H e r b a l G l o s s a r y Abort i fac ient An herb that may cause an abortion.

Act ive const i tuent

A chemical molecule in a plant that can alter some biochemical process in the body. Most plants or herbs contain many active chemical constituents that work together to alter functioning processes of the body, usually in a subtle way.

AdaptogenAn herb that aids the body through a nonspecific boost in resistance to external stressors, supports the body’s ability to adapt to change, and may stimulate or modulate immunity. Herbalists use adaptogens to improve immune response, increase stamina, and normalize sexual function, among other things.

Aeria l par t s The leaves and flowers of a plant.

Alkaloid A typically highly active plant constituent containing a nitrogen atom, usually in a ring-shaped molecule.

Allopathy A medical practice that aims to combat disease through “conventional” means like drugs or surgery.

Alterat ive An herb that works on a general level to tonify the systems of the body involved in nutrient assimilation and waste removal.

Amino ac id Any of 20 molecules that are combined to form proteins in living organisms.

Analges ic An herb that eases pain; also known as an anodyne.

Annual A plant that goes through a complete life cycle in 1 year, dying after one growing season.

Antibacter ia l An herb that destroys or inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Antiemet ic An herb that counteracts or soothes nausea or vomiting.

Antihydrot ic An herb that slows the production of excessive sweat.

Antimicrobia l An herb that aids the body in destroying or resisting pathogens. A general term encompassing antibacterials, antifungals, and antivirals.

Antioxidant An herb that inhibits oxidation and subsequent free radical damage of important chemicals, enzymes, membranes, cells, and tissues in the body.

Antiparas i t ic An herb that destroys or inhibits the growth of parasites.

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H e r b a l G l o s s a r y cont’d.Antiper iodic An herb that eases cyclic and intermittent diseases such as malaria.

Antispasmodic An herb that relaxes muscle spasm and tension.

Anti tuss ive An herb that reduces the urge to cough.

Aper ient An herb that is mildly laxative.

Aphrodis iac An herb that increases sexual desire.

AromatherapyThe use of fragrant plants or plant extracts based on the assumption that specific aromas affect the body in different ways. These aromas (essential oils in most cases) are inhaled or applied to the skin in a carrier oil base, such as olive oil orsweet almond oil.

Aromatic An herb rich in volatile oils, often with a fragrant aroma. Aromatics are often used as antimicrobials, carminatives, decongestants, nervines, and expectorants.

Ass imi lat ion The process of absorbing and metabolizing substances.

Astr ingent An herb that causes tissues to contract, typically due to its high tannin content.

Ayurveda A 6,000-year-old system of healing originating in India and Nepal.

Biennia l A plant with a two-year life cycle, typically flowering during the second year before dying.

Bile A bitter secretion of the liver that aids digestion, chiefly by saponifying fats.

Binomial The two-part scientific name used to identify plants; consists of the genus and species of a plant.

Biof lavonoids A class of botanical secondary metabolites, many of which are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

BitterAn herb that has a bitter taste and stimulates the release of digestive secretions through a taste bud reflex. Bitters are used to promote the digestion of food and assimilation of nutrients.

Botany The study of plants.

Calmat ive An herb that reduces nervous system hyperactivity and has a gentle calming effect on the mind, body, and emotions.

Carminat iveAn herb that aids the body in expelling intestinal flatulence, eases bowel griping, and soothes stomach discomfort. Carminative plants are typically high in aromatic oils and are useful in a variety of digestive disorders.

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H e r b a l G l o s s a r y cont’d.

Carr ier A substance (e.g., oil, water) that helps carry active plant constituents into the bloodstream, where they can act on the body’s tissues and organs.

Chinese medic ine An ancient system of holistic medicine developed in China.

Cholagogue An herb that increases the flow of bile.

Choleret ic An herb that stimulates production of bile.

Compress A cloth soaked in herbal tea and applied topically to wounds, rashes, sore muscles, sprains, etc.

Contra indicat ion A condition for which a particular herb is not recommended.

Decoct ion A tea preparation for sturdier plant material such as roots and bark, involving simmering the herb in water for 20 minutes or longer.

Demulcent A mucilaginous herb that soothes irritated or inflamed tissues and mucous membranes.

Diaphoret ic An herb that promotes perspiration and is often used to help “break” a fever.

Digest ive An herb that strengthens or supports healthy digestive function.

Dioscor idesA Greek physician of the 1st century CE; his De Materia Medica was the leading text on pharmacology for 16 centuries and details the properties of more than 600 plants and animal products.

Doctr ine of Signatures The concept that the appearance and/or habitat of a plant indicates its inherent properties.

Dosha An ayurvedic term to describe three energies (vata, pitta, kapha) that circulate in the body and contribute to physical and emotional constitutional tendencies and disease.

Double-ought (00) capsule

A gelatin capsule or vegetable fiber capsule that holds approximately ½ g of powdered herb.

Eclect icSystem of herbalism developed in the United States in the 19th century CE. The Eclectic physicians pulled together herbs and philosophies from various healing traditions.

Electuary An herbal preparation made by adding powdered herbs to honey to form a thick paste.

Elix i r A liquid herbal extract that contains alcohol and a sweet base to render it more pleasant to drink.

Emmenagogue An herb that stimulates menstruation.

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H e r b a l G l o s s a r y cont’d.Emol l ient An herb applied externally to soften and soothe skin.

Enzymes Proteins secreted by the body that act as catalysts in inducing chemical changes in the body.

Essent ia l o i l An extremely light and volatile concentrated oil extracted from aromatic plants; used in aromatherapy and produced by distillation or chemical extraction.

Extract A preparation containing active constituents (e.g., tincture, herb-infused vinegar, herb-infused oil, infusion, decoction).

Febr i fuge An herb that eases fever.

Flower es sence Specially prepared liquid flower extract used to improve psychological wellbeing through energetic and vibrational resonance.

Free radica l s Unpaired oxygen molecules that cause cellular damage.

Galactogogue An herb that increases the flow of breast milk.

Glycer i te Liquid extract that uses glycerin as the menstruum.

Glycos ide A compound that is created when a sugar binds to a non-sugar molecule.

Hepat ic An herb that affects the liver.

Herbaceous A type of plant with little or no woody tissue.

Herbal A book of herb descriptions and recipes.

Homeopathy A system that uses highly diluted solutions of herbs, minerals, and animal products to promote wellness.

Homeostas i s The tendency of the internal environment of the body to remain relatively constant in spite of varying external conditions.

Humors Black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood; historically thought to be four fluids contained within the body in the Four Humors theory of Western herbalism.

Hypotens ive An herb that helps lower blood pressure.

Immune s t imulant An herb that stimulates the immune system.

Infus ion A preparation of plant parts steeped into a carrier such as water or oil.

Jing In Chinese medicine, the life force that governs all creativity and reproduction.

Kapha Ayurvedic dosha associated with dampness and phlegm. Kapha qualities are heavy, cold, oily, slow, dense, soft, static, and sweet.

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H e r b a l G l o s s a r y cont’d.Liniment An herbal liquid, typically made with alcohol or vinegar, that is rubbed into the skin to

counter various imbalances.

Macerat ion The act of steeping herbs in alcohol, oil, water, or other menstruums.

Marc The waste herb material remaining after an extract is prepared.

Mater ia medica A body of collected knowledge and description of herbs and their uses.

Menstruum The solvent or solvent blend used to make a liquid extract (e.g., alcohol, vinegar, or water).

Mother t incture In homeopathy or flower essences, the mother tincture is the original preparation that is diluted before consumption.

Natura l ized A non-native plant that has spread into the wild and reproduces to form a wild population.

Nervine An herb that affects the nervous system; may be stimulating, sedating, or relaxing.

Oleo gum res in A natural exudate from trees and plants that consists mainly of essential oil, gum, and resin.

Oxymel An herb-infused honey and vinegar preparation.

Percolat ionThe process of extracting constituents from herbal powders by packing them into a funnel and allowing a menstruum (often alcohol or water) to slowly flow through the powdered herb.

Perennia lA plant that lives for more than 2 years. The aboveground parts of perennial plants may die back at the end of the growing season, but the roots often endure for many years, producing new growth each spring.

Phys iomedica l i sm A system of herbalism developed by Samuel Thomson in the United States during the 19th century CE.

Phytochemica l A biologically active substance in plants.

Phytoestrogen Natural estrogen-like substances that occur in plants.

Pit ta An ayurvedic dosha associated with fire or bile. Pitta qualities are light, hot, oily, sharp, liquid, sour, and pungent.

Placebo A pill, compound, or experience that is similar in appearance to an agent being tested in a clinical trial, but has no direct physiological effect.

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H e r b a l G l o s s a r y cont’d.Placebo response The perceived healing, improvement of symptoms, or actual healing from a substance or

experience that is a placebo.

Pl iny the Elder An herbalist and naturalist who lived from BCE 23-79; author of the Natural History, a work comprised of 37 volumes, of which books XX to XXXll deal with herbs.

Poult ice A mass of freshly macerated herbs applied to an area of the body in order to address an imbalance.

Prana The ayurvedic concept of vital energy.

Propagat ion A gardening term; the process of creating new plants from plant cuttings.

Qi The concept of vital energy in Chinese medicine.

Refr igerant A plant or other substance that cools the body and eases fever.

Resin A semi-solid plant substance typically with antimicrobial properties that is soluble in alcohol, but not in water. Amber and pine pitch are examples.

Restorat ive An herb that restores balance and strength to the body and its systems.

Rhizome An underground stem from which roots and shoots grow. The rhizomes of ginger and turmeric, for example, are used in herbalism.

Rubefac ient An herb that stimulates blood flow to the skin, causing local redness.

Salve An herbal preparation made from infused oil and beeswax for topical application.

Saponins Active plant constituents that produce a soap-like lather in water.

Sia logogue An herb that increases the secretion of saliva.

Simple A single herb used on its own.

Single-ought capsule A small gelatin or vegetable-based capsule that holds about 1/3 g (300 mg) of an herb powder.

Solvent A liquid capable of dissolving and removing chemical constituents from plants and extracting them into a liquid solution.

Spp.An abbreviation for species, signifying any one of a number of species in a genus; for example, instead of writing out all the species of the genus Valeriana, Valeriana spp. is written.

Standardized extract

A type of herbal extract in which a constituent is adjusted to a specified and standardized level.

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H e r b a l G l o s s a r y cont’d.

Stypt ic An herb that helps to stop bleeding.

Systemic Affecting the entire body.

Tannin An active plant constituent that binds proteins through an astringent action; originally derived from plants used for tanning leather.

Taproot A somewhat straight tapering root that grows vertically downward.

Taxonomy The science of classifying living organisms by assigning each organism to a category depending on the degree of similarities or relatedness to another.

Terpene Complex active plant constituents with a carbon ring structure, generally highly aromatic and often a component of essential oils.

Tincture A concentrated herbal extract made by macerating herbs in alcohol and water.

Tonic An herb that strengthens the body through a general tonifying effect or through specific affinities for certain organs.

Tuber A swollen part of an underground plant stem, capable of new growth.

VarietyA level of classification in the plant kingdom below species and subspecies noting minor differences within a species, such as variations in flower color ; designated by the abbreviation var.

Vata An ayurvedic dosha associated with wind or air. Vata qualities are light, cold, dry, rough, subtle, mobile, clear, and astringent.

Vulnerary An herb that helps promote the wound healing process.

Wildcraf t ing Harvesting uncultivated herbs from the wild. Most herbalists feel that wildcrafting also implies harvesting the herbs with reverence and ecological awareness.

Yang In Chinese medicine, the energetic aspect associated with masculine energy: dry, hot, ascending, exterior.

Yin In Chinese medicine, the energetic aspect associated with feminine energy: damp, cold, descending, interior.

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