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 |