This list of essential oil properties will help you understand the various terms you may find throughout this website.
Term | Explanation |
---|---|
Abortive | Causing abortion, arresting development |
Analeptic | Restores vitality and stimulates the functioning of different systems of the body |
Analgesic | Removes pain, pain killer |
Antibiotic | Combats infection to the body |
Antiemetic | Reduces vomiting |
Antiphlogistic | Reduces inflammation |
Antipruritic | Relieves itching |
Antiseptic | That which destroys and prevents the development of microbes |
Antispasmodic | Prevents spasms, convulsions, nervous disorders |
Antiviral | Controls virus organisms |
Astringent | Having the ability to draw together or contract the organic tissues |
Balsamic | That which softens phlegm and is healing and soothing |
Bechic | Eases coughing |
Calming | Tranquillizing |
Cardiotonic | Tones up the heart |
Carminative | Relieves flatulence |
Cholagogue | Increases the flow of bile by stimulating evacuation of the gall bladder |
Cholerectic | Stimulates the flow of bile |
Cicatrisant | Helps the formation of scar tissue |
Cytophylactic | Encourages the growth of skin cells |
Decongestant | Releases nasal mucous |
Depurative | Combats impurity of the blood and internal organs |
Detoxifying | Reduction or removal of toxic properties or poisons |
Diaphoretic | Promotes perspiration |
Digestive | Stimulates digestion |
Diuretic | Aids the production of urine |
Emmenagogue | Induces or regulates menstruation |
Emollient | Soothing and softening to the skin |
Eupeptic | Aids digestion |
Expectorant | Assists the removal of secretions from the bronchial tubes |
Febrifuge | Combats fever and staves off its return, cooling, and reduces high body temperature |
Galactagogue | Increases the secretion of breast milk |
Haemostatic | Arrests bleeding/hemorrhage |
Hepatic | Stimulates and aids the function of the liver and gall-bladder |
Hypertensor | Lowers blood pressure |
Nervine | Reduces nervous disorders |
Pectoral | Treats chest troubles, beneficial to the respiratory system |
Prophylactic | Prevents disease |
Parturient | Helps easy delivery in childbirth |
Rubefacient | Products inflammation or redness of the skin by increasing flow of blood |
Sedative | Soothes an overexcited nervous system |
Stimulating | Increases the flow of adrenalin and energy |
Stomachic | Digestive aid, gastric tonic |
Styptic | Arrests external bleeding |
Sudorific | Increases perspiration |
Tonic | Improves bodily performance |
Vasoconstrictor | Contracts blood vessels |
Vasodilator | Dilates blood vessels |
Vulnerary | An agent which heals wounds and sores by external administration, arrests bleeding |