General Botany Vocab Flashcards
Analgesic
Diminishes pain
Anodyne
Relieves pain
Anthelmintic
Expels/destroys intestinal helminths (worms)
Antibiotic
Destroys/halts growth of bacteria or Protozoa
Commonly use term “antimicrobial” in herbalism
Antiemetic
Relieves N/V
Antipyretic
Prevents or reduces fever
Antiseptic
Inhibits growth of bacteria
Antispasmodic
Reduces intensity of spasticity, tremor, cramps
Antitussive
Relieves coughing
Aperient
Gentle stimulant to bowels, mild laxative
Aphrodisiac
Stimulates sexual desire or arousal
Alterative
A gentle nutritive eliminative agent that alter function gradually towards health
Astringent
Contracts tissue, reducing fluid exudate or bleeding
Balsam
Healing or soothing agent, usu made from tree resin
Bitter
Stimulates gastric, pancreatic, and GB juices plus motility, d/t bitter taste
Cardiac
Exerts effect on heart
Carminative
Soothes digestive upset and helps expel gas
Cathartic
Very strong laxative
Cholagogue
Increases flow of bile into intestines
Choleretic
Increases production of bile
Corrigent
Substance added to modify a medicinal preparation, usu by adding flavor
Demulcent
Mucilaginous substance that sooths tissue, particularly mucous membranes
Depurative
Cleanses and purifies the system, particularly the blood
Diaphoretic
Promotes perspiration
Diuretic
Increases urine output
Emetic
Induces vomiting
Emmenagogue
Promotes menstrual flow
Emollient
Moisturizes skin
Expectorant
Promotes mucous discharge from lungs
Galactagogue
Promotes milk production by mammary glands
Hemostatic
Stops bleeding
Hypnotic
Promotes sleep
Hepatic
Affects liver
Laxative
Promotes defecation
Narcotic
Relieves pain and induces sleep (generally higher toxicity)
Nervine
Calming or soothing to the nerves
Purgative
Strong laxative
Restorative
Restores normal physiologic activity
Rubefacient
Local irritant that increases circulation (erythema); think “rubor”
Sedative
Calming to the nerves with reduced alertness
Stimulant
Enhances a physiologic process
Stomachic
Has effect on stomach function
Styptic
Astringent that stops bleeding
Tonic
Strengthens an organ, organ system, or whole organism
Vermicide
Destroys helminths (worms)
Vermifuge
Stimulates expulsion of helminths
Vulnerary
Heals wounds