The Essential Oil Glossary: Common Aromatherapy Terms and Their Meanings (AD)
One of the first things I noticed when I started getting heated with my research on aromatherapy and essential oils is that there is quite a bit of jargon surrounding the industry and it can be quite confusing for the average reader. If you’ve ever researched the benefits or history of core terms, you’ve probably seen these terms and wondered, “What in the world does that even mean?”
Now you can know!
If you’re thinking about investing in your own aromatherapy inhaler kit and have started researching all the benefits, this is the jargon you’re likely to come across.
anti fungus
This just means that the essential oil in question has been advertised for its ability to treat or prevent fungal growth or infection. Be sure to verify these facts with credible studies before buying what you read bait, like, and sinker.
anti-inflammatory
Reduce inflammation.
antineuragic
Inhibit or prevent the appearance of sharp pain along the path of a nerve or nerves.
antiplogistics
Another word for anti-inflammatory, but it can also include fever-relieving properties.
Antiseptic
Indicates that an ingredient is clean and pure and that it prevents the growth of disease-inducing agents or other microbes.
Antispasmodic
Something that works to relieve spasms that occur in involuntary muscles (like your intestines or heart, which you can’t start or stop at will).
appetizer
An essential oil that works to stimulate the appetite.
Aphrodisiac
Something that stimulates or arouses sexual desire, attraction, or arousal.
aromatherapy
A branch of holistic medicine that uses plant materials and oils (including essential oils and compounds) in an effort to alter the mood, mental prowess, psychological and/or physical well-being of enthusiasts. For centuries, aromatherapy was the cutting edge of chemistry. Today, it is considered an alternative medicine, although new scientific studies are constantly emerging that show that aromatherapy can have powerful applications.
Astringent
A solution that causes contractions in body tissue in general, but is almost universally used in conjunction with the skin in health and wellness applications.
bactericide
This is a fairly broad term indicating a myriad of agents that kill bacteria, including disinfectants, antiseptics, and antibiotics.
of carnation
A pretty polite term for something that helps relieve gas, specifically flatulence. Think Bean-o.
cholagogue
Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and dosed by the gallbladder. Cholagogues are elements that promote the discharge of bile through and out of the system.
Cicatrization
A rather archaic term that basically translates to the healing process through the formation of scar tissue.
Cordial
Since this is also a very popular term among foodies, finding out details about it was quite difficult. From what I could understand, it is something that revives and invigorates. It is also synonymous with medicine, specifically stimulant or tonic. The good news is that cordials, as the above association implies, are said to taste comforting or pleasant.
cytophylactic
Certainly not a term that comes up in typical dinner conversation, a cytophylactic is believed to protect cells and fight infection. They are believed to increase something known as leukocytes, which are responsible for stimulating cell regeneration and repair.
cleaning
Those who are interested in detoxification and cleansing are all about depurative, a term that means something has purifying and detoxifying properties, flushing waste and toxins out of the system.
Digestive
Something that aids in digestion.
Disinfectant
This means that the solution has antimicrobial properties or agents.
diuretics
If you look at the very center of the word, “ure,” you’ll get a clue. Diuretics cause your body to increase the production and passage of urine.
That’s it for the AD aromatherapy glossary.