Copy of `Nature Direct 2U - Medical Terms`

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Nature Direct 2U - Medical Terms Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Terms Date & country: 08/01/2008, UK Words: 241

Relaxant
Tends to relax and relieve tension, especially muscular tension and produces relaxation.

Resolvent
Promotes the resolving and removing of swellings & abnormal growths, such as a tumour.

Restorative
Restores consciousness and/or normal physiological activity.

Rhinitis
Inflammation of nasal mucosa.

Rubefacient
An agent that causes reddening or irritation when applied to the skin.

Saponin
A glycoside compound in plants, which, when shaken with water, has a foaming or 'soapy' action.

Scald head
Ringworm, or some similar affliction, of the scalp. May also refer to a disease of the hair follicles with formation of small yellow crusts and a very offensive odor; usually affects the scalp.

Scorbutic
Concerning or affected with scurvy.

Scrofula
Tuberculosis involving the lymph nodes of the neck, usually occurs in early life.

Sedative
Calms the nerves, anxiety, allays excitement, induces relaxation, promotes drowsiness and is conducive to sleep.

Sialagogue
Promotes the flow of saliva.

Sleeping disease
Sleeping sickness; commonly found in Africa. Also viral encephalitis in which lethargy is a prominent feature.

Soporific
Herbs that help to produce sleep.

Spasmolytic
Checking spasms or cramps.

Specific
A remedy having a curative effect on a particular disease or symptom.

Spermatorrhea
Abnormally frequent involuntary loss of semen without orgasm.

Spondylosis
Abnormal immobility and fixation of vertebral joints.

Stimulant
An agent that causes increased activity of another agent, cell, tissue, organ, or organism.

Stomachic
Substances which give strength and tone to the stomach. Also used to stimulate the appetite.

Strangury
A slow and painful passage of the urine due to spasm of the urethra and urinary bladder.

Styptic
Checking bleeding by contracting blood vessels.

Subcostal
Beneath the ribs.

Sudorific
Herbs that promote or increase perspiration.

Teratogen
A substance that can cause the deformity of a fetus.

Tetters
A once popular name for various eczematous skin diseases. May also refer to a skin disease of animals communicable to man with intense itching.

Tincture
A diluted alcohol solution of plant parts.

Tinea capitis
Fungal skin disease of the scalp.

Tisane
A term used frequently in Europe referring to popular herbal infusions, such as chamomile flowers etc., which are commonly taken as a beverage or for mildly medicinal effects.

Tonic
An ambiguous term referring to a substance thought to have an overall positive medicinal effect, typically strengthening and revitalising the body or specific organs. (see adaptogenic).

Tranquiliser
Calms the nerves.

Tuberculostatic
Arresting the tubercle bacillus (the germ responsible for causing tuberculosis).

Uterotonic
Having a positive effect on an unspecified nature of the uterus.

Vasoconstrictor
An agent that causes blood vessels to constrict, or narrow the calibre.

Vasodepressant
Lowers blood pressure by dilatation of blood vessels; having a depressing influence on circulation.

Vasodilator
An agent that causes blood vessels to relax and dilate.

Vermicidal
Having worm-killing properties; an agent that kills worms; a vermifuge. Also Vermicide.

Vermifuge
Having worm-killing properties; an agent that kills intestinal worms.

Vesicant
An agent that causes blistering, such as poison ivy.

Vulnerary
An agent or herb used for healing wounds, sores, fresh cuts etc., usually used as a poultice.

Whites
See leukorrhea.

Zymotic
Caused by or pertaining to any infectious or contagious disease.