Clinical Aromatherapy Training Glossary of Terms

Transcription

1 Clinical Aromatherapy Training Glossary of Terms

2 Term A Abortifacient Absolute Adaptogenic Alcohols Aldehydes Allopathy Amenorrhoea Anaemia Anaesthetic Analgesic Anaphrodisiac Anodyne Anthelmintic Anti-anaemic Anti-arthritic Antibilious Antibiotic Anticatarrhal Anticonvulsant Antidepressant Antidiarrhoeal Anti-emetic Antihaemorrhagic Anti-inflammatory Antilithic Antimicrobial Antineuralgic Glossary of Terms Explanation Inducing an abortion, causing expulsion of the foetus A highly concentrated viscous, semi-solid or solid perfumed material usually obtained by alcohol extraction from the concrete. Having a positive general effect on the body irrespective of disease, condition, especially under stress Group of hydrocarbon compounds frequently found in volatile oils Class of organic compounds standing between alcohols and acids System of medicine which uses drugs with effects opposite to the symptoms produced by the disease Absence of menstruation. Deficiency in either quality or quantity of red corpuscles in the blood. Loss of feeling or sensation, substance which causes such a loss. Remedy or agent which deadens pain Reduces sexual desire. Relieving pain, analgesic A vermifuge, destroying or expelling intestinal worms An agent which combats anaemia An agent which combats arthritis An agent which helps remove excess bile from the body Prevents the growth of, or destroys, bacteria. An agent which remove excess catarrh from the body Helps arrest or prevent convulsions Helps alleviate depression Efficacious against diarrhoea An agent who reduces the incidence and severity of nausea or vomiting. An agent which prevents or combats haemorrhage or bleeding Alleviates inflammation Prevents the formation of a calculus or stone An agent which resists or destroys pathogenic microorganism. Relieves or reduces nerve pain 2

3 Anti-oxidant A substance used to prevent or delay oxidation or deterioration, especially with exposure to air. Antiphlogistic Checks or counteracts inflammation Antipruritic Relieves sensation of itching or prevents its occurrence Antipyretic Reduces fever Antirheumatic Helps prevent and relieve rheumatism Antisclerotic Helps prevent the hardening of tissue Antiseborrhoeic Helps control the production of sebum, the oily secretion from sweat glands Antiseptic Destroys and prevents the development of microbes Antispasmodic Prevents and eases spasm or convulsions Antitoxic An antidote or treatment that counteracts the effects of poison Antitussive Relieves coughs Antiviral Substance which inhibits the growth of a virus Anxiolytic Relieving anxiety and tension Aperient A mild laxative Aphonia Loss of voice Aperitif A stimulant of the appetite Aphrodisiac Increases or stimulates sexual desire Aromatherapy The therapeutic use of essential oils Aromatic A substance with a strong aroma or smell or as a chemical compound derived from benzene, also called aromatic compound Arthritis Inflammation of a joint or joints Astringent Causes contraction of organic tissues Atony Lessening or lack of muscular tone or tension B Bactericidal An agent that destroys bacteria (a type of microbe or organism) Balneotherapy Treatment by medicinal baths Balsamic A soothing application having the qualities of a balsam Bechic Anything which relieves or cures coughs; or referring to cough Bilious A condition caused by an excessive secretion of bile Blepharitis Inflammation of the eyelids C Calculus A solid pathological concentration (or stone) usually of inorganic matter in a matrix of protein and pigment, formed in any part of the body Calmative A sedative 3

4 Cardiac Pertaining to the heart Cardiotonic Having a stimulating effect on the heart Carminative Settles the digestive, system relieves flatulence Catarrh Inflammation of mucous membranes, usually associated with an increase in secretion of mucus Cathartic Strongly laxative Cellulite Accumulation of toxic matter in the form of fat in the tissue Cephalic Remedy for disorders of the head; referring or directed towards the head. Cerebral Pertaining to the largest part of the brain, the cerebrum Chemotype Visually identical plants with significantly different chemical components, resulting in different therapeutic properties, abbreviated to ct. Chloroplast Is a type of plastid; these are membrane bounded bodies in the cytoplasm which contain DNA, pigments and food reserves. Chloroplast contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis. Cholagogue Stimulates the secretion and flow of bile into the duodenum Cholecystokinetic Agent which stimulates the contraction of the gall bladder Choleretic Aids excretion of bile by the liver, so there is a greater flow of bile Cholesterol A steroid alcohol found in nervous tissue, red blood cells, animal fat and bile. Excess can lead to gallstones. Cicatrisant An agent which promotes healing by the formation of scar tissue Cohobation The operation of repeatedly using the water used in the distillation process, thus no water is discarded and water soluble molecules from the plant material are not lost Colic Pain due to contraction of the involuntary muscle of the abdominal organs Colitis Inflammation of the colon Compress A lint or substance applied hot or cold to an area of the body, for relief of swelling and pain, or to produce localised pressure. Concrete A concentrated, waxy, solid or semi-solid perfume material prepared from previously live plant matter, usually using a hydrocarbon type of solvent Constipation Congestion of the bowels; incomplete or infrequent 4

5 action of bowels Cordial A stimulant and tonic Coumarin A chemical compound C9H6O2 with a high boiling point (290 C) found within the lactones, hardly volatile with steam thus found mainly in expressed oils and sparingly in some distilled essential oils, characteristic smell of new-mown hay Cultivar Cultivated variety: a plant produced by horticulture or agriculture Cultivar (contd.) not normally occurring naturally: labelled by adding a name to the species, as in Lavandula angustifolia Maillette Cutaneous Pertaining to the skin Cystitis Bladder inflammation, usually characterised by pain on urinating Cytophylactic Referring to cytophylaxis - the process of increasing the activity of leukocytes in defence of the body against infection Cytotoxic Toxic to all cells D Debility Weakness, lack of tone Decongestive An agent for the relief or reduction of congestion e.g. mucous Demulcent A substance which protects mucous membranes and allays irritation Depurative Helps combat impurity in the blood and organs, detoxifying Deodorant An agent which corrects, masks or removes unpleasant odours Dermal Pertaining to the skin Dermatitis Inflammation of the skin; many causes Diaphoretic Causing or increasing perspiration; sudorific Diarrhoea Frequent passage of unformed liquid stools Digestive Substance which promotes or aids the digestion of food Disinfectant Prevents and combats the spread of germs Diuretic Aids production of urine, promotes urination, increases flow Dysmenorrhoea Painful and difficult menstruation Dyspepsia Difficulty with digestion associated with pain, flatulence, heartburn and nausea. E Emetic Induces vomiting 5

6 Emmenagogue Emollient Enuresis Enteritis Enzyme Erethism Erythema Essential Oil Essential Oil contd. Eubiotic Eupeptic Expectorant F Febrifuge Fixative Fixed oil Forma Fungicidal G Galactagogic Gastritis Genito-Urinary Germicidal Genus Gingivitis Induces or assist menstruation Softens and soothes the skin Bedwetting Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the intestine Complex proteins that are produced by living cells and catalyse specific biochemical reactions. Abnormal irritability or sensitivity A superficial redness of the skin due to excess of blood A volatile and aromatic liquid (sometimes semi-solid), which generally constitutes the odorous principles of a plant. They are obtained by a process of expression or distillation from a single botanical form or species. Brings about conditions favourable to life and healing Aiding digestive Helps promote the removal of mucous from the respiratory system Combats fever A material, which slows down the rate of evaporation of the more volatile components in a perfume composition. A name given to vegetable oils obtained from plants, which, in contradistinction to essential oils, is fatty, dense and non-volatile, such as olive or sweet almond oil. Lowest botanical rank in general use, denoting trivial differences within a species Prevents and combats fungal infection Increases secretion of milk Inflammation of stomach lining Referring to both the genital and reproductive systems Destroys germs or micro-organisms such as bacteria, etc. Important botanical classification of related but distinct species given a common name; genera (pl.) are in turn grouped into families; the first word of the binomial botanical name denotes the genus Inflammation of the gums, manifested by swelling 6

7 and bleeding Glycoside Sugar derivative found in certain plants (i.e. digoxin, used to treat heart failure) Gout A disease which involves excess uric acid in the blood H Haematuria Blood in the urine Halitosis Offensive breath Hallucinogenic Causes visions or delusions Haemostatic Arrests bleeding Hepatic Relating the liver (tones and aids its function) Herb Non woody soft leafy plant; plant used in medicine and cooking Herpes Inflammation of the skin or mucous membrane with clusters of deep-seated vesicles Homeopathy System of medicine using tiny amounts of drugs which in a healthy body would produce symptoms similar to those of the disease Hormone A product of living cells which produces a specific effect on the activity of cells remote from its point of origin Hybrid Natural or artificially produced plant resulting from the fertilisation of one species by another; indicated by x as in Mentha x piperita Hyperidrosis Excessive sweating Hypertension Raised blood pressure Hypertensive Agent which raises blood pressure Hypnotic Causing sleep Hypocholesterolaemia Lowering the cholesterol content of the blood Hypoglycaemia Lowered blood sugar levels or concentration Hypotensive Agent which lowers blood pressure I Immunostimulant Stimulating the immune system Insecticide Repels insects Insomnia Inability to sleep L Lactogenic Promoting the secretion of milk; galactogogic Laxative Promotes evacuation of the bowels Leukocyte White blood cells responsible for fighting disease Leucocytosis An increase in the number of white blood cells above the normal limit Leucorrhoea White discharge from the vagina Lipid A fat or fat like substance insoluble in water and 7

8 Lipid contd. Lipolytic Lipophilic Litholytic Lumbago Lymphatic M Macerate Maceration Menopause Menorrhagia Metrorrhagia Microbe Mucolytic N Narcotic Nervine Nephritis Neuralgia Neurasthenia Oedema Oestrogen Olfaction Oligomenorrhoea Otitis P Palpitation Parasiticide Pathogenic Pathological Pediculicide Peptic soluble in organic solvents Breaking down fat Having strong affinity for lipids Break down stones A painful rheumatic affliction of the muscles and fibrous tissue of the lumbar region of the back Pertaining to the lymph system Soak until soft The extraction of substances from a plant by steeping in a fixed oil The normal cessation of menstruation, a life change for women Excessive menstruation Uterine bleeding outside the menstrual cycle A minute living organism, especially pathogenic bacterial, viruses, etc. Dissolving or breaking down mucous A substance which induces sleep, intoxicating or poisonous in large doses Strengthening and toning to the nerves and nervous system Inflammation of the kidneys A stabbing pain along a nerve pathway Nervous exhaustion A painless swelling caused by fluid retention beneath the skins surface A hormone produced by the ovary, necessary for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics The sense of smell A condition of infrequent menstruation Inflammation of the ear Awareness of the heartbeat, occasioned by anxiety. Rapid heart beats or abnormal rhythm Prevents and destroys parasites such as fleas, lice, etc. Causing or producing disease Unnatural or destructive process on living tissue An agent which destroys lice Applied to gastric secretions and area affected by 8

9 Percutaneous Pharmacokinetics Pharmacology Photosensitization Physiological Phytotherapy Probiotic Prophylactic Pruritis Psoriasis Psychosomatic Pulmonary Purgative Pyelitis R Rectification Refrigerant Regulator Relaxant Renal Resins Resinoids Resolvent them Applied through the skin Study of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs Medical science of drugs which deals with their actions, properties and characteristics Abnormally increased sensitivity of the skin to ultra violet ray s radiation or natural sunlight; can follow ingestion of or contact with various substances. Describes the natural biological processes of a living organism Treatment of disease by the use of plants and plant extracts, herbalism Favouring the beneficial bacteria in the body, while inhibiting harmful microbes; literally for life as distinct from antibiotic, against life Preventive of disease or infection Itching A skin disease characterised by red patches and silver scaling The manifestation of physical symptoms resulting from a mental state Pertaining to the lungs A substance stimulating an evacuation of the bowels Inflammation of the kidney The process of re-distillation applied to essential oils to rid them of certain constituents. Cooling-reduces fever An agent that helps balance and regulate the functions of the body Soothing, causing relaxation, relieving strain or tension Pertaining to the kidney A natural or prepared product, either solid or semisolid in nature. Natural resins are extruded from trees, such as mastic; prepared resins are oleoresins from which the essential oils has been removed A perfumery material prepared from natural resinous matter, such as balsams, gum resins, etc., by extraction with a hydrocarbon type of solvent An agent which disperses swelling, or effects 9

10 Restorative Revulsive Rhinitis Rubefacient S Sclerosis Seborrhoea Sedative Soporific Spasmolytic Splenic Stimulant Stomachic Styptic Sudorific Synergy T Tachycardia Tannin Thrombosis Thrush Thymoleptic Tonic Trichome U Uterine V Variety Vasoconstrictor absorption of a new growth An agent that helps strengthen and revive the body systems Relieves pain by means of the diversion of blood or disease from one part of the body to another. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose A substance which causes redness of the skin, possibly irritation Hardening of tissue due to inflammation Increased secretion of sebum, usually associated with excessive oily secretion from the sweet glands An agent which reduces functional activity; calming A substance which induces sleep Relieving convulsions, Spasmodic pains and cramp Relating to the spleen, the largest endocrine gland An agent which quickens the physiological functions of the body Digestive aid and tonic; improving appetite An astringent agent which stops or reduces external bleeding An agent which causes sweating Agents working together harmoniously; co-ordination in the action of muscles, organs or substances such as drugs Abnormally increased heartbeat and pulse rate A substance which has a astringent action, and helps seal the tissue Formation of a blood clot An infection of the mouth or vaginal region caused by a fungus (candida) Antiseptic Strengthens and enlivens the whole or specific parts of the body Hair like structure on the epidermis of a plant Pertaining to the uterus Indicates a botanical rank between subspecies and forma; abbreviated to var., as in Citrus aurantium var. amara An agent which causes narrowing of the blood 10

11 Vasodilator Vermifuge Vesicant Volatile Vulnerary vessels An agent which dilates the blood vessels Expels intestinal worms Causing blistering to the skin; a counter-irritant Unstable, evaporates easily, as in 'volatile oil'. An agent which helps heal wounds and sores by external application 11