Glossary of Therapeutic Terms:
Underneath we have short explanations of the terms used to explain the therapeutic properties of essential oils.
| Absolute | The most concentrated form of fragrance obtained when distilling a concrete |
| Adulterate | This is when unscrupulous companies mix pure essential oils with a base oil – thereby watering down the essential oil – but then still sell the ‘watered down’ oil as 100% pure essential oil. This is a huge problem in the essential oil market, as people are tempted to adulterate their oils for higher profit margins. |
| Acetylcholine | Is a fluid used in the transmission of information from one nerve ending to another |
| Allergy | Hypersensitivity caused by a foreign substance |
| Alopecia | Baldness – can be temporary or permanent |
| Alterative | Correcting disordered bodily functions |
| Amenorrhoea | The absence of menstruation |
| Anaerobic | Type of organism that does not require oxygen |
| Analgesic | Relieving or deadening pain |
| Anaphrodisiac | Lessening sexual desire |
| Anemia | Deficiency of either quantity or quality of red corpuscles in the blood |
| Anesthetic | Pain relieving by loss of sensation |
| Annual | Plant that completes its life cycle in one year |
| Anodyne | Stills pain and quieten disturbed feelings |
| Anosmic | Loss of smell |
| Anthelmintic | A vermifuge, destroying or expelling intestinal worms |
| Anti-acid | Combats acid in the body |
| Anti-arthritic | An agent which helps to combat arthritis |
| Anti-allergenic | Reduces symptoms of allergies |
| Antibacterial | Fights bacterial growth |
| Antibiotic | Fights infection in the body by preventing the growth or destroying bacteria |
| Anti-convulsant | Helps control convulsions |
| Anti-depressant | Helps to counteract depression and lifts the mood |
| Anti-dontalgic | Relieves toothache |
| Anti-emetic | Reduces the severity or incidence of vomiting |
| Anti-fungal | Prevents the growth of fungi |
| Anti-galactagogue | Impedes or lessens the flow of milk |
| Anti-hemorrhagic | A substance preventing or combating bleeding |
| Antihistamine | Counteracts allergic reaction |
| Anti-infectious | Prevents against infection |
| Anti-microbial | A substance reducing or resisting microbes |
| Antioxidant | A substance to prevent or delay oxidation |
| Anti-parasitic | Acts against parasites |
| Anti-phlogistic | Counteracts inflammation |
| Anti-pruritic | Relieves or prevents sensation of itching |
| Anti-pyretic | Reduces fever |
| Anti-rheumatic | An agent which helps to combat rheumatism |
| Anti-sclerotic | Helps to prevent hardening of arteries |
| Anti-seborrheic | Helps control the oily secretion from sweat glands |
| Antiseptic | A substance helping to control infection |
| Anti-spasmodic | A substance to help prevent and ease spasms and relieve cramps |
| Anti-sudorific | A substance to help lessen sweating |
| Anti-toxic | Antidote or treatment to counteract the effects of poison |
| Anti-tussive | Relieves coughing |
| Aperient | Mild laxative |
| Aphonia | Loss of voice |
| Aphrodisiac | Increasing sexual desire and sexual functioning |
| Apoplexy | Sudden loss of consciousness, a stroke or sudden hemorrhage |
| Aromatherapy | The therapeutic use of essential oils |
| Arrhythmia | Irregular or loss of heartbeat rhythm |
| Arteriosclerosis | Hardening of the arteries |
| Astringent | Causing contraction of organic tissue |
| Atherosclerosis | Accumulation of fatty deposits on the inside walls of arteries |
| Atony | Lack of muscle tone |
| Bactericidal | An agent destroying bacteria |
| Balsam | Water soluble, semi-solid or viscous resinous exudate similar to that of gum |
| Balsamic | Soothing medicine or application having the qualities of balsam |
| Bechic | Anything referring to coughing, or an agent relieving cough |
| Biennial | A plant completing its life cycle in two years, without flowering the first year |
| Bilious | A condition caused by an excessive secretion of bile |
| Blepharitis | Inflammation of the eyelids |
| Calmative | A sedative |
| Carcinogenic | A substance that promotes cancer or cancerous growths |
| Cardiac | Pertaining to the heart |
| Carminative | Settles the digestive system and relieves flatulence |
| Carrier oil | An oil which is used to dilute essential oils for the purpose of massage – see fixed oils |
| Cellulite | An “orange peel” effect caused by local accumulation of fat and waste products |
| Cephalic | A substance stimulating and clearing the mind |
| Chemotypes | The same botanical species occurring in other forms due to different growth conditions |
| Chi / Qi | Chinese term referring to the essential life force |
| Cholagogue | Stimulating the secretion of bile into the duodenum |
| Cholecystokenetic | Agent that stimulates the contraction of the gall bladder |
| Choleretic | Helps the liver to excrete bile, leading to greater bile flow |
| Cholesterol | Is a steroid alcohol found in red blood cells, bile, nervous tissue and animal fat |
| Cicatrisation | Formation of scar tissue |
| Cicatrisant | Agent promoting healing by scar tissue formation |
| Cirrhosis | Chronic inflammation and degeneration of any organ (normally in the liver) |
| Clinical trial | A controlled study to look at the effectiveness of a specific ingredient or application |
| Cohobation | Is a process in the extraction method of especially rose essential oil, to ensure a “complete” oil |
| Cold pressed | Refers to a method of extraction where no external heat is applied during the process |
| Colic | Pain due to contraction of the muscle of the abdominal organs |
| Colitis | Inflammation of the colon |
| Concrete | A waxy concentrate semi-solid essential oil extract, made from plant material, and is used to make an absolute |
| Constipation | A state where normal bowel functions are not present |
| Cutaneous | Pertaining to the skin |
| Cystitis | Bladder inflammation |
| Cytophylactic | Action of increasing the leukocyte activity to defend the body against infection |
| Cytotoxic | Toxic to all cells |
| Decoction | A herbal preparation made by boiling the material and reducing it to a concentration |
| Decongestant | A substance which helps to relieve congestion |
| Demulcent | An agent protecting mucus membranes and helps stop irritation |
| Depurative | Helps to detoxify and to combat impurities in the blood and body |
| Dermatitis | Inflammation of the skin |
| Detoxifier | Helps to detoxify and to combat impurities in the blood and body |
| Diaphoretic | A substance which helps to promote perspiration |
| Diffuser | A device which helps to release the fragrance molecules into the air |
| Distillation | A method of extraction used in the manufacture of essential oils |
| Diuretic | Helps to produce urine and remove water from the body |
| Dysmenorrhoea | Painful menstruation |
| Dysuria | Pain or difficulty in urinating |
| Edema | Water retention |
| Emetic | Inducing vomiting |
| Emmenagogue | Inducing or assisting menstruation |
| Emollient | Softening and soothing to the skin |
| Emphysema | Degenerative disease of the lungs where the air sacs become enlarged |
| Endocrine | Pertaining to the ductless glands |
| Engorgement | Congestion or fullness of the tissue |
| Enteritis | Inflammation of the mucus membranes of the intestine |
| Enuresis | Involuntary urinating |
| Enzyme | Protein produced by living cells which catalyze biochemical reactions |
| Erethism | Abnormal state of irritation or excitement |
| Essential oil | Volatile aromatic liquid constituting the odorous principles of botanical matter |
| Exocrine | Pertaining to a gland with a duct, secreting directly onto outside surface of organism |
| Expectorant | A substance that helps to expel mucus from the lungs |
| Expression | Is an extraction method where essential oils are pressed to obtain the oil |
| Exudates | Natural material secreted by plants – can be spontaneous or after damage to plant |
| Febrifuge | Helps to combat fever |
| Fibrillation | Rapid twitching of muscle fiber |
| Fixative | Material that slows evaporation of volatile components in perfume |
| Fixed oils | Vegetable oils obtained from plants that are fatty and non-volatile |
| Flower water | The water resulting from the distillation of essential oils, which still contains some of the properties of the plant material used in the extraction |
| Fold | Refers to the percentage of terpenes removed by re-distillation – single fold to fivefold |
| Fractionated oils | Refers to oils that have been re-distilled, either to have terpenes removed or to remove other substances |
| Fungicide | A substance which destroys fungal infections |
| Galactagogue | Helps to increase milk secretion |
| Gemicidal | An agent that destroys micro-organisms |
| Gingivitis | Inflammation of the gums |
| Glossitis | Inflammation of the tongue |
| Halitosis | Bad breath |
| Hematuria / Haematuria | Presence of blood in the urine |
| Hemorrhoids | Piles which are dilated rectal veins |
| Hemostatic | Helps to stop bleeding |
| Hepatic | Pertaining to the liver |
| Hepatoxic | An agent having a toxic or harmful effect on the liver |
| Herpes | Inflammation of the skin or mucus membranes |
| Hormone | A product from living cells that produces a specific activity of cells remote from its point of origin |
| Hybrid | A plant created by fertilization of one species by another |
| Hydrodiffusion | Is a distillation method of essential oil extraction where the steam is produced above the botanical material and then percolates down |
| Hydrosol | Floral water |
| Hyperglycemia / Hyperglycaemia | Excess of sugar in the blood |
| Hypertension | High blood pressure |
| Hypocholesterolemia | Lowering of the cholesterol content of the blood |
| Hypoglycemia | Lowered blood sugar levels |
| Hypotension | Abnormally low blood pressure |
| Hypoxia | A shortage of oxygen |
| In vitro | In a test tube |
| In vivo | In a living body |
| Infused oil | An oil produced by steeping the macerated botanical material in oil until the oil has taken on some of the material’s properties |
| Infusion | Herbal remedy made by steeping the plant material in water |
| Laxative | A substance that helps with bowel movements |
| Leukocyte | White blood cells responsible for fighting disease |
| Leucocytosis | Raises number of white blood cells in the blood |
| Leucorrhoea | Whitish vaginal discharge |
| Lipolytic | Causing lipolysis which is the chemical disintegration of fats |
| Macerate | To soak until soft |
| Massage therapist | A person qualified to perform therapeutic massage on people |
| Massage therapy | The manipulation of soft tissue to enhance health and general well-being |
| Menopause | The normal cessation of menstruation |
| Menorrhagia | Excessive blood loss during menstruation |
| Metrorrhagia | Uterine bleeding outside the normal menstrual cycle |
| Microbe | Minute living organism such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses |
| Mucilage | Substance containing demulcent gelatinous constituents |
| Mucolytic | Breaking down mucus |
| Myelin | Fatty material enveloping the majority of nerve cells |
| Narcotic | Substance inducing sleep |
| Nephritis | Inflammation of the kidneys |
| Nervine | Substance that strengthens and tones the nerves and nervous system |
| Neuralgia | Stabbing pain along a nerve pathway |
| Neurasthenia | Nervous exhaustion |
| Neurotoxin | A substance having a toxic or harmful effect on the nervous system |
| Oedema | Water retention |
| Oleo gum resin | Odoriferous exudation from botanical material consisting of essential oil, gum and resin |
| Oleoresin | Natural resinous exudation from plants or aromatic liquid preparation extracted from botanical material |
| Olfaction | Sense of smell |
| Olfactory bulb | The center where the processing of smell is started and is then passed onto other areas of the brain |
| Oliguria | Low volume of urine |
| Ophthalmia | Inflammation of the eye |
| Ostitis | Inflammation of the ear |
| Oxidation | Related to the addition of oxygen to an organic molecule, or the removal of electrons or hydrogen from the molecule |
| Palpitations | Undue awareness of heartbeat, or rapid heartbeat or abnormal rhythm of the heart |
| Parturient | Assisting and helping childbirth |
| Pathogenic | An agent causing or producing disease |
| Peptic | Pertaining to gastric secretions as well as areas affected by them |
| Perennial | A plant living for more than two years |
| Pharmacology | Medical science pertaining to drugs |
| Pharmacopoeia | Official book of drugs |
| Pheromone | Chemical messenger used between people |
| Phytohormones | Plant substances mimicking the actions of human hormones |
| Phytotherapy | Treatment of disease with plant material, including herbal medicine |
| Polypus | Non-malignant type of growth |
| Pomade | Perfumed fat obtained during the enfleurage extraction method |
| Prophylactic | Preventative of disease or infection |
| Prostatitis | Inflammation of the prostate gland |
| Pruritis | Itching |
| Psoriasis | A chronic skin disease characterized by red patches and silver scaling |
| Psychosomatic | Pertaining to the mind and body |
| Pulmonary | Pertaining to the lungs |
| Pyelitis | Inflammation of the kidneys |
| Pyorrhea / Pyorrhoea | Discharge of puss from the gums |
| Pyrosis | Heartburn |
| Rectification | Process of re-distilling essential oils to rid them of certain constituents |
| Renal | Pertaining to the kidneys |
| Resin | Natural or prepared product – natural resins are exudations from trees, prepared resins are oleoresins from which the essential oil has been removed |
| Resinoids | Perfumed material extracted from natural resinous material by solvent extraction |
| Resolvent | An agent that helps disperse swelling, or that helps absorption of new growth |
| Rhizome | Underground stem that lasts for more than one season |
| Rubefacient | Substance causing redness and possible irritation to the skin |
| Sciatica | Pain down the back of the legs in the area serviced by the sciatic nerve |
| Sclerosis | Hardening of tissue due to inflammation |
| Scrofula | Tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands |
| Seborrhea | Increased secretion of sebum |
| Sialogogue | An agent stimulating the secretion of saliva |
| Soporific | A substance which helps to induce sleep |
| Spermatorrhoea | Involuntary emission of sperm without orgasm |
| Splenic | Pertaining to the spleen |
| Stomachic | A substance which helps with the digestion and helps to improve appetite |
| Stomatitis | Inflammation of the mucus membranes of the mouth |
| Styptic | An agent that stops external bleeding |
| Sudorific | An agent causing sweating |
| Synergy | Agents working together and in harmony to produce an effect greater than the sum of the two separate agents |
| Synthetic | Refers to anything not of organic source |
| Tachycardia | Abnormally increased heartbeat |
| Tannin | An astringent substance that helps seal tissues |
| Terpeneless | Essential oil from which monoterpene hydrocarbons have been removed |
| Thrombosis | The formation of a blood clot |
| Thrush | A fungal infection in the mouth or vaginal area |
| Tic | Repetitive twitching |
| Tincture | Referring to either a herbal or perfume material prepared in an alcohol base |
| Tracheitis | Inflammation of the windpipe |
| Tuber | Swollen part of underground stem of one year’s duration and capable of new growth |
| Unguent | A soothing or healing salve or balm |
| Urticaria | Weal on the skin |
| Vasoconstrictor | An agent causing the contraction of blood vessel walls |
| Vasodilator | An agent causing the dilation of blood vessel walls |
| Vermifuge | An agent expelling intestinal worms |
| Volatile | Substance that is unstable and evaporates easily, like an essential oil |
| Vulnerary | An agent applied externally which helps to heal wounds and sores and helps to prevent tissue degeneration |
