Medical Terms

Adaptogen: Offers general help to the body and increase its ability to adapt to stress.

Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.

An: Reduces sexual desire.

Anesthetic: Numbs the feeling in a local or general area of the body.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antianxiety: Helps relieve anxiety. See also Nervine and Sedative.

Antiarthritic: Treats arthritis.

Antiasthmatic: Treats asthma.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Antibilious: Corrects the secretions of bile.

Antibiotic: An agent that inhibits or destroys a living organism. It usually refers to bacteria or other micro-organisms and is probably synonymous with Antibacterial.

Anticholesterolemic: Prevents the buildup of cholesterol.

Antidandruff: Treats dandruff.

Antidepressant: Used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia and anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhea. Also see Astringent.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Antiemetic: Prevents vomiting.

Antifungal: An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as Candida.

Antihaemorrhoidal: Treats hemorrhoids (piles). This would probably be best added to another heading.

Antihalitosis: Treats bad breath

Antihydrotic: Reduces perspiration.

Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.

Antiperiodic: Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Antipruritic: Treats itching of the skin.

Antipsoriatic: Used to treat psoriasis (an autoimmune disease that affects the skin).

Antipyretic: Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Antiscorbutic: A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Antitumor: Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer.

Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.

Antivinous: Treats addiction to alcohol

Antiviral: Treats virus diseases

Aperient: A mild laxative.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Appetizer: Improves the appetite

Aromatherapy: Plants whose essential oils are used in Aromatherapy.

Aromatic: Having an agreeable odor and stimulant qualities.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhea etc.

Bach: Plants used in the Bach flower remedies.

Birthing aid: Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contractions.

Blood purifier: Purifies the blood.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Cardio: A tonic for the heart.

Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.

Cathartic: A strong laxative but less violent than a purgative.

Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.

Contraceptive: Prevents fertilization occurring in females.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Deobstruent: Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.

Deodorant: Masks smells.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.

Digestive: Aids digestion.

Disinfectant: Used for cleaning wounds.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Emollient: Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.

Enuresis: Treats bed wetting.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Galactofuge: Stops or reduces the flow of milk in a nursing mother.

Galactogogue: Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.

Hemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Hallucinogenic: Causes the mind to hallucinate.

Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.

Hypnotic: Induces sleep.

Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Irritant: Causes irritation or abnormal sensitivity in living tissue.

Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Lenitive: Soothing, palliative.

Lithontripic: Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.

Narcotic: Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.

Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm.

Pectoral: Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Refrigerant: Cools the Body

Resolvent: Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.

Rubefacient: A counter-irritant and external stimulant, it produces inflammation and redness of the skin.

Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Sialagogue: Stimulates the secretion of saliva.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Stings: Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Vasodilator: Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

VD: Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Vesicant: A blistering agent.

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Warts: Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.