Dictionary of terms

- abortifacient: induces abortion
- alkali: a substance with basic (on pH scale) properties
- anesthetic: causes lack of feeling or awareness
- anthelminitic: kills parasitic worms of the instestines
- anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation, an immune response including swelling, pain, redness, and warmth
- antipyretic: reduces or stops fever
- antiseptic: protection against infection from microorganisms, bacteria
- antispasmodic: reduces or stops spasms or convulsions
- astringent: "causing contraction of body tissues, checking blood flow, or restricting secretions of fluids"
- Ayurvedic medicine: holistic/traditional medicine practice originating in India and practiced in South Asia and throughout the world
- calyx: sepals of the flower as a group (see definition for "sepal" below)
- carminative: prevents/relieves flatulence
- chicken pox: illness characterized by a red, bumpy rash, often accompanied by fever, headache, and loss of appetite
- cholagogic, or a cholagogue: stimulates bile secretion from the liver
- corolla: combined unit of flower petals
- diaphoretic: induces sweating
- dyspepsia: indigestion
- emesis: vomiting
- emmenagogue: promotes menses
- emollient: skin softener
- estrogenic: having qualities similar to estrogen (female hormones)
- expectorant: brings up mucus and other things from the lungs, trachea and bronchi
- germicide: kills germs
- gripe: "cause pinching and spasmodic pain in the bowels"
- hemorrhaging: excessive bleeding
- hemorrhoids: "painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus"
- hemostatic: stops bleeding
- hepatitis: liver disease
- hives: a rash, often triggered by an allergy
- hypertension: high blood pressure
- laxative: loosens bowels
- measles: viral infection that causes a rash
- peristalsis: muscle contraction to move an object through a muscular tube, as when food goes down the esophagus
- phthisis: archaic term for tuberculosis, a contagious bacterial infection originating in the lungs
- piles: see "hemorrhoids"
- purgative: see "laxative"
- sepal: the leaf-like extensions that sit directly behind the petals of a flower, often extending in the area where there is a divide between petals (see below image)

- stomachic: stimulates digestion and appetite
- tonic: "treatment, usually an herbal concoction, that refreshes and restores health, energy, and vitality"
- ulcer: sore in the lining of the stomach
- vulnerary: wound treatment