Glossary

Alterative

An agent that gradually restores healthy bodily functions.

Alternative Same as alterative.
Amenorrhea Absence of menstruation.
Anther The pollen-production portion of the stamen.
Anodyne An agent that allays or kills pain.
Antiscorbutic A remedy for scurvy.
Appressed Lying flat or close against something.
Astringent An agent producing contraction of tissue or arrest of discharge.
Aromatherapy Using odors to heal.
Avatar The embodiment of a deity.
Bradycardia Abnormally slow heart rate.
Bronchus One of the main branches of the trachea.
Calyx The sepals, collectively.
Carminative A medicine that promotes expulsion of intestinal gas.
Catarrh Inflammation of a mucous membrane.
Cathartic An agent producing watery evacuations; a purgative.
Corolla The petals, collectively.
Cordate

Heart-shaped base.

cordate
cordate

Corymb

A flat-topped, open inflorescense.

simple corymb corymb compound corymb
Cuneate Wedge-shaped, triangular.
Cyme

A flower cluster in which the central or terminal flower blooms first.

Decoction An infusion made in boiling water.
Demulcent A mucilaginous substance allaying irritation.
Depressant Having the effect of decreasing vital activity.
Depurant A cleansing, purifying agent or drug.
Diaphoretic An agent producing perspiration.
Dysmenorrhea Pain during menstruation.
Emetic Agent used to bring on vomiting.
Emmenagogue Agent stimulating menstrual flow.
Emollient Agent that softens tissues.
Epidermis Outer layer of cells.
Essential oil Natural oil as opposed to synthetic oil.
Expectorant Agent that promotes the secretion of bronchial mucus
Filament

The stalk of the anther portion of the stamen.

Fomentation The application of warm liquids to the body.
Glandular Bearing glands (secreting agents).
Glandular hairs

Hairs bearing a welling at the tip.

glandular hairs
glandular hairs

Globose Shaped like a globe or a sphere.
Gravel Sandlike deposit in the urine.
Hallucinogen Having the psychoactive effects of producing imaginary perceptions.
Inflorescence A flower cluster.
Infusion Liquid prepared by steeping or soaking a drug in water.
Involucre A whorl of leaves beneath a flower or inflorescence.
Lax Loose.
Lanceolate

Lance-shaped, several times longer than wide; broadest toward the base.

lanceolate leaf
lanceolate leaf

Leucorrhea Inflammation of the vaginal or uterine mucosa, usually characterized by a whitish or yellowish vagional discharge.
Lenticel

A group of loose corky cells formed beneath the epidermis of woody plants, rupturing the epidermis and admitting gases to and from the inner tissues.

Mucous membrane The thin lining of those cavities and canals communicating with the air.
Mucus The viscid secretion of mucous membrane.
Oblanceolate

Opposite of lanceolate---broadest toward the tip.

oblanceolate leaf
oblanceolate leaf

Oblong

Two to four times longer than wide; the sides are parallel.

oblong leaf
oblong leaf

Obovate

Inversely egg-shaped; attached at the narrow end.

obovate leaf
obovate leaf

Ovate

Egg-shaped.

ovate leaf
ovate leaf

Panicle

A compound raceme type of inflorescence.

panicle
panicle

Pectoral A remedy for chest diseases.
Petals

The corolla or inner floral envelope; variously colored.

Petiole The stalk of a leaf.
Phlegm A watery humor; mucus from the bronchi.
Pinna One of the first divisions of a pinnately compound leaf.
Pinnate

Compound leaf with leaflets on two opposite sides of an elongated axis.

odd
pinnate
leaf
pinnate
even
pinnate
leaf

 

Pinnule

One of the second divisions of a bi-pinnately compound leaf.

pinnule
pinnule

Pistil

The female organ of a flower.

pistil
pistil

Pollen The male spores.
Poultice A soft mass, usually moist and heated, spread on a porous cloth and applied to an inflamed area
Psychoactive

Having an effect on the mind.

Puberulent With very short hairs.
Pubescent

Covered with hairs.

puberulent
puberulant and pubescent
pubescent

Raceme

An inflorescence with stalked flowers borne on a main axis.

raceme
raceme

Rachis The central axis of an inflorescence or compound leaf.
Rubefacient An agent that reddens the skin.
Scrofula A condition with tumors.
Scurvy

A deficiency disease due to low dietary intake of vitamin C; initial symptoms include loosening of teeth and damage to the glands.

Sepal One of the parts of the outer floral envelope. Usually green.
Sepals Parts of the calyx, usually green; the outer floral envelope.
Serrate

With sharp teeth directed forward.

serrate leaf edge

Sessile Without a stalk.
Spike

An inflorescence with the flowers on a straight axis.

spike
spike

Stamen

A pollen-bearing organ of a flower made up of anther and filament.

stamen
stamen

anther

filament

 

Stimulant Having the effect of increasing vital activity.
Stipule A modified leaf at the base of a bud.
Styptic

A medicine that causes contraction of the blood vessels and stops bleeding.

Subglobose Almost shaped like a globe.
Ternate Arranged in threes.
Tonic An agent that produces normal tone or tension.
Umbel

Around or flat-topped inflorescence; the youngest flower is in the center.

simple
umbel
umbel compound
umbel

 

Vulnerary An agent useful in healing wounds.

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Copyright © 1987 by Eleanor G. Viereck