Herbal Glossary
Ab o r tif acient An herb that may cause an abortion.
A chemical molecule in a plant that can alter some biochemical process in the body.
Act ive
Most plants or herbs contain many active chemical constituents that work together to
co nstit uent alter functioning processes of the body, usually in a subtle way.
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
Adapto gen immunity. Herbalists use adaptogens to improve immune response, increase stamina,
and normalize sexual function, among other things.
Aerial par ts The leaves and flowers of a plant.
A typically highly active plant constituent containing a nitrogen atom, usually in a ring-
Alk alo id shaped molecule.
A medical practice that aims to combat disease through “conventional” means like
Allo pat hy drugs or surgery.
An herb that works on a general level to tonify the systems of the body involved in
Alterative nutrient assimilation and waste removal.
Am ino acid Any of 20 molecules that are combined to form proteins in living organisms.
Analgesic An herb that eases pain; also known as an anodyne.
A plant that goes through a complete life cycle in 1 year, dying after one growing
Annual season.
A nt ibact erial An herb that destroys or inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Antiem et ic An herb that counteracts or soothes nausea or vomiting.
Ant ihydro tic An herb that slows the production of excessive sweat.
An herb that aids the body in destroying or resisting pathogens. A general term
A nt im icro bial encompassing antibacterials, antifungals, and antivirals.
An herb that inhibits oxidation and subsequent free radical damage of important
Antioxidant chemicals, enzymes, membranes, cells, and tissues in the body.
A n t iparasit ic An herb that destroys or inhibits the growth of parasites.
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Antiperio dic An herb that eases cyclic and intermittent diseases such as malaria.
A nt ispasm o dic An herb that relaxes muscle spasm and tension.
Ant it ussive An herb that reduces the urge to cough.
Aperient An herb that is mildly laxative.
Aphro disiac An herb that increases sexual desire.
The use of fragrant plants or plant extracts based on the assumption that specific
aromas affect the body in different ways. These aromas (essential oils in most cases)
Aro m at herapy are inhaled or applied to the skin in a carrier oil base, such as olive oil or
sweet almond oil.
An herb rich in volatile oils, often with a fragrant aroma. Aromatics are often used as
Aro m atic antimicrobials, carminatives, decongestants, nervines, and expectorants.
Assim ilatio n The process of absorbing and metabolizing substances.
Astringent An herb that causes tissues to contract, typically due to its high tannin content.
Ayur veda A 6,000-year-old system of healing originating in India and Nepal.
A plant with a two-year life cycle, typically flowering during the second year before
Biennial dying.
Bile A bitter secretion of the liver that aids digestion, chiefly by saponifying fats.
The two-part scientific name used to identify plants; consists of the genus and
Bino m ial species of a plant.
A class of botanical secondary metabolites, many of which are anti-inflammatory and
Bio f lavo no ids antioxidant.
An herb that has a bitter taste and stimulates the release of digestive secretions
Bit t er through a taste bud reflex. Bitters are used to promote the digestion of food and
assimilation of nutrients.
B o t any The study of plants.
An herb that reduces nervous system hyperactivity and has a gentle calming effect
Calm at ive on the mind, body, and emotions.
An herb that aids the body in expelling intestinal flatulence, eases bowel griping, and
Carm inative soothes stomach discomfort. Carminative plants are typically high in aromatic oils and
are useful in a variety of digestive disorders.
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H e r b a l G l o s s a r y c ont’d .
A substance (e.g., oil, water) that helps carry active plant constituents into the
Carrier bloodstream, where they can act on the body’s tissues and organs.
C hi nese m edicine An ancient system of holistic medicine developed in China.
Cho lago gue An herb that increases the flow of bile.
Cho leretic An herb that stimulates production of bile.
A cloth soaked in herbal tea and applied topically to wounds, rashes, sore muscles,
Co m press sprains, etc.
C o n traindicatio n A condition for which a particular herb is not recommended.
A tea preparation for sturdier plant material such as roots and bark, involving
Deco ct io n simmering the herb in water for 20 minutes or longer.
A mucilaginous herb that soothes irritated or inflamed tissues and mucous
Dem ulcent membranes.
Diapho retic An herb that promotes perspiration and is often used to help “break” a fever.
Digest ive An herb that strengthens or supports healthy digestive function.
A Greek physician of the 1st century CE; his De Materia Medica was the leading text
Dio sco rides on pharmacology for 16 centuries and details the properties of more than 600 plants
and animal products.
The concept that the appearance and/or habitat of a plant indicates its inherent
Do c t r i n e of Signatures properties.
An ayurvedic term to describe three energies (vata, pitta, kapha) that circulate in the
Do sha body and contribute to physical and emotional constitutional tendencies and disease.
Do ub le-o ught (00) A gelatin capsule or vegetable fiber capsule that holds approximately ½ g of
capsule powdered herb.
System of herbalism developed in the United States in the 19th century CE. The
Eclectic Eclectic physicians pulled together herbs and philosophies from various healing
traditions.
An herbal preparation made by adding powdered herbs to honey to form a thick
Electuar y paste.
A liquid herbal extract that contains alcohol and a sweet base to render it more
Elixir pleasant to drink.
An herb that stimulates menstruation.
Em m enago gue
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Em o llient An herb applied externally to soften and soothe skin.
Proteins secreted by the body that act as catalysts in inducing chemical changes in the
Enzym es body.
An extremely light and volatile concentrated oil extracted from aromatic plants; used in
Essent ial o il aromatherapy and produced by distillation or chemical extraction.
A preparation containing active constituents (e.g., tincture, herb-infused vinegar, herb-
Ext ract infused oil, infusion, decoction).
Febrif uge An herb that eases fever.
Specially prepared liquid flower extract used to improve psychological wellbeing
Fl ower essence through energetic and vibrational resonance.
Free radicals Unpaired oxygen molecules that cause cellular damage.
Galact o go gue An herb that increases the flow of breast milk.
Glycerite Liquid extract that uses glycerin as the menstruum.
Glyco side A compound that is created when a sugar binds to a non-sugar molecule.
Hepat ic An herb that affects the liver.
Herbaceo us A type of plant with little or no woody tissue.
Herbal A book of herb descriptions and recipes.
A system that uses highly diluted solutions of herbs, minerals, and animal products to
Ho m eo pat hy promote wellness.
The tendency of the internal environment of the body to remain relatively constant in
Ho m eo stasis spite of varying external conditions.
Black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood; historically thought to be four fluids contained
Hum o rs within the body in the Four Humors theory of Western herbalism.
Hypo t ensive An herb that helps lower blood pressure.
Im m une st im ulant An herb that stimulates the immune system.
Inf usio n A preparation of plant parts steeped into a carrier such as water or oil.
Jing In Chinese medicine, the life force that governs all creativity and reproduction.
Ayurvedic dosha associated with dampness and phlegm. Kapha qualities are heavy, cold,
K apha oily, slow, dense, soft, static, and sweet.
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An herbal liquid, typically made with alcohol or vinegar, that is rubbed into the skin to
L inim ent counter various imbalances.
Macerat io n The act of steeping herbs in alcohol, oil, water, or other menstruums.
Marc The waste herb material remaining after an extract is prepared.
Materia m edica A body of collected knowledge and description of herbs and their uses.
The solvent or solvent blend used to make a liquid extract
Menstr uum (e.g., alcohol, vinegar, or water).
In homeopathy or flower essences, the mother tincture is the original preparation
Mo ther tinct ure that is diluted before consumption.
A non-native plant that has spread into the wild and reproduces to form a wild
Naturalized population.
Ner vine An herb that affects the nervous system; may be stimulating, sedating, or relaxing.
A natural exudate from trees and plants that consists mainly of essential oil, gum, and
Ol e o gum resin resin.
O x ym el An herb-infused honey and vinegar preparation.
The process of extracting constituents from herbal powders by packing them into a
Perco lat io n funnel and allowing a menstruum (often alcohol or water) to slowly flow through the
powdered herb.
A plant that lives for more than 2 years. The aboveground parts of perennial plants
Perennial may die back at the end of the growing season, but the roots often endure for many
years, producing new growth each spring.
A system of herbalism developed by Samuel Thomson in the United States during
Ph y sio m edicalism the 19th century CE.
Phyt o chem ical A biologically active substance in plants.
Phyto est ro gen Natural estrogen-like substances that occur in plants.
An ayurvedic dosha associated with fire or bile. Pitta qualities are light, hot, oily, sharp,
Pit t a liquid, sour, and pungent.
A pill, compound, or experience that is similar in appearance to an agent being tested
Placebo in a clinical trial, but has no direct physiological effect.
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H e r b a l G l o s s a r y c ont’d .
The perceived healing, improvement of symptoms, or actual healing from a substance or
Pl a c e b o respo nse experience that is a placebo.
An herbalist and naturalist who lived from BCE 23-79; author of the Natural History, a
Pl i n y the Elder work comprised of 37 volumes, of which books XX to XXXll deal with herbs.
A mass of freshly macerated herbs applied to an area of the body in order to address an
Po ultice imbalance.
Prana The ayurvedic concept of vital energy.
Pro pagatio n A gardening term; the process of creating new plants from plant cuttings.
Qi The concept of vital energy in Chinese medicine.
Re f rigerant A plant or other substance that cools the body and eases fever.
A semi-solid plant substance typically with antimicrobial properties that is soluble in
Resin alcohol, but not in water. Amber and pine pitch are examples.
Re st o rat ive An herb that restores balance and strength to the body and its systems.
An underground stem from which roots and shoots grow. The rhizomes of ginger and
Rhizo m e turmeric, for example, are used in herbalism.
Rubef acient An herb that stimulates blood flow to the skin, causing local redness.
Salve An herbal preparation made from infused oil and beeswax for topical application.
Sapo nins Active plant constituents that produce a soap-like lather in water.
Sialo go gue An herb that increases the secretion of saliva.
Sim ple A single herb used on its own.
A small gelatin or vegetable-based capsule that holds about 1/3 g (300 mg) of an herb
Si n g l e - o ug h t capsule powder.
A liquid capable of dissolving and removing chemical constituents from plants and
So lvent extracting them into a liquid solution.
An abbreviation for species, signifying any one of a number of species in a genus; for
Sp p. example, instead of writing out all the species of the genus Valeriana,
Valeriana spp. is written.
St a n dardized A type of herbal extract in which a constituent is adjusted to a specified
ex t ract and standardized level.
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Styptic An herb that helps to stop bleeding.
Syst em ic Affecting the entire body.
An active plant constituent that binds proteins through an astringent action; originally
Tannin derived from plants used for tanning leather.
Tapro o t A somewhat straight tapering root that grows vertically downward.
The science of classifying living organisms by assigning each organism to a category
Taxo no m y depending on the degree of similarities or relatedness to another.
Complex active plant constituents with a carbon ring structure, generally highly aromatic
Terpene and often a component of essential oils.
Tinct ure A concentrated herbal extract made by macerating herbs in alcohol and water.
An herb that strengthens the body through a general tonifying effect or through specific
To nic affinities for certain organs.
Tuber A swollen part of an underground plant stem, capable of new growth.
A level of classification in the plant kingdom below species and subspecies noting
Variet y minor differences within a species, such as variations in flower color; designated by the
abbreviation var.
An ayurvedic dosha associated with wind or air. Vata qualities are light, cold, dry, rough,
Vat a subtle, mobile, clear, and astringent.
Vulnerar y An herb that helps promote the wound healing process.
Harvesting uncultivated herbs from the wild. Most herbalists feel that wildcrafting also
Wi l dcraf t ing implies harvesting the herbs with reverence and ecological awareness.
In Chinese medicine, the energetic aspect associated with masculine energy:
Yang dry, hot, ascending, exterior.
In Chinese medicine, the energetic aspect associated with feminine energy:
Yin damp, cold, descending, interior.
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