Page 17 - Terminology-Naturopathy

Fascial tissues: Tissues surrounding the muscles and believe that is responsible for many natural relationships
tissues of the skull, spinal column, and sacrum. and events. See Wu Xing.

Fasting therapy: Therapeutic fasting or fasting for health Flatulence: Excessive gas in the stomach or intestine.
is a purifying and rejuvenating process by which toxic
waste matters of the body are eliminated and regeneration Flexion-distraction decompression: A gentle acupuncture,
of diseased tissues occurs. acupressure, chiropractic technique often used to treat
neck and back pain, especially when other techniques have
Febrifuge: An agent that reduces or relieves a fever. failed. Flexion-distraction decompression involves bending
and stretching of the back while adding gentle pressure to
Fecal microbiota transplantation (fecal different points of the spine.
bacteriotherapy): The process of transplantation of fecal
bacteria from a healthy individual into a recipient. A Floral water: True floral waters are the waters that remain
limited number of studies have shown it to be an effective after a heat-distillation of volatile oils. However, the label
treatment for patients suffering from Clostridium difficile “floral water” is sometimes used to denote water that has
infection (CDI), which produces effects ranging from been blended with essential oils or even fragrance oils
diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. Beginning in 2000, (synthetic).
hypervirulent strains of C. difficile have emerged, which
seem to be linked to antibiotics that are commonly used in Flos: Refers to the flowers of plant usually consisting of a
empiric treatments. single flower or the entire inflorescences (i.e., head, umbel,
panicle, spike, etc.).
Feldenkrais therapy: This therapy combines movement
training, gentle touch, and verbal dialogue to help create Flower essences: In the 1930s, Dr. Edward Bach
more efficient movement. In individual hands-on sessions, developed an approach to healing using “flower essences.”
the practitioner’s touch is used to address the student’s Flower essences are made by infusing flowers or other
breathing and body alignment along with a series of slow, plant parts in spring water and then adding alcohol as a
nonaerobic motions. preservative. The essences are used internally or topically
to balance emotional states. The underlying philosophy
Feng shui: Pronounced “fung shway,” this is the focuses on stabilizing emotions in order to dissipate illness
ancient Chinese practice of configuring home or work and stimulate internal healing processes.
environments to promote health, happiness, and prosperity.
Feng shui consultants may advise clients to make Folium: Refers to the leaf of plant. Usually the middle
adjustments in their surroundings from color selection to leaves of plants are collected.
furniture placement-to promote a healthy flow of chi, or
vital energy. Folk medicine: Systems of healing (such as Curanderismo
and Native American healing) that have persisted since
Fever therapy: Also known as pyretotherapy, has been the beginning of human culture and flourished long before
found to be beneficial to the body in that lymphocytes will the development of conventional medicine. Folk healers
produce a great amount of antibodies when the body’s usually participate in a training regimen of observation
temperature is high. These antibodies will destroy bacteria and imitation, with healing often considered a gift passed
and toxins and help eliminate them, thus stimulating down through several family generations. Folk healers
the immune system to work against the cancer. Fever is may employ a range of remedies, including prayer,
induced through the injection of a bacterial substance into healing touch or laying on of hands, charms, herbal teas or
the body. tinctures, and magic rituals, among other techniques. Folk
healers are found in all cultures and operate under a variety
Fitness: The condition of being suitable; the quality of of names and labels.
being qualified; good physical condition; being in shape or
in condition. Physical fitness is a general state of health and Fomentation: A piece of soft cloth or linen soaked in an
well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform herbal preparation and applied warm to a wound or affected
aspects of sports or occupations. area.

Five Elements System: Five elements, including fire, Forest bathing: Also called “forest medicine”, forest
wood, earth, metal, and water, that are significant to the bathing involves a short, leisurely visit to a forest and is
Chinese culture and Chinese medicine. The Chinese regarded as being similar to natural aromatherapy. It has
become a recognized relaxation and/or stress management

TERMINOLOGY NATUROPATHY 17