Glossary

Adaptogen: A category of herbs that help the body adapt to stress and maintain balance. Adaptogens interact with the endocrine system to normalize metabolism and nourish tissues. Classic examples include licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), and ginseng (Panax ginseng). These herbs are used to improve resilience, energy, and stress response.

Alterative: Herbs that gradually restore health by supporting the body’s natural elimination of metabolic wastes. Alteratives “alter” conditions in tissues via organs of elimination (liver, intestines, lungs, lymph, skin, kidneys). They often improve chronic inflammatory or toxic conditions. For example, burdock root (Arctium lappa) and nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) are classic alteratives used to improve skin conditions and general vitality.

Astringent: Herbs rich in tannins that tighten and tone tissues. Astringents precipitate proteins, drawing tissues together to reduce secretions, discharge, and bleeding. They are used to treat issues like diarrhea, wound bleeding, or excess mucus. Examples include raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

Carminative: An herb that relieves digestive gas and bloating by soothing the gut and expelling gas. Carminatives often have aromatic volatile oils that ease intestinal spasm and reduce flatulence. They promote proper digestive function and comfort. Classic carminative herbs include peppermint, fennel, ginger, and chamomile.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): A gentle medicinal plant famed for its calming and anti-inflammatory effects. Chamomile is used to promote relaxation and sleep, soothe digestive upsets, ease anxiety, and reduce inflammation. It is a mild nervine and carminative, often given as a tea for stress, indigestion, infant colic, or irritability.

Constitution (constitutional health): In holistic herbalism, an individual’s constitution refers to their unique combination of physical, mental, and emotional characteristics that influence health and response to treatment. Constitutional assessment often describes tendencies as hot or cold, damp or dry, tense or lax, etc., based on classical systems. Practitioners use constitutional patterns to tailor herbal therapies – for example, choosing warming herbs for a “cold” constitution.

Decoction: A preparation method in which tough plant materials (roots, bark, seeds, mushrooms) are simmered or boiled in water to extract their constituents. A decoction is essentially a strong simmered herbal tea. This method is used for hard or woody parts that require heat to release active compounds.

Demulcent: A soothing, mucus-rich (mucilaginous) herb that protects irritated tissues. Demulcents form a slippery, protective film over mucous membranes, easing inflammation and minor pain. They are used for coughs, sore throats, gastritis, and any internal irritation. Examples include slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), and licorice root.

Double-Extraction Tincture: Also called a dual-extraction, this refers to an herbal extract (often for mushrooms) made by combining two methods: alcohol tincture and water decoction. Certain herbs (like medicinal fungi) contain both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds, so a double extraction uses alcohol and boiling water to capture a broader spectrum.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.): A small tree whose berries, leaves, and flowers are renowned heart tonics. Hawthorn is used by herbalists as a cardiotonic to strengthen and restore the heart and circulatory system. It improves blood flow to the heart muscle, mildly reduces blood pressure, and has antioxidant flavonoids that protect cardiovascular tissue.

Host Defence Potentiator: A term for substances that enhance the body’s immune response to disease. For example, certain medicinal mushroom extracts are prescribed as “host defence potentiators” or biological response modifiers alongside conventional cancer treatments.

I-Thou Relationship: A concept from philosopher Martin Buber, applied to healing as an attitude of deep respect and genuine presence between practitioner and patient. In an “I-Thou” therapeutic relationship, the practitioner meets the patient as a whole person, rather than an object.

Implicate Order: A theoretical concept (originated by physicist David Bohm) describing a deeper, unseen level of reality in which everything is fundamentally interconnected. Holistic practitioners sometimes invoke this idea to illustrate the unity between mind, body, spirit, and environment.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): A calming and uplifting herb in the mint family, used as both a nervine and a digestive remedy. Traditionally used to alleviate anxiety and insomnia, lemon balm also eases indigestion and has anti-viral properties.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): A sweet root used for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and adrenal-supportive qualities. Licorice is a classic demulcent and is known as an adrenal tonic. It may raise blood pressure in high doses and with long-term use.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus): A medicinal mushroom known for its nerve-regenerative properties. It stimulates Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), supporting cognitive function and memory, and is being studied for neurodegenerative conditions.

Luteal Phase Defect (LPD): In fertility medicine, this refers to an abnormal shortening or insufficiency of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It can lead to difficulty conceiving or early miscarriage. Correcting it (e.g. with vitex or progesterone) can improve fertility.

Maceration: An extraction process involving soaking plant material in a solvent at ambient temperature. It allows extraction of delicate compounds without heat. In tincture making, herbs are steeped in alcohol for several weeks.

Nervine: Herbs that support the nervous system by calming, stimulating, or nourishing it. Examples include oatstraw, passionflower, lavender, and St. John’s wort.

Nettle (Urtica dioica): A nutrient-rich herb used as an alterative and anti-inflammatory tonic. Known for its use in allergies, as a diuretic, and in kidney health. Nettle seed and root have distinct applications.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): A carminative and antispasmodic herb used for digestion, headaches, and respiratory conditions. Menthol in peppermint oil provides cooling relief and muscle relaxation.

Polyherbal Formula: A herbal preparation that combines multiple herbs for synergistic or multi-targeted effects. Common in traditional medicine systems and increasingly studied in modern research.

Qi: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi is the vital energy that flows through the body. Herbal treatments, acupuncture, and exercises aim to tonify or unblock Qi to restore harmony.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): A medicinal mushroom revered in Chinese medicine for its adaptogenic and immune-modulating effects. Used for vitality, longevity, and support in cancer, hypertension, and insomnia.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): A nootropic and nervine herb used to improve memory, mood, and circulation. Also a digestive stimulant with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Shen: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shen refers to the mind or spirit. Balanced Shen manifests as mental clarity and emotional calm. Herbs like reishi are used as Shen tonics.

Therapeutic Relationship: The healing connection between practitioner and patient, marked by trust, empathy, and collaboration. Central to the success of clinical herbalism.

Trophorestorative: A herb that restores tone and function to weakened organs or systems. Examples include oats for the nervous system and hawthorn for the heart.

Vulnerary: Herbs that promote wound healing. Examples include calendula, comfrey, and plantain. They may also protect against infection and encourage tissue regeneration.