| 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. |