Page 9 - Terminology-Herbology

Refrigerant: Relieves fever and thirst. A cooling remedy. to be inserted into the rectum.
Lowers body temperature.
Relaxant: Tends to relax and relieve tension, especially T
muscular tension.
Tablet: A compressed, measured amount of a substance.
Resina: The resin that is secreted by the plant or by distillation
of the balsamum. Taoism: Both a Chinese religious understanding and a life
philosophy, Taoism emphasizes people’s inherent goodness.
Resolvent: Promotes the resolving and removing of abnormal It promotes humility, moderation and compassion. Its belief
growths, such as a tumor. system calls for a reflection on one’s place in nature to find
enlightenment; and it acknowledges the universe’s duality as
Resorbent: Aids reabsorption of blood from bruises. characterized by the Yin and Yang (which represent negative

Rhizoma: The rhizome or a creeping horizontal stem, and positive energy).
generally bearing roots on its underside.
Thymoleptic: Used as an energiser on the mental/emotional
Rubefacient: An agent that reddens the skin by increasing level.
the circulation when rubbed on the surface. Tibetan medicine: Is a centuries-old traditional medical

S system that employs a complex approach to diagnosis,
incorporating techniques such as pulse analysis and
urinalysis, and utilizes behavior and dietary modification,
Salve: An herbal decoction blended with a beeswax or medicines composed of natural materials (e.g., herbs and
olive oil base, reduced and placed in jars. For use on burns, minerals) and physical therapies (e.g. Tibetan acupuncture,
chapped skin, scrapes and other skin irritations, depending on moxabustion, etc.) to treat illness. The Tibetan medical
the herb used. system is based upon a synthesis of the Indian (Ayurveda),
Persian (Unani), Greek, indigenous Tibetan, and Chinese
Sedative: Herb that allays excitement, induces relaxation, medical systems, and it continues to be practiced in Tibet,
and is conducive to sleep. India, Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh, Siberia, China and Mongolia,
as well as more recently in parts of Europe and North
Semen: The seed of a plant, usually removed from the fruit, America. It embraces the traditional Buddhist belief that
and may or may not contain the seed coat. all illness ultimately results from the “three poisons” of the
mind: ignorance, attachment and aversion.
Sialagogue: Promotes the flow of saliva.
Tincture: An extract of a plant made by soaking herbs in a
Soporific: Herbs that help to produce sleep. dark place with a desired amount of either glycerine, alcohol,

Spica: Spike or vinegar for two to six weeks. The liquid is strained from
the plant material and then may be used therapeutically.
Spina: Thorn
Tonic (nutritive): Permanently increases the tone of a part of
Stimulant: Herb that increases the activity or efficiency of a the body, or the entire system by nourishing and increasing
system or organ; acts more rapidly than a tonic. weight.

Stomachic: Herbs that give strength and tone to the stomach, Tonic: Herbs that restore and strengthen the entire system.
stimulate digestion, and improve the appetite. Produces and restores normal tone. A general tonic would be
one that braces up the whole system.
Styptic: Astringent: arrests hemorrhage and bleeding. Causes
vascular contraction of the blood vessels or coagulation of Tonics (rejuvenative): Regenerates cells and tissues;
the albuminous tissues of the blood. Checks hemorrhage. promotes longevity.

Succus: Juice Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): A 3,000-year-old
holistic system of medicine combining the use of medicinal
Sudorific: Herbs that cause heavy perspiration. herbs, acupuncture, food therapy, massage, and therapeutic
exercise. Chinese physicians look for the underlying causes of
Suppository: A preparation in the form of a cone or cylinder imbalance in the “yin” and “yang” which lead to disharmony

TERMINOLOGY. HERBOLOGY 9