WESTERN GLOSSARY
Alteratives -- purify the blood
Analgesics -- relieve pain
lobelia, catnip, camomile, skullcap, valerian
Antispasmodics -- cramp bark& dong quai
nerves -- cloves, kava kava
Antacids -- neutralize excess acids in stomach and intestine
generally have demulcent property as well which protects lining after neutralizing acid
dandelion, fennel, slippery elm, irish moss and kelp
Antiabortives -- inhibit abortive tendencies
false unicorn, red raspberry
Antiasthmatics -- relieve asthma
yerba santa, (Breaks up mucus),
smoke-able -- coltsfoot, mulllein
wild yam, comfrey, elecampane wild cherry bark
Antibiotics -- inhibit or kill bacteria, viruses, or amoebas
echinacea, goldenseal, myrrh, thyme, garlic
Anticatarrhals -- eliminate mucus
black pepper, ginger, sage, cinnamon, anise, mullein, yerba santa
Antipyretics -- reduce or prevent fevers
2 actions of antipyretics -- neutralize harmful acids in blood and reduce body temperature
alfalfa, boneset, basil, gota kola, seaweeds
Antiseptics -- prevent bacterial growth
Most astringents function as antiseptic
goldenseal, calendal, myrh
oild os thyme, garlic, pine, sage
Antispasmodics -- relax muscle spasms
lobelia, dong quai, kava kava, raspberry leaf, rue
Aphrodisiacs: Enhance sexual potency and power
damiana, kava kava, ginsend, burdock, maca
Astringents: Constrict or bind. (tannins) --
Stop hemmorrhages and secretions.
uva ursi, myrrh, calendula, witch hazel
Carminatives: Relieve gas and bowel discomfort.
anise, cumin, ginger, fennel, peppermint
Cholagogues: Promote the flow and discharge of bile.
(Often have a laxative effect)
ex. . . aloe vera, barberry, licorice, wild yam.
Demulcents -- soothe, mucilaginous
taken internally protect damaged or inflamed tissues. Protect kidney and urinary tract. (ex. . .marshmallow, comfrey, slippery elm, chia, aloe vera)
Diaphoretics -- induce sweating.
(Note : same herbs function as diuretics when given cold rather than hot)
ex ginger, cayenne, yarrow flowers, peppermint, hyssop
Emetics -- induce vomiting
Emmenagogues -- promote menstruation
earlier, increased flow
contraindicated during pregnancy
ex. pennyroyal, juniper, myrrh, black cohosh, rue, angelica, wild ginger
Emollients -- soften, soothe and protect the skin
oils of flax, almond, olive
herbs -- marshmallow, comfrey, slippery elm, chickweed
Expectorants -- expel mucus
ex. wild cherry bark, yerba santa, lobelia, mullein, anise
Galactagogues -- increase milk secretion
anise seed, blessed thistle, cumin, fennel, vervain
Hemostatics -- arrest hemorrhaging
(astringents and blood coagulants)
ex. witch hazel, mullein, cayenne, blackberry
Laxatives -- promote bowel movement
Lithotriptics -- dissolve and eliminate urinary and biliary stones
ex. nettle, uva ursi
Nervines -- calm nervous tensions , directed toward nervous system
Oxytocics -- stimulate uterine contractions
angelica, black cohosh, blue cohosh, juniper berries, rue, wild ginger
Parasiticides -- destroy parasites
ex. garlic, rue, thyme oil, cinnamon oil, chaparral
Rubefacients -- increase the flow of blood at the surface of the skin (produce redness where applied)
Sedatives -- quiet the nervous system
(antispasmodics and nervines)
valerian, hops, camomile, kava kava, passionflower, wood betony, catnip, skullcap
Sialagogues -- stimulate the flow of saliva
echinace, blackk pepper, cayenne, ginger, licorice, yerba santa
Stimulants -- increase energy of the body, drive circulation, warm the body
anise, cayenne, blac pepper, cinnamon, echinacea, ginseng, sarsparilla, dandelion, elcampane, angelica, ginger, yarrow, rosemary, garlic, onion, juniper, sage, pennyroyal, bayberry, astragulus.
Tonics -- promote function of whole systems and/or whole body
Vulneraries -- encourage the healing of wounds, promote cell growth and repai
Aloe vera, cayenne, comfrey, fenugreek, garllic, calendula, rosemary, thyme, marshmallow, slippery elm
Chinese Terminology
Eight Principles
Yin/Yang -- The duality of the universe. Yin is receptive, dark, passive and cold Yang is penetrating, light, dynamic and hot.
Internal/External -- Points ot the origin and placement of the disease/condition. Internal/inside the body is often much more serious while superficial or external hopefully can quickly and easily be shed.
Excess/Deficiency -- Recognizing whether we are in excess or deficiency informs whether treatment will be eliminative/purging or nourishing/building. Hot/Cold or Yin/Yang or Qi/Blood can be excess or deficient
Hot/Cold -- Fundamental properties of disease gives us a good starting point into how to treat them. Hot and cold is a fundamental distinction for TCM.
Qi/Blood -- Not among the Eight Principles; however, a crucial distinction in Chinese medical treatment. Understanding the difference in the function of blood and qi is paramount.
Ayurvedic Terminology
DOSHAS - Archetypal elements informing constitutional behavior.
1. Vata -- Air/Space/Ether
2. Pitta -- Fire/Water
3. Kapha -- Earth/Water
6 RASAS = Tastes/Emotions
- Sweet
- Sour
- Salty
- Astringent
- Bitter
- Pungent