Definitions, Measurements, and Other Information

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Definitions of Medical Actions

You will find the following most useful when referring to text books on herbs:

ALTERNATIVES--Producing a healthful change without perception.

ANODYNE--Relieves pain.

ANTHELMINTIC--A medicine that expels worms.

APERIENT--Gentle laxative without purging.

AROMATIC--A stimulant; spicy

ASTRINGENT--Causes contractions and arrests discharges.

ANTIBILIOUS--Acts on the bile, relieving biliousness.

ANTIMETIC--Stops vomiting.

ANTILEPTIC--Relieves fits.

ANTIPERIODIC--Arrests morbid periodic movements.

ANTHILIC--Prevents the formation of stones in the urinary organs.

ANTIRHEUMATIC--Relieves and cures rheumatism.

ANTISCORBUTIC--Cures and prevents scurvy.

ANTISEPTIC--A medicine that aims at stopping putrification.

ANTISPASMODIC--Relieves and prevents spasms.

ANTISYPHILITIC--Having effect or curing venereal diseases.

CALMATIVES--Used for their calming effect.

CARMINATIVE--Expels wind from the bowels.

CATHARTIC--Evacuating from the bowels.

CEPHALIC--Remedies used in diseases of the head.

CHOLOGOGUE--Increases the flow of bile.

CONDIMENT--Improves the flavor of food.

DEMULCENT--Soothing; relieves inflammations.

DEOBSTRUENT--Removes obstructions.

DEPURATIVE--Purifies the blood.

DETERGENT--Cleansing to boils, ulcers, wounds, etc.

DIAPHORETIC--Produces perspiration.

DISCUTIENT--Dissolves and heals tumors.

DIURETIC--Increases the secretion and flow of urine.

EMETIC--Produces vomiting.

EMMENAGOGUE--Promotes menstruation.

EMOLLIENT--Softens and soothes inflamed parts.

ESCULENT--Eatable as a food.

EXANTHEMATOUS--Remedy for skin eruptions and diseases.

EXPECTORANT--Facilitates expectoration (coughing).

FEBRIFUGE--Abates and reduces fevers.

HEPATIC--A remedy for diseases of the liver.

HERPATIC--A remedy for skin diseases of all types.

LAXATIVE--Promotes bowel action.

LITHONTRYPTIC--Dissolves calculi in the urinary organs.

NATURATING--Ripens and brings boils to a head.

MUCILAGINOUS--Soothing to all inflammation.

NAUSEANT--Produces vomiting.

NERVINE--Acts specifically on the nervous system; stops nervous excitement.

NERVE STIMULANTS--Useful for a temporary "lift" when health conditions do not prohibit caffeine.

OPTHALMICUM--A remedy for eye diseases.

PARTURIENT--Induces and promotes labor at childbirth.

PECTORAL--A remedy for chest affections.

PURGATIVES--Agents which induce copious evacuation.

REFRIGERANT--Cooling.

RESOLVENT--Dissolves boils and tumors.

RUBIFACIENT--Increases circulation and produces red skin.

SEDATIVE--A nerve tonic; promotes sleep.

SIALOGOGUE--Increases the secretion of saliva.

STIMULANT--To quicken or increase various functional actions of the system.

STOMATIC--Strengthens the stomach. Relieves indigestion.

STYPTIC--Arrests bleeding.

SUDORIFIC--Produces profuse perspiration.

TONIC--A remedy which is invigorating and strengthening.

VERMIFUGE--Expels worms from the system.

VULNERARY--An application for minor external wounds.