Natural Health Glossary
Medical Terms, Therapies, Accreditation

Don't forget to check the Herbal Remedies/Herbology 101 reference for more definitions!

abortifacient

drug or compound that induces the expulsion of an embryo or fetus (miscarriage)

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abrasion

an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off

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abscess

localized collection of pus in a cavity (pocket) caused by the disintegration or displacement of tissue due to bacterial infection

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Absenteeism

Absenteeism is the term generally used to refer to unscheduled employee absences from the workplace. Many causes of absenteeism are legitimate—personal illness or family issues, for example—but absenteeism also can often be traced to other factors such as a poor work environment or workers who are not committed to their jobs. If such absences become excessive, they can have a seriously adverse impact on a business's operations and, ultimately, its profitability.

Absenteeism is also the most common indicator used to measure the economic impact of health promotion programs and workplace wellness programs. In this context it also includes short and long term disability as well as worker's compensation days.

It is generally accepted that as a single measure this is not an accurate representation of what is going on in the workplace, as presenteeism is equally a factor.

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acidosis

Too much acid in the body (the blood and other body tissues). For a person with diabetes, this can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.
   (more info - acidosis)

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acu-yoga

combining yoga and acupressure for the purposes of healing and stimulating the body's natural defenses. It uses yoga positions to apply pressure to the acupoints.

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acupressure

massage in which pressure is applied to the same points of the body as in acupuncture
   (more info - acupressure)

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acupuncture

the insertion of the tips of needles into the skin at specific points for the purpose of treating various disorders by stimulating nerve impulses.   (more info - acupuncture)

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adaptogenic

Defined in the 1940s as a substance found in plants that induce "a heightened state of resistance". This state allows the individual experiencing it to adapt to physical, chemical and biological stresses. It also boosts recovery time and is non-toxic to the individual. An example of an adaptogen is ginseng.

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adenosine triphosphate (atp)

The major source of energy for cellular reactions.
A nucleotide (the basic structural unit of nucleic acids - DNA or RNA) derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue.
   (more info - adenosine triphosphate (atp))

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aikido

a japanese martial art developed in the first half of the 20th century. a combination of the martial and the relious and political ideologies of the founder, morihei ueshiba, it is founded on a combination of jiu jitsu styles. philosphically, it teaches that all people should be united in a "heaven on earth".   (more info - aikido)

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alcohol

An organic chemical containing one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH). Alcohols can be liquids, semisolids or solids at room temperature.
Common alcohols include ethanol ("grain alcohol," the type found in alcoholic beverages) methanol (aka "wood alcohol," can cause blindness and other nervous system damage if ingested) and propanol.   (more info - alcohol)

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alexander technique

a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body.

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alkali

One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing peculiarities are solubility in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, eutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.

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alkalosis

Abnormally high alkalinity (low hydrogen-ion concentration) of the blood and other body tissues. (The blood is abnormally low in acidity.)   (more info - alkalosis)

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allergy

harmful immune reaction, either immediate-type or delayed-type hypersensitivity caused by a foreign antigen (i.e. allergen) in food, pollen, or chemicals. In most cases the cause of the allergy is otherwise harmless to the body

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allopathic/allopathy

To treat a disease allopathically is to treat with substances that produce an effect different from those produced by the disease itself. Compare with Homeopathic.

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alopecia

Clinical term meaning loss of hair.

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amine

1. Any of the organic compounds produced when one or more hydrogen atoms of ammonia is replaced with organic groups.
2. When used as a suffix in a long name for an organic molecule (i.e. "-amine" in "glucosamine"), it indicates the presence of an -NH2 group.

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amino acid

Any of a class of 20 molecules that are combined to form proteins in living things. The sequence of amino acids in a protein and hence protein function are determined by the genetic code.

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amino sugar

A monosaccharide, or simple sugar, which has been modified into an amine by the replacement of a hydroxyl group (one oxygen molecule and a hydrogen molecule) with an amino group (one nitrogen molecule and two hydrogen molecules).

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analgesic

a drug used to relieve pain.

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androgenic hormone

Also called 'androgen', the male sex hormone that is produced in the testes and responsible for typical male sexual characteristics.

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anesthetic

a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations

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anorexia

An abnormal loss of the appetite for food. Anorexia can be caused by cancer, AIDS, a mental disorder (i.e., anorexia nervosa), or other diseases.

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anthocyanin

A blue, purple or red, accessory pigment found in plants. Anthocyanins are water-soluble glucosides. Compare carotenoid.   (more info - anthocyanin)

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anti-coagulant

Medicine that prevents or slows the clotting of blood.
Also called "blood thinner".

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anti-inflammatory

Intended to reduce inflammation (the characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain).

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antibacterial

[n] any drug that destroys bacteria or inhibits their growth
[adj] destroying bacteria or inhibiting their growth

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antibiotic

A class of natural and synthetic compounds that inhibit the growth of or kill other microorganisms.

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anticarcinogens

Chemicals that counteract the effect of a cancer-causing agent. These are effective prior to the development of cancers; compare antitumour.

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anticoagulant

prevents change from a liquid to a semisolid, as when blood clots.

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antidiabetic

a drug used to treat diabetes mellitus

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antimutagenic

An agent that inhibits mutations.
Mutagens are any agents (physical or environmental) that can induce a genetic mutation or can increase the rate of mutation. Common mutagens include UV radiation, ethyl bromide and 5-Bromouracil. Compare with teratogen.

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antioxidants

Prevents oxidation (combining with oxygen). Anti-oxidant substances include Superoxide Dismutase, Selenium, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, dark chocolate (cocoa) and zinc.

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antiseptic

A compound that prevents infection or decay by killing a wide range of pathogenic microbes.
The condition of being free of pathogenic microbes.

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antispasmodic

a drug used to relieve or prevent spasms (especially of the smooth muscles)

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antithelmintic

1. [n] a medication capable of causing the evacuation of parasitic intestinal worms
2. [adj] capable of expelling or destroying parasitic worms.

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antitumour

(Also: antitumor)
Used in the treatment of cancer; any of several drugs that control or kill neoplastic cells; used in chemotherapy to kill cancer cells; all have unpleasant side effects that may include nausea and vomiting and hair loss and suppression of bone marrow function.

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aphrodisiac

arouses or enhances instinctive sexual desire.

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aphthous ulcer

a blister on the mucous membranes of the lips or mouth or gastrointestinal tract

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apoenzyme

A protein that combines with a coenzyme to form an active enzyme.
The inactive protein part of an enzyme; it doesn't include any non-protein cofactors or side groups that might be needed for the enzyme to engage in catalytic activity.

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apoptosis

A cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans (all animals except protozoans and sponges) to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animal's survival.
Programed cell death as signalled by the nuclei in normally functioning human and animal cells when age or state of cell health and condition dictates. Cancerous cells, however, are unable to experience the normal cell transduction or apoptosis-driven natural cell death process.   (more info - apoptosis)

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APP

Associate Polarity Practitioner - Accreditation granted by APTA - American Polarity Therapy Association.

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aromachology

(Sometimes: "aromacology".) The general study of the influence of odors on behavior. These odours may be from a wide variety of sources, natural and chemical. Aromatherapy is the application of aromachological knowledge, using only natural plant matter.

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aromatherapy

The therapeutic use of aromatic substances (essential or volatile oils) from plants to promote the health of body, mind and spirit. Generally a pleasurable way of caring for the body, mind, and spirit.   (more info - aromatherapy)

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arteriosclerosis

A condition in which fatty material is deposited along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens, and may eventually block the arteries. A group of diseases in which the walls of the arteries get thick and hard. In one type of arteriosclerosis, fat builds up inside the walls and slows the blood flow. These diseases often occur in people who have had diabetes for a long time. See also: atherosclerosis.

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astringent

Any substance or agent that causes tissues to contract or that inhibits secretion of fluids such as mucus or blood.

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ataxia

1. A loss of normal muscular coordination.
2. This is a condition in which a person is not able to coordinate his or her muscle movements; as a result, he or she cannot walk or move properly.

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atherosclerosis

A stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls.
One of many diseases in which fat builds up in the large- and medium-sized arteries. This buildup of fat may slow down or stop blood flow. This disease can happen to people who have had diabetes for a long time.

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autogenic training

A method for achieving relaxation based upon passive concentration and body awareness of specific sensations. Developed in the early 20th century, autogenic training allows you to control stress by training your autonomic nervous system to become relaxed.

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autoimmune disease

A condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them.

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ayurveda

Ayurveda means "the science of life" (veda - knowledge, ayus - life).
According to Ayurveda, to be "healthy" is not only to be free of disease, but also to be in a state of balance in all aspects of the human body, including the mind and soul.   (more info - ayurveda)

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Select a letter to see the terms & definitions:

These definitions are not intended as a standalone reference guide; they are linked from other pages for the convenience of the users of this site.

Information on this website is for informational purposes only.
Please consult a qualified health practitioner before taking any course of action.