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Medicine > Herbal Medicine Glossary > Flashcards

Herbal Medicine Glossary Flashcards

1
Q

Adaptogen

A

A herb that helps to increase resilience to stress and disease

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2
Q

Aerial parts

A

The upper part of a flowering plant before it has gone to seed. These include the leaves, flowers and non-woody stems

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3
Q

Alteratives

A

Herbs used as blood cleansers

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4
Q

Amenorrhoea

A

Abnormal absence of menstruation

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5
Q

Analgesic

A

Reduces or relieves pain

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6
Q

Anti-allergic

A

Helps to alleviate some symptoms of allergy, such as hayfever

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7
Q

Antiarthritic

A

Lessens symptoms of arthritis

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8
Q

Antibacterial

A

Destroys or inhibits the growth of bacteria

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9
Q

Anticoagulant

A

Inhibits blood coagulation (clotting)

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10
Q

Anti-emetic

A

Lessens or stops nausea and vomiting

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11
Q

Antifungal

A

Inhibits or prevents fungal infection

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12
Q

Antihistamine

A

Histamine is a chemical produced by the body and is involved in immune and inflammatory response. It is usually overactive in allergic conditions such as hayfever. Antihistamines help to regulate this response

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13
Q

Antihydrotic

A

Reduces or prevents excess perspiration

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14
Q

Anti-infective/antimicrobial

A

Destroys or prevents the growth of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites

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15
Q

Antioxidant

A

Prevents oxidative stress from free radicals, thus preventing damage to cells and tissues

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16
Q

Antiparasitic

A

Treats parasites

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17
Q

Antipyretic

A

Reduces fever

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18
Q

Antirheumatic

A

Reduces the symptoms of rheumatism

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19
Q

Antiseptic

A

Antimicrobial

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20
Q

Antispasmodic

A

Reduces spasms, usually in the muscles, helping to relax tension and cramping

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21
Q

Antitussive

A

Suppresses the cough reflex

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22
Q

Antiviral

A

Reduces or inhibits viral infections

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23
Q

Anxiolytic/Anti-anxiety

A

Reduces anxiety.

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24
Q

Aperitif

A

A pre-or post-meal drink to stimulate appetite and improve digestion

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25
Q

Aromatic

A

Strong-smelling herbs that contain volatile oils. These can relieve muscular spasm and spasm of the gut. They can reduce digestive discomfort and wind. Usually antimicrobial

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26
Q

Astringent

A

Tighten tissues by causing proteins in tissues to contract. They can relieve inflammation and reduce secretions, discharges and bleeding

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27
Q

Autoimmune

A

A disorder where the body’s immune system attacks or damages the body’s own healthy cells and tissues

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28
Q

Ayurveda/Ayurvedic

A

An Indian traditional healing system that also uses herbs

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29
Q

Bain-marie

A

A hot water bath or double boiler, used to gently infuse or cook foods or herbs

30
Q

Bioavailability

A

A chemical or substance that is able to be absorbed into the body and have an effect

31
Q

Bitter

A

Herbs that taste bitter; they stimulate digestive juices and improve overall digestion

32
Q

Cardiac and circulatory tonic

A

Strengthens the heart and blood vessels

33
Q

Cardioprotective

A

Protect the heart and circulatory system

34
Q

Carminative

A

Herbs that contain aromatic compounds; these aid digestion and reduce digestive discomfort from spasm and wind

35
Q

Constituent

A

A component of a whole; in this case a chemical within a plant

36
Q

Counter-irritant

A

Something that produces a surface irritation to the skin, increasing blood circulation to the area and helping to counteract pain and inflammation

37
Q

Decongestant

A

Relieves congestion, usually catarrh, of the respiratory system

38
Q

Demulcent

A

Mucilage rich herb that soothes inflammation

39
Q

Diaphoretic

A

Promotes sweating to reduce high fever and eliminates wastes through the pores

40
Q

Digestive

A

Improves or encourages normal digestion

41
Q

Diuretic

A

Encourages the production of urine

42
Q

Emmenagogue

A

Stimulates menstruation; used where bleeding is scanty or menstruation is delayed

43
Q

Emollient

A

Cream that increases skin hydration, both by directly moisturising and acting as a barrier to prevent moisture loss

44
Q

Expectorant

A

Supports the removal of excess mucus and catarrh of the respiratory system

45
Q

Febrifuge

A

Reduces fever

46
Q

Galactagogue

A

A herb or food that encourages milk production in mothers

47
Q

Genus/genera

A

A taxonomic rank used to classify groups of plants

48
Q

Hepatoprotective

A

Protects the liver

49
Q

Hypertensive

A

Increases blood pressure (hypertensive herbs are sometimes useful in conditions of low blood pressure)

50
Q

Hypercholesterolaemic

A

Blood lipid lowering; used for high cholesterol

51
Q

Hypotensive

A

Lowers blood pressure

52
Q

Immune stimulant

A

Stimulates aspects of the immune system

53
Q

Laxative

A

Stimulates bowel movement

54
Q

Lymphatic

A

Supports lymphatic function. Used to support the body where there is infection or stagnation. Aids in detoxification

55
Q

Mucilage/mucilaginous

A

Complex carbohydrate molecules found in plants that have a gelatinous, gloopy consistency

56
Q

Mucolytic

A

Thins and breaks down mucus

57
Q

Nervine

A

Nerve tonic; relaxes and soothes physical and emotional stress

58
Q

Nutritive

A

Provides nourishment

59
Q

Pelvic decongestant

A

Encourages circulation of the pelvic region

60
Q

Phytochemical

A

Naturally occurring plant chemicals

61
Q

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

A

A hormonal condition characterised by many cysts on the ovaries

62
Q

Relaxant

A

Muscle or tissue relaxing

63
Q

Re-mineraliser

A

A herb high in vitamins and minerals that can be used to boost nutrition

64
Q

Rubefacient

A

Increases local circulation to the skin

65
Q

Sedative

A

Relaxes the nervous system and encourages sleep

66
Q

Stimulant

A

A herb that increases or encourages a function, for example, a ‘digestive stimulant’ encourages normal digestion in cases where it is underactive or slow

67
Q

Styptic

A

An astringent herb that reduces bleeding

68
Q

Symptomatic

A

In herbal terms, this may mean working to treat the symptoms of a disease or illness in the short term, but may not treat the underlying problem or cause

69
Q

Tonic

A

Strengthens and supports a system or organ

70
Q

Vasodilator

A

Relaxes and dilates the veins and arteries

71
Q

Warming

A

Has a heating effect on an organ, system or throughout the body, usually through increasing circulation

Medicine (1 decks)

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