Herbs of The Earth

by Shekhina Canyon

Introduction to Herbs
Part Four
Some Common Medicinal Terms and their Meanings
March 31, 1997

Some common medicinal terms used when working with herbs and medicinal plants; These are terms and phrases that you may encounter in this column, so I am including this to assist you in understanding the material that will be presented.

MEDICINAL TERMS

antibiotic - any agent that halts the growth of indwelling micro-organisms

anti-Inflammatory - anything that reduces inflammation of a body tissue

antiseptic - any agent that destroys pathogenic bacteria

antispasmodic - any agent that inhibits muscle spasms and/or cramps

astringent - any agent that causes organic tissue to contract, thereby reducing secretion

carminative - any agent that assists the release of gas from the intestines

demulcent - anything that acts as a soothing agent for irritated tissue

digestive - any agent that assists in digestion and absorption of nutrient in foods

diuretic - any agent which assists in the collection and expulsion of excess moisture retained in bodily tissues

emetic - any agent which induces regurgitation

emollient - any agent which soothes tissues when applied externally

expectorant - any agent which acts to promote and advance the removal of liquid and/or mucous from the respiratory system of the body

laxative - any agent that aids in evacuation of the bowels

mineral - any agent occurring naturally within the earth that is beneficial to the human body - elements that are necessary for the proper functioning of the body - found in foods which have taken them from the ground. (Exceptions: Salt and iodine...)

macro mineral - those minerals that are found in great amounts in the human body

micro minerals - those minerals are those which are found in less than .005% of body weight.

purgative - any agent that causes a forceful and energetic evacuation of the bowels

purifier - any agent that acts to clear from material defilement or imperfection, to free from guilt or moral or ceremonial blemish, to free from undesirable elements

reducer - any agent that works to lower the functioning of some aspect of the human body; to diminish; to shrink tissues; to lessen stress, contraction, or spasm; to decrease in size, shape, or heat factor

reliever - any agent that works to free from discomfort or to ease and/or remove the burden to the physical organism; to lessen by degree or mass

rubefacient - to make red - that which causes redness of the skin - a substance for external application that causes redness of the skin

sedative - any agent that significantly reduces stress and anxiety, thereby inducing a more restful sleep period

soothe - to please by attention - relieve - alleviate - bring comfort - bring quietude

stimulant - any agent that acts to stimulate or excite the processes of the physiological body

vitamin - any of various organic substances which are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants; co-enzymes and precursor to co-enzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes, but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foods or sometimes produced within the body

HERBAL PREPARATIONS

cold extract - preparation with cold water will effectively preserve the most volatile ingredients and extract only minor amounts of mineral salts and bitter principles.

compress - an herbal remedy made by soaking a cloth in an infusion or decoction that has been cooled. The cloth is wrung out and applied directly to an affected are. It is left on until it reaches body temperature.

decoction - an herbal remedy which is prepared by boiling to extract active ingredients - extract primarily mineral salts and bitter principles of plants, rather than vitamins and other volatile ingredients

essence - an herbal preparation that is derived by dissolving an ounce of an herb's essential oil in a pint of alcohol. This is a good way to preserve volatile essential oils.

fomentation - an herbal compress made by soaking a cloth in an infusion or decoction and ringing out the excess. Apply as hot as possible to affected tissue area - less active in effect than poultice

herbal bath - any submersion of the body, any part of the body, or any organism, into herbally treated or minerally treated water for the purpose of healing.
infusion - a beverage, made like tea, by combining boiling water with any herbal plant, (usually the green parts or the flowers) and steeping to extract their active ingredients.

juice - chopped fresh plants which are pressed to squeeze out the juice and water is added, the procedure repeated, and pressed again to get the rest. This is a good method for extracting water soluble constituents, especially those sensitive to heat. It is excellent for getting vitamins and minerals from the plant, but the juice must be taken within a short time after pressing, since the vitamin content declines rapidly and fermentation sets in.

ointment - 1 part herbal remedy and 4 parts petroleum jelly, lard, or similar substance. The ingredients are boiled until the desired properties are extracted. Also, any decoction added to olive or other vegetable oil which is simmered until the water is completely evaporated.

poultice - any herbal preparation used to apply a remedy to a skin area with moist heat by wrapping crushed, fresh or dried, herbs with a hot soft adhesive substance (such as moist flour or corn meal or a mixture of bread and milk) and applied directly to the skin

powder - dried herbal plants which are ground with a mortar and pestle

syrup - boiling sugar and water to a consistency that will hold medicinal herbal ingredients; or the boiling of the herbs in honey, which is then strained through cheesecloth.

tincture - any powdered herb mixed with alcohol and water, which is cured over time, then strained and stored.

tonic - any agent that strengthens and/or aids the healing process of a biological organism or any of its organs.

vapor - a way to provide medication by inhalation - herbal remedies can be absorbed through the skin in a vapor bath setting.

Introduction to Herbs - Part Five

(The herbal information presented here is not in any way to be substituted for your Professional Health care. If you are under the care of a physician, please consult with him before trying any new remedies, be they herbal or otherwise. If you have any serious problems, see your Doctor.)

Shekhina has spent many years in the study & use of herbs and other natural resources. She gathers and grows herbs for personal use in nutrition and in cooking. She knows herbs as medical aids, for both internal and external remedies. And she has prepared herbs as cosmetics and aromatics, as well as for use in her personal spiritual practices and in her handcrafts. She writes this column in hopes "...to make everyone aware of the gifts of Gaia."

Please send your questions, via e-mail, to: shekhina_shaman@bigfoot.com.

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