TERMINOLOGY

DEFINITION

Acne

A common inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands that involves the face, back and chest. It is characterized by the presence of pimples, which may or may not have pus cells, rash, blackheads and in more severe cases, cysts and scars.

Action

This refers to the impact the product has on an individual when taken into the body.

Ague

Fever caused by malaria

Albuminuria

Presence of the protein albumin in the urine indicating an underlying medical condition. Usually an early sign of kidney problems.

Allergy

An undesirable adverse reaction to a substance e.g. a particular food, animal hair, cosmetic etc.

Analgesic

A treatment given to relieve or remove pain

Anorexia

Loss of appetite for food seen in fever and certain disease conditions.

Anti-acid

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, prevents hyperacidity. Hyperacidity caused by excess acid in the stomach can cause inflammation of the stomach, ulcers and reflux.

Anti-allergen

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, prevents the effects of an allergy from affecting an individual prone to allergic conditions or clears the presenting allergic reaction.

Anti-bacteria

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, destroys bacteria present (anti-biotic).

Anti-coagulant/

Blood thinner

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, prevents the blood from thickening or forming clots hence preventing complications like stroke from blocked blood vessels.

Anti-convulsant

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, arrests/prevents convulsions.

Anti-depressant

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, relieves the symptoms of depression.

Anti-diabetic

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, regulates pancreas function or lowers glucose sugar levels

Anti-edema

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, causes the body to flush out excess fluid made manifest by swollen ankles, toes and fingers, puffy face etc.

Anti-emetic

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, arrests or prevents vomiting (emesis)

Anti-histamine

A substance that when ingested, counteracts the effects of a histamine which is found in tissues and is released in response to allergens or irritants. Histamines can stimulate gastric secretions, constrict bronchial smooth muscle, dilate capillaries causing them to swell and restrict blood flow.

Anti-inflammatory

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, relieves or arrests the inflammation in a body.

Anti-microbial

A substance that, when ingested, arrests infection by microorganisms.

Anti-mycotic

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested arrests infection by fungus and destroys it.

Anti-oxidant

A substance that when ingested prevents the oxidative process in the body that can lead to cancer due to toxicity in the body and aging.

Anti-parasitic

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, arrests the growth of parasites

Anti-pyretic

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, reduces fever

Anti-rheumatism

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested reduces or prevents rheumatism

Anti-spasmodic

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, prevents spasms, usually in the muscles and the digestive tract from occurring.

Anti-tumour

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested, prevents the development of tumors or destroys them depending on cause.

Anti-viral

A substance (medicine/herb/food/drink) that when ingested reduces or arrests the growth of viruses in the body