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(HER)B SOUL ESSENTIALS > Herbal Glossary > Flashcards

Herbal Glossary Flashcards

1
Q

ABOVEGROUND PARTS

A

The leaves, stems, and flowers of a plant.

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2
Q

ADAPTOGEN

A

An herb that aids the body through a nonspecific boost in resistance to external stressors, supports the body’s ability to adapt to change, and may stimulate or modulate immunity. Herbalists use adaptogens to improve immune response, increase stamina, and normalize sexual function, among other things.

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3
Q

AERIAL PARTS

A

The leaves and flowers of a plant.

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4
Q

ALKALOID

A

A typically highly active plant constituent containing a nitrogen atom, usually in a ring-shaped molecule.

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5
Q

ALTERATIVE

A

An herb that works on a general level to tonify the systems of the body involved in nutrient assimilation and waste removal.

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6
Q

ANALGESIC

A

An herb that eases pain; also known as an anodyne.

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7
Q

ANTIDEPRESSANT

A

An herb that helps ease depression.

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8
Q

ANTIDIARRHEAL

A

An herb that helps to ease diarrhea.

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9
Q

ANTIHISTAMINE

A

An herb that blocks the action of histamine and may be useful to ease allergies.

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10
Q

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

A

An herb that soothes inflammation.

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11
Q

ANTI-MICROBIAL

A

An herb that aids the body in destroying or resisting pathogens. A general term encompassing antibacterials, antifungals, and antivirals.

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12
Q

ANTIOXIDANT

A

An herb that inhibits oxidation and subsequent free radical damage of important chemicals, enzymes, membranes, cells, and tissues in the body.

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13
Q

ANTIPRURITIC

A

An herb that eases the sensation of itching.

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14
Q

ANTISPASMODIC

A

An herb that relaxes muscle spasm and tension.

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15
Q

ANXIOLYTIC

A

An herb that helps ease anxiety.

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16
Q

APERIENT

A

An herb with a mild laxative effect.

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17
Q

AROMATIC

A

An herb rich in volatile oils, often with a fragrant aroma, Aromatics are often used as antimicrobials, carminatives, nervines, and expectorants.

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18
Q

ASTRINGENT

A

An herb that causes tissues to contract, typically due to its high tannin content.

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19
Q

BINOMIAL

A

The two-part scientific name used to identify plants; consists of the genus and species of a plant.

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20
Q

BITTER

A

An herb that has a bitter taste and stimulates the release of digestive secretions through a taste bud reflex. Bitters are used to promote the digestion of food and assimilation of nutrients.

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21
Q

CARMINATIVE

A

An herb that aids the body in expelling intestinal flatulence, eases bowel griping, and soothes stomach discomfort. Carminative plats are typically high in aromatic oils and useful in a variety of digestive disorders.

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22
Q

CARRIER

A

A substance (e.g., oil, water) that helps carry active plant constituents into the bloodstream, where they can act on the body’s tissues and organs.

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23
Q

COMPRESS

A

A cloth soaked in herbal tea and applied topically to wounds, rashes, sore muscles, sprains, etc.

24
Q

CONSTITUENT

A

A chemical molecule in a plant that can alter some biochemical process in the body. Most plants or herbs contain many active chemical constituents that work together to alter functioning processes of the body, usually in a subtle way.

25
Q

CONSTITUTION

A

The unique combination of energetic qualities inherent in an individual.

26
Q

CONTRAINDICATION

A

A condition for which a particular herb is not recommended.

27
Q

COOLING

A

Cooling herbs have a cooling, soothing effect on the body. Cooling herbs can also be used when there might be an energetic quality of heat bringing the energetic temperature of the body back to balance.

28
Q

DECOCTION

A

A tea preparation for sturdier plant material such as roots and bark, involving simmering the herb in water for minutes or longer.

29
Q

DEMULCENT

A

A mucilaginous herb that soothes irritated or inflamed tissues and mucous membranes.

30
Q

DIAPHORETIC

A

An herb that promotes perspiration and is often used to help “break” a fever.

31
Q

DIGESTIVE

A

An herb that strengthens or supports healthy digestive function.

32
Q

DIURETIC

A

An herb that increases the production and or elimination of urine.

33
Q

DRYING

A

Drying herbs help to balance imbalances that result in too much moisture in the body or to assist individuals with constitutions that may be on the moist side.

34
Q

ELECTUARY

A

An herbal preparation made by adding powdered herbs to honey to form a thick paste.

35
Q

ELIXIR

A

A liquid herbal extract that contains alcohol and a sweet base to render it more pleasant to drink.

36
Q

EMMENAGOGUE

A

An herb that stimulates menstruation.

37
Q

EMOLLIENT

A

An herb applied externally to soften and soothe skin.

38
Q

ENERGETICS

A

The energetic qualities of an herb which refer to the sometimes subtle shifts that an herb induces in the human body, mind, and or spirit.

39
Q

ESSENTIAL OIL

A

An extremely light and volatile concentrated oil extracted from aromatic plants; used in aromatherapy and produced by distillation or chemical extraction.

40
Q

EXTRACT

A

A preparation containing active constituents (e.g., tincture, herb-infused vinegar, herb-infused oil, infusion, decoction).

41
Q

EXTRACTION

A

The act of macerating herbs in alcohol, oil, water, or other menstruums to extract their chemical constituents and beneficial properties.

42
Q

FOLK METHOD

A

A simple way to make herbal preparations that does not involve difficult math, uses the ingredients you have on hand, and requires no specialized equipment; used by both beginner and experienced herbalists.

43
Q

SAPONIN

A

An active plant constituent that produces a soap-like lather in water.

44
Q

SEDATIVE

A

An herb that helps to calm the nervous system and induce sleep.

45
Q

SIMPLE

A

A single herb used on its own in herbal preparations.

46
Q

SOLVENT

A

A liquid capable of dissolving and removing chemical constituents from plants and extracting them into a liquid solution.

47
Q

SPP.

A

An abbreviation for species, signifying any one of a number of species in a genus; for example, instead of writing out all the species of the genus Valeriana, Valeriana spp. is written.

48
Q

STIMULATING

A

Stimulating herbs can help to counter condition where body systems or tissues are too relaxed.

49
Q

STYPTIC

A

An herb that helps to stop bleeding.

50
Q

TANNIN

A

An active plant constituent that binds proteins through an astringent action; originally derived from plants used for tanning leather.

51
Q

TERPENOID

A

A large class of secondary plant metabolites; may be flavors or scents or act as growth regulators, defense secretions, or pollinator attractants in the plants they are found in.

52
Q

TINCTURE

A

A concentrated herbal extract made by macerating herbs in alcohol and water.

53
Q

TONIC

A

An herb that strengthens the body through a general tonifying effect or through specific affinities for certain organs.

54
Q

VULNERARY

A

An herb that promotes wound repair both internally and externally.

55
Q

WARMING

A

Warming herbs that have a warming effect on the body and may cause sweating, increase circulation, or help to balance out a generally cool constitution.

56
Q

WASH

A

An herbal tea or extract made with antimicrobial herbs that is applied topically to wounds, rashes, scrapes, cuts, etc.

(HER)B SOUL ESSENTIALS (6 decks)

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