Home Remedies Glossary

Various Properties Of Remedies

Absorbents can attach themselves to other matter and have a neutralizing effect.

Alteratives, in certain doses, work a gradual cure by restoring the healthy functions of different organs.

Anodynes are remedies which relieve pain.

Antacids counteract acidity of the stomach and bowels.

Antibiotics destroy or inhibit growth of bacteria.

Anti-inflammatories reduce inflammation.

Antiseptics prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of micro-organisms.

Aromatics have a grateful smell and an agreeable pungent taste.

Astringents when applied to the body, render the solids dense and firmer.

Cathartics accelerate the action of the bowels, or increase the discharge by stool.

Demulcents prevent the action of acrid and stimulating matters upon the mucous membranes of the throat, lungs, etc. They sooth inflamed surfaces.

Diaphoretics promote or cause perspirable discharge by the skin.

Diuretics increase the flow of urine by their action upon the kidneys, thus removing water from the body.

Emetics produce vomiting.

Emollients, when applied to the solids of the body, render them soft and flexible.

Errhines are substances which, when applied to the lining membrane of the nostrils, occasion a discharge of mucous fluid.

Expectorants are capable of facilitating the excretion of mucus from the chest.

Hypertensive increases blood pressure.

Hypotensive decreases blood pressure.

Laxatives produce bowel movements.

Narcotics are those substances having the property of diminishing the action of the nervous and vascular systems, and of inducing sleep.

Purgative produce powerful bowel movements.

Ruabefacients excite the vessels of the skin and increase its heat and redness.

Sedatives have the power of allaying the actions of the systems generally, or of lessening the exercise of some particular function.

Sialagogues increase the flow of the saliva.

Stimulants are capable of exciting the vital energy, whether as exerted in sensation or motion.

Tonics increase the tone or healthy action, or strength of the living system.

Various Preparations Of Remedies

Carrier Oils or Base Oils are used to dilute essential oils prior to application.

Cataplasms are external applications of remedies or poultices.

Confections are remedies in the form of a conserve.

Decoctions are procured from the various parts of herbs by boiling them in water.

Distillations are collected from the condensation of vapors produced from boiling a liquid.

Dragees are sugar-coated pills.

Essential Oils consist of highly concentrated extracts distilled from leaves, flowers, bark or roots.

Extracts are decoctions, or tinctures that have been reduced to a soft solid mass, by method of evaporation.

Fluid Extracts are concentrated, not reduced to a solid or nearly semi-fluid consistence, the evaporation not being carried so far as in ordinary extracts.

Infusions are solutions of vegetable principles in water, effected without boiling.

Liniments are designed for external application, and should always be of such a consistence as will render them capable of easy application to the skin with the naked hand or flannel.

Lotions comprise all compounds used as external washes in which vegetable substances are dissolved.

Mixtures are either liquid or solid compounds, and which are suspended in aqueous fluids by the intervention of some viscid matter, as mucilage, albumen, etc.

Oils are the products of various herbs by distillation with water.

Organic remedies are all natural, produced without any chemicals or unnatural components.

Pills are medicinal properties formed into a mass and rolled into globular forms. A bolus is a large pill.

Plasters are designed for external application; the medicinal agent is usually spread on cloth.

Powders are medicinal herbal remedies in a pulverized state.

Saturates are similar to fluid-extracts, being, however, prepared without the employment of heat.

Syrups are of a viscid consistence, produced by concentrated solutions of sugar alone or mixed with honey.

Tinctures are preparations obtained by subjecting medicinal herbal remedies to the action of alcohol.

Trochees or Lozenges are medicinal substances in powder, which are formed into solid cakes by the aid of sugar and gum.

Unguenta or Ointments are fatty matters, in which are incorporated certain medicines, and are designed for external use.