Glossary
Angelica archangelica
A medicinal herb of the Umbelliferae family with the following effects:
- Antianginal activity
- Anti-inflammatory activity
- Vasodilating activity
- Calcium antagonist
- ACE inhibitor
- Diuretic activity
Angelica archangelica is also frequently used as a flavouring, in liqueurs such as chartreuse and benedictine, in gin and vermouth, the leaves as a garnish or in salads, and the candied stalks in cakes and puddings.
Anti-inflammatories
Compounds which have properties that counter inflammation of various tissues
Antiviral
Compounds that prevent proliferation of a virus or viruses
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is caused by several factors such as chronic inflammation of the blood vessel wall and by fat such as cholesterol. This can lead to clogging of the coronary arteries and myocardial infarction i.e. a heart attack..
Benzodiazepam
A sedative which reduces anxiety.
Bergapten
This is a furanocoumarin used in photochemotherapy of psoriasis. It can cause photosensitivity (or phototoxicity) in sensitive individuals.
Bronchoconstriction
Contraction of the smooth muscle surrounding the airways can (with increased mucus secretion, increased blood flow and increased swelling of the epithelial lining) lead to difficulty in breathing (allergy).
Complementary therapy
Therapies which are used in conjuctions with regular medical treatment. Complementary therapies are not substitutes for regular treatments.
Cortisol
Also called hydrocortisone. It is vitally important in adaptation responses to stress situations, such as disease, trauma or surgery. Increased stress is accompanied by increased cortisol.
Coumarins
More than 300 coumarins from natural sources have been identified, especially green plants. Examples of pharmacologic actions:
- Inhibition of platelet aggregation
- Antitumour effects
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Antibacterial actions
- Uterine contraction
- Tracheal relaxation
- Reduced myocardial injury and arrhythmias
Dietary supplements
Products that provide the body with compounds which are meant to have beneficial health effects. Dietary supplements are not drugs and do not replace the need for medication.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds. Flavonoids occur in herbs fruits and vegetables and have potential beneficial effects on human health:
- Antiviral activity
- Anti-allergic activity
- Antiplatelet activity
- Anti-inflammatory activity
- Antitumour activity
- Antioxidant activity
There are over 5000 flavonoids, categorized according to chemical structure into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins and chalcones.
Furanocoumarins.
There are over 20 furanocoumarins with various biological activities:
- Anti-inflammatory activity
- Antiplatelet activity
- Anticancer activity
Inflammation
Inflammation is the bodily response to infection or injury. The function of inflammation is to destroy or inactivate foreign invaders and/or set the stage for tissue repair.
Throat Lozenges
Tablets for sore throats. The word “lozenge” refers to a diamond-shape.
Medicinal herbs
Herbs which contain compounds that have a medicinal effect on the body.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical messenger such as acetylcholine and adrenaline. Most nerve cells communicate with each other or with effectors by releasing from their endings a neurotransmitter that diffuses from one nerve ending to a receptor on the other nerve ending and thereby delivers the signal or the message.
Nocturia
The need to urinate frequently during the night.
Phellopterin
Furanocoumarin, relaxes and reduces anxiety
Smooth muscle cells
A type of muscle cell which is found in various parts of the body, such as arteries, lung tissue.
Vasoconstriction
Arterioles contain smooth muscle, which can either relax and cause the vessel radius to increase (vasodilation) and increase blood flow or contract and decrease the vessel radius (vasoconstriction) and thus reduce blood flow and increase blood pressure.
Consult your doctor before taking dietary supplements for health problems.
Our natural remedies might help, but alternative medicine does not replace regular treatment.