Aromatherapy Glossary

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.