Herb DictionaryThis Herb Dictionary clearly defines the terms that describe herbs' therapeutic or medicinal properties and the conditions they benefit or improve. It removes the language barrier that exists between the writers of herb books and those that read them.
Now you will easily understand all those weird looking words, so you can effectively put your herbs to good use!
How to Use this Herb DictionaryJust like any other dictionary, the main function of this Herb Dictionary is as a reference tool. Looking for a particular term? Click on the letter it begins with and then scroll through the alphabetical listing beneath that letter until you find it.
Can't find what you are looking for? Contact me and let me know. I will research it, let you know the definition and then add it to the appropriate dictionary! Presently, each term in this herb dictionary is followed by a complete definition. Eventually, every term will be a live link to a separate page giving you more details about each word. Details such as:
Use this Herb Dictionary for Easy Review!This herb dictionary (as well as the others) exist for your convenience and ease of use. As you read any where on this site, you are bound to come across a word you don't know or whose meaning you have forgotten. Just run your cursor over it and a tool-tip box will appear containing a brief definition. If you want more, click on it and you will be taken to the appropriate herb dictionary and the word's complete definition!
If you want, you can also use this herb dictionary for reading pleasure! I hate to confess it, but I am a closet herb dictionary and encyclopedia reader. It's a great way to kill those boring minutes waiting for kids after ball practice. You will pick up little bits of info almost accidentally that way! ;-)
Herb Dictionary Alphabetical TermsRemember! If the first term is a link, you can click on it to go to a page dedicated to that word. I'm afraid there aren't too many of them just yet in this herb dictionary, but I promise there will be more soon!! A
acute: Description of an illness or reaction that has a rapid onset and intense symptoms, but a relatively short duration. adaptogen: Increases resilience to physical and mental stress. Aids the body in maintaining its natural state of equilibrium. adrenal cortex: Outer layer of the adrenal glands (which sit above the kidneys) which secretes important metabolic hormones. adrenocorticotrophic: acts to regulate the function of the outer layer (cortex) of the adrenal glands. alterative: Causes favorable changes in the course of an ailment. analeptic: Having a restorative or stimulating effect on the central nervous system. analgesic: Substance that relieves pain. anodyne: An agent that relieves pain or promotes general comfort. antacid: An agent that corrects acidity, chiefly of the stomach and digestive tract, by neutralizing the acid. anthelmintic: Killing or causing the expulsion of intestinal parasitic worms. antibacterial: Destroying or stopping the growth of bacteria. antibilious: Easing stomach distress by reducing excessive secretion of bile caused by disorders of liver function. antibiotic: Substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms. anticonvulsant: Prevents or relieves convulsions such as in epilepsy or those caused by a high fever. antidote: Substance that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of a poison. antidyspeptic: Relieving dyspepsia or indigestion. antiemetic: A substance or remedy that prevents or stops vomiting (emesis). antihemorrhagic: A substance or remedy that stops or controls bleeding (hemorrhage). antihistamine: Counteracts the effects and prevents the production and release of histamine from damaged mast cells in an allergic reaction. antihypertensive: Reducing blood pressure. anti-inflammatory: Controlling or reducing inflammation antilithic: An agent that prevents the formation of stones or gravel in the kidneys. antimicrobial: Checking or preventing the growth and development of microorganisms. antioxidant: A compound that inhibits and controls the negative effects of free radicals. antipyretic: An agent or remedy that reduces the temperature of a fever. antirheumatic: Easing the discomfort of or preventing the conditon of rheumatism. antiseptic: An agent which prevents sepsis or putrefaction resulting from bacterial infection. antispasmodic: An agent that prevents or calms the spasms of the nervous and muscular systems. antitussive: Controlling or preventing a cough. antiviral: Inhibiting the growth and development of a virus. anxiolytic: An agent that reduces anxiety. aperient: A very mild laxative that causes soft stool by increased water retention and little if any increase in peristalsis.
astringent: An agent that causes the soft tissues of the body to draw together or pucker thereby decreasing secretions.
B
bacteriostatic: Inhibiting or stopping the multiplication and growth of bacteria. bile: A secretion of the liver that aids in the digestion and metabolism of fats. bitter: A substance that stimulates the secretion of saliva and gastric juices, and increases the tone and activity of the gastic mucosa. Improves the appetite.
bitter-tonic: An herb with a bitter taste that improves health through its action on the liver.
C
calculus: Stones usually formed of crystaline urinary salts found in the urinary tract (kidneys and bladder). cardiotonic: Keeping the heart functioning normally. carminative: Relieves flatulence and spasms in the gut. catarrh: Chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and breathing passages. cathartic: An agent that acts to hasten movement of the bowels, usually several times. A harsh laxative. A purgative. cholagogue: An agent that stimulates and increases the flow of bile from the gall bladder. chronic: A disease showing little change over time or of slow progression and long continuance. colic: Spasm in any hollow or tubular soft organ accomanied by pain. Pertains often to the colon. corrective: An additive that improves the taste or smell of a remedy or food. counterirritant: A substance that causes local inflammation of an area for the purpose of lessening the effects of inflammation in an underlying or adjacent area.
cutaneous: Pertaining to the skin.
D
demulcent: Soothing an inflammation especially of the mucous membranes. depressant: An agent that depresses the functions of tissues causing relaxation. dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin evidenced by itching, redness and various skin lesions. diaphoretic: An agent that increases circulation to the skin and stimulates sweating thereby helping to decrease a fever. digestive: A remedy that enhances the digestive system to assist in the digestion of food. discutient: An agent which disperses a lesion or a tumor. disinfectant: A physical agent that prevents infection by destroying pathogenic bacteria. diuretic: An agent that causes the increased secretion or flow of urine. dropsy: Edema. dysmenorrhea: Painful or difficult menstruation.
dyspepsia: Indigestion.
E
eczema: Acute or chronic inflammation of the skin usually with intense itching or burning, characterized by redness, scales, crusts, etc. edema: Fluid retention by the body causing swelling and discomfort. emetic: An agent that causes vomiting (emesis). emmenagogue: An agent that regulates and brings on normal menstruation. emollient: Softening and soothing to the skin or other exposed tissue such as the mucosa equilibrium: State where the body is in proper balance. expectorant: Aiding in the alleviation of a cough by increasing the expulsion of phlegm or mucus from the respiratory tract.
exudate: An accumulation of fluid in a cavity or matter that penetrates through vessel walls into adjoining tissues.
F
febrifuge: An agent that lowers the temperature in fever. flatulence: Excessive gas in the stomach and intestines. free-radical: A molecule produced in the body as the result of oxidation, which cause damage to otherwise stable cells.
fungicide: An agent that kills fungal growth such as ring worm and athlete's foot.
G
galactagogue: A remedy that stimulates the production and flow of breast milk (lactifuge). galactophyge: An agent that decreases or stops the flow of breast milk. germicide: An agent that destroys or kills microorganisms. GI Tract: Gastro-Intestinal Tract. The digestive system of the body starting with the mouth and ending with the rectum. Often thought of generally as the small intestine and colon.
gravel: Small, hard deposits in the urinary tract (usually in the kidneys or bladder) of smaller size than a kidney stone.
H
hemagogue: An agent that promotes the flow of blood. hematinic: Stimulating the formation of blood cells and hemoglobin thereby improving the quality of the blood. hemostatic: Controlling or stopping blood flow. hepatic: Pertaining to the liver. herpetic: An agent that treats skin eruptions such as ringworm and herpes simplex (cold sores). histamine: A compound that is released by damaged mast cells in an allergic reaction causing inflammation and swelling. homeostasis: The body's natural state of balance, and the optimum state of well-being. hypertensive: Tending to raise blood pressure or the condition of having high blood pressure. hypnotic: A remedy which induces sleep simulating normal rest. hypoglycemant: Lowering the level of blood sugar in the body.
hypotensive: Tending to lower blood pressure or the condition of having low blood pressure.
I
inflammation: A reaction of the body to injury or infection, typically marked by swelling, redness, pain, heat and other symptoms. intermittent fever: A fever that recurs on a regular basis as in malaria.
irritant: An agent that causes irritation,
J
jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and other tissues caused by the presence of bile pigments related to poor liver function.
K
kidney stone: Small, hard stone that may form in the kidneys and cause intense pain.
L
lactifuge: increasing the secretion of milk (galactagogue). laxative: An agent that causes a mild and painless evacuation of the bowels. lenitive: Soothing action of a demulcent on the internal membranes. lithontriptic: An agent capable of dissolving or preventing the formation of calculi in the body.
local: confined to one area of the body as opposed to systemic
which involves the entire body.
M
microbe: A minute one-celled form of life that causes fermentation, putrefaction or disease. microorganism: minute living body not perceptible to the naked eye; for example a bacterium. mucilage: Gooey, sticky substance derived from plants that has a soothing action on the body. mucilaginous: Substance containing mucilage used to soothe inflamed areas of the body. mucosa: Mucous membranes
mucous membrane: Membrane that lines passages and cavities communicating with the outside air which possess mucus-secreting cells.
N
narcotic: Inducing drowsiness, sleep or stupor used for lessening pain. necrotic: Dead or dying tissues. nerve tonic: Preparation used to stimulate, tone up and restore the nervous system. nervine: Having a restorative effect on the nervous system.
nutrient: Nourishing; supplying the body with its necessary elements.
O
official: Sanctioned for medicinal use by being listed in the Pharmacopeia. oxidation: The addition of oxygen to a compound with the loss of electrons. Example: the cut surface of an apple turning brown.
oxytocic: An agent which accelerates the process of delivery in childbirth.
P
parturient: Inducing the contractions of labor in childbirth. pathogenic: A microorganism capable of producing disease. pectoral: Affecting the chest, lungs or bronchial passages. pediculocide: An agent that kills body lice. peripheral vasodilator: Stimulates the flow of blood to the periphery of the body; namely, the skin, hands and feet. peristalsis: Wave-like movement in the intestinal tract that slowly moves contents through the body. pharmacopeia: Authorized treatise on medicines and their preparation. phytotherapy: Treating illness by the use of plants and plant-derived substances. prebiotic: Substance that feeds or nourishes the beneficial bacteria in the gut. probiotics: Beneficial bacteria in the gut responsible for the proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients. protective: An agent that protects mechanically by covering or coating the skin or a lesion on the surface of the skin. purgative: An agent that will cause rapid evacuation of the bowel. A cathartic.
purge: A purgative agent or a dose of a purgative agent.
Q
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R
refridgerant: An agent that reduces body temperature or makes the body cooler. renal: Pertaining to the kidneys. resolvent: An agent that dissolves tumors or reduces inflammation. resorbent: An agent that ppromotes the absorption of abnormal matter such as exudates or blood clots. resorptive: Aiding in the reabsorption of blood from bruises.b> rheumatism: A condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints and surrounding muscles. roborant: A substance that supplies needed material or food to the tissues thereby imparting increased strength.
rubefacient: Producing mild irritation on the skin thereby increasing circulation to the affected area.
S
scabies: A highly communicable skin disease caused by the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. sedative: Acting on the central nervous system to produce calm or sleep. sepsis: Infection resulting from the presence of microorganisms or their poisonous by-products in the blood stream, the lymphatics or in a localized area. sialagogue: An agent that increases saliva flow. simple: Neducunak herb without strong effects. simpling: The practice of identifying, collecting and using medicinal herbs. somnifacient: An agent that induces sleep. spasm: An abnormal muscle contraction that is often accompanied by pain, and may signal an underlying disorder. spasmolytic: Helping to relieve cramps and other muscle contractions. specific: An agent that has a selective curative action in a specific disease or in some phase of the disease. stimulant: Making a body organ or system work faster. stomachic: Aiding the stomach and digestion. stupefacient: Inducing a stupor; narcotic. styptic: Tending to stop bleeding; astringent. sudorific: An agent that acts to increase perspiration (diaphoretic).
systemic: Involving the whole body as opposed to a confined area (local).
T
thrombosis: A blood clot that may partially or wholly block the flow of blood through a blood vessel. tonic: An agent that is used to give strength to the system thereby restoring or maintaining health in the whole body and its individual organs.
tranquilizer: An agent employed to calm or sedate.
U
urticaria: Itching, inflammed skin caused by an allergic reaction to a drug, food or substance in the environment; hives.
V
constrictor: An agent that narrows blood vessel openings, restricting the flow of blood through them. dilator: An agent that causes the dilation of blood vessels allowing increased blood flow through them. vermifuge: An agent that rids the body of worms (anthelmintic). vesicant: A strong counterirritant.
vulnerary: Soothing or healing to wounds and sores on the skin.
WXYZ
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Hope you found this Herb Dictionary helpful! Please feel free to contact me with your suggestions to improve it! We are always open to your ideas!
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