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| Glossary of Terms: Part 2 |
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| Narcotic: | Causes numbness to relieve pain, or a stupor. |
| Nervine: | Tonic for the nervous system. Strengthens and soothes the nerves, regulates the nervous system and helps ease pain. |
| Nutritive: | Supply nutrients. *See also: Tonic* |
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| Opthalmalic: | Healing diseases of the eyes. |
| Oxytocic: | Assist labor and eases childbirth. WARNING: Since oxytocics stimulate uterine contractions and thus could be abortifacients as well, they should be used only with the supervision of an experienced herbalist *See: Partrurient* |
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| Parasiticide: | Kills and eliminates external parasites. |
| Partrurient: | Assist labor and eases childbirth. *See: Oxytocic* |
| Pectoral: | Works on relieving congestion in the chest. *See: Pulmonary* |
| Poultice: | The placement of moist herbs directly on the skin over the affected area, or with a cloth between the herbs and skin. Poultices can be warm, hot, or even cold (cold compresses). |
| Pulmonary: | Works on relieving congestion in the chest. *See: Pectoral* |
| Purgative: | Much stronger than a laxative. Purges the bowels of stool. *See also: Aperient, Cathartic and Laxative* |
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| Refrigerant: | "Cooling." Reduces fevers, lowers body temperature. *See: Antipyretic* |
| Resolvent: | Dissolve urinary stones and gall bladder stones and gravel.*See: Lithrotriptic* |
| Rubefacient: | Applied externally to increase blood flow to the surface of the skin in localized areas. |
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| Saponin: | A glycoside compound in some plants that becomes kind of "soapy" and frothy when mixed vigorously with water. |
| Sedative: | Stronger than calmatives, sedatives not only calm, but can put one to sleep. *See also: Adaptogen andCalmative* |
| Sialagogue: | Promotes saliva flow. |
| Soporific: | To promote deep sleep. |
| Spasmolytic: | Relaxes muscles to ease cramping and muscle spasms. *See: Antispasmodic* |
| Stimulant: | Energize specific body systems or provide energy in general. Usually have a warming effect as well, though not always. |
| Stomachic: | Promotes/aids digestion and appetite. Strengthens and tones the stomach. |
| Styptic: | Stops or significantly slows bleeding by constricting the blood vessels. *See: Hemostatic; See also: Astringent* |
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| Tea: | A beverage, either for enjoyment or medicinal purposes, created by pouring boiling water over herbs and steeping for 3-30 minutes. *See also: Decoction, Infusion, and Tincture* |
| Teratogen: | Agent that can harm and cause birth defects in unborn children. |
| Tincture: | A medicinal preparation created by steeping herbs in alcohol, apple cider vinegar or glycerine for approximately six weeks. The resulting liquid is then a more concentrated than most teas, infusions and decoctions. *See also: Decoction, Infusion, and Tea* |
| Tonic: | Provide nutrients as well as tone and strengthen the systems of the body (some tonics are system-specific), as well as increase overall energy. |
| Tuberculostatic: | Slows or stops the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. |
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| Uterotonic: | Strengthens or affects the uterus in an unspecified positive way. |
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| Vasoconstrictor: | Something that constricts the blood vessels. |
| Vasodilator: | Something that dilates the blood vessels. |
| Vermicide: | Kill intestinal worms, but don't necessarily expel them. *See also: Anthemintic and Vermifuge* |
| Vermifuge: | Expel intestinal worms. *See also: Anthemintic and Vermicide* |
| Vulnerary: | Speed healing of wounds (both internal and external) by helping to prevent infection and increasing cellular regeneration. |
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Herb List: Common names |
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Herb List: Scientific names |
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Actions List |
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Herbal Preparations |
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Book List |
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Herb Page Directory |
| A bibliography is on each individual herb page and on the Book List Page. |
| Copyright 1999. By WhiteFox. |
| Music: "Saturntheme.mid" from Sailor Moon (Japanese Animation) |
