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