An herb that may cause an abortion.

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.

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.

The leaves and flowers of a plant.

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

A medical practice that aims to combat disease through "conventional" means like drugs or surgery.

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

Any of 20 molecules that are combined to form proteins in living organisms.

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 season.

An herb that destroys or inhibits the growth of bacteria.

An herb that counteracts or soothes nausea or vomiting.

An herb that slows the production of excessive sweat.

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

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

An herb that destroys or inhibits the growth of parasites.

An herb that eases cyclic and intermittent diseases such as malaria.

An herb that relaxes muscle spasm and tension.

An herb that reduces the urge to cough.

An herb that is mildly laxative.

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) 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 antimicrobials, carminatives, decongestants, nervines, and expectorants.

The process of absorbing and metabolizing substances.

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

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 dying.

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 species of a plant.

A class of botanical secondary metabolites, many of which are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

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.

The study of plants.

An herb that reduces nervous system hyperactivity and has a gentle calming effect on the mind, body, and emotions.

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

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.

An ancient system of holistic medicine developed in China.

An herb that increases the flow of bile.

An herb that stimulates production of bile.

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

A condition for which a particular herb is not recommended.

A tea preparation for sturdier plant material such as roots and bark, involving simmering the herb in water for 20 minutes or longer.

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

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

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 on pharmacology for 16 centuries and details the properties of more than 600 plants and animal products.

Doctrine of Signatures The concept that the appearance and/or habitat of a plant indicates its inherent properties.

An ayurvedic term to describe three energies (vata, pitta, kapha) that circulate in the body and contribute to physical and emotional constitutional tendencies and disease.

System of herbalism developed in the United States in the 19th century CE. The 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 paste.

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

An herb that stimulates menstruation.

An herb applied externally to soften and soothe skin.

Proteins secreted by the body that act as catalysts in inducing chemical changes in the body.

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

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

An herb that eases fever.

Specially prepared liquid flower extract used to improve psychological wellbeing through energetic and vibrational resonance.

Unpaired oxygen molecules that cause cellular damage.

An herb that increases the flow of breast milk.

Liquid extract that uses glycerin as the menstruum.

A compound that is created when a sugar binds to a non-sugar molecule.

An herb that affects the liver.

A type of plant with little or no woody tissue.

A book of herb descriptions and recipes.

A system that uses highly diluted solutions of herbs, minerals, and animal products to promote wellness.

The tendency of the internal environment of the body to remain relatively constant in spite of varying external conditions.

Black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood; historically thought to be four fluids contained within the body in the Four Humors theory of Western herbalism.

An herb that helps lower blood pressure.

An herb that stimulates the immune system.

A preparation of plant parts steeped into a carrier such as water or oil.

In Chinese medicine, the life force that governs all creativity and reproduction.

Ayurvedic dosha associated with dampness and phlegm. Kapha qualities are heavy, cold, oily, slow, dense, soft, static, and sweet.

An herbal liquid, typically made with alcohol or vinegar, that is rubbed into the skin to counter various imbalances.

The act of steeping herbs in alcohol, oil, water, or other menstruums.

The waste herb material remaining after an extract is prepared.

A body of collected knowledge and description of herbs and their uses.

The solvent or solvent blend used to make a liquid extract (e.g., alcohol, vinegar, or water).

In homeopathy or flower essences, the mother tincture is the original preparation that is diluted before consumption.

A non-native plant that has spread into the wild and reproduces to form a wild population.

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 resin.

An herb-infused honey and vinegar preparation.

The process of extracting constituents from herbal powders by packing them into a 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 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 the 19th century CE.

A biologically active substance in plants.

Natural estrogen-like substances that occur in plants.

An ayurvedic dosha associated with fire or bile. Pitta qualities are light, hot, oily, sharp, liquid, sour, and pungent.

A pill, compound, or experience that is similar in appearance to an agent being tested in a clinical trial, but has no direct physiological effect. Placebo response The perceived healing, improvement of symptoms, or actual healing from a substance or experience that is a placebo.

An herbalist and naturalist who lived from BCE 23-79; author of the Natural History, a 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 imbalance.

The ayurvedic concept of vital energy.

A gardening term; the process of creating new plants from plant cuttings.

The concept of vital energy in Chinese medicine.

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 alcohol, but not in water. Amber and pine pitch are examples.

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 turmeric, for example, are used in herbalism.

An herb that stimulates blood flow to the skin, causing local redness.

An herbal preparation made from infused oil and beeswax for topical application.

Active plant constituents that produce a soap-like lather in water.

An herb that increases the secretion of saliva.

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 powder.

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

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.

A type of herbal extract in which a constituent is adjusted to a specified and standardized level.

An herb that helps to stop bleeding.

Affecting the entire body.

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

A somewhat straight tapering root that grows vertically downward.

The science of classifying living organisms by assigning each organism to a category depending on the degree of similarities or relatedness to another.

Complex active plant constituents with a carbon ring structure, generally highly aromatic and often a component of essential oils.

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 affinities for certain organs.

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 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, subtle, mobile, clear, and astringent.

An herb that helps promote the wound healing process.

Harvesting uncultivated herbs from the wild. Most herbalists feel that wildcrafting also implies harvesting the herbs with reverence and ecological awareness.

In Chinese medicine, the energetic aspect associated with masculine energy: dry, hot, ascending, exterior.

In Chinese medicine, the energetic aspect associated with feminine energy: damp, cold, descending, interior.