A type of herb that could potentially cause premature termination of an embryo.
Acid Tincture
A tincture made using vinegar (usually apple cider vinegar) instead of alcohol as a menstruum.
Acute
Symptoms that appear suddenly and change and/or worsen in a short period of time.
Acute-use Herbs
Moderately active stimulant herbs that work to adjust a body process; due to their narrower therapeutic range, they are best for dealing with sudden onset of symptoms and limiting use to approximately two weeks.
Adaptogen
Controls and balance adrenals, improve the nonspecific ability of the body to adapt and resist stress, as well as promotes well-being, homeostasis, and health; nontoxic when taken in normal doses. It is worth noting that adaptogens are all alterative, but not all alternatives are adaptogens.
Adjuvant
A type of herb that is added to a formula because it aids the effect of the principal ingredient.
Adrenal Cortex
The outer part of the adrenal gland, which produces hormones vital to life, such as cortisol (which helps regulate metabolism and helps your body respond to stress) and aldosterone (which helps control blood pressure).
Adrenocortical
Pertaining to or arising from the adrenal cortex. (See Corticoadrenal)
Agni (Sanskrit)
Biological fire governing metabolism; cosmic force of transformation. (Ayurvedic term)
Agni dipana (Sanskrit)
Substances that increase Agni, digestive fire. (Ayurvedic term)
Ague
Experiencing a fever with chills. Allopathic Medicine –mainstream/conventional medical use of pharmacologically active agents or physical interventions to treat or suppress symptoms or pathophysiologic processes of diseases or conditions.
Alopecia
Natural or abnormal baldness; loss of hair.
Alterative
Once known as “blood cleansersâ€; a type of herb that gradually helps the body to restore normal function, vitality, and health. It is worth noting that adaptogens are all alterative, but not all alternatives are adaptogens.
Ama (Sanskrit)
Toxins; undigested food or uneliminated waste material. (See Nirama) (Ayurvedic term)
Ama pachana (Sanskrit)
Substances that promote digestion or destruction of Ama. (Ayurvedic term)
Amenorrhea
Absence or suppression of menstruation.
Amphoteric
Normalizes function of an organ or tissue. For example, if some tissue or organ is overactive, then it helps lower the activity of that organ or tissue, but if the organ or tissue is underactive it helps raise the activity.
An alkaline fluid, that is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder for release into the digestive system, to aid in the process of digestion. Primarily, it aids in the digestion of fats and the elimination of waste products from the blood, it is also the body’s own natural laxative.
Binomial
The two-part scientific Latin name is used to identify plants. The first name is the genus and is a general name that may be shared by several related plants (i.e., Echinacea), while the second is the specific epithet, which refers to the name that is specific to that individual plant (i.e., purpurea or angustifolia) – together they denote the species of a specific organism. (i.e., Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia)Â
Biophotons
Ultra weak photon emissions of biological systems, are weak electromagnetic waves in the optical range of the spectrum – in other words: light.
Bitter
An herb that stimulates specific taste buds, called bitter receptors, on the tongue, which causes reflex action, triggering the body to prepare for digestion; can work as an antacid.
Brahman (Sanskrit)
Spiritual reality, the Absolute. (Ayurvedic term)Â
Bronchodilator
Irritates the bronchi in order to dilate or open constricted pathways for easier breathing.
Buddhi (Sanskrit)Â
Individualized cosmic intelligence; the power of determination. (Ayurvedic term)Â
Bulb
Also referred to as Bulbus; referring to the bulb, or an underground bud (specialized stem structure) of a plant, from which both a shoot and roots may extend.Â
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Jaundice
The yellowing of the skin and eyes that may be indicative of serious liver or gall bladder conditions; yellow coloring of the skin as a result of bilirubin, a pigment present in bile.
K
Kapha (Sanskrit)
The bodily water humor. (Ayurvedic term)
Karma (Sanskrit )
Parameter that describes herb’s pharmacological activity. (Ayurvedic term)
Keratolytic
Therapy that thins the dead skin on and around a lesion, i.e., help remove corns and calluses.
L
M
N
O
Ojas (Sanskrit)
The subtle essence of all the vital fluids, responsible for health, harmony, and spiritual growth. (Ayurvedic term)
Organoleptic
Being, affecting, or relating to qualities such as taste, color, odor, and feeling (such as food or drug) that stimulate the sense organs.
Orexigenics
Increase or stimulate the appetite; more powerful than an appetizer or aperitive. (See Aperitive, See Appetizer)
Oxytocic
These stimulate the contraction of the uterus and are thought to be helpful in childbirth.
P
Q
Qi Tonics
Herbs used traditionally for rejuvenation and promoting optimal health in all body systems.
R
S
T
U
Udana (Sanskrit)
Prana that governs speech, energy, will, more, and exhalation. (See Prana) (Ayurvedic term)
Urticaria
Skin condition characterized by itching welts; hives.
V
Virya (Sanskrit)
The energy of a substance as heating or cooling; potency. (Ayurvedic term)
Vulnerary
Applied topically to cuts and minor burns to stop bleeding and tissue degeneration.
Vyana (Sanskrit)
Prana that governs the circulatory system and the movement of joints and muscles. (Ayurvedic term)
W
Warming Expectorant
Dilutes thickened fluids (i.e., mucus) allow for easier expulsion from lungs.
X
Y
Yantra (Sanskrit)
Mystic diagrams; geometrical designs that manifest cosmic law and channel cosmic energy. (Ayurvedic term)
Yoga (Sanskrit)
A methodology of the practical and coordinated application of knowledge; spirituality, the science of self- realization. (Ayurvedic term)
Z
Zoopharmacognosy
The study of animal self-medication. Zoo (Greek) for “animalâ€, Pharma (Greek) for “drugs†or “remedyâ€, Cognosy (Greek) for “knowledge†or “recognitionâ€.
