Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Wild crafting
Gathering herb material from wild rather than cultivated plants. Harvesting herbs from the wild. The collection of medicinal material from natural plant populations in a sustainable way.
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Volatile oil
Plant constituent distilled to produce essential oil. The aromatic, oxygenated derivitives of terpenes that can be obtained from plants (in our case), usually by distillation. Unlike a fixed oil that has no scent (unless rancid), volatile oils are all scent. (Example: oil of Peppermint.) Various terpenoids that evaporate easily (they add taste and aroma to…
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Tuber
A swollen part of an underground stem, e.g. potato. A thickened branch of an underground stem, serving as storage organ, distinguished by bearing leaves/leaf scars and axillary buds; A swollen root or branch of a root acting as a reserve store of nourishment or water (root-tuber). A stem, usually underground, enlarged as a storage organ…
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Synthetic
Chemicals or medicines produced artificially in a laboratory rather than derived from natural products. A substance formed by a chemical reaction in laboratory. Made by humans, made artificially. Drugs made using chemical processes in a laboratory. A term applied to substances produced by chemical processes in the laboratory. Produced through an artificial chemical process, frequently…
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Synergy
Where the combined effect, e.g. of a herbal remedy, is greater than the sum of the effects of its constituents. An interaction between two or more nutrients where their combined action is greater than the sum of their individual actions. Agents working harmoniously together; the effect of the whole is greater than the sum of…
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Standardized extract
Herbal extract produced with defined level of key constituent(s). An herbal product that has been extracted to contain a consistent amount of desired constituents, such as hypericin and glycosides.
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Poultice
Herbal preparation usually applied hot to affected area to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Is a soft moist mass, often heated and medicated, that is spread on cloth over the skin to treat an aching, inflamed, or painful part of the body. Also called cataplasm. From the Latin porridge, medicated mass, usually soft, wet, and…
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Phytochemistry
The study of plant chemistry—plant compounds and their make-up.
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Ointment
A blend of fats or oils that form a protective layer over the skin. Semisolid preparations used topically for protective emollient effects or as a vehicle for local administration of medications. Ointment bases are various mixtures of fats, waxes, animal and plant oils and solid and liquid hydrocarbons. Semisolid medicinal preparation that is used topically.…
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Nutritive
Provides nutritional input. Substance that is ingested and provides nutrition. A tonic that is packed with vitamins and minerals and is nourishing to the entire body. An agent that supplies lots of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help build and tone the body.
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