B-D

All the following terms are commonly found in standard reference works on herbal medicine. A few are not used generally, but most of them are. This Glossary contains all of the names used in Herbal Medicine, and the meanings for them.

 

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B-D

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T-Z

Balsam - 1) A soothing or healing agent. 2) A resinous substance obtained from the exudations of various trees and used in medicinal preparations. Bitter - Characterised by a bitter principle which acts on the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach to increase appetite and promote digestion. Calmative - An agent that has a mild sedative or tranquilising effect. Cardiac - An agent that stimulates or otherwise affects the heart. Carminitive - An agent for expelling gas from the intestines. Cathartic - An agent that acts to empty the bowels, laxative. Caustic - A corrosive substance capable of burning or eating away tissues. Cholagogue - An agent for increasing the flow of bile into the intestines. Coagulant - An agent that induces clotting in a liquid, such as blood. Counter-irritant - An agent for producing irritation in one part of the body to counteract irritation or inflammation in another part. Demulcent - A substance that soothes irritated tissue, particularly mucous membrane. Deodorant - A herb that has the effect of destroying or masking odours. Depressant - An agent which lessens nervous of functional activity; opposite of stimulant. Depurative - An agent that cleanses and purifies the system, particularly the blood. Detergent - An agent that cleanses wounds and sores of diseased or dead matter. Diaphoretic - An agent that promotes perspiration; sudorific. Digestive - An agent that promotes or aids digestion. Disinfectant - An agent that cleanses infection by destroying or inhibiting the activity of disease-producing micro-organisms. Diuretic - An agent that increases the secretion and expulsion of urine.