A-Z Medical and Aromatherapeutic Glossary of Terms
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Acetylcholine
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A fluid used in the transmission of information from one nerve ending to another
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Allergy
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Hypersensitivity caused by a foreign substance
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Alopecia (Baldness)
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Male and female pattern baldness that oftentimes is heredity
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Amenorrhoea
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Absence of menstruation
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Anaerobic
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A type of organism that does not require oxygen
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Anaesthetic
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Pain relieving by loss of sensation
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Analgesic
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Pain reliever
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Anaphrodisiac
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Lessening of sexual desire
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Anemia
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Deficiency of either quantity or quality of red corpuscles in the blood
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Annual
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Plant that completes its life cycle in one year
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Anodyne
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Stills pain and quietens disturbed feelings
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Anosmic
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Loss of smell
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Anthelmintic
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A vermifuge, destroying or expelling intestinal worms
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Anti venin
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Neutralizing snake venom that has entered the body.
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Anti-acid
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Combats acid in the body
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Anti-allergenic
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Reduces symptoms of allergies
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Anti-arthritic
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An agent which helps to combat arthritis
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Anti-asthmatic
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An agent that treats or prevents asthma attacks
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Anti-bacterial
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Inhibits bacterial growth
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Anti-coagulant
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Blood-thinner to prevent the formation of blood clots and to maintain open blood vessels
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Anti-convulsant
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Helps control convulsions
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Anti-depressant
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Helps to lift the mood and counteract depression
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Anti-dontalgic
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Relieves toothache
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Anti-emetic
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Reduces the severity or incidence of vomiting
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Anti-fungal
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Inhibits the growth of mould and fungi
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Anti-galactagogue
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Impedes or lessens the flow of milk
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Anti-haemorrhagic
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A substance preventing or combating bleeding
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Anti-infectious
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Prevents against infection
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Anti-inflammatory
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Prevents and reduces inflammation
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Anti-microbial
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A substance reducing or resisting microbes
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Anti-neuralgic
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A substances that reduces or stops nerve pain
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Anti-parasitic
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Acts against parasites
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Anti-phlogistic
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Counteracts inflammation
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Anti-pruritic
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Relieves or prevents sensation of itching
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Anti-pyretic
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Reduces fever
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Anti-rheumatic
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An agent which helps to combat rheumatism
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Anti-rheumatic
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An agent which helps to combat rheumatism
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Anti-sclerotic
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Helps to prevent hardening of arteries
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Anti-scorbutic
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Helps to prevent or cure scurvy
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Anti-seborrheic
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Helps control the oily secretion from sweat glands
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Anti-spasmodic
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Assists to relieve muscle spasms and cramps
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Anti-sudorific
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A substance to help lessen sweating
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Anti-toxic
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Antidote or treatment to counteract the effects of poison
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Anti-tussive
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Relieves coughing
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Antibiotic
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Destroys bacteria and fights infection in the body
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Antihistamine
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Counteracts allergic reaction
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Antioxidant
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A substance to prevent or delay oxidation
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Antiseptic
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Helps control infection is cleansing and prevents microbe development
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Antiviral
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Destroys certain viruses
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Anxiety
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A feeling of apprehension and fear
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Aperient
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Mild laxative
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Aphonia
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Voice loss
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Aphrodisiac
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Increasing sexual desire
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Apoplexy
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Increasing sexual desire
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Aromachology
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The study of the effects of odours on behaviour
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Aromatherapy
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The therapeutic use of essential oils
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Arrhythmia
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Irregular or loss of heartbeat rhythm
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Arteriosclerosis
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Hardening of the arteries
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Astringent
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Causing contraction of organic tissue
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Atherosclerosis
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Accumulation of fatty deposits on the inside walls of arteries
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Atony
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Lack of muscle tone and strenght
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Bactericidal
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An agent destroying bacteria
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Balsam
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Water soluble, semi-solid or viscous resinous exudates similar to that of gum
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Bechic
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Anything referring to coughing, or an agent relieving cough
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Biennial
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A plant completing its life cycle in two years, without flowering the first year
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Bilious
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A condition caused by an excessive secretion of bile
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Blepharitis
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Inflammation of the eyelids
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Calmative
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A sedative
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Carcinogenic
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A substance that promotes cancer or cancerous growths
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Cardiac
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Pertaining to the heart
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Carminative
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Reduces intestinal spasms
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Carminative
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Settles the digestive system and relieves flatulence
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Carrier oil
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An oil which is used to dilute essential oils for the purpose of massage
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Cellulite
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An ‘orange peel’ effect caused by local accumulation of fat and waste products
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Cephalic
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A substance stimulating and clearing the mind
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Chemotypes
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The same botanical species occurring in other forms due to different growth condition
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Chi / Qi
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Chinese term referring to the essential life force
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Cholagogue
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Stimulating the secretion of bile into the duodenum
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Cholecystokenetic
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Agent that stimulates the contraction of the gall bladder
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Choleretic
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Helps the liver to excrete bile, leading to greater bile flow
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Cholesterol
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Is a steroid alcohol found in red blood cells, bile, nervous tissue and animal fat
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Cicatrisant
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Agent promoting healing by scar tissue formation
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Cicatrisation
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Formation of scar tissue
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Cirrhosis
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Chronic inflammation and degeneration of any organ (normally in the liver)
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Clinical trial
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A controlled study to look at the effectiveness of a specific ingredient or application
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Cohobation
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During distillation of essential oils, some compounds can dissolve in the water, and cohobation is then used to correct this problem. to ensure a "complete" oil
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Cold pressed
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Refers to a method of extraction where no external heat is applied during the process
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Colic
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Pain due to contraction of the muscle of the abdominal organs
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Concentration
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Complete attention; intense mental effort
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Concentration
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Complete attention; intense mental effort
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Concrete
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A waxy concentrate semi-solid essential oil extract, made from plant material, and is used to make an absolute
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Constipation
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A state where normal bowel functions are not present
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Cutaneous
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Pertaining to the skin
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Cystitis
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Bladder inflammation
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Cytophylactic
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Action of increasing the leukocyte activity to defend the body against infection
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Cytotoxic
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Toxic to all cells
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Decoction
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A concentrated herbal preparation made by boiling the material and reducing it
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Decongestant
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Reduces congestion
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Demulcent
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An agent protecting mucus membranes and helps stop irritation
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Deodorant
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Substances applied to the body to eliminate body odor caused by the bacterial breakdown of perspiration
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Depurative
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Helps to detoxify and to combat impurities in the blood and body
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Dermatitis
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Inflammation of the skin
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Detoxifying
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Assists to detoxify the body by getting rid of waste, combating impurities in the blood and body
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Diaphoretic
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A substance which helps to promote perspiration
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Diffuser
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A device which helps to release the fragrance molecules into the air
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Digestive system
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The organs that are responsible for getting food into and out of the body and for making use of it.
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Disinfectant
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A substance which kills germs and/or viruses
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Distillation
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A method of extraction used in the manufacture of essential oils
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Diuretic
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Aids urine production and removes fluid from the body
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Dysmenorrhoea
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Painful menstruation
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Dysuria
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Pain or difficulty in urinating
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Edema
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Water/fluid retention (sometimes spelled 'Oedema')
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Emetic
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Inducing vomiting
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Emmenagogue
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Encourages menstruation
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Emollients
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Substances that soften and soothe the skin
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Emphysema
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involving damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs
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Endocrine
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System of glands that secrete a type of hormone to regulate the body via the bloodstream
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Energy
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The capacity of a physical system to do work
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Engorgement
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Refers to swelling within the breast tissue
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Enteritis
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Inflammation of the mucus membranes of the small intestine inflammation
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Enuresis
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Involuntary urinating
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Enzyme
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Protein produced by living cells which catalyse biochemical reactions
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Erethism
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Abnormal state of excitement or irritation
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Essential oil
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Volatile aromatic liquid constituting the odorous principles of botanical matter
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Exhaustion
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A warning that the body is getting too hot.
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Exocrine
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Pertaining to a gland with a duct, secreting directly onto outside surface of organism.
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Expectorant
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A substance that encourages mucus to be expelled from the lungs
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Expression
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Is an extraction method whereby essential oils are pressed to obtain the essential oil
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Exudates
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Febrifuge
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Assists to combat fever
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Feet
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Fever
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Fever is body temperature is above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C).
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Fibrillation
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Rapid unsynchronised twitching of muscle fibres
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Fixative
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Material that slows evaporation of the volatile components in perfume
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Fixed oils
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Vegetable oils obtained from plants that are fatty and non-volatile
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Flatulence
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Excess gas in the intestinal tract.
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Flower water
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The water resulting from the distillation of essential oils, which still contains some of the plant materials properties from the plant extraction
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Fold
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Refers to the percentage of terpenes removed by re-distillation, from one to five times
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Fractionated oils
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Refers to oils that have been re-distilled, either to have terpenes removed or to remove other substances
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Fungicide
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A substance which combats fungal infections
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Galactagogue
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Assists to increase milk secretion
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Gemicidal
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An agent that destroys micro-organisms
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Gingivitis
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Inflammation of the gums
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Glossitis
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Inflammation of the tongue
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Halitosis
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Bad breath
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Hangover
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Nausea, headache, digestive ailments due to over consumption of alcohol
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Hay fever
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A seasonal allergy to airborne p
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Headache
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A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the head (occipital), or in the back of the upper neck.
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Heart burn
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A burning pain in the chest that is caused by stomach acid entering the gullet
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Hematuria / Haematuria
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Presence of blood in the urine
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Hemostatic
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Assists to stop bleeding
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Hepatic
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Pertaining to the liver
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Hepatoxic
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An agent which is toxic or harmful on the liver
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Herpes
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An infection/inflammation of the skin or mucus membranes
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Hormone
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A product from living cells that produces a specific activity of cells remote from its point of origin
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Hybrid
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A plant created by fertilization of one species by another
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Hydro diffusion
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A distillation method of essential oil extraction where the steam is produced above the botanical material and then percolates down
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Hydrosol
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Floral water
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Hyperglycemia / Hyperglycaemia
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Excess of sugar in the blood
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Hypertension
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High blood pressure
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Hypocholesterolemia
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Lowering of the cholesterol content of the blood
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Hypoglycemia
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Lowered blood sugar levels
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Hypotension
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Abnormally low blood pressure
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Hypoxia
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A shortage of oxygen
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In vitro
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In a test tube
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In vivo
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In a living body
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Indigestion
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A disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea
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Infection
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The growth of a parasitic organism within the body
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Influenza
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The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract
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Infused oil
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An oil that has been permeated (“infused”) with one or more herbs
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Infusion
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Herbal remedy made by steeping the plant material in water
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Insect repellent
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A chemical substance that repels insects
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Insomnia
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Inadequate or poor-quality sleep
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Irritability
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An irritable petulant feeling
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Jet lag
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A temporary disorder that causes fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms as a result of rapid air travel across time zones.
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Laryngitis
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Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx
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Laxative
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Are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements
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Leucocytosis
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Raises number of white blood cells in the blood
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Leucorrhoea
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Vaginal discharge which is whitish in colour
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Leukocyte
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White blood cells responsible for fighting disease
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Lipolytic
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Causing lipolysis which is the chemical disintegration of fats
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Macerate
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To soak until soft
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Massage therapist
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Someone qualified to perform therapeutic massage
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Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral disease
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Memory enhancement
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To boost your ability to recover information about past events or knowledge
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Menopause
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Cessation of menstruation which happens naturally as a women ages
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Menorrhagia
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Extreme blood loss during menstruation
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Menstrual problems
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Irregularities in the periodic blood that flows as a discharge from the uterus
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Metrorrhagia
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Uterine bleeding that is not within the normal menstrual cycle
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Microbe
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Tiny living organism such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses
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Migraine
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Usually, periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head.
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Mouth infection
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An infection in the upper opening of the digestive tract
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Mucilage
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Substance containing demulcent gelatinous constituents
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Mucolytic
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Breaking down mucus
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Mumps
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An acute viral illness that usually presents with inflammation of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands.
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Muscle pains
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Discomfort in the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power
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Myelin
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Fatty material enveloping the majority of nerve cells
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Natural material secreted by plants which can be spontaneous or after plant damage
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Nausea
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Feeling the urge to vomit
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Nephritis
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Kidney inflammation
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Nervine
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Substance that tones and strengthens the nerves and nervous system
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Neuralgia
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Severe pain along a nerve pathway
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Neurasthenia
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Nervous exhaustion
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Nose bleed
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Nasal injury or drying out or cracking of nasal membrane can cause bleeding
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Odoriferous
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Exudation from botanical material consisting of essential oil, gum and resin
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Oedema
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Retention of fluid or water
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Oleo
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Gum resin
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Oleoresin
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Natural resinous exudation from plants or aromatic liquid preparation extracted from botanical material
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Olfaction
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Sense of smell
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Olfactory bulb
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The center where the processing of smell is started and is then passed onto other areas of the brain
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Oliguria
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Low volume of urine
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Ophthalmia
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Eye inflammation
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Ostitis
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Ear inflammation
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Oxidation
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Related to the addition of oxygen to an organic molecule, or the removal of electrons or hydrogen from the molecule
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Palpitations
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Abnormality of heartbeat that can cause fear and anxiety, not necessarily related to heart condition
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Parturient
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Assisting and helping childbirth
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Pathogenic
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An agent causing or producing disease
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Peptic
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Pertaining to gastric secretions and affected areas
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Perennial
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A plant living for more than two years
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Pharmacology
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Medical science pertaining to drugs
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Pharmacopoeia
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Reference book of pharmaceutical drug specifications
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Pheromone
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Chemical signals first discovered as a sex attractant in insects
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Phototoxic
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Sun exposure causes skin pigmentation
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Phytohormones
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Plant substances mimicking the actions of human hormones
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Phytotherapy
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Treatment of disease with herbal medicine and plant material
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PMS
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Combination of physical and emotional disturbances that occur after a woman ovulates and ends with menstruation.
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Polypus
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A non-malignant cyst like growth
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Pomade
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Perfumed fat obtained during the enfleurage extraction method
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Prophylactic
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Preventative of disease or infection
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Prostatitis
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Inflammation of the prostate gland
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Pruritis
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Itching
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Psoriasis
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A chronic skin disease producing red patches and dry scaling
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Psychosomatic
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Pertaining to a physical disorder influenced by emotional factors effecting the mind and body
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Pulmonary
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The pulmonary arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs
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Pyelitis
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Inflammation of the kidneys
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Pyorrhea or Pyorrhoea
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A discharge of puss from the gums
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Pyrosis
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Is heartburn which is a painful burning sensation in the oesophagus
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Rectification
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Process of re-distilling essential oils to remove impurities and to increase the quality
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Relaxing
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A feeling of refreshing tranquility and an absence of tension or worry
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Renal
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Pertaining to the kidneys, renal failure or kidney failure is when the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins
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Resin
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Natural or prepared product; natural resins are exudations from trees; prepared resins are oleoresins from which the essential oil has been removed
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Resinoids
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Perfumed material extracted from natural resinous material by solvent extraction
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Resolvent
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An agent that helps disperse swelling, or that helps absorption of new growth
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Respiratory problems
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Difficulty in exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide.
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Rheumatism
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A number of painful conditions of muscles, tendons, joints, and bones
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Rhizome
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Underground root stem of a plant, that is usually found underground and that lasts for more than one season
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Rubefacient
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Substance causing redness and possible irritation to the skin
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Scar tissue
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The connective tissue that forms a scar
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Sciatica
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Pain down the back of the legs in the area serviced by the sciatic nerve
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Sclerosis
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Is a hardening of tissue and other anatomical features
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Scrofula
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Tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands
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Sea sickness
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A form of motion sickness sometimes experienced when on a vessel at sea; especially during rough weather
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Seborrhea
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Increased secretion of sebum
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Sedative
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Slows down functional activity, calming
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Shock
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Is failure of the circulatory system to maintain adequate blood flow.
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Sialogogue
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An agent stimulating the secretion of saliva.
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Sinusitis
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Inflammation of the lining membrane of any of the hollow areas (sinuses) of the bone of the skull around the nose
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Soporific
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A substance or drug which helps to induce sleep
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Spermatorrhoea
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Involuntary release of sperm without orgasm
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Splenic
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Pertaining to the spleen, connected with, or affecting the spleen
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Stimulant
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Has an uplifting effect on the body
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Stomachic
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A substance which helps with the digestion and helps to improve appetite
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Stomatitis
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Inflammation of the mucus membranes of the mouth
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Styptic
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An agent that that promotes haemostasis which stops bleeding.
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Sudorific
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An agent causing sweating
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Sun burn
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Inflammation of the skin that develops in response to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from tanning beds
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Synergy
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Agents working together and in harmony to produce an effect greater than the sum of the two separate agents
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Synthetic
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Refers to non organic sources
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Tachycardia
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Abnormally increased heartbeat heart, beating at more than 100 beats per minute
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Tannin
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An astringent substance that helps seal tissues
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Terpeneless
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Essential oil from which monoterpene hydrocarbons are removed
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Throat
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The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of the mouth
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Thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body
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Thrush
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A fungal infection that presents in the mouth or vaginal area
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Tic
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Repetitive twitching
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Tincture
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Referring to either a herbal or perfume material prepared in an alcohol base
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Tonic
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Producing normal tone or tonus in muscles or tissue
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Tonsillitis
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Inflammation of the tonsil, typically as a result of infection by either a virus or bacteria.
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Tooth ache
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Pain in or near a tooth.
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Tracheitis
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Windpipe inflammation
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Tuber
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Swollen part of underground stem of one year's duration and capable of new growth
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Unguent
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A soothing or healing salve or balm, for application to sores and wounds
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Urticaria
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Is the medical name for hives which are pink welt that come up on any part of the skin
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Varicose veins
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Visible or bulging
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Vasoconstrictor
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An agent causing the contraction of blood vessel walls
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Vasodilator
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An agent such as a nerve or a drug causing the dilation of blood vessel walls
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Vermifuge
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An agent expelling intestinal worms
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Volatile
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Substance that evaporates readily at normal temperatures such as an essential oil
