abortifacient |
An agent capable of inducing abortion. |
absolute |
Products obtained from a concrete, a pomade or a resinoid by extraction with ethanol at room temperature. The resulting ethanol solution is generally cooled and filtered to eliminate the waxes. The ethanol is then eliminated by distillation. |
alterative |
An agent which cleanses the blood and corrects impure blood conditions. |
anaerobic |
A type of organic respiration which does not require oxygen. Many bacteria are anaerobic. |
anaesthetic |
Loss of sensation, pain relieving |
analgesic |
Loss of sensation - pain relieving. |
anaphrodisiac |
Diminishing sexual desire. |
anosmic |
Complete loss of sense of smell. May be temporary or permanent. |
anthelmintic |
A vermifuge, destroying or expelling intestinal worms. |
anti-allergenic |
Reduces sweating. |
anti-arthritic |
An agent which combats arthritis. |
anti-emetic |
Reduces the incidence and severity of vomiting. |
anti-inflammatory |
Alleviates inflammation. |
anti-oxidant |
Prevents or delays oxidation |
antibacterial |
Helps control bacteria |
anticonvulsive |
Helps arrest or control convulsions. |
antidepressant |
Uplifting, counteracting melancholy. |
antimicrobial |
An agent which resists or destroys pathogenic organisms. |
antineuralgic |
Reducing nerve pain |
antiphlogistic |
Reduces inflammation. |
antipuritic |
Relieve itching |
antipyretic |
fever reducing |
antirheumatic |
Relieves rheumatism |
antiseborrheic |
Helps control the products of sebum |
antiseptic |
Helps control infection. |
antispasmodic |
Prevents and eases spasms and relieves cramps. |
antisudorific |
Reduced swelling. |
antiviral |
Controlling virus organisms |
aperitif |
Encouraging appetite |
aphrodisiac |
Exciting sexual desire. |
aromatic water |
Aqueous distillates, remaining from water or steam distillation after essential oils have been separated. |
arrhythmia |
Irregular or loss of rhythm of the heartbeat. |
arteriosclerosis |
A loss of elasticity of the arteries. |
astringent |
Contracts, tightens and binds tissues. |
astringent |
Contracts, tightens and binds tissue |
atherosclerosis |
An accumulation of fatty deposits on the inner wall of the arteries. |
bactericide |
An agent that destroys bacteria. |
balsam |
An oily resinous substance exuded by a plant in response to injury to its tissues. |
balsamic |
A soothing substance having the qualities of a balsam. |
bechic |
Eases coughs. |
cardiac |
Stimulating effect on the heart. |
carminative |
Settles the digestive system, expulsion of gas from the intestines. |
cephalic |
Stimulating and clearing the mind. |
chemotype |
Variation in chemical composition of an essential oil produced from two or more plants of the same species. |
cholagogue |
Increases production and flow of bile |
choleretic |
Aids excretion of bile by the liver, so that there is a greater flow of bile. |
cicatrisant |
Helps formation of scar tissue. |
colonoscopy |
Examination of the upper portion of the rectum with an elongated speculum. |
concrete |
Extracts obtained with non-aqueous solvents from fresh, natural raw materials. A concrete consists mainly of waxy components of plant materials. Mainly prepared for the production of absolutes. |
cordial |
A stimulant and tonic for the heart. |
cytophylactic |
Encouraging growth of skin cells. |
decongestant |
An agent which relieves or reduces congestion. |
demulcent |
Soothes, softens and allays irritation of mucus membranes. |
deodorant |
Destroying odor. |
depurative |
Helps to purify the blood, detoxifying. |
detoxicant |
Neutralizing toxic substances |
diaphoretic |
Promotes perspiration. |
digestive |
A substance that aids the digestion of food. |
disinfectant |
Prevents and combats the spread of germs. |
diuretic |
Increases urine flow. |
emetic |
Induces vomiting. |
emmenagogue |
Promotes and regulates menstrual flow. |
emollient |
Soothes and softens skin. |
endocrine |
A gland without a duct. |
essential oil |
A product obtained from natural raw materials by distillation or expression. |
exocrine |
A gland, with a duct, which secretes directly onto the outside surface of an organism. |
expectorant |
Helps to expel mucus from the respiratory system. |
febrifuge |
Cooling and reducing high body temperature. |
functional group |
The smallest part of an organic molecule consisting of a singe atom or group of atoms that substitutes for a hydrogen atom and has a profound effect upon the properties of the molecule as a whole. |
fungicide |
Destroying fungal infections |
galactagogue |
Increasing secretion of milk. |
germicidal |
Destroys germs or micro-organisms. |
haemostatic |
Arrests bleeding haemorrhage. |
hepatic |
Stimulates and aids function of liver and gall bladder. |
hepatotoxicity |
Having a harmful or toxic effect on the liver. |
hydrating |
To supply water in order to restore or maintain fluid balance |
hypertensive |
Increased blood pressure. |
hypoglycaemiant |
Lowers blood sugar levels. |
hypotensive |
Lowers blood pressure. |
hypoxia |
Deficiency of oxygen. |
insecticidal |
Killing insect pests |
insecticide |
Kills insects. |
isomers |
Compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structures and hence different properties. |
laxative |
Aiding bowl evacuation. |
lichenification |
Cutaneous thickening and hardening from continued irritation. |
menarche |
Onset of menses. |
mucolytic |
Dissolves or breaks down mucus. |
myelin |
A fatty material enveloping the majority of nerve cells. |
nervine |
Strengthening or toning to the nerves and nervous system. |
neurotoxic |
Having a harmful or toxic effect on the nervous system. |
occlusions |
The covering of the skin with an impermeable material which prevents evaporation of a volatile substance from the skin. |
oxidation |
The addition of oxygen to, or the removal of electrons or hydrogen from, an organic molecule. |
parturient |
Helping delivery in childbirth. |
pectoral |
Helpful for chest infections. |
pheromone |
A chemical messenger used as a signal between individuals. |
polar |
A term used to describe a molecule which has a partial positive and negative charge. Polar molecules are generally water-soluble. |
pomade |
Perfumed fat obtained as a result of enfleurage. |
prophylactic |
Helping prevent disease. |
rectification |
The process in which an essential oil is distilled a second time to remove unwanted constituents (also known as redistillation). |
relaxant |
Soothing, causing relaxation, relieving strain or tension. |
resinoid |
An extract obtained from dried, natural, raw materials by use of non-aqueous solvents. |
resolvent |
Dissolves boils and swelling |
restorative |
Restoring and reviving health |
rubefacient |
Warming and increasing blood flow. |
sedative |
An agent that reduces functional activity; calming. |
soporific |
A substance which induces sleep. |
spasmolytic |
See antispasmodic. |
splenetic |
A tonic to the spleen. |
stimulant |
An agent which increases the physiological functions of the body. |
stomachic |
Digestive aid and tonic, improving appetite. |
styptic |
Arrests external bleeding. |
sudorific |
Increases perspiration. |
Term |
Description |
terpeneless oil |
Essential oils from which the monoterpene hydrocarbons have been removed. |
terpenoid |
Essential oil constituents based on the isoprene skeleton, but containing a functional group. |
tincture |
Solutions obtained by maceration of natural raw materials in ethanol. Such products are commonly used in herbal medicine. |
tonic |
Strengthens and improves bodily performance. |
uterine |
Tonic to the uterus. |
vaso-constrictor |
Contraction of blood vessel walls |
vasoconstrictor |
Contraction of blood vessels walls. |
vasodilator |
Dilation of blood vessels. |
vermifuge |
Expulsion of worms. |
vulnerary |
Prevents tissue degeneration and arrests bleeding in wounds. |
viscosity |
A measure of the resistance to flow in a liquid. Water is "thin" having a lower viscosity. Vegetalbe Oil is "thick" having a higher viscosity. |