APPENDIX
Many of the terms and measurements used in herbology
are confusing and downright puzzling.
Older texts will often use outdated medical terms or folk names
for afflictions,
and the newer texts lean toward medically technical definitions.
This is a guide to help you "translate" these texts and make them
easier to use.
Old Fasioned Medical Terms
Ague
|
An intermittent fever, sometimes with chills
as, as in malaria
|
Apoplexy
|
The result of a stroke
|
Black Smallpox
|
The hemmoragic form of smallpox
|
Catarrh
|
An inflamation of the mucous membranes with
a free discharge. This has special reference to the air passages of the
head and throat. For example: hayfever, rhinitis, influenza, bronchitis,
pharyngitis, asthma.
|
Cholera Infantum
|
A common, noncontagious diarrhea seen in
young children; found most commonly during the summer
|
Cholera Morbus
|
A once popular name for an acute gastroenteritis
with diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting, occuring in the summer or autumn.
Also called summer cholera or summer complaint.
|
Dropsy
|
The retention of fluids by the body, commonly seen
in persons with heart failure or kidney disease |
Farinaceous
|
Of the nature of flour or meal. Starchy or
containing starch.
|
Flux
|
Excessive flow or discharge, for example,
in dysentery or excessive mensturation.
|
Gleet
|
A urethral discharge, either of mucus or
pus; commonly seen in the chronic form of gonnorrheal urethritis.
|
Hydrophobia
|
Rabies
|
Leukorrhea
|
A whitish, viscid discharge from the vagina
|
Lung Fever
|
A severe lung infection, as pneumonia
|
Mortification
|
Gangrene
|
Quicksilver
|
An old term for mercury
|
Quincy
|
Peritonsillar abcess or tonsillitis
|
Scald head
|
Ringworm, or some similar affliction of the
scalp. May also referr to a disease of the hair follicles with formation
of small yellow crusts and a very offensive odor; usually affects the
scalp.
|
Scrofula
|
Tuberculosis involving the lymph nodes of
the neck, usually ocurrs early in life. Now very rarely seen
|
Sleeping Disease
|
Sleeping sickness; commonly found in Africa.
Also viral encephalitis in which lethargy is a prominent feature.
|
Strangury
|
A slow and painful passage of the urine due
to spasam of the urethra and urinary bladder.
|
Tetters
|
A once popular name for various eczematous
skin diseases. May also refer to a skin disease of animals communicable
to man with intense itching.
|
Whites
|
see Leukorrhea
|
Zymotic
|
Caused by or pretaining to any infectious
or contagious disease.
|
Glossary of Herbal Properties
Alterative
|
Producing a healthful change without perception
|
Anodyne
|
Relieves pain
|
Anthelmintic
|
A medicine that expells worms
|
Antibilious
|
Acts on the bile, relieves biliousness
|
Antiemetic
|
Stops vomiting
|
Antihilitic
|
Prevents the formation of stones in the urinary
system
|
Antileptic
|
Relieves fits
|
Antiperiodic
|
Arrests morbid periodic movements
|
Antirheumatic
|
Relieves or cures rheumatism
|
Antiscorbutic
|
Cures or prevents scurvy
|
Antiseptic
|
A medicine that aims at stopping putrification
|
Antispasmodic
|
Relieves or stops spasams
|
Antisyphilitic
|
Having affect on or curing venereal diseases
|
Aperient
|
Gently laxative without purging
|
Aromatic
|
A stimulant, spicy
|
Astringent
|
Causes contraction and arrests discharges
|
Carminative
|
Expels wind from the bowels
|
Cathartic
|
Evacuating from the bowels
|
Caphalic
|
Remidies used in diseases of the head
|
Cholagogue
|
Increases the flow of bile
|
Condiment
|
Improves the flavor of foods
|
Demulcent
|
Soothing, relieves inflammation
|
Deobstruent
|
Removes obstruction
|
Depurative
|
Purifies the blood
|
Detergent
|
Cleansing to boils, ulcers, and wounds
|
Diaphoretic
|
Produces perspiration
|
Discutient
|
Dissolves and heals tumors
|
Diuretic
|
Increases the flow and secretion of urine
|
Emetic
|
Produces vomiting
|
Emmenagogue
|
Promotes menstruation
|
Emollient
|
Softens and soothes inflamed parts
|
Esculent
|
Edible
|
Exanthematous
|
Remedy for skin eruptions and diseases
|
Expectorant
|
Facilitates expectoration
|
Febrifuge
|
Abates and reduces fever
|
Hepatic
|
A remedy for diseases of the liver
|
Herpetic
|
A remedy for skin diseases of all types
|
Laxative
|
Promotes bowel action
|
Lithotriptic
|
Disolves calculi in the urinary organs
|
Maturating
|
Ripens or brings to a head
|
Mucilaginous
|
Soothing to all inflammation
|
Nauseant
|
Produces vomiting
|
Nervine
|
Acts specifically on the nervous system, stops
nervous excitement
|
Ophthalmicum
|
A remedy for eye diseases
|
Parturient
|
Induces and promotes labor at childbirth
|
Pectoral
|
A remedy for chest affections
|
Refrigerant
|
Cooling
|
Resolvent
|
Dissolves boils and tumors
|
Rubefacient
|
Increases circulation and promotes red skin
|
Sedative
|
A nerve tonic, promotes sleep
|
Sialagogue
|
Increases the secretion of saliva
|
Stomachic
|
Strengthens the stomach. Relieves indigestion
|
Styptic
|
Arrests bleeding
|
Sudorifilc
|
Produces profuse perspiration
|
Tonic
|
A remedy that is invigorating and strengthening
|
Vermifuge
|
Expels worms from the system
|
FORMULA PREPARATION
Compress
made by soaking a cloth in hot infusion,
decoction, or diluted tincture
Decoctions
Simmering herb for at least 15 min.
then straining
must be taken the same day
Fluid extract
one part herb to one part alcohol
Infusion
pouring near boiling water over
herb and letting stand 5-10 min. works best for leaves and
flowers, must be taken the same day
Juicing
large quantities of herb are needed
and can either be put through a juicer or finley cut and pressed
Maceration
steeping the herb in room temperature
water for 12 hours and straining or pressing
Oils
Made by heating 9 oz of dried herb
or 27 oz of fresh herb in 17 fl. oz. of oil in a double boiler
for 2-3 hours
-or-
by filling a jar with herb and topping
up with oil, covering for 2-3 weeks and renewing herb another
2-3 weeks
-or-
by adding 25-50 drops of essential
oil to 100 ml. 5 tbsp. of oil
Ointments
made by heating herbs in petroleum
jelly or other solid fat in a double boiler for about 2
hours then straining while still hot
2 1/2 oz of dried herb to 18 oz of
fat
Poultices
heating herbs with water and then
applying under a wrap
Powders
ground dried herbs. can be mixed
with milk or water or mixed with oil or honey
Teas
same as infusions, may be sweetened,
but do not add milk
Tinctures
made in the same way as macerations
but using an alcohol/water mix. Either ethyl alcohol or
diluted vodka stores well
Syrup
concentrated sugar solutions to
make herbs more palatable and help to preserve infusions
and decoctions. liquid is heated before adding sugar or honey
17 fluid ounces of liquid to 18
ounces of sweetener
VOLUME AND MEASUREMENT
CONVERSION GUIDE
Apothecaries Weight
(Dry Measure)
US and Metric Equivalent
|
1 grain = |
|
|
0.06 grams |
1 scruple = |
20 grains = |
.33 dram = |
1.20 grams |
1 dram = |
3 scruples = |
60 grains = |
3.89 grams |
1 ounce = |
8 drams = |
480 grains = |
31.1 grams |
1 pound = |
12 ounces = |
5760 grains= |
373.2 grams |
Liquid Capacity
US and Metric Equivalent
|
minim = |
|
|
0.062 milliliter |
fluid dram = |
60 minims = |
|
3.69 milliliters |
fluid ounce = |
8 fluid drams = |
|
29.57 milliliters |
gill = |
4 fluid ounces = |
1/2 cup = |
118.29 milliliters |
32 fluid drams = |
|
|
0.24 liter |
pint = |
16 fluid ounces = |
4 gills = |
0.47 liter |
quart = |
32 fluid ounces = |
2 pints = |
0.95 liter |
gallon = |
4 quarts = |
8 pints = |
3.79 liters |
teaspoon = |
|
|
5 milliliters |
tablespoon = |
3 teaspoons = |
|
15 milliliters |
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bown, Deni.
American Herb Society of America, Encylopedia of Herbs
and their Uses.
New York:
Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc., 1995.
Enquist,
Marshall. Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country.
Austin, Texas:
Lone Star Botanical, 1987.
Hutchens,
Alma R. A Handbook of Native American Herbs.
Boston, Mass.:
Shambhala Publications Inc., 1992.
Millspaugh,
Charles F. American Medicinal Plants.
New York:
Dover Publications, 1974.
Tull, Delena. Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest.
Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1987.
Tull, Delena
and George Oxford Miller. A Field Guide to Wildflowers,
Trees, and Shrubs of Texas.
Houston,
Texas: Gulf Publishing Co., 1991.
Vines, Robert
A. Trees of East Texas.
Austin, Texas:
University of Texas Press, 1977.
Vines, Robert
A. Trees of Central Texas.
Austin, Texas:
University of Texas Press, 1977.
Vines, Robert
A. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of the Southwest.
Austin, Texas:
University of Texas Press, 1960.
Williams,
Kim. Eating Wild Plants.
Missoula,
Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Co., 1984.