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Medical Glossary
abortifacient : induces abortion
acrid : leaving a burning sensation in the mouth
aerophagy : swallowing of air
allergy : hypersensitivity caused by a foreign substance, small doses of which cause a violent bodily reaction
alliaceous : similar to garlic or onion family
alopecia : baldness, lack of hair
alterative : corrects general body dysfunction
amoebicidal/amebicidal : destroys amoebas
amenorrhea : absence of menstruation
analgesic : reduces sensitivity to pain
anaphrodisiac : reduces sexual desire
anemia : deficiancy of either quality or quantity of red corpuscles in the blood
anemic : relating to anemia, caused by or suffering from anemia.
anesthetic : removes any sensation of pain
anodyne : reduces pain and quiets a disturbed mind
anorexia : condition of being without, or having lost the appetite for, food.
anthelminthic : destroys intestinal worms
anti-allergenic : counters allergies
anti-anemic : counters anaemia (lack of red blood corpuscles or haemoglobin)
anti-arthritic : counters arthritis
anti-bacterial : destroys bacteria
anti-bilious : removes excess bile
anti-biotic : destroys bacteria
anti-catarrhal : counters catarrh
anti-convulsive, anti-convulsant : counters convulsions
anti-depressant : counters depression
anti-diarrheal : counters diarrhea
anti-dote : counters poison, usually specific
anti-emetic : reduces nausea or vomiting
anti-fungal : counters fungal infections
anti-hemorrhagic : prevents or reduces bleeding
anti-histaminic : counters allergic reactions
anti-infectious : fights infections
anti-inflammatory : counters inflammation
anti-lithic : prevents formation of body stones
anti-microbial : counters microbes ( disease-causing bacteria )
anti-mnemonic : weakens the memory
anti-neuralgic : reduces nerve pain or sensitivity
anti-oxidative, anti-oxidant : prevents or delays oxidation
anti-perspirant : reduces perspiration through the skin
anti-phlogistic : acts against heat and inflammation
anti-pruritic : reduces itchiness
anti-putrescent : counters decay or putrefaction
anti-pyretic : counters fever
anti-rheumatic : counters rheumatism
anti-sclerotic : reduces hardening of tissue especially arteries
anti-scorbutic : counters scurvy
anti-scrofula : counters development of tuberculosis of lymph nodes
anti-seborrheic : helps control the products of sebum, the oily secretion from sweat glands.
anti-septic : destroys bacteria and germs
anti-spasmodic : relieving contractions of muscles - skeletal, intestinal, and bronchial.
anti-toxic : counters the effects of poison
anti-tumour : destroys or reduces the growth of tumours
anti-tussive : alleviates or suppresses coughing
anti-viral : destroys viruses
aperient : mild laxative
aperitif : stimulates appetite (sometimes laxative)
aphonia : loss of voice
aphrodisiac : stimulates sexual desire
apoplexy : sudden loss of consciousness, a stroke or sudden severe hemorrhage.
aromatic : has a distinctive smell
arrythmias : abnormal heart rhythms
arterioschlerosis : hardening of the arteries
arthritis : inflammation of a joint or joints
asthenia : see debility
astringent : drying or causing contraction of tissues. Useful against overproduction of secretions.
atony : lessening or lack of muscular tone or tension
bactericidal : destroys bacteria
balsamic : oily or resinous healing agent
bechic : relieves or cures coughs
bilious : a condition caused by an excessive secretion of the bile
bitter : a tonic compount which sti,ulates the appetite and promotes the excretion of saliva and gastric juices by exciting the taste buds.
blenorrhea : abnormally free secretion and discharge of mucous, sometimes from the genitals (such as in gonorrhea)
blepharitis : inflammation of the eyelids
calculus : a solid pathological concentration (or 'stone'), usually of inorganic matter in a matrix of protein and pigment, formed in any part of the body.
calmative : see sedative
carcinogenic : causes or promotes the growth of, cancer
cardiac : pertaining to the heart.
cardiotonic : stimulates heart
carminative : settles the digestive system, reduces flatulence
catarrh : inflammation of the mucous membranes, usually associated with an increase in secretion of mucus.
cathartic : induces violent purging of the body
cellulite : accumulation of toxic matter in the form of fat in the tissue
cephalic : remedy for head disorders
cerebral : pertaining to the largest part of the brain, the cerebrum
chlorosis : a form of anemia rarely encountered nowadays
cholagogue : stimulates the flow of bile into the duodenum
cholecystokinetic : stimulates contraction of the gallbladder
choleretic : aids excretion of bile by the liver
cholesterol : a steroid alcohol found in nervous tissue, red blood cells, animal fat and bile. Excess can lead to gallstones.
cicatrisant : aids healing and the formation of scar tissue
cirrhosis : degenerative change in any organ (especially liver), caused by various poisons, bacteria or other agents, resulting in fibrous tissue overgrowth.
circulatory : aids circulation
clarifying : clears the mind and aids understanding
colic : pain due to contraction of the voluntary muscle of the abdominal organs.
colitis : inflammation of the colon
compress : a lint or substance applied hot or cold to an area of the body, for the relief of swelling or pain, or to produce localized pressure
constipation : congestion of the bowels, incomplete or infrequent action of the bowels
contageous disease : a disease spreading from person to person by direct contact
cordial : stimulant and tonic
cystitis : bladder inflammation, usually characterised by pain on urinating.
cytophylactic : increases leucocytes to fight infection
cytotoxic : toxic to all living cells
debility : general weakness and lack of tone
decongestive : relieves congestion of the airways
demulcent : protects the mucus membranes ( throat ) and counters irritation
deodorant : destroys or conceals unpleasant smells
depurative : helps combat impurity in the blood and organs; detoxifying.
dermatitis : inflammation of the skin; many causes..
diaphoretic : promotes sweating
digestive : aids digestion
disinfectant : destroys infection and germs
diuretic : promotes the discharge of urine
emetic : induces vomiting
emmenogogue : induces or assists menstruation
emollient : softens and smoothes the skin
estrogenic : relating to the hormone produced by the ovary
expectorant : aids the discharge of phlegm from the lungs or throat
febrifuge : counters fever
fixative : ( in aromatherapy ) counters volatility of certain perfume components
fungicidal : counters fungal infection
galactagogue : increases milk secretion
germicide : An agent that kills germs, especially pathogenic microorganisms; a disinfectant.
haemostatic : stops bleeding
hallucinogenic : causing delusions and visions
hepatic : relating to the liver
hepatobiliary : relating to the liver (blood flow)
hydrating : aids absorption of water
hyperglycemic : increases blood sugar levels
hypertensive : increases blood pressure
hypnotic : induces sleep
hypocholesterolemic : lowers cholesterol
hypoglycemic : lowers blood sugar levels
hypotensive : lowers blood pressure
insecticidal : kills insects
larvicidal : destroys larvae
laxative : aids evacuation of the bowels
lipolytic : destroys fatty tissue ( lipolysis )
leucocytosis : above normal white blood cell count
mucolytic : dissolves or breaks-up mucus
narcotic : intoxicating substance inducing torpor or sleep
nephrotoxic : causing inflammation of the kidneys
nervine : calms nervous excitement ( nerve tonic )
neurasthenia : nervous exhaustion
orexigenic : promotes appetite
panacea : a cure-all
parasiticide : destroys parasites eg. fleas, lice
parturient : aids childbirth
pathogenic : causing disease
pathological : destructive process on living tissue
pediculicide : destroys lice
phytotherapy : treatment of disease with plant extracts: herbal medicine
prophylactic : prevents disease or infection
purgative : purifies and flushes the intestines
receptor : a large protein molecule embedded in the membrane of a cell, which enables the cell to receive chemical information.
refrigerant : cooling action, reduces fever
regulatory : controls and makes regular
relaxant : relieves strains and tensions
resolvent : disperses swelling
respiratory : aids respiration / breathing
restorative : brings strength and vigour to body systems
revulsive : relieves pain by diversion of blood or disease to another part of the body
rubefacient : causes redness of skin, possibly irritation
sedative : calming, allaying excitement or pain
sialagogue : stimulates the secretion of saliva
spasmolytic : counters spasms
splenic : relating to the spleen
stimulating, stimulant : promotes excitement and activity
stomachic : helps the stomach ( improves appetite )
styptic : stops bleeding
sudorific : promotes sweating
tonic : promotes health and general well-being
uterine : relates to the uterus
vasoconstrictive : narrows the blood vessels
vasodilatory : widens the blood vessels
vermifugal, vermicidal : destroys intestinal worms
vesicant : causes blistering of the skin or membrane
virucidal : disables or kills viruses
vulnerary : helps to heal wounds
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