema. Skin disease with pimples or blisters such as herpes, ringworm, or eczema

Theriaca

Treacle or molasses

Tinea capitis

Fungal skin disease of the scalp

Tinnitus

Ringing or tinkling sound in the ear

Tisane

A tea, an aqueous( prepared with water) preparation made by decoction of infusion ( decoction consists of placing the drug in cold water, raising it to boil, continue to boil for 10-15 minutes then allowing to stand 15 minutes before using).

Tonic

Any herbal medicine that has restorative powers and acts as both a stimulant and an alterative to the body. Substances which give tone to the body producing a feeling of well-being. Stimulates nutrition and increase systemal tone, usually in the absence of illness

Travail

Painful or laborious childbirth.

Troches

Lozenges

Vapours

Low spirits, depression, hysteria.

Vasoconstrictor

Causing constriction of the blood vessels;

Vasodepressant

Lowers blood pressure by dilation of blood vessels; having a depressing influence on circulation

Vasodilator

Causes relaxation of blood vessels

Vermifuge

Expels or repels intestinal worms

Vermicide

Destroys worms

Venery

Sexual intercourse

Verdigris

Copper acetate, an astringent.

Vesicant

A blistering agent. An agent that producers blisters.

Vulnerary

Any herb that has both styptic and antiseptic properties. Assists in healing of wounds by protecting against infection and stimulating cell growth

Wen

Sebaceous cyst

Whites

Vaginal discharge