Herbal Medicine Base Terminology (F-H)

Front 1

Febrifuge

Back 1

An agent that reduces body temperature where there is fever (Antipyretic)

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Fibrillation

Back 2

An involuntary small muscular contraction due to spontaneous activation of single muscle cells or muscle fibres. Occurs with the initial changes associated with osteoarthritis where there is softening of the articular cartilage. Can occur in the heart- Atrial or Ventricula arrthymia where there is irregular, rapid repetitive contractions of the myocardial msucular fibres.

Front 3

Fibrin

Back 3

An insoluble protein that is essential to clotting of the blood and is formed from fibrinogen by the action of thrombin

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Fibrinogen

Back 4

Promotes coagulation of the blood

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Fibrosis

Back 5

Formation of fibrous tissue ie. Fibrocystic breast disease

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Fibrositis

Back 6

Inflammation of the white fibrouse tissue, especially of the muscle sheaths and facial layers of the locomotor system

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Filaria

Back 7

Nematode worm of the Filarioidea. Filariasis - infection with Filariae

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Fistula

Back 8

An abnormal passage or communication (opening) between 2 internal organs usually or leading from an internal ordan to the body surface (rectal fistula for example)

Front 9

Flatulence

Back 9

Excessive formation of gases in the stomach or intestines

Front 10

Flatus

Back 10

Expulsion of gases through the anus

Front 11

Fluke

Back 11

Any trematode (parasite)

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Folliculitis

Back 12

Inflammation of a follicle

Front 13

Formication

Back 13

A sensation as if small insects were crawling on the skin

Front 14

Fungicide

Back 14

An agent that destroys fungus

Front 15

Galactogogue

Back 15

An agent that promotes the flow of breast milk

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Gall

Back 16

Bile

Front 17

Gallbladder

Back 17

Pear shaped organ used for the storage of bile

Front 18

Gangrene

Back 18

Death of tissue with loss of vascular supply followed by bacterial infiltration and putrefaction

Front 19

Gastritis

Back 19

Inflammation of the stomach

Front 20

Gastric

Back 20

Pertaining to the stomach

Front 21

Gastrin

Back 21

Poplypeptide hormone secreted by the pyloric glands which stimulates the secretion of gastric acid and pepsin. Also weakly stimulates the secretion of enzymes from the pancreas and brings about contraction of the gallbladder

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Gastralgia

Back 22

Gastric Colic

Front 23

Gastrodynia

Back 23

Pain in the stomach

Front 24

Gastro-enteritis

Back 24

Inflammation of the intestines and stomach

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Giardia

Back 25

A flagette protozoa parasitic in the intestinal tract found in man and animals causing diarrhoea

Front 26

Glaucoma

Back 26

An eye disease where there is increased intraocular pressure resulting in pathological changes in the optic disk and visual changes

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Ginigivitis

Back 27

Inflammation of the gingiva in the mouth

Front 28

Gleet

Back 28

Chronic gonorrhoeal urethritis

Front 29

Gliadin

Back 29

An alcohol soluble protein found in wheat

Front 30

Glomerulitis

Back 30

Inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys

Front 31

Glomerulonephritis

Back 31

Nephritis with inflammation of the capillary loops in the renal glomeruli (Filtration unit)

Front 32

Glomerulus

Back 32

Coils of blood vessels one projecting into the expanded end or capsule of each uriniferous tubules in the kidney

Front 33

Glossitis

Back 33

Inflammation of the tongue

Front 34

Glycosuria

Back 34

Abnormally high sugar content in the urine, due to the inherited inability of the renal tubules to reabsorb glucose completely

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Goitre

Back 35

Enlargement of the thyroid gland causing a swelling in the front part of the neck

Front 36

Gonad

Back 36

Referring to the ovaries or testes (a gamete producing gland)

Front 37

Gonadotrophic

Back 37

Stimulating the gonads. A term applied to hormones of the anterior pituitary which influences the gonads

Front 38

Gonadotropin

Back 38

Ahormone that stimulates the gonads

Front 39

Granulation

Back 39

The division of hard substance into small particles. The formation in wounds of small rounded masses of tissue during healing

Front 40

Grave's disease

Back 40

Exopthalamic goitre. Enlargement of the thyroid gland and is found more commonly in families showing a high incidence of auto-aimmune disease eg thyroiditis or pernicious anaemia

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Halitosis

Back 41

Bad breath

Front 42

Helminth

Back 42

Parasitic worm

Front 43

Hematemesis

Back 43

Vomiting of blood

Front 44

Hematuria

Back 44

The presence of blood in the urine

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Hemoptysis

Back 45

Coughing up of blood due to infection of the lungs due to the fluke

Front 46

Hemostatic

Back 46

An agent that checks blood flow

Front 47

Hepatitis

Back 47

Inflammation of the liver

Front 48

Hepatocyte

Back 48

A parenchymal liver cell

Front 49

Hepatoma

Back 49

Tumour of the liver

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Hepatomegaly

Back 50

Enlargement of the liver

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Hidrotic

Back 51

To cause sweating

Front 52

Hydrocortisone

Back 52

The main glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal gland

Front 53

Hypercalcemia

Back 53

Elevated calcium in the blood

Front 54

Hypercholesterolemia

Back 54

An excessive level of cholesterol in the body

Front 55

Hyperchlorhydria

Back 55

Excessive hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice

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Hyperemia

Back 56

An excess of blood in a part

Front 57

Hyperglycaemia

Back 57

Excessive glucose in the blood

Front 58

Hyperkalemia

Back 58

Excessive potassium in the blood

Front 59

Hypermotility

Back 59

Abnormally fast motility in the gastrointestinal tract

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Hyperperistalsis

Back 60

Abnormally fast peristalsis

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Hypertensive

Back 61

Increased blood pressure (abnormally high blood pressure)

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Hyperthyroidism

Back 62

Excessive thyroid gland activity leading to an increased metabolic rate, goitre etc,

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Hypertonic

Back 63

Increased tone or tension

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Hypertrophy

Back 64

Enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or part due to increase in size or its constituent cells

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Hypnotic

Back 65

Induces sleep

Front 66

Hypoacidity

Back 66

Reduced acidity

Front 67

Hypocalcemia

Back 67

Low levels of calcium in the blood

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Hypoglycaemia

Back 68

Deficiency of glucose in the blood which may lead to nervousness, hypothernia, headache, confusions and on occasion convulsions and coma

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Hypokalemia

Back 69

Abnormally low levels of potassium levels in the blood which may lead to neuromuscular and renal disorders and to electrocardiographic abnormalities

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Hypotension

Back 70

Low blood pressure

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Hypoxia

Back 71

Abnormal reduction of oxygen in body tissues