understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Decoction
extract of a crude drug made by boiling or simmering (cooking) herbs in water; stronger than a tea or infusion.
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Counterirritant
an agent that causes a distracting irritation intended to relieve another irritation.
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Concentration
the amount of material in a solution in relationship to the amount of solvent; expressed as the ratio.
For example:
1:5 concentration means that 5 parts of an extract contains the equivalent of one part of the raw herb;
4:1 concentration means that 1 part of an extract contains the equivalent of 4 parts of the raw herb.
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Choleretic
an agent that stimulates the formation of bile.
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Cholegogue
an agent that stimulates secretion and release of bile.
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Cathartic
a powerful agent used to relieve severe constipation (also called a purgative).
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Catarrh
inflammation of a mucous membrane, especially of the respiratory tract.
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Carminative
a substance that stops the formation of intestinal gas and helps expel gas that has already formed.
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Calmative
an agent with mild sedative or hypnotic properties.
Source: www.cncahealth.com

understanding herbal terminology

There are many words used to describe herbs and their actions on the body. The following is a guide to understanding these unique terms.
Bolus
a suppository poultice used for vaginal or rectal application; made by mixing powdered herb material in melted cocoa butter or similar base and hand-forming suppositories as the matrix cools.
Source: www.cncahealth.com