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Medical Plant Produc
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abortifacient | Substance used to terminate a pregnancy. |
| Active constituents | Chemical components that exhibit pharmacological activity and contribute to the agent's overall therapeutic effects. |
| Acute | Beginning abruptly; sharp and intense; subsiding after a short period. |
| Adaptogen | Innocuous agent, non-specifcally increasing resistance to physical, chemical, environmental, emotional or biological factors ('stressors') and having a normalising effect independent of the nature of the pathological state. |
| Adjuvant | Substance added to a mixture to enhance the effect of the main ingredient. |
| Adverse reaction | Unintended harmful, undesirable or seriously unpleasant response to a medicine at doses intended for prophylaxis, diagnosis or therapeutic effect. |
| Aerial parts | All parts of a plant that are above the ground. Very often, plants that have useful aerial parts are harvested when flowering (e.g. St John's wort — Hypericum perforatum of the Hypericaceae family). |
| Agonist | Substance that binds to and activates a receptor, thereby causing a response. |
| Alkaloid | Cyclic organic compound with nitrogen in a - oxidation state (limited distribution). Groups: non-heterocyclic alkaloids and heterocyclic alkaloids, 12 subgroups: based on ring structure. Have marked physiological effects in vivo (morphine, nicotine) |
| Allostatic responses | Changes in the body to adapt and respond to physical or psychological change (e.g. standing, sitting, stress). They are critical to survival, have broad boundaries and involve the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. |
| Amino acid | Organic compound composed of one or more basic amino groups and one or more acidic carboxyl groups; form the basic structural units of protein. |
| Analgesic | Substance that relieves the symptoms of pain. |
| Antagonist | Substance that binds to a receptor (blocking others from doing so), but does not activate it, causing a diminished response. |
| Anthelmintic | Substance that destroys or assists in the expulsion of intestinal worms. |
| Anthocyanins | Compounds responsible for the bright colours of most flowers and fruits; watersoluble pigments that occur as glycosides and their aglycones (anthocyanidins) and have signifcant antioxidant activity. |
| Anti-allergic | Substance that reduces the allergic response (e.g. antihistamine activity or mast-cell stabilisation). |
| Anti-asthmatic | Substance that prevents asthma attacks and/or reduces their severity. |
| Anti-emetic | Substance or procedure that prevents or alleviates nausea and vomiting. |
| Anticholinergic | Agent that blocks cholinergic receptors (e.g. atropine), which results in inhibition of transmission of parasympathetic nerve impulses. |
| Anticoagulant | Substance that prevents or delays blood coagulation (e.g. warfarin). |
| Antidiabetic | Substance that aids in blood glucose management or improves management of diabetes via other mechanisms. |
| Antigen | Substance that the body recognises as foreign and to which it can evoke an immune response; often it is a protein. |
| Antimicrobial | Substance that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth or replication. |
| Antioxidant | Substance that inhibits or delays the oxidation of a second substance; also described as scavenging free-radical molecules. |
| Antiplatelet | Substance that inhibits platelet aggregation and thereby prolongs bleeding time (e.g. aspirin). |
| Antipruritic | Substance or procedure that relieves or prevents itching. |
| Antipyretic | Substance or procedure that reduces fever. |
| Antispasmodic | Substance that reduces smooth muscle spasms. |
| Antitussive | Substance that suppresses the cough reflex. |
| Anxiolytic | Substance used to treat and relieve anxiety states. |
| Apolipoprotein | Protein on the surface of lipoproteins that may bind to receptors, activate enzymes involved in lipoprotein metabolism and provide structure. |
| Apoptosis | Programmed cell death. |
| Astringent | Substance that precipitates proteins, causes vasoconstriction and constriction of mucous membranes, and reduces cell permeability when applied topically. |
| Bark | Outermost protective layer of a tree trunk, formed by layers of living cells just above the wood itself. There are usually high concentrations of the active ingredients in the bark (e.g. cinnamon from Cinnamomum camphora of the Lauraceae family). |
| Bioavailability | Proportion of an administered dose that reaches the systemic circulation intact. |
| Bitter tonic | Herbs with a bitter taste, which are used to stimulate the upper gastrointestinal tract (i.e. stomach, liver, pancreas). They stimulate appetite and digestive function. |
| Bulb | Fleshy structure made up of numerous layers of bulb scales, which are leaf bases. Bulbs that are popular for medicinal use include onion and garlic (Allium cepa and A. sativum, respectively, both of the Liliaceae family). |
| Cardioprotective | Substance that protects the heart from damage by toxins or ischaemia (oxygen defciency). |
| Carminative | Substance that relieves flatulence, abdominal distension, spasm and discomfort by relaxing the intestinal muscles and sphincters. |
| Carotenoid | Group of red, yellow or orange highly unsaturated pigments found naturally in foods. Some are converted to vitamin A in the body and most exhibit antioxidant properties. |
| Chelation | Chemical interaction of a metalion with another substance, which results in the formation of a molecular complex with the metal firmly bound and isolated. |
| Chemoprevention | Substance or intervention that reduces the incidence of cancer. |
| Cholagogue | Substance that stimulates the release of stored bile from the gall bladder. |
| Choleretic | Substance that stimulates both the production and the flow of bile. |
| Chronic | Persisting for a long period of time. |
| Cognitive activator | Substance or procedure that stimulates the mental processes such as memory, judgment, reasoning and comprehension. |
| Cold extraction | Process in which plant material is extracted in a solvent of differing polarity at room temperature, enabling maximum extraction of most components. |
| Contraindication | Any factor that makes it undesirable or dangerous to administer a medicine or perform a procedure on a specifc patient. |
| Crude herb | Raw plant before it is processed or dried. |
| Cytochrome P450 (CYP) | Proteins involved in extra-mitochondrial electron transfer, mostly in liver + during detoxification. There are many CYPs; named by the root symbol CYP, followed by a number for family, a letter for subfamily, and another number for the specific gene. |
| Debridement | Removal of foreign objects, damaged tissue, cellular debris and dirt from a wound or burn to prevent infection and promote healing. |
| Decoction | Aqueous medicine made from an extract of water-soluble substances, usually with the aid of boiling water. |
| Decongestant | Substance or procedure that reduces or eliminates congestion and swelling, usually of mucous membranes. |
| Demulcent | Substance that soothes and reduces irritation of tissues such as skin or mucous membranes. |
| Diuretic | Substance that modifes kidney function to increase the rate of urine flow. |
| Double-blind study | Study in which neither the test subject nor clinician knows if a placebo or active medicine is given. Substances are identifable by a code that is revealed after the results. This method is widely used in clinical studies to confer greater objectivity. |
| EBM | evidence-based medicine. |
| Emmenagogue | Substance that increases the strength and frequency of uterine contractions, and initiates and promotes menstrual flow (some are also abortifacients). |
| Emollient | Substance that softens tissue and reduces irritation, usually of the skin and mucous membranes. |
| Endogenous | Originating from within the body; synthesised by the body. |
| Epidemiological study | Study of occurrence and distribution of disease in large human populations. |
| Essential amino acids | Eight amino acids that are required for health and must be obtained from the diet: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. |
| Essential fatty acids (EFA) | Polyunsaturated acids that are required for growth and general health and must be obtained from the diet (e.g. omega-3 EFAs found in fsh oils). |
| Essential oil | Volatile oils extracted from plants with steam distillation or microwave extraction. Made of terpenes (mono- and sesquiterpenoids and coumarins) and are important as active ingredients (e.g. peppermint oil from Mentha × piperita from the Lamiaceae family) |
| Expectorant | Substance that promotes the expulsion of mucus, fluids or sputum from the respiratory tract. |
| Extract | Substance prepared by the use of solvents or evaporation to separate it from the original material. |
| Fatty oils | Non-volatile, insoluble oils pressed from either the seeds or the fruits of a plant (e.g. olive oil). |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration (USA). |
| Flavonoids | Responsible for the color of flowers, fruits and leaves. Named from the Latin flavus, meaning yellow. Some contribute to color as co-pigment. Flavonoids protect the plant from UV damage and play a role in reproduction by attracting pollinators. |
| Flowers | Commonly used in medicine (e.g. cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, Myrtaceae family), chamomile (Chamomilla recutita, Asteraceae family) and marigold (Calendula offcinalis, Asteraceae family)). |
| Fluid extract | Hydro-ethanolic extract of crude herbal material with a drug solvent ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 (e.g. 1 part herb to 1 or 2 parts solvent). |
| Free radical | Unstable organic compound with at least one unpaired electron. |
| Fresh plant tincture | Herbal extract made from fresh plant instead of dried material. |
| Fruit | Most commonly used seeds are anis (Pimpinella anisum) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), both of the Apiaceae family. In some instances, the fruit peel is used specifically (e.g. citrus spp, from the Rutaceae family). |
| FSH | follicle stimulating hormone. |
| Glycoside | Sugar-containing compound with a glycone (sugar) and aglycone (non-sugar) components that can be cleaved on hydrolysis. |
| GSH | glutathione. |
| Gum | Solids made of mixtures of water-soluble polysaccharides and are partially digested by humans. Gum can flow from damaged plant stem as a defence mechanism or protect against bacteria and fungi. Examples: gum arabic, Acacia senegal, and aloe gel, Aloe vera |
| Haemostasis | Physiological process that stops bleeding (i.e. vessel constriction, platelet plug formation and blood coagulation). |
| Hepatoprotective | Substance that reduces or prevents liver damage; protects against the destructive effect of hepatotoxins. |
| High-performance liquid chromatography | Very popular and widely used method for the analysis and isolation of bioactive natural products. |
| HSV | herpes simplex virus. |
| Hypnotic | Substance that induces sleep or the feeling of dreamy sleepiness. |
| Hypoglycaemic | Substance that reduces blood glucose levels. |
| Hypolipidaemic | Substance that reduces blood levels of lipids (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). |
| Iatrogenic | Condition caused by medical or surgical treatment or diagnostic procedures. |
| IBS | irritable bowel syndrome. |
| Immunomodulation | Substance that alters the immune response; also described as having a balancing effect on immune responses. |
| Immunostimulant | Substance that augments the immune response. |
| Immunosuppressant | Substance that inhibits the immune response. |
| Infused oil | Herbal extract using a fixed oil as the solvent. |
| Infusion (herbal) | Herbal tea prepared by pouring boiling water over plant parts and steeping for a short time. |
| Inotrope | Substance that has an effect on the force of myocardial contractility. A positive inotrope increases the force of contraction whereas a negative inotrope decreases the force of contraction. |
| Interaction | When the response to one medicine varies from what is predicted due to an altered response. Interaction may lead to toxicity or a loss of effect; however, manipulation benefits the patient by improving outcomes, reducing side effects, drug dose, and costs |
| Ischaemia | Oxygen defciency. |
| Laxative | Substance that causes bowel evacuation. |
| LD50 | median lethal dose. |
| LDL | low-density lipoprotein. |
| LOHAS | lifestyles of health and sustainability. |
| Maceration | Method of herbal extraction in which cut herb is soaked in solvent (such as cold water) for a period of time before draining, straining and pressing |
| Meta-analysis | Quantitative statistical procedure for combining the results of independent studies to better analyse the efficiacy of a specifc treatment. |
| Mineral | Compound containing a non-metal, metal, radical or phosphate required for proper body functioning and health maintenance. |
| Mineral oil | Faecal softener and laxative. |
| Mucilage | Sticky mixture of carbohydrates produced by plant cell activity. Herbs with a high mucilaginous content are often used as demulcents (e.g. Ulmus fulvus (slippery elm), Althea officinalis (marshmallow)). |
| Mucolytic | Substance that dissolves or destroys mucus. |
| Narrow therapeutic index (NTI) | The dose required to produce a toxic effect in 50% of test animals (TD50) is close to the dose required to produce an effective therapeutic response in 50%of test animals (ED50); NTI drugs are particularly susceptible to adverse interaction |
| Nervine | Substance that exerts a relaxant effect; described as nourishing and strengthening the nervous system. |
| Neurotransmitter | Acts as a messenger, transmitting nerve impulses across synapses and neuromuscular junctions. Important: acetylcholine, catecholamines (noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine), serotonin, some amino acids and neuro-active peptides. |
| NSAID | non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. |
| Nutritive | Substance that contains numerous nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fats. |
| Oxytocic | Substance that exerts similar effects to oxytocin (i.e. stimulates smooth muscle, usually of the uterus, to contract). |
| Pharmacodynamics | Study of the effects of drugs on living organisms. |
| Pharmacokinetics | Study of the actions of drugs within the body (i.e. absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, onset of action and duration of effect). |
| Phytochemical | Naturally occurring chemical found in a plant. |
| Phytotherapy | Phytotherapy Study and application of plant medicine; a modern term used to describe scientifcally investigated and validated herbal medicine. |
| Placebo | Harmless inactive substance that does not contain an active medicine; used in clinical studies for comparison with medicines suspected of exerting a clinical effect to determine whether in fact a signifcant response does occur. |
| PO | per os (oral). |
| Polypharmacy | Use of many medicines by a patient with one or more health conditions. |
| Polysaccharide | Carbohydrate polymer formed from three or more sugar molecules. |
| Postprandial | After a meal. |
| Poultice | Paste made from crushed fresh plant, either mixed with oil or alcohol or simply made in water and applied to the parts of the body. |
| PPI | proton-pump inhibitors. |
| ppm | parts per million. |
| Prospective study | Finds the relationship between a condition and a characteristic among a group. The observed population is healthy at the beginning of the study and is over a period of time for the development of conditions in the different groups (smokers and non-smokers |
| PUFA | polyunsaturated fatty acid. |
| RA | rheumatoid arthritis. |
| RCT | randomised controlled trial. |
| RDA | recommended daily allowance. |
| RDI | recommended daily intake. |
| Resin | Excreted from cells or ducts in plants, consisting of a mixture of essential oils and polymerised terpenes; usually insoluble in water. Examples include frankincense (Boswellia sacra) and myrrh (Commiphora molmol), both of the Burseraceae family. |
| Restorative | Restores or renews a person's state of health or consciousness to normal. |
| Rhizome | Root; underground fleshy stem that grows horizontally and acts as food storage for the plant. |
| Risk factor | Factor that increases a person's susceptibility to an unwanted, unpleasant or unhealthy event or disease. |
| Root | Fleshy or woody, usually underground, part of a plant; may be fibrous (Urtica dioica,U. radix, stinging nettle), solid (Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice) or fleshy (Harpagophytum procumbens devil's claw). |
| ROS | reactive oxygen species. |
| Salicylate | Substance that contains or is derived from salicylic acid. |
| Saponin | Vast group of glycosides that occur in many plants; dissolve in water and form a soapy solution when shaken; used in demulcents. |
| SC | subcutaneous. |
| Seeds | Contained in the fruit and used medicinally (e.g. fennel seed, Foeniculum vulgare: Apiaceae). |
| Synergistic | Several components acting or working together in a coordinated manner to produce an effect greater than that of the sum of the individual effects. |
| Tannin | Substance that forms a precipitate with proteins, nitrogenous bases, polysaccharides and some alkaloids and glycosides |
| TCM | traditional Chinese medicine. |
| Therapeutic index | Measure of the safety of a medicine based upon the dose required to produce a toxic effect in 50% of test animals (TD50) divided by the dose required to produce an effective therapeutic response in 50% of test animals (ED50); i.e. TI =TD50/ED50. |
| Thin layer chromatography | Analytical method using glass or aluminium plates precoated with the sorbent (e.g. silica gel) to separate a compound mixture according to the polarity of its components. |
| Tincture | Hydro-ethanolic extraction of crude herbal material; usually extracted in the ratio of 1:5 (1 part herb to 5 parts solvent). Glyceride tinctures may be prepared by using glycerol rather than alcohol. |
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