Glossary of Medical Terms
- abortifacient
- A substance which causes or promotes abortion.
- adaptogen
- Increases the body's ability to adapt to internal or external stress.
- alterative
- Gradually alters or changes a condition
- analgesic
- Relieves pain and discomfort
- anodyne
- A medicine that relieves pain.
- antihelminic
- Expels worms. Also called vermifuge.
- antibiotic
- Kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.
- antidote
- Counteracts the action af another substance; usually refers to poisons.
- antipyretic
- Reduces or prevents a fever
- antiseptic
- Destroys bacteria; usually applied externally
- antispasmodic
- Relieves or prevents muscle spasms or cramps
- astringent
- Causes dehydration and the tightening and shrinking of tissues. Used to stop bleeding and close pores.
- bitter tonic
- Has a bitter taste that stimulates the flow of gastric juices
- calmative
- Has a calming effect; usually not as strong as a sedative
- carminative
- Dispels or prevents gas
- catarrh
- Inflammation of the mucous membranes; especially those of the respiratory system. May be accompanied by gastric upsets or diarrhea.
- cathartic
- Causes evacuation of the bowels
- cholagogue
- Promotes the flow of bile
- demulcent
- Oily or mucilaginous substance that soothes and moistens irritated tissues
- diaphoretic
- Promotes sweating
- diuretic
- Also called "water pills;" promotes the flow of urine
- emetic
- induces vomiting
- emmenagogue
- Promotes menstruation
- emolient
- Softens and soothes the skin
- expectorant
- Expels phlegm by inducing coughing, sneezing, or spitting
- febrifuge
- Dissipates fever
- flatulence
- Gas in the stomach or bowels
- hemostatic
- Stops internal bleeding
- hepatic
- Affecting the liver
- laxative
- A gentle cathartic. A laxative may act by stimulating the motion of the bowel, moistening the colon, increasing bile secretion, or relieving cramps.
- nervine
- calms nervousness, tension, and excitement
- pectoral
- Relieves ailments of the chest and lungs
- physic
- A medicinal preparation
- purgative
- A strong cathartic
- rheumatism
- Stiffness of joints and muscles
- rubefacient
- Increases blood circulation to the area to which it is applied
- sedative
- Reduces nervous tension; stronger than a calmative
- sialogogue
- Increases the flow of saliva
- simple
- A herb used solo in treatment of a medical condition
- soporific
- Induces sleep
- stimulant
- Increases or quickens actions of the body
- styptic
- Stops external bleeding; usually an astringent
- sudorific
- Promotes sweating
- tonic
- Strengthens or invigorates the systems
- vermifuge
- Destroys or expels worms
- vesicant
- Causes blisters
- vulnerary
- Used to treat wounds
