Allergy - hypersensitivity caused by a foreign substance
Anaerobic - an organism that does not require oxygen
Analgesic - relief or deadening of pain
Anaphrodisiac - reduction of sexual desire
Anesthetic - relieves pain by loss of sensation
Anti-arthritic - an agent that helps combat arthritis
Anti-allergenic - reduces symptoms of allergies
Antibacterial - fights bacterial growth .....(up to here)
Antibiotic - Fights infection in the body by preventing the growth or destroying bacteria
Anti-depressant - Helps to counteract depression and lifts the mood
Anti-fungal - Prevents growth of fungi
Anti-infectious - Prevents against infection
Antioxidant - A substance to prevent or delay oxidation
Anti-phlogistic - Counteracts inflammation
Anti-pruritic - Relieves or prevents sensation of itching
Anti-rheumatic - An agent which helps to combat rheumatism
Anti-seborrheic - Helps control the oily secretion from sweat glands
Antiseptic - A substance helping to control infection
Anti-sudorific - A substance to help lessen sweating
Aphrodisiac - Increasing sexual desire and sexual functioning
Aromatherapy - The therapeutic use of essential oils
Arrhythmia - Irregular or loss of heartbeat rhythm
Astringent - Causing contraction of organic tissue
Atony - Lack of muscle tone
Bactericidal - An agent destroying bacteria
Bechic - Anything referring to coughing, or an agent relieving cough
Biennial - A plant completing its life cycle in two years, without flowering the first year
Blepharitis - Inflammation of the eyelids
Calmative - A sedative
Carcinogenic - A substance that promotes cancer or cancerous growths
Cardiac - Pertaining to the heart
Carrier oil - An oil which is used to dilute essential oils for the purpose of massage - see fixed oils
Cellulite - An "orange peel" effect caused by local accumulation of fat and waste products
Cephalic - A substance stimulating and clearing the mind
Chemotypes - The same botanical species occurring in other forms due to different growth conditions
Chi / Qi - Chinese term referring to the essential life force
Cicatrisation - Formation of scar tissue
Cicatrisant - Agent promoting healing by scar tissue formation
Clinical trial - A controlled study to look at the effectiveness of a specific ingredient or application
Cohobation - Is a process in the extraction method of especially rose essential oil, to ensure a "complete" oil
Cold pressed - Refers to a method of extraction where no external heat is applied during the process
Cutaneous - Pertaining to the skin
Decoction - A herbal preparation made by boiling the material and reducing it to a concentration
Decongestant - A substance which helps to relieve congestion
Dermatitis - Inflammation of the skin
Diffuser - A device which helps to release the fragrance molecules into the air
Distillation - A method of extraction used in the manufacture of essential oils
Emollient - Softening and soothing to the skin
Erethism - Abnormal state of irritation or excitement
Essential oil - Volatile aromatic liquid constituting the odorous principles of botanical matter
Expression - Is an extraction method where essential oils are pressed to obtain the oil
Fixative - Material that slows evaporation of volatile components in perfume
Fixed oils - Vegetable oils obtained from plants that are fatty and non-volatile
Flower water - The water resulting from the distillation of essential oils, which still contains some of the properties of the plant material used in the extraction
Fractionated oils - Refers to oils that have been re-distilled, either to have terpenes removed or to remove other substances
Fungicide - A substance which destroys fungal infections
Hybrid - A plant created by fertilization of one species by another
Hydrodiffusion - Is a distillation method of essential oil extraction where the steam is produced above the botanical material and then percolates down
Hydrosol - Floral water
Infused oil - An oil produced by steeping the macerated botanical material in oil until the oil has taken on some of the material's properties
Infusion - Herbal remedy made by steeping the plant material in water
Macerate - To soak until soft
Massage therapist - A person qualified to perform therapeutic massage on people
Massage therapy - The manipulation of soft tissue to enhance health and general well-being
Menopause - The normal cessation of menstruation
Nervine - Substance that strengthens and tones the nerves and nervous system
Neuralgia - Stabbing pain along a nerve pathway
Neurasthenia - Nervous exhaustion
Neurotoxin - A substance having a toxic or harmful effect on the nervous system
Oedema - Water retention
Oleoresin - Natural resinous exudation from plants or aromatic liquid preparation extracted from botanical material
Olfaction - Sense of smell
Olfactory bulb - The center where the processing of smell is started and is then passed onto other areas of the brain
Oxidation - Related to the addition of oxygen to an organic molecule, or the removal of electrons or hydrogen from the molecule
Palpitations - Undue awareness of heartbeat, or rapid heartbeat or abnormal rhythm of the heart
Perennial - A plant living for more than two years
Pharmacology - Medical science pertaining to drugs
Phytohormones - Plant substances mimicking the actions of human hormones
Phytotherapy - Treatment of disease with plant material, including herbal medicine
Pomade - Perfumed fat obtained during the enfleurage extraction method
Prophylactic - Preventative of disease or infection
Pruritis - Itching
Psoriasis - A chronic skin disease characterized by red patches and silver scaling
Psychosomatic - Pertaining to the mind and body
Resin - Natural or prepared product - natural resins are exudations from trees, prepared resins are oleoresins from which the essential oil has been removed
Resinoids - Perfumed material extracted from natural resinous material by solvent extraction
Rhizome - Underground stem that lasts for more than one season
Rubefacient - Substance causing redness and possible irritation to the skin
Sciatica - Pain down the back of the legs in the area serviced by the sciatic nerve
Sclerosis - Hardening of tissue due to inflammation
Soporific - A substance which helps to induce sleep
Sudorific - An agent causing sweating
Synthetic - Refers to anything not of organic source
Thrombosis - The formation of a blood clot
Tincture - Referring to either a herbal or perfume material prepared in an alcohol base
Tuber - Swollen part of underground stem of one year's duration and capable of new growth
Unguent - A soothing or healing salve or balm
Volatile - Substance that is unstable and evaporates easily, like an essential oil
Vulnerary - An agent applied externally which helps to heal wounds and sores and helps to prevent tissue degeneration