Medical System/State
Ageing
Associated with ageing/ longevity e.g. memory problems etc.
Cancer
All forms of cancer.
Cardiovascular
Heart & vascular problems including heart pain (Angina), hypertension, varicose veins, atherosclerosis etc.
Child Health
Used in babies (neonates), infants & children.
Dermatological
Skin & hair including inflammation & infections, eczma, psoriasis, hair loss etc. (See also Wound Healing)
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)
Conditions including inflammation, infections, tinnitus deafness etc.
Endocrine/ Metabolic
Conditions including diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol etc.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal tract & organs (liver, gallbaldder, pancreas) including infections, inflammation, blockage etc.
General
Not related to a specific site or organ e.g. weakness, coldness, fever, swellings, oedema etc.
Genitourinary system
Male & female reproductive systems & urinary tract. (See also: Women`s Health, Men`s Health, Reproductive Health, Kidney & Urinary tract).
Haematology
Blood system & spleen e.g. anaemia, spleen diseases etc.
Helminth Infections
Parasitic worms found mainly in the gastrointestinal tract including ascaris, pinworms, tapeworm (taenia) etc.
Infectious Diseases
Including tuberculois, leprosy, measles, elephantiasis, diptheria, typhoid, mumps, chicken pox, cholera. (Other common microbial infections are listed as Helminth Infections (worms) or accoding to the Body System/ State infected including; Gastrointestinal, Respiratory, Dermatology, ENT, Wound Healing etc.
Kidney & Urinary Tract
Kidneys, ureter & bladder including infections, inflammation, stones, use of diuretics etc. (See also: Women`s Health, Men`s Health, Reproductive Health)
Medical Preparations
Preparing plasters/ poultices/ compress for application and foot baths for immersion
Men`s Health
Male related conditions including prostate, scrotum, impotence etc. (See also Reproductive Health, Sexuality).
Mental Health
Various stressful mental states including anxiety (often described as “nervousness”), depression, psychosis, etc.
Musculoskeletal/ Joints
Bones, muscles, tendons, joints & connective tissue including rheumatism, arthritis, fractures, pain, inflammation etc.
Nervous system
Neurological problems including nerve damage, paralysis, epilepsy, stroke, headaches, migraines etc.
Ophthalmic
Affecting the eyes & vision including inflammation, infection, cataracts etc
Oral Health
Teeth, gums & mouth including gum disease, dental caries, bad breath, mouth ulcers etc.
Pain Relief
General relief of pain in the body. (See also specific pain relief according to the Body System/ State affected.)
Poisoning
Treatment of ingested poisons
Reproductive Health
Male and female reproductive systems affecting mainly fertility. (See also Women`s Health, Men`s Health, Genitourinary system, Sexuality)
Respiratory system
Larynx, trachea, bronchi & lungs including coughs, colds, pneumonia, asthma etc.
Sexuality
Use of sexual stimulants (aphrodisiacs) and/or anti-libido agents in males & females
Surgical/ Trauma
Injuries, accidents & conditions requiring surgery e.g. hernia.
Venoms, Bites & Stings
Injuries caused by insects, scorpions, snakes, animals (dog bite).
Women`s Health
Female conditions & use in pregnancy, labour, childbirth etc. (See also Genitourinary system, Reproductive Health, Sexuality)
Wound Healing
External & internal wounds including burns, bleeding haemorrage, infections etc.
Non Medical Other Uses
Cosmetic
Used in skin care, soap, hair dyes etc.
Culinary
Used as food, spice, seasoning, beverages etc.
Industrial
Used in making dyes, cleaning products, solvents for herbal formulas, food preservatives etc.
Ritual/ Ceremonial
Used in traditional & religious practices including incense, repelling the evil eye, good luck etc.
Repellent
Used externally against insects including mosquitos, moths etc.
Smoking
Used as an alternative to tobacco or to flavour tobacco for smoking
Veterinary
Used for conditions/ diseases in livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens etc.
Medical Activity
Abortifacient
Causes abortion
Alterative
Restores body functions by renewal of tissues or changing processes in the body to a state of health
Analgesic
Pain relieving
Antacid
Against gastric acidity/ acid reflux
Anti-abortive
Prevents abortive tendancies
Anti-allergy
Treats allergic conditions
Anti-anaemic
Prevent or corrects anaemic conditions
Anti-arthritic
Relieves & heals arthritic conditions
Anti-asthmatic
Relieves & prevents asthma attacks
Anti-atherosclerotic
Treats atheromatous conditions of the arteries
Anti-carcinogenic
Counteracts effects of a carcinogen or inhibits the development of cancer
Anti-caries
Strengthens teeth/ prevents dental caries/ decay
Anti-catarrhal
Clears excessive mucous usually in upper respiratory tract/ relieves congested sinuses/ ears/ nose/ throat
Anti-coagulant
Removes blood clots
Anti-convulsant
Prevents & treats convulsions
Anti-dandruff
Prevents & treats dandruff
Anti-depressant
Improves mood and alleviates depression
Anti-diarrheal
Prevents and relieves diarrhea
Antidote
Counteracts effects of poisons
Anti-emetic
Reduces nausea and/ or stops vomiting
Anti-enuresis
Prevents enuresis (bed wetting) in children
Anti-fungal
Inhibits or kills fungi
Anti-gum disease
Prevents & treats inflammed & bleeding gums
Anti-haemorrhoidal
Prevents & treats haemorrhoids
Anthelmintic
Causes death and/ or expusion of worms in the body
Anti-herpetic
Prevents & treats herpes infection
Anti-hydropic
Eliminates excess body fluids (dropsy)
Anti-hydrotic
Decreases/ prevents perspiration/ sweating
Anti-infective
Treats microbial infections caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc.
Anti-inflammatory
Reduces inflammation
Anti-intoxicant
Counteracts effects of intoxicants e.g. alcohol
Anti-libido
Reduces sexual energy
Anti-lithic
Prevents formation of stones/ calculi/ sand in renal and biliary tracts and/ or destroys them when formed
Anti-malarial
Treats malarial infections caused by the Plasmodium parasite normally spread through infected mosquitoes.
Anti-obesity
Used to reduce/ control weigh gain
Anti-pruritic
Prevents or relieves itching
Anti-psychotic
Used to treat psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, disordered thought)
Anti-pyretic
Reduces fever
Anti-scorbutic
Prevents & cures scurvy caused by Vit C deficiency
Anti-septic
Antimicrobial substances applied to skin and/ or tissues which inhibits the growth of organisms & reduce infection/ sepsis/ putrefaction
Anti-spasmodic
Relieves or prevents muscle spasm especially of involuntary (smooth muscle) in gut, renal tract etc. & also skeletal muscle spasm
Anti-tearing
Stops/ prevents excess tearing from eyes
Anti-tinnitus
Treats ringing or sounds in the ears
Anti-tubercular
Treats Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Anti-tumor
Treats growths by preventing or inhibiting tumor formation. (Used in the web site when its unclear from Zaitschek (Z) or BERC (B) sources whether tumor is maligant or benign)
Anti-tussive
Controls/ prevents cough
Anti-ulcer
Treats or prevents ulcer of intestine or stomach
Anti-venom
Treats venomous bites from snakes/ scorpions/ insects etc.
Anxiolytic
Reduces anxiety
Aphrodisiac
Increases sexual pleasure/ libido (arousal, desire) and/ or potency (erection effectiveness)
Bitter
Bitter tasting considered beneficial to digestive process & general health etc.
Blood purifier
Remove impurities & toxins from the blood
Cardiac
Having an affect on the heart
Carminative
Relieves flatulence/ abdominal pain/ distension in gastrointestinal tract, by expelling gas from stomach/ intestines
Cholagogue
Increases bile flow from the gall bladder
Contraceptive
Prevents pregnancy
Decongestant
Decongests nasal/ aural passages
Dentifrice
Paste/ powder or other substance that cleans teeth
Demulcent
Soothes inflammed or irritated mucous membranes in Respiratory/ Gastrointestinal/ Urinary tracts
Deobstruent
Removes obstruction in the body by clearing or opening natural ducts of fluids and secretions
Deoderant
Removes unpleasant smells
Depurative
Purifying & detoxifying effect
Diaphoretic
Promotes/ increases perspiration
Digestive
Promotes/ aids digestive process
Diuretic
Increases urine flow
Emetic
Induces vomiting & stomach evacuation
Emmenagogue
Regulates & induces normal menstruation
Emollient
Softens/ soothes skin & improves texture & quality
Expectorant
Promotes the expulsion of mucus from Respiratory tract
Eye drops
Liquid medication applied in small amounts to the eyeball
Fertility
Improves fertility in males & females
Freckle remover
Removes freckles
Galactagogue
Promotes/ increases maternal milk flow in lactation
Haemostatic
Controls/ stops bleeding
Hair inhibitor
Inhibits hair growth
Hair restorer
Promotes hair growth, prevents hair loss
Hepatic
Used to treat liver & gall bladder problems
Hernia reduction
Reduces hernia by local application of herbs
Hypnotic
Induces sleep
Hypoglycemic
Reduces blood sugar
Hypocholesterolemic
Reduces cholesterol in the blood
Hypotensive
Reduces blood pressure
Induce Burn
Causing a burn by application of heated plant material to skin. Used to treat various problems especially chronic ones. In traditional medical systems e.g. Chinese Medicine it is known as as “moxibustion”
Laxative
Stimulates/ facilitates bowel evacuation
Lubricant
Reduces skin friction by providing a smooth covering film over parts moving against each other
Mouth wash
Cleans/ freshens mouth, improves oral hygiene & bad breath (halitosis)
Muscle relaxant
Cause muscles to become less tense or stiff
Narcotic
Susbtance in moderate doses that dulls the senses, relieves pain, induces profound sleep but in excessive doses can cause stupor, coma, convulsions & addiction.
Nervine
Effecting the nerves & nervous sytem and includes; nervine relaxants; nutritive tonics; nervine stimulants
Non-specific
Refers in the web site to a more general complaint/ use in which a specific action cannot be designated e.g. treatment for skin diseases, spleen conditions etc.
Nootropic
Enhances memory, improves cognitive function & mood
Nutritive
Containing nutrients needed to nourish & build the body e.g Iron
Other
Used in the web site for a complaint/ use where the proposed action/ activity is unclear
Oxytocic
Increases uterine contractions in labor
Panacea
Treats all or many diseases
Parturient
Facilitates labor/ childbirth
Pectoral
Strengthens the Respiratory tract & lungs
Prostate health
Improves prostate function (e.g. reduces inflammation etc)
Purgative
A strong laxative
Renal
Generally used for kidney conditions/ diseases including strengthening/ cleansing/ regulating function etc.
Refrigerant
Cools the body and relieves thirst
Rubefacient
Topically applied produces redness of the skin by dilation of capillaries increasing blood circulation.
Scabicide
Kills scabies mites and/ or eggs
Sedative
A nervine with a soothing or calming effect.
Stimulant
A nervine that excites or stimulates the brain and/ or central nervous system producing alertness, elevated mood, wakefulness etc.
Stomachic
Aids the stomach/assists digestion /promotes appetite
Tocolytic
Decreases uterine contractions in labor
Tonic
Helps to restore/ tone & invigorate body systems & promote general health and well-being.
Uricolytic
Breaks down uric acid in gout
Vasoprotective
Alleviates/ prevent conditions/ diseases affecting the blood vessels
Vermifuge
Destroys/ expels parasitic worms
Visual Health
Improves impaired vision caused by various conditions e.g. cataracts
Vulnerary
Promotes wound healing
Non Medical Activity
Beverage
Drinks including fermented ones
Cigarette
Substance that is smoked and can be used as an alternative to tobacco or as flavouring for it.
Cleansing product
Products used in cleaning & hygeine e.g. soaps, laundery products etc.
Dye
Substance used to add or change the color of a substrate e.g. hair (cosmetic), textiles (industrial) etc.
Hatching
Hastens the hatching proces in poultry
Incense
Substance burned for the sweet smell it produces.
Preservative/ solvent
Different preparations used to dissolve & preserve herbs
Seasoning
Substance that brings out or intensifies the natural flavour of food without changing it
Plant Parts Used
Aerial Parts
All parts of the plant above ground including leaves, stems, flowers etc.
Bark
The outermost layers of stems & roots of woody plants found in trees, woody vines & shrubs. Consisting of inner and outer bark it refers to all tissues outside a vascular cambium overlaying wood.
Bran
The crushed hard outer layers of grain.
Branch/ Twig
A branch is the woody part of a tree arising from the trunk and usually dividing. A twig is a small thin branch of a tree or bush.
Bulb
Underground bud (specialized stem structure) of a plant from which shoot & roots may extend.
Clove
Collectively the main component of a garlic (Allium) bulb sectioned by protective sheaths. The number of cloves in a bulb varies depending on various factors including cultivation, variation, size, color, pungency etc.
Corm
A solid short, vertical, swollen underground stem base, round with a basal plate like a bulb, but flatter in appearance. Used by some plants to survive adverse conditions e.g summer drought/ heat.
Epicarp (Exocarp)
Tough outermost layer of the pericarp that surrounds the fruit. Also known as the skin, rind or peel.
Essential oil
Highly concentrated aromatic volatile oils extracted by steam distillation from leaves, flowers, bark, and other plant parts.
Exudate
A sugary secretion derived from the leaves & twigs of the Alhagi genus. Described in Zatschek (Z) sources as “Manna”, a name that appears in both the Bible & Quran and is also used to describe the resin/exudate from other trees and plants. (See also Resin)
Flower
Composed of petals, sepals, stamen & carpel (sometimes known as pistil). Flowers with all parts are known as complete. Herbal preparations may consist of a single flower or an entire inflorescences (i.e. head, umbel, panicle, spike etc.)
Fruit
Fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a flowering plant enclosing seed or seeds surrounded by the pericarp.
Gall
Abnormal plant growths on leaves, twigs, roots or flowers caused by various organisms including insects (e.g. wasps), mites, fungi, bacteria etc.
Grain
Small, hard, dry seed with or without attached hull or fruit layer, harvested for human or animal consumption. (Bran is the crushed hard outer layers of grain)
Gum
See Resin (in Zaitschek (Z) sources unclear in some preparations (e.g. Prunus dulcis) whether this refers to edible solidified resin from tree or seeds.
Inflorescens
Complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers.
Latex
Milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms) consisting of a complex emulsion of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins & gums that coagulate on exposure to air. Usually latex is exuded after tissue injury. In Zaitschek (Z) sources used interchangeably with sap.
Leaf
Usually flattened green outgrowth from stem of a vascular plant & primary sites of photosynthesis
Resin
Solid or highly viscous substance secreted by a plant for protective purposes in response to injury & protecting it from insects and pathogens. (See also Exudate)
Rhizome
Continuously growing horizontal underground stem which puts out lateral shoots and adventitious roots at intervals. Roots may be either fibrous characterized by many roots of similar sizes or taproot (e.g. Daucus carrota) in which smaller roots branch off from a main root (taproot).
Root
Normally the underground part of vascular plants used as anchorage for absorption of water & dissolved minerals, conducting these to the stem and as a reserve food storage.
Seed
An embryonic plant enclosed in protective outer covering whose formation is part of the process of reproduction in seed plants.
Stem
A structural axis of vascular plants (the other being the root) that supports leaves, flowers and fruits, transports water and dissolved substances between roots & shoots, stores nutrients & produces new living tissue.
Taproot
See Root.
Thorns (spines)
Usualy spinose structures (spinose teeth/ spinose apical processes) which are hard, rigid extensions or modifications of leaves, roots, stems or buds with sharp, stiff ends.
Tuber
A short underground stem.
Whole plant
In BERC (B) and Zaitschek (Z) preparations this refers to all parts of the plant including above ground aerial parts and below ground roots, rhizomes, bulbs etc.
Life Form
Chamaephyte or dwarf-shrub
Plants that bear hibernating buds on persistent shoots near the ground. These are usually woody plants with perennating buds usually less than 25 cm (9.8 in) above the soil surface.
Hemicryptophytes
Typically herbaceous perennials (e.g. grasses) which produce perennating buds at the soil surface where buds are protected by leaf or stem bases.
Phanerophyte
Woody plant that carries its dormant buds openly on branches above the ground.
Climber
Plants which climb up trees & other tall objects.
Geophyte
Plants with underground storage organs where energy or water is stored. Maybe in the form of a bulb, corm or rhizome.
Habitat
Ruderal
Growing on waste ground or among refuse.
Thermophilous
Species, genus, or family characteristic of warmer environments than those otherwise indicated by the pollen record.
Batha
Local name for naturally occurring Mediterranean scrublands found in Mediterranean forests, woodlands & scrub biomes. Also known as “garrigue” (France),” phrygana” (Greece) etc.
Maquis
Scrubland vegetation of the Mediterranean region, composed primarily of leathery, broad-leaved evergreen shrubs or small trees.
Shrub-steppe
Low-rainfall natural grassland, arid but with sufficient moisture to support cover of perennial grasses or shrubs, distinguishing them from deserts.
Types of Preparations
Boiling
See Decoction.
Carrier oil
Vegetable oil derived from seeds, kernels or nuts of a plant e.g. olive seeds used to dilute concentrated essential oils so they can be “carried” safely into the skin for therapeutic use
Cooking
Used mainly in Zaitschek (Z) sources this process involves heating the plant often in combination with other ingredients, usually but not always in water, over a prolonged period (e.g.1-2 hrs).
Cream
Semi-solid oil emulsion (often herb-infused) and water (often infusion or decoction).
Decoction
An extract made by simmering plant material (usually bark, rhizomes, roots, seeds) in water after bringing it to the boil. In both Zaitschek (Z) and BERC (B) sources, boiling & decoction are both used, often interchangeably, and also describe extracting less dense plant material including leaves, stems & aerial parts. We have tended to use “decoction” where we believe the process refers to the above method. “Boiling” is occasionally used to describe bringing a plant mixture to the boiling point not followed by simmering.
Essential Oil
Highly concentrated aromatic volatile oils extracted by steam distillation from leaves, flowers, bark, and other plant parts. Therapeutically usually diluted in a carrier oil.
Eyebath/eyewash
Infused plants used as a dilute, cool preparation to bathe tissues surrounding the eye in order to reduce itchiness, redness, infection etc. Care must be taken to ensure that no plant material remains in the eyewash.
Gargle
Liquid herbal preparation used as a mouthwash by swilling around mouth, throat and gums.
Compress
Herbal infusion or decoction, strained & used to soak a clean soft cloth which is held in place over the affected area to alleviate pain or reduce inflammation.
Infusion
An extract often referred to as a tea, made by pouring boiling water over fresh or dried plant material (usually flowers, fruit or leaves) which is then allowed to steep for 10-20 min. before drinking. Both Zaitschek (Z) and BERC (B) sources also use more dense plant material in infusions e.g. roots & rhizomes.
Plaster
Medicated or protective dressing prepared by spreading powdered, slightly moistened herbs onto a cloth, then covered with plastic to protect clothing and trap body heat.
Poultice
Topical/ local application of a soft, moist mass of plant material (bruised fresh herbs) usually wrapped in a fine woven cloth & applied to the affected area.
Salve
Semi-solid medicinal ointment prepared by combining herb infused oil with beeswax.
Suppository
Solid, conical or cigarette shaped medicinal substance designed for placing within the rectum or vagina to deliver localized herbal treatment. Rectally commonly used to treat Hemorrhoids.
Syrup
Herbal preparation combining an infusion or decoction with an equal amount of syrup (e.g. concentrated sugar solution) or honey.
Tincture
Plant extract made by soaking (macerating) herbs in alcohol solution or a specific ratio of alcohol to water & leaving for 2 to 6 weeks in a dark place, after whichthe liquid extract is strained off from the plant material and used therapeutically.