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Nature Direct 2U - Medical Terms Category: Health and Medicine More specific: Medical Terms County & Date: UK, 08012008 Words: 200

Abortifacient
Induces the premature expulsion (abortion) of a foetus. Same meaning as Ecbolic, e.g. pennyroyal.

Adaptogenic
Helping the human organism adapt to stressful conditions.

Aerophagy
An excess of air in the alimentary canal that is relieved through burping or flatulence.

Ague
An intermittent fever, sometimes with chills, as in malaria.

Alkaloid
A large, varied group of complex nitrogen-containing compounds, usually alkaline, that react with acids to form soluble salts, many of which have physiological effects on humans. Includes nicotine, cocaine, caffeine, etc.

Alterative
A medicinal substance that gradually restores health and the nutritional state of the body.

Amenorrhea
Absence or suppression of menstruation.

Anaesthetic
Numbs the nerves and causes loss of sensation.

Analgesic
A medicine which relieves or reduces pain.

Anaphrodisiac
Reduces sexual desire.

Anhydrotic
Stops sweating.

Anodyne
A pain-relieving medicine, milder than analgesic.

Antacid
Neutralizes the acid produced by the stomach. Do the self-test to see if excessive acid is the cause of indigestion.

Anthelmintic
An agent that kills, destroys and expels worms from the intestines. Same as vermifuge.

Anti-aphrodisiac
Suppressing sexual desire.

Anti-convulsant
Reducing or relieving convulsions or cramps.

Anti-emetic
Prevents, counteracts or alleviates nausea and vomiting.

Anti-epileptic
An agent that combats the convulsions or seizures of epilepsy.

Anti-inflammatory
Reducing or neutralizing inflammation.

Anti-lithic
Aids in preventing the formation of stones or calculus in the kidneys and bladder.

Anti-oxidant
Preventing oxidation; a preservative.

Anti-periodic
Prevents the periodic recurrence of attacks of a disease; as in malaria.

Anti-rheumatic
An agent that relieves or cures rheumatism.

Anti-syphilitic
Herbs that improve or cure syphilis. Also called antileutic.

Antibacterial
Destroys or stops the growth of bacteria.

Antibilious
An herb that combats biliousness. The term biliousness refers to a group of symptoms consisting of nausea, abdominal discomfort, headache, constipation, and gas that is caused by an excessive secretion of bile.

Antibiotic
An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of, or kills, a living organism; usually used in reference to bacteria or other microorganisms.

Antidepressant
Reduces or prevents depression.

Antidiarrhoeic
Relieves diarrhea.

Antidote
Counteracts a poison.

Antifungal
An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of fungi, or kills them outright.

Antigalactagogue
Prevents or decreases the production of milk secretion of nursing mothers.

Antihistaminic
Neutralizing the effect or inhibiting production of histamine.

Antimicrobial
An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of microorganisms, or kills them.

Antineuralgic
Stops nerve pain.

Antiparasitical
Destructive to parasites.

Antiphlogistic
An agent that counteracts, reduces or prevents inflammation.

Antipruritic
Relieves or prevents itching.

Antiputrid
Stops putrefaction.

Antipyretic
Reduces fever. Same as febrifuge or refrigerant.

Antisclerotic
Removes deposits from circulatory vessels.

Antiscorbutic
An agent effective in preventing scurvy.

Antiseptic
Preventing sepsis, decay, putrefaction; also, an agent that inhibits the growth of, and kills, germs, bacteria & microbes.

Antispasmodic
Relieves or prevents spasms, cramps, and convulsions.

Antisudorific
Reduces perspiration.

Antitoxic
Counteracts poisons.

Antitumor
Preventing or effective against tumors or cancers.

Antitussive
Preventing or relieving cough.

Antivenomous
Acts against poisonous matter from animals and snakes.

Antiviral
An agent that inhibits growth or multiplication of viruses, or kills them.

Antizymotic
Herbs that can destroy disease-producing organisms.

Aperient
A gentle purgative of the bowels.

Aperitif
Appetite stimulant.

Aphasia
Inability to express oneself properly through speech or loss of verbal comprehension; sensory and motor areas may be involved.

Aphrodisiac
Increasing or exciting sexual desire.

Apoplexy
The result of a stroke (cerbrovascular accident (CVA)).

Aromatic
Agents which emit a fragrant smell and produce a pungent taste. Used chiefly to make other medicines more palatable.

Ascaris
Roundworm (also called maw-worm and eelworm) found in the small intestine causing colicky pains and diarrhea, especially in children.

Ascites
Excessive accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity.

Asthenia
Lack or loss of strength, usually involving muscular system.

Astringent
An agent that causes tissue to contract.

Bactericidal
An agent that kills bacteria.

Balsam
The resin of a tree that is healing and soothing, e.g. myrrh.

Balsamic
Softens phlegm.

Bitter tonic
Bitter-tasting properties which stimulate the flow of saliva and gastric juice. Used to increase the appetite and aid in the process of digestion.

Bolus
A suppository injected into the rectum or vagina.

Bronchodilator
Expands the spastic bronchial tube.

Calmative
An agent with mild sedative, tranquilising or calming effects.

Cardiac
Stimulates or affects the heart.

Cardioactive
Affecting the heart.

Cardiotonic
Tones the heart muscle.

Carminative
An agent that relieves and removes gas from the digestive system.

Cataplasm
Another name for poultice.

Catarrh
An inflammation of the mucous membranes with a free discharge. This has special reference to the air passages of the head and throat, e.g. hayfever, rhinitis, influenza, bronchitis, pharyngitis, asthma.

Cathartic
A powerful purgative or laxative, causing severe evacuation, with or without pain.

Cephalic
Referring to diseases affecting the head and upper part of the body.

Cholagogue
An agent that increases bile flow to the intestines.

Choleretic
Stimulates the production of bile.

Chorea
Nervous disorder marked by muscular twitching of arms, legs and face.

Cicatrisant
Helps the formation of scar tissue; healing.

CNS
Central nervous system.

Coagulant
Clots the blood.

Condiment
Enhances the flavour of food.

Cordial
A stimulating medicine or drink.

Counterirritant
An agent that produces inflammation or irritation when applied locally to affect another, usually irritated surface to stimulate circulation, e.g. a mustard plaster or liniment.

Cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

Cytophylactic
Protects the cells of the organism.

Cytotoxic
An agent that is toxic to certain organs, tissues, or cells.

Decoction
A preparation made by boiling a plant part in water. Compare with Infusion.

Decongestant
Relieves congestion.

Demulcent
An agent that soothes and softens irritated tissue, particularly mucous membranes.

Demulcent febrifuge
Reduces heat while building bodily fluids.

Deobstruent
Removes obstructions by opening natural passages or pores of the body.

Depurative
Tends to purify and cleanse the blood and internal organs. Same as blood purifier.

Dermatomycoses
Skin infection caused by fungi.

Detergent
An agent that cleanses boils, sores, wounds etc.

Detersive
Detergent. Cleanses wounds and sores, and promotes the formation of scar tissue.

Detoxicant
Removes toxins.

Diaphoretic
An agent that induces sweating or perspiration.

Digestant
Contains substances (i.e. ferments, acids) which aid in digestion.

Digestive
An agent that promotes digestion.

Discutient
An agent that dissolves or causes something, such as a tumor, to disappear. Also called discussive.

Disinfectant
Kills infections and disease producing microorganisms.

Diuretic
An agent that increases the secretion and elimination of urine.

Drastic
A violent purgative.

Dropsy
Generalized edema (swelling).

Dyskinesia
Defect in voluntary movement.

Dyspepsia
Indigestion.

Dyspnea
Sense of difficulty in breathing, often associated with lung or heart disease.

Ecbolic
See abortifacient.

Emetic
An agent that induces vomiting.

Emmenagogue
A substance that promotes or assists the flow of menstrual fluid.

Emollient
An agent that softens the skin, and soothes inflamed and irritated tissues, when applied locally.

Enteritis
Inflammation of the small intestine.

Enterorrhagia
Hemorrhage from the intestine.

Enuresis
Involuntary urination.

Ephidrosis
Abnormal amount of sweating.

Epigastric
Upper middle region of the abdomen.

Eructation
Belching.

Erysipelis
An acute disease of skin and subcutaneous tissue with spreading inflammation and swelling.

Esculent
Edible or fit for eating.

Estrogenic
A substance, similar to estrogen, that induces female hormonal activity.

Euphoriant
Brings on an exaggerated sense of physical and emotional well-being.

Exanthematous
Refers to any eruptive disease or fever. An herbal remedy for skin eruptions such as measles, scarlet fever etc.

Exophthalmic
Protrusion of the eyeball.

Expectorant
An agent that induces the discharge of mucous secretions from the lungs and bronchial tubes.

Farinaceous
Of the nature of flour or meal. Starchy or containing starch.

Febrifuge
That which reduces or prevents fever. Same as antipyretic or refrigerant.

Fistula
Abnormal tube like passage from a normal cavity or tube to a free surface or to another cavity.

Flux
Excessive flow or discharge. For example, in dysentery or excessive menstruation.

Fungicidal
An agent that kills fungi.

Galactagogue
Promotes or increases the secretion of milk in nursing mothers.

Gastralgia
Pain in the stomach.

Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the stomach and intestinal tract.

Gastroptosis
Condition in which the stomach occupies an abnormally low position in the abdomen.

Germicide
Kills germs.

Gleet
A urethral discharge, either of mucus or pus; commonly seen in the chronic form of gonorrheal urethritis.

Hallucinogen
Induces hallucinations - an imagined or false sense of perception.

Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one half of the body.

Hemostatic
An agent that stops bleeding.

Hepatic
An herb that promotes the well-being of the liver and increases the secretion of bile.

Herpatic
A remedy for skin eruptions, ringworm etc.

Homeopathic
Relating to homeopathy, a system of medicine founded in the late 1700's by Samuel Hahnemann. The system is based on the principle that 'like cures like'. Practitioners believe that a substance that produces a set of symptoms in a well person will, in minute, 'potentised' doses, cure those same symptoms in a diseased individual.

Homeostasis
Equilibrium of internal environment.

Hydrogogue
Promotes watery evacuation of bowels.

Hydrophobia
Rabies.

Hyperchlorhydria
Excess of hydrochloric acid in gastric secretion.

Hypertensive
Causing or marking a rise in blood pressure.

Hypertensor
Raises the blood pressure.

Hypnotic
Induces sleep.

Hypoglycemic
Causing a deficiency of blood sugar.

Hypotensive
Causing or marking a lowering of blood pressure.

Hypotensor
Lowers the blood pressure.

Immunostimulant
Stimulating various functions or activities of the immune system.

Infusion
A preparation made by soaking a plant part in hot water (or cold water, for a cold infusion); in essence, a 'tea'. Compare Decoction.

Insecticide
Kills insects.

Intercostal
Between the ribs.

Larvicide
Kills the larvae of insects.

Laxative
A mild purgative. An herb that acts to promote evacuation of the bowels.

Leukorrhea
A whitish, viscid discharge from the vagina.

Lithotriptic
Causing the dissolution or destruction of stones in the bladder or kidneys.

Lung fever
A severe lung infection, as pneumonia.

Maturating
An agent that promotes the maturing or bringing to a head of boils, carbuncles etc.

Menorrhagia
Excessive bleeding during menstruation.

Mitogenic
An agent that affects cell division.

Monoplegia
Paralysis of a single limb or a single group of muscles.

Mortification
Gangrene.

Moxa
A dried herb substance burned on or above the skin to stimulate an acupuncture point or serve as a counterirritant. A famous technique of traditional Chinese medicine, using dried, pressed leaves of Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris).

Mucilaginous
Pertaining to or resembling or containing mucilage: slimy. Herbs that have a soothing effect on inflamed mucous membranes.

Mydriatic
Dilates the pupil.

Narcotic
An addicting substance that reduces pain and produces sleep.

Nauseant
An herb that causes nausea and vomiting. Somewhat similar to an emetic.

Nervine
An agent that affects, strengthens, or calms & soothes the nerves.

Neurasthenia
Severe nerve weakness; nervous exhaustion.

Neurodermatitis
Inflammation of skin with itching that is associated with emotional disturbance.

Nutrient or Nutritive
Nourishing, increases weight and density.

Ophthalmic
Healing for disorders and diseases of the eye.

Ophthalmicum
A remedy for diseases of the eye.

Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of the bone, especially the marrow.

Oxyuris
Genus of nematode intestinal worms which includes pinworms (also called threadworm and seatworm).

Panacea
An agent good for what ails you, or what doesn't ail you. A 'cure-all'.

Parasiticide
Kills parasites.

Parturient
A substance that induces and promotes labour.

Pectoral
Relieves disorders of the chest and lungs, as an expectorant.

Phagocytosis
Ingestion and digestion of bacteria and particles by phagocytes.

Plethora
Overfullness of blood vessels or of the total quantity of any fluid in the body.

Portal
Concerning entrance to an organ, especially that through which blood is carried to liver.

Poultice
A moist, usually warm or hot mass of plant material applied to the skin, or with cloth between the skin and plant material, to effect a medicinal action.

Prophylactic
Agent which wards off disease.

Pruritis
Severe itching.

Pterygium
Opaque triangular thickening of tissue extending from inner canthus to border or cornea with apex toward the pupil of the eye.

Puerperal
Period following childbirth.

Pungent
Irritating or shapely painful. Producing a sharp sensation of taste or smell.

Purgative
An agent that causes cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with griping (painful cramps).

Pyelitis
Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney and its calices.

Quicksilver
An old term for mercury.

Quinsy
Peritonsillar abscess or tonsillitis.

Refrigerant
Relieves fever and thirst. A cooling remedy. Lowers body temperature.

Regenerator
Promotes new growth or repair of structures or tissues.

Rejuvenator
Assists in promoting a youthful appearance.

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