Note:

“A” to “Z” Therapeutic Properties & Flower Remedies

Generated on 9/18/2008

Updated on 2/18/2009

Updated on 2/22/23

As all of you know I am done working on my Master Herbalist degree and moving on to my Doctor of Naturopath (ND). As I'm working along it seem to me that I was always looking up words to understand this foreign language, lol, so I decide to bring this to you, now all of us can understand together. 

Click on the hyper-link below to find what you are looking for (to move around this growing document or just scroll).

If you find a word that is not in this document please email the word to me at melody@melodyanns.com I will be happy to add it.

–   B lymphocyte (B cell) – One of the immune system cell types; B cells fight infection primarily by making antibodies.

–   Back pain – Back pain, discomfort or sometimes debilitating suffering associated with an injury or some other affliction of the back, the posterior (rear) portion of the body that extends from the shoulders to the hips. Back pain is a ubiquitous complaint and a leading cause of disability worldwide.

–   Bacteremia – Presence of bacteria in blood, indicating infection.

–   Bacteria – Single—celled microorganisms.  Some bacteria can cause disease; other (“friendly”) bacteria are normally present in the body and perform such useful functions as aiding digestion and protecting the body from harmful invading organisms.

–   Bactericidal – An agent that destroys bacteria (a type of microbe or organism).

–   Bactericide – Destroys bacteria.

–   Bacteriostat – Substance that retards growth or bacteria.

–   Balm – Fragrant ointment or aromatic oil with medicinal value.

–   Balsam – A resinous semisolid mass or viscous liquid exuded from a plant.  A “true” balsam is characterized by its high content of benzoic acid, benzoates, cinnamic acid, or cinnamates.

–   Baroreceptor – Neural receptor sensitive to pressure and rate of change in pressure; stretch receptor; found in the aortic arch and carotid sinuses.

–   Basal metabolic rate – The rate of metabolism when the body is at rest.

–   Basal cell carcinoma – Common, usually curable, slow-growing malignant tumor on the skin.

–   Basal rosette – Leaves radiating directly from the crown of the root.

–   Baseline – The first or starting measurement in a study. New measurements of blood values are compared to this starting value.

–   Basophil – A type of white blood cell that is involved in allergic reactions.

–   Bed wetting – See enuresis. Is involuntary urination while asleep after age at which bladder control would normally be anticipated.  The medical term for this condition is “nocturnal enuresis.” Primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) is when a child has not yet stayed dry on a regular basis.  Secondary nocturnal enuresis (SNE) is when a child or adult begins wetting again after having stayed dry.

–   Becquerel Rays – The rays emitted from uranium.

–   Beech (Flower Remedies) – Good for those who are critical and intolerant of others.  Also who let themselves be exploited or imposed upon by others.

–   Belching – Belching is release of air or gas from the stomach or esophagus through the mouth.

–   Bell's palsy – Paralysis of muscles on one side of the face and the inability to close eye, sometimes with loss of taste and excess sensitivity to noise.

–   Benign – Literally, “harmless.” Used to refer to cells, especially cells growing in inappropriate locations that are not malignant (cancerous). Consisting of a localized mass of nonmalignant specialized cells within connective tissue that do not invade and destroy tissue or spread throughout body.

–   Berry – Small, fleshy fruit or dry seed or kernel of various plants.

–   Beta-blocker – Drug that decreases heart activity by affecting receptors of the sympathetic nervous system.

–   Beta-carotene – A substance the body uses to make vitamin A.

–   Beta cells – The cells in the pancreas, which manufacture insulin.

–   Bentonite – Volcanic clay used in nutrition for its absorptive properties.

–   Biennial – Plants with two-year life cycle in which the vegetative first-year growth is followed by fruiting and dying during second year.

–   Bilary – Pertaining to bile or the bile duct.

–   Bile – A bitter, yellowish substance that is released by the liver into the intestines for the digestion of fats. Greenish liver secretion that is stored in the gallbladder until released to emulsify fats in the small intestine.

–   Bile Production (Stimulate) – Bile secretion is stimulated by secretin, and the bile is secreted into the gallbladder where it is concentrated and stored under fasting conditions. Concentration of bile within the gallbladder is stimulated principally by cholecystokinin, with absorption of up to 90% of the water occurring within a 4-hour period.

–   Bile salts – Steroid molecules in bile that promote solubilization and digestion of fats.

–   Biliary – Pertaining to the bile, to the bile ducts, or to the gallbladder. (Return to Antibilious , Return to Lithotriptic)

–   Bilin – Bilins, bilanes or bile pigments are biological pigments formed in many organisms as a metabolic product of certain porphyrins. Bilin was named as a bile pigment of mammals, but can also be found in lower vertebrates, invertebrates, as well as red algae, green plants and cyanobacteria.

–   Bilirubin – The breakdown product of the hemoglobin molecule of red blood cells.

–   Bilirubinemia – Excess bile pigment in blood that causes jaundice.

–   Binomial – Standard scientific name for an organism in Latin.

–   Bioavailability – The amount of drug that is available to the target tissue after administration; this may not be 100% due to degradation or alteration before reaching the target tissue.

–   Biofeedback – A technique for helping an individual to become conscious of usually unconscious body processes, such as heartbeat or body temperature, so that he or she can gain some measure of control over them, and thereby learn to manage the effects of various disorders, including acute back pain, migraines, and Raynaud's disease.

–   Bioflavonoid – Any of a group of biologically active flavonoids.  They are essential for the stability and absorption of vitamin C.  Although they are not technically vitamins, they are sometimes referred to as vitamin P.

–   Biopsy – Excision of tissue from a living being for diagnosis. A diagnostic test in which tissue or cells are removed from the body for examination under a microscope.

–   Biopharmaceutics – The science and study of the ways in which the pharmaceutical formulation of administered agents can influence their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic behavior.

–   Biotin – A component of the B—Vitamin complex formerly designated vitamin H. This is a water—soluble substance important in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.  Present in many foods, it is particularly found in liver, kidney, milk, egg yolks, and yeast.

–   Biotransformation – Chemical alteration of an agent that occurs by virtue of the sojourn of the agent in a biological system.  Pharmacodynamics involves the chemical effects of a drug on the body; biotransformation involves the chemical effect of the body on a drug. “Biotransformation” and “detoxication” are not synonyms: The production of a biotransformation may be more, not less, biologically active, or potent than the starting material.

–   Biotranslocation – The movement of chemicals through biological organisms.

–   Bitter, Simple – Herbs which have a bitter taste, and have the power of stimulating the gastrointestinal mucous membrane without affecting the general system.

–   Bitter Tonic – Bitter herbs which in small amounts stimulate digestion and otherwise help regulate fire in the body.

–   Bitters – Herbs with a bitter taste.

–   Black lung – Also known as coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), is caused by long exposure to coal dust.  It is a common affliction of coal miners and others who work with coal, similar to both silicosis from inhaling silica dust, and to the long-term effects of tobacco smoking.  Inhaled coal dust progressively builds up in the lungs and is unable to be removed by the body; that leads to inflammation, fibrosis, and in the worst case, necrosis.

–   Blade – Broad, expanded part of a leaf.

–   Bleeding time – The time required for the cessation of bleeding from a small skin puncture as a result of platelet disintegration and blood vessel constriction.  Ranges from 1 to 4 minutes.

–   Blennorrhagia – Heavy discharge of mucus, especially from the urethra.

–   Blepharitis – Inflammation, scaling, and crusting of eyelids.

–   Blister – External swelling that contains watery fluid and blood or pus, caused by friction.

– Bloating – A swollen state caused by retention of fluid or gas.

–   Blocking antibody – Antibody whose production is induced by cancer cells or tissue transplants and that blocks the killing of those cells by cytotoxic T cells.

–   Blood count – A basic diagnostic test in which a sample of blood is examined and the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets determined; or the results of such a test. Measurement of the number of red cells, white cells, and platelets in a sample of blood.

–   Blood pressure (High) – The force exerted by blood as it is pumped by the heart and presses against and attempts to stretch blood vessels. A condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. Usually hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 140/90, and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Over time, if untreated, it can cause health conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. Eating a healthier diet with less salt, exercising regular, and taking medications can help to lower blood pressure.

–   Blood pressure (Low) – The force exerted by blood as it is pumped by the heart and presses against and attempts to stretch blood vessels. A condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. Low blood pressure, which can cause fainting or dizziness because the brain doesn't receive enough blood. Low blood pressure can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include family history of low blood pressure or medication side effects.

–   Blood poisoning – Prolonged invasion of the bloodstream by pathogenic bacteria due to infectious disease or skin lesions; Bacteremia; septicemia; toxemia.

–   Blood sugar – The glucose (a form of sugar) present in the blood.

–   Blood type – The test to determine your blood group is called ABO typing. Your blood sample is mixed with antibodies against type A and B blood. The 2 major classifications of blood are the ABO system and the Rh system. The 4 blood groups are A, B, AB and O. Each of these will be either Rh-positive or Rh-negative.

–  Blood—brain barrier – A Mechanism involving the capillaries and certain other cells of the brain that keeps many substances, especially water—based substances, from passing out of the blood vessels to be absorbed by the brain tissue.

–  Bloodstream (Infection) – Sepsis is the body's extreme response to an infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract.

–   Boil – Tender, inflamed, postulant area of skin, usually due to staphylococcus infection; furuncle.

–   Bolus – A suppository injected into the rectum or vagina. Single, large mass of a substance.

–   Bone marrow – The inner core of bone that produces blood cells.

–   Botany – Branch of biology dealing with life, structure, growth, and classification of plants.

–   Bowels (Sluggish) – Delayed or slower bowel movements can be caused by a lack of fiber in your diet. A diet that emphasizes natural, unprocessed fruit and vegetables can kick-start digestion and help make you more regular unless you have IBS, gastroparesis or other chronic gastrointestinal condition.

–   Bowel tolerance – The amount of any substance the body can tolerate before it results in diarrhea.

–   Bract – Leaflike structure growing below or encircling a flower cluster or flower.

–   Bradycardia – Slowing of the heart rate to under 50 beats per minute.

–   Bradykinin – Peptide vasodilator that increases capillary permeability and probably stimulates pain receptors.

– Breath Freshener – something you eat to make your breath smell pleasant.

–   Bromeliad – Member of the Pineapple family of plants, usually epiphytic, with stiff, leathery leaves and spikes of bright flowers.

–   Bronchi – The two main branches of the trachea (windpipe) that lead to the lungs. (Return to Bronchitis)

–   Bronchial asthma – See Asthma.

–   Bronchitis – Inflammation of the walls of the bronchi in the lungs due to virus or bacteria, causing coughing and production of sputum. Inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes. It typically causes bronchospasm and coughing.

–   Bronchodilator – Substances that relaxes bronchial muscle to open air passages to the lungs.

–   Bronchospasm – Muscular contraction that narrows the bronchi and causes difficulty especially in exhalation.

–   Bruit – Any abnormal sound or murmur heard with a stethoscope.

–   Bryophyte – Any member of the division of nonvascular plants, including mosses and liverworts. (Return to Moss)

–   Bubo – Swollen and inflamed lymph node in armpit or groin.

–   Bucca – The cheek. (Return to Buccal)

–   Buccal – Pertaining to bucca (Cheek).

–   Bulb – Dormant underground bud stage of some plants.

–   Bulimia – Psychogenic syndrome of overeating followed by vomiting.

–   Bunion – Swelling of the joint between the big toe and the first metatarsal.

– Burns – An injury caused by exposure to heat or flame. “She/he was treated in the hospital for burns.

–   Bursa – A sac or pouch that contains a special fluid that lubricates joints. (Return to bursitis)

–   Bursitis – Inflammation of a bursa.

–   Busters – Remedies which, when locally applied, cause inflammatory exudation of serum from the skin, and are used as revulsants.

—References— “Advanced Treatise in Herbology” by – Edward E. Shook, N.D., D.C.  Copyright by Wendell W. Whitman 302 E. Winona Avenue, Warsaw, IN  46580.

—References— Business Dictionary.com http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/anaerobic.html

—References— “Dicitionary.com” http://www.dictionary.com

—References— “From the Shepherd's Purse” by – Max G. Barlow, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-9602812-0-7.

—References— Medicine Net.com http://www.medterms.com

—References— Medical Herbalism The Science and practice of herbal medicine by David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG, Copyright 2003, ISBN – 0-89281-749-6 

—References— “Nutritional Herbology” by – Mark Pedersen, Copyright 2008, ISBN – 10: 1-885653-07-7; ISBN – 13: 978-1-885653-07-9

—References—  Planetary Herbology by – Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Copyright 1988, ISBN – 0-941524-27-2

—References— “Prescription for Nutrition Healing” by – Phyllis A. Balch,  CNC,    Copyright 2006,  ISBN: 1-58333-236-7.

—References— “The Ultimate Healing System – The Illustrated Guide to Muscle Testing & Nutrition” by – Donald Lepore, N.D.

 Copyright 1985, ISBN: 0-94717-11560-7.

—References— WebMD http://www.webmd.com/default.htm

—References—  Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

—References— A Modern Herbal – https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/comindx.html

—References— Henriette's Herbal Home – https://www.henriettes-herb.com/faqs/index.html

—References—

Note: Information and statements about the products on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease.  You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication.  If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.