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Medical terms glossary
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Our medical terms glossary will help you make sense of product and drug lables and terms which doctors and health professionals use ... |
- abortifacient
- A substance that induces or causes an abortion.
- acrid
- With a hot caustic taste or causing irritation and inflamation on the skin
- adjuvant
- A substance which aids another ingredient to be more effective.
- alterative
- A substance which gradually benefits the body but which doesn't have any specific noticeable effect.
- analgesic
- A substance which aleviates or removes pain.
- anaphrodisiac
- A substance which lowers sexual appetite or potency.
- anesthetic
- A substance which lessens feeling or sensation.
- anodyne
- A substance which is soothing and lessens pain.
- anthelmintic
- A substance which eliminates or destroys worms in the intestines.
- antibiotic
- A substance which kills or impedes the growth of micro-organisms.
- antibody
- A substance produced in the blood or tissues in response to a
specific antigen, such as a bacterium or a toxin. Antibodies destroy or
weaken bacteria and neutralize organic poisons, thus forming the basis
of immunity.
- anticoagulant
- A substance which stops blood clotting.
- antiemetic
- A substance which stops nausea and vomiting.
- antihydrotic
- A substance which stops or diminishes sweating.
- antilithic
- A substance which stops or diminishes calculi, or stones in the urinary tract and aids in decomposing ones which exist.
- antioxidant
- A substance contained in foods which significantly decreases the adverse effects of free radicals and/or environmental pollutants.
- antiperiodic
- A substance which cancels out periodic or sporatic diseases (eg. malaria).
- antiphlogistic
- A substance which dimishes inflammation.
- antipyretic
- A substance which stops or diminshes fever.
- antiscorbutic
- A substance which cures or prevents scurvy providing vitamin C.
- antiscrofulous
- A substance which cancels out scrofula.
- antiseptic
- A substance which kills or impeads the growth of bacteria.
- antispasmodic
- A substance which stops or diminishes cramps or spasms.
- antitussive
- A substance which diminishes coughing.
- antitoxin
- An antibody formed in response to and capable of neutralizing a
specific toxin of biological origin.
- aperient
- A gentle bowel stimulant or mild laxitive.
- aphrodisiac
- A substance which stimulates or increases sexual appetite or potency.
- appetizer
- A substance which increases the appetite.
- aromatic
- Something which has a pleasant smell.
- astringent
- A substance which shrinks tissues and lowers secretions and discharges.
- balsam
- a) A substance which is soothing. b) A viscous substance obtained from trees or plants for use in medicinal remedies.
- bioavailable
- Available to being assimilated by the body.
- bitter
- A substance which has a sharp unpleasant taste that stimulates the mucous membranes in the mouth and stomach to stimulate appetite and improve digestion.
- calmative
- A substance which acts as a tranquilizer or gentle sedative.
- Calorie free
- Less than 5 calories for each serving
- cardiac
- A substance which has an effect on the heart -- usually as a stimulant.
- carminative
- A substance which causes intestinal gas to be expelled.
- cathartic
- A substance which acts as a laxative.
- caustic
- A substance which is corrosive or burning to tissues.
- cholagogue
- A substance which augments the flow of bile into the intestines.
- coagulant
- A substance which causes blood clotting.
- counterirritant
- A substance which causes irritation in one part of the body to
offset inflamation which is in a different part.
- demulcent
- A substance which comforts irritation especially mucosa.
- desodorant
- A substance which eliminates or hides odors.
- depressant
- A substance which calms or lowers nervous activity (opposite of a stimulant).
- depurative
- A substance which cleans up and eliminates impurities.
- detergent
- A substance which is used to clean injuries, lesions, ulcers.
- diaphoretic
- A substance which causes or increases sweating.
- digestive
- A substance which enhances or stimulates digestion.
- disinfectant
- A substance which kills or slows the growth of micro-organisms that can cause disease.
- diuretic
- A substance which stimulates urination.
- emetic
- A substance which produces nausea or vomiting.
- emmenagogue
- A substance which increases or stimulates menstration.
- emollient
- A substance which softens and soothes external irritation.
- errhine
- A substance which causes sneezing and nasal discharges.
- euphoriant
- A substance which stimulates an exaggerated feeling of well-being.
- expectorant
- A substance which stimulates the excretion of mucus from respiratory passages.
- Fat free
- Less than 1/2 gram of fat per serving
- febrifuge
- A substance which lowers or stops fever.
- galactagogue
- A substance which prpmotes or augments milk secretion.
- hallucinogen
- A substance which causes hallucinations.
- hemostatic
- A substance which stops bleeding.
- herb
- Any plant or part of a plant which is used for medicinal
purposes, or nutritional value. (Also may be used for
food seasoning,
coloring and dyeing--these are not generally considered in this
website. -ed.)
- High fiber
- Contains 5 grams of more of fiber per serving
- hypnotic
- A substance which encourages or causes sleep.
- irritant
- A substance which produces inflammation or unusually high sensitivity.
- laxitive
- A substance which encourages bowel movements.
- Low calorie
- With 1/3 less calories than similar products
- Low fat
- Less than 3 grams of fat in each serving
- mineral
- An inorganic element, such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium,
or zinc, that is essential for human nutrition.
- mucilaginous
- Describes something which has a sticky or jelly-like nature.
- narcotic
- A substance which lowers pain while causing sleep in small amounts but which can produce convultions, cpma, or death in large doses.
- nervine
- A substance which calms and tranquilizes nerves.
- No preservatives
- Chemical and natural preservatives are not present in the product
- No salt
- Less than 5 milligrams per serving
- nutrition
- The process by which a living human assimilates food and uses it
for growth and for replacement of tissues.
- oxytocic
- A substance which aids or hastens childbirth by encouraging uterine muscle contractions.
- purgative
- Strong laxitive; A substance which causes strong bowel movements.
- refrigerant
- A substance which cools excessive body temperature.
- restorative
- A substance which revives consciousness.
- rubefacient
- A substance which is mildly irritating causing redness when applied to the skin.
- sedative
- A substance which calms nerves, lowers stress, diminishes irritation.
- sialagogue
- A substance which promotes salivation or drooling.
- stimulant
- A substance which encourages or increases physiological activity.
- stomachic
- A substance which fortifies or enhances the stomach.
- Sugar free
- Less than 1/2 gram of sugar per serving
- supplement
- Any of various different foods or products added to a habitual
diet to make up for a deficiency, to enhance growth, improve health or
compensate for toxic influences on the body.
- tonic
- A substance which fortifies or stimulates the body or specific areas or organs.
- toxin
- A substance which is poisonous and capable of causing disease but
which also may neutralize antibodies or antitoxins.
- vasoconstrictor
- A substance which causes increased blood pressure by shrinking blood vessels.
- vasodilator
- A substance which lowers blood pressure by enlarging blood vessels.
- verminfuge
- A substance which expells worms from the intestine.
- vesicant
- A substance which causes blistering.
- vitamin
- An organic substance essential for normal growth and activity of
the body.
- vulnerary
- A substance which helps wounds to heal.
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