CAROLINA HERBS!!!

This is part 4 and the last of the GLOSSARY that I had started earlier.I do hope that you enjoy this as much as I do!

For those who have shown interest in reading all 4 parts of my GLOSSARY,Thanks, very much!

GLOSSARYPART 4Jthrough W

J

JAUNDICE yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, or whites of the eyes, caused by a buildup of bilirubin ( a bile pigment) in the skin

L

LEECHAn Anglo-Saxon word for a healer. The art of the leech is leechcraft or leechdom

LEECHBOOKAn Anglo-Saxon book of medicine.

LETHARGY A feeling of tiredness, drowsiness or lack of energy.

LITER A metric unit of volume equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters or1.05 quarts liquid measure

LITHOTRIPTICan agent that dissolves urinary calculi(stones)

LYMPH fluid contained in lymphatic vessels, which flows through the lymphatic system to be returned to the blood.

LYMPH NODEone of many rounded structures, ranging from the size of a pinhead to a grape, that filter out bacteria and other toxic substances to stop them from entering the bloodstream and causing infection.Lyme nodes also produce lymphocytes, a type of blood cell.

M

MALABSORPTIONImpaired absorption of nutrients most often a result of diarrhea.

MENORRHAGIAexcessive loss of blood during menstrual periods.

METABOLISM the sum of all biochemical reactions in the body, including anabolism (building of complex chemicals from less complex ones) and catabolism ( breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones).

METRORRHAGIA Normal uterine bleeding at an abnormal time.

MICROGRAMA unit a weight in the metric system that's one-millionth of a gram or oneone-thousandth (0.001) of a milligram

MILILITERA unit of volumein the metric system that's oneone-thousandth (0.001) of a liter.

MINIMa unit of capacity in the British imperial system that's one six - hundredth (0.06) of a milliliter

MUCILAGINOUS Substance that is slimy, gooey, sticky.It has the property of moistening, soothing, and helping heal skin and mucous membranes.Soothing to all inflammation

MUSCLE RELAXANTa drug that reduces tension in the muscles, commonly used to treat muscle spasms resulting from muscle, bone, or joint injury

MUTATIONan alteration in a cell's DNA caused by a disruption in cell division or by exposure to a cancer-causing substance or certain other substances.

MYELIN SHEATHa white fatty substance that surrounds nerve cells to aid in nerve impulse transmission

N

NARCOTIC Substance that lessens pain by causing depression of the central nervous system.Causes stupor and numbness.

NATUROPATHYAn alternative system of medical practice that combines a mainstream understanding of human physiology and disease with alternative remedies, such as herbal and nutritional therapies, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and counseling. Naturopathic doctors favor natural treatments aimed at stimulating the body's own healing ability over drugs and surgery

NAUSEANTproduces vomiting

NEPHRITIS inflammation of the kidney; the glomeruli, tubules and interstitial tissue may be affected.

NERVINEstrengthens functional activity of nervous system; may be stimulants or sedative.

NEURALGIApain in and originating along nerve fibers.

NSAIDNon steroidalanti inflammatory drugThis is a drug that reduces inflammation n and controls pain without the use of steroids. Examples are Advil, Indocin, Orudis and Naprosyn

O

OPHTHALMICUM a remedy for eye diseases

OXYTOCICagent that stimulates contractions accelerating childbirth.

P

PARASITICIDEan agent that kills parasites and worms

PARTURIENTstimulates uterine contraction which induce and assist labor.

PECTORALa remedy for chest affections

PERISTALSISthe alternate contraction and relaxation of the walls of a tubular structure by means of which its contents are moved onward, characteristic of the intestinal tract, ureter, etc

PHENOTHIAZINEa drug used to control psychosis or ease vomiting

PHYTOMEDICINEherbal medicine

PHARMACOPOEIAa list of drugs and formulas

POULTICE A warm, damp pack of herbs applied to a wound or sprain to draw the blood and relieve pain.

PRECURSORstarts a chain reaction which accelerates growth.

PROPHYLACTICany agent or regimen that contributes to the prevention of infection and disease.

PROSTAGLANDIN hormone like substance that has a wide range of functions including acting as chemical messenger and causing uterine contractions.

PRURITUSitching; an inflammation of the skin that produces itching

PSYCHOACTIVEa consciousness-altering herb, often hallucinogenic or narcotic

PULMONARY EDEMAa condition in which fluid builds up in the spaces outside the lung's blood vessels.

PUNGENT penetrating or sharp to the taste

PURGATIVELaxativeCauses watery evacuation of intestinal contents

PUTREFACTION decomposition of organic matter, especially proteins, by the action of bacteria, resulting in the formation of foul smelling compounds.

PSATESTPROTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGENTESTa blood test that measures the level of protein produced by prostate gland cells.The PSAtest is used to help detect prostate diseases.

R

REFRIGERANTan herb that cools the blood and thus reduces fever

RELAXANTrelaxes nerves and muscles; relieves tension

RESOLVENTthat which reduces inflammation or swelling.

RESTORATIVE an agent that is effective in the regaining of health and strength; restores normal physiological activity

RHINITISinflammation of the sinus membranes beginning in the mucous membranes of the nose (rhino means“nose”)

RUBEFACIENT stimulates blood flow to the skin thusproducing redness of the skin

S

SEDATIVEan herb that calms or tranquilizesspecific organs or systems; cardiac, nervous, cerebral, spinal

SIALAGOGUE an agent that stimulates the secretion of saliva

SOPORIFIC inducing sleep

SIMPLEA single herb given as a remedy

SPASMOLYTICantispasmodic

STILL ROOMBOOKAn eighteenth century privately kept book f herbal recipes.

STIMULANT increases internal heat, dispels internal chill and strengthens metabolism and circulation( can produce a sense of well being)

STOMACHICan herb that aidsand strengthens the stomach function

STYPTIC a blood staunching herb( stops hemorrhage)

SUDORIFIC produces sweat

SUFFUMIGATION An application of smoke or fumes.Incense

SYSTEMIC relating to or affecting the entire body

T

TAENIFUGEagent that expels tapeworms

TANNINactive plant constituents that combined with proteins; stringent .Astringent compounds in plants that protect the plant from yeasts, being eaten, and bacterial decay.

TAPEWORM any of several ribbon like worms that infest the intestines

TINCTUREA mixture of herbal extract and alcohol.Usefulbecause of the preservative and extractive properties of alcohol on herbs.

TISANEa French word for an herb tea.

TONICrestoring, nourishing and supporting for the entire body; a substance that exerts a gentle strengthening effect on the body.

TOPICAL USEapplication of a drug or an herbal product to the skin and surface tissues of the body.(Ointments,solutions, dusting powders, nasal drops, rectal and vaginal suppositories, ear and eye drops )

TOXINa poisonous substance of animal or plant origin

TRITURATIONa process of rubbing herbs and spices down to a fine powder and blending them.

U

UNGUENT An archaic term for ointment or salves.

UREMIA toxic condition associatingthe renal insufficiency produced by the retention in the blood of nitrogenous substances normally excreted by the kidney.

URINARY ANTISEPTICsubstance that is antiseptic to the urinary tract.

UTERINE TONIFIER substance that has a strengthening activity on the tissues of the uterus.

V

VAGINITISinflammation of the vagina, from irritation or infection

VASOCONSTRICTORan agent that narrows blood vessel openings, restricting the flow of blood through them

VASODILATOR cases relaxation of blood vessels

VERMIFUGEworm expellant

VERTIGOthe sensation of spinning or dizziness

VOLATILEquickly evaporating

VULNERARYassists in healing f wounds by protecting against infection and stimulating cell growth

W

WORTfrom the Old English wyrt,meaning a root or plant. In herbalism, an herb, usually used as a combined term.e.gSt John's wort,liverwort.