Copy of `Woodland Herbs - Complementary medicine terms`

The wordlist doesn't exist anymore, or, the website doesn't exist anymore. On this page you can find a copy of the original information. The information may have been taken offline because it is outdated.

Woodland Herbs - Complementary medicine terms Category: Health and Medicine > Complementary medicine Date & country: 23/11/2007, UK Words: 132

Aqueous coating
a natural water and vegetable cellulose coating which can be used as a coating to enhance tablet disintegration and dissolution

Ascorbic acid
The chemical name for vitamin c

Astringents
Products that cause a tightening and contractions of the skin tissues, generally used to tone skin and close pores. Can also arrest heavy bleeding

Avocado Oil
Has excellent penetrating qualities, softens and regenerates skin. This emollient is valued for its high lipid and Vitamin A, D and C components

Ayurveda Medicine
System of sacred medicine originating from Ancient India, dating from 1000 to 3000BC.

Barrier cream
cream that provides a protective coating when applied to the skin eg. hands and face

Beeswax
A natural emulsifier and thickener

Beta Carotene
An abundant source of Vitamin A with rich anti-oxidant properties. It is necessary for tissue repair and maintenance and accelerates the formation of healthy new skin cells. Vitamin A deters excess dryness

Bisobolol
main active ingredient in chamomile which has excellent skin healing properties

Bitters
Stimulate the autonomic nervous system. Bitters increase appetite, assist assimilation

Botanical Extract
An extract of herbs and plants. The extracting solvent can be water, oil, alcohol or any synthetic solvent such as propylene glycol

Bronchodilators
herbs that expand the clear space within the bronchial tubes, opening up airways and relieving obstruction.

Candida albicans
A yeast that causes thrush and in more severe cases, symptoms can affect the whole body

Capricin
A caprylic acid formulation that facilitates absorption of calcium and magnesium

Caramel
Coloring agent derived from liquid corn syrup

Carcinogens
substances that bring about a malignant change in body cells

Carminatives
Anti-flatulents, aromatic herbs used to expel gas from the stomach and intestines

Carmine
Natural red pigment obtained from cochineal

Castor Oil
A superb conditioner that has been proven to strengthen the hair shaft

Catabolism
An aspect of metabolism which is concerned with the breaking down of complex substances to simpler ones, with the release of energy

Cetyl Alcohol
Derived from coconut and palm oils. This is not a drying alcohol. Used as an emollient and to protect skin from moisture loss

Chlorophyll
stored energy of the sun. Green colouring matter of plants

Cholagogues
A group of agents which increases the secretion of bile and its expulsion from the gall bladder

Choleretic
An agent which reduces cholesterol levels by excreting cholesterol

Citric Acid
Derived from citrus fruit . A natural preservative that helps to adjust the pH of cosmetic products

Clay
Deep-cleansing and highly absorbent. Bentonite and green clay are two types of natural clay

Compresses
External applications to soften tissue, allay inflammation or alleviate pain

Contra-indicated
not indicated, against medical advice, unsuitable for use

Cornstarch
Used as a safe base for our eye shadows, blushers and loose powders

Coumarins
Powerful anti-coagulant plant chemicals. Used to prevent blood clotting

Counter-irritant
An agent which produces vaso-dilation of peripheral blood vessels by stimulating nerve-endings of the skin to generate irritation intended to relieve deep-seated pain

Cramp
Sustained contraction of a muscle.

Decoction
A preparation obtained by bringing to the boil and simmering dense herbal materials ie. Bark, root and woody parts for a plant to extract active constituents

Decongestant
Herb which is used to loosen mucus within bronchi and lungs

Demulcent
Anti-irritant. A herb rich in mucilage that is soothing, bland, offering protection to inflamed or irritable mucous surfaces

Depurative
Blood purifier. Alterative

Detoxifiers
Plant medicines that aid removal of a poison or poisonous effect, reducing toxic properties

Diaphoretics
Herbs that induce increased perspiration.

Diuretics
Agents that increase the flow of urine from the kidneys and so excrete excess fluid from the body

Douche
A term used to describe the cleansing of certain parts of the body eg. Washing wounds and ulcers, eye douches etc.

Eliminative
A herb to disperse and promote excretion from the body

Emetic
A herb to induce vomiting. Given to expel poisons

Emmenagogues
Plant substances which initiate and promote the menstrual flow

Emollient
Any substance that prevents water loss from the skin. Most natural oils perform this function

Emulsifier
A substance that holds oil in water or water in oil. They are necessary in the manufacture of cream and lotions

Emulsion
A mixture of two incompatible substances. Most creams on the cosmetic market are emulsions

Enuresis
Bed wetting

Enzyme
A biological catalyst that acts to speed up chemical reactions. Digestive enzymes are necessary for the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats ie.pepsin

Essential Fatty Acids
A fatty acid that must be supplied in the diet as the body cannot produce it itself

Expectorants
Herbs that increase bronchial mucous secretion by promoting liquefaction of sticky mucous and its expulsion from the body.

Fatty Acid
A monobasic acid containing only the chemicals carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Found in vegetable and animal fats, they are important for maintaining a healthy skin and are excellent emollients

Febrifuge
Anti-fever

Fixed Oil
A fixed oil is chemically the same as a fat, but is generally liquid ie. Almond oil, grapeseed oil

Flavanoids
natural chemicals that prevent the deposit of fatty material in blood vessels

Flaxseed Oil
Rich source of omega 3 essential fatty acids. (Also known as Linseed Oil)

Fructose
A natural sugar found in honey and fruits

Fumigant
a herb, usually a gum, which when burnt releases mixed gases into the atmosphere to cleanse against air borne infection eg. myrrh or frankincense.

Galactagogue
herb to increase flow of breast milk in nursing mothers

Glycerin (vegetable)
A humectant and emollient, it absorbs moisture from the air, thereby keeping moisture in your skin

Glycoside
an organic substance which may be broken into two parts, one of which is always sugar

Grain Alcohol
A natural solvent that evaporates easily

Green Tea Extract
Works towards lightening the skin by actively slowing the transport of melanin to the skin's surface. Has well known antioxidant qualities

Guar Gum
A fibre derived from the guar plant and used as a binder in tablet manufacturing.

Haemostatics
agents that arrest bleeding

Hepatic
a herb that assists the liver in its function and promotes the flow of bile

Histamine
A chemical released via the body's immune system in response to allergens

Hyaluronic Acid
Derived from yeast cells, it is extremely hydroscopic. Binds water in the interstitial spaces between skin cells, forming a gel-like substance which holds the cells together

Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
Source of essential fatty acids

Hypoallergenic
In the strictest sense means without fragrance, but more broadly refers to products that are unlikely to cause skin irritation

Infusion
The liquid resulting from making a herbal tea

Iron Oxides
Natural mineral derived colour pigments.

Kaolin
Clay used to absorb oils.

Laxative
agent used for persistant constipation to help expel faecal matter from the bowel

Lecithin
Natural antioxidant and emollient. High in essential fatty acids. A stabiliser and emulsifier from soya beans, corn, peanuts and egg-yolk. Cholesterol reducer

Lymph
a straw coloured fluid which circulates many tissues of the body and serves to lubricate and cleanse them.

Magnesium Carbonate
Mineral derived from dolomite, it is used in our face powders to achieve the correct shade or tone

Mannitol
A natural sugar substitute derived from the manna plant and seaweed

Menorrhagia
abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding, more than normal flow and longer lasting

Menthol
Nature constituent of peppermint oil. Used for its antiseptic properties

Meridians
The energy channels which run through the body and are used in acupuncture, reflexology and other similar therapies

Metabolism
the reactions involved in the building up and decomposition of chemical substances in living organisms

Metrorrhagia
bleeding from the womb between periods

Mineral Salts
Used for colour pigments in our temporary hair colour

Mucilage
a slimy product formed by the addition of gum to water. Used internally and externally to soothe irritated and inflamed membranes and surfaces

Mucolytics
agents that disperse or dissolve mucus.

Natural glycerine
used to stabilise and disperse liquid nutrients inside a capsule. A clear colourless syrupy liquid with a sweet taste derived from natural fats and oil

Nerve restoratives
herbs used to provide support and restoration of the nervous system caused by stress, disease or faulty nutrition

Nutrient
a non-irritating, easily digested agent which provides body nourishment and stimulates metabolic processes.

Orexigenic
a herb which increases or stimulates the appetite

Oxytocic
a herb which hastens the process of childbirth by initiating contraction of the uterine muscle.

Peripheral
refers to the outermost parts of the body

Poultice
poultices are packs of powders, dried or fresh herbs, enclosed in a muslin bag or wrapped in folds of a flannel or linen and soaked in boiling water, then applied to the affected area of the body

Prostaglandins
hormone like messengers in the body responsible for the control of important body functions

Proteinuria
presence of albumin in the urine

Pruritus
itching

Purgative
an agent that encourages evacuation of matter from the bowel.

Reflux
a backward flow of food to the mouth from the gullet or stomach

Refrigerant
a cooling preparation taken orally or applied externally

Resin
a thick-solid, insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol, exude from trees or plants which are used as antiseptics

Rice Bran Wax
Derived from rice bran, used as emollient and to protect skin from moisture loss