intra amniotic – the space within the gestational sac, which is filled with amniotic fluid.
irritant - tending to produce inflammation.
isobarbalion – an aloin compound found in the aloe plant.
IUD - a device (as a spiral of plastic and copper) inserted and left in the uterus as a contraceptive device.
ketone – chemical compound that contains a carbonyl group.
lactagogue – a substance that promotes the secretion of milk.
LMP – the first day of the last menstrual period before conception.
lanceolate - narrow leaves, tapering at each end.
laxative – a substance used to loosen or relax the bowels and used to relieve constipation.
leukorrhea – thick, whitish vaginal discharge.
lithotriptic – a substance that dissolves or helps to release kidney and gall bladder stones.
lunar cycle – the 27.32 day orbit of the moon around the earth.
malaise – a feeling of lack of health often indicative of the onset of an illness.
massage - manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for therapeutic purposes.
menorrhagia - abnormally heavy menstrual flow.
menstruation - monthly cyclic release of the uterine lining and the blood of the-uterine vessels in women.
metabolite - a product of metabolism.
miscarriage - spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus before it is viable, also known as spontaneous abortion.
molar pregnancy – A rare form of disorder in pregnancy, occurring in approx.1 in 1500 pregnancies, possibly caused by a nutritional deficiency, where a hydratiform mole forms in the uterus. Uterus may seem larger than normal for gestational age. There is no placenta, there may be bleeding into the vagina. hCG levels increase often rapidly. Molar pregnancies usually end in spontaneous miscarriage where grape like forms are passed.
Montgomery’s tubercles or glands – small bumps in the outer areola of the nipple that appear during pregnancy.
moon cycle – the 27.32 day orbit of the moon around the earth.
multiparous – having had two or more children.
myrosin - an enzyme occurring in various plants of the mustard family (Cruciferae) that hydrolyzes the glucoside sinigrin.
nervine – a substance used to soothe nervous excitement.
nocturnal - occurring at night.
oleanolic acid - a triterpenoid found in many plants (raisins, olive leaves, etc.), and found to have many healing properties.
oleoresin - a natural plant product containing chiefly essential oil and resin.
opposite - leaves that grow in pairs on either side of a stem.
ovary - one of the pair of female reproductive glands that produce ovum (eggs), in a flower, the part of the pistil containing the ovules (eggs).
ovum - a mature egg that is ready for fertilization.
oxytocin - a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates the contraction of uterine muscle and the secretion of milk.
panicles – a branched of cluster of flowers, where each branch is a raceme.
parturient – in labor, about to give birth.
parturifacient – a substance given to induce or stimulate labor.
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) - infection of the female reproductive tract that can happen after abortion if microorganisms enter the uterus, characterized by lower abdominal pain, an abnormal vaginal discharge, and fever, and is a leading cause of infertility in women.
perennial – a plant that lives for more than two years.
pessary - a suppository placed in the vagina for therapeutic purposes.
petrochemical – chemical products made from raw materials of petroleum or other hydrocarbon origin.
philocarpine – a drug used for glaucoma, has a constricting effect on the pupils and helps to reduce eye pressure.
phototoxity - a phenomenon where the skin becomes abnormally sensitive to sunlight after the ingestion of certain plant substances.
phototoxic – a substance which becomes toxic when exposed to light, thus increasing the susceptibility of the skin to sunburn and blisters if exposed to sunlight.
photochemical alterations – abnormal changes in cells due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
placenta – the vascular organ attached to the uterine wall, designed to filter and transform the nutrients in the mothers blood to the fetus without direct contact between the fetal and maternal blood supply.
plaster - a medicated or protective dressing that consists of a film spread with a usually medicated substance.
PMS - premenstrual syndrome, a varying constellation of symptoms manifested by some women prior to menstruation that may include emotional instability, insomnia, fatigue, headache, edema, and abdominal pain.
PMS acne – skin eruptions manifesting prior to menstruation.
post-coital interceptor – a substance taken soon after unprotected intercourse to prevent fertilization or implantation.
poultice - a soft usually heated and sometimes medicated mass spread on cloth and applied to inflammations to supply moist warmth, relieve pain, or act as a counterirritant.
progesterone - a female steroid secreted by the corpus luteum to prepare the endometrium for implantation and later by the placenta during pregnancy to prevent rejection of the developing embryo or fetus.
progestin - a naturally occurring or synthetic progestational steroid.
prolactin - a protein hormone produced in the pituitary gland that induces and maintains breast milk.
prostaglandins – lipid compounds found in nearly all tissues and organs which perform a variety of hormone like actions on the cells from which they are synthesized: blood pressure regulation regulates intraocular pressure, control hormone regulation, and influences cell growth).
protozoa – single celled organism.
purgative – a substance given to induce bowel evacuation.
pyrogenic – a substance given to produce fever.
raceme – a type of flower cluster, where the flowers spiral along an unbranched stem as the flower spike grows.
resin - a secretion of coniferous trees, used in incense.
rhizome - horizontal underground stem of a plant.
RU486 – the designation given to mifepristone during clinical trials.
rubefacient - a substance used on the skin to increase circulation.
sea sponge – natural sponge harvested from the ocean.
sedative – a substance used to calm the nerves.
simple – herbal medicine having only one ingredient.
sitz bath - a bath in which the hips and buttocks are immersed in hot water for the therapeutic effect of moist heat.
solstice – when the tip of the earth’s axis is at its furthest and closest points to the sun, occurs twice a year.