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Anti-tussive
Inhibits the cough reflex, helping to stop coughing.
Aperient
A very mild laxative.
Aphrodisiac
Promotes sexual excitement.
Aril
Fleshy or hairy outgrowth of certain seeds.
Arteriosclerosis
Build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels leading to narrowing and hardening, and associated with heart disease and strokes.
Astringent
Used to describe an herb that will precipitate proteins from the surface of cells or membranes, causing tissues to contract and tighten; forms a protective coating and stops bleeding and discharges.
B
Bach Flower Remedies
Extracts of flowers collected as dew and preserved in brandy, developed by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s and widely used to treat emotional upsets and disturbances.
Biennial
A plant that lives for two years.
Bile
A thick, bitter fluid secreted by the liver and stored in the gall bladder that aids the digestion of fats.
Bitter
Stimulates secretion of digestive juices.
Blood clotting
The process by which the proteins in blood are changed from a liquid to a solid by an enzyme, in order to check bleeding.
Blood sugar
The levels of glucose in the blood.
Bronchial
Relating to the air passages of the lungs.
Bulk laxative
Increases the volume of feces, producing larger, softer stools.
C
Carminative
Expels gas from the stomach and intestines to relieve flatulence, digestive colic, and gastric discomfort.

 
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