One of the first things I noticed when I started to get hot and heavy with my aromatherapy and essential oils research is that there is a lot of jargon surrounding the industry and it can be quite confusing to the average reader. If you’ve ever researched the benefits or history of essential terms, you’ve probably seen these terms and wondered, “What the heck does that mean?”

Now you can know!

If you are thinking about investing in your own aromatherapy inhaler kit and have started to explore all the benefits, here are some of the terms you are likely to come across.

Antifungal

This just means that the essential oil in question has been advertised for its ability to treat or prevent fungal growth or infection. Be sure to compare these facts with credible studies before buying what hook reads, likes, and plumb bob.

Anti-inflammatory

Reduce inflammation.

Antineuralgic

Inhibit or prevent the appearance of acute pain along the course of a nerve or nerves.

Antiplogistic

Another word for anti-inflammatory, but it can also include fever-relieving properties.

Antiseptic

Indicates that an ingredient is clean and pure and that it prevents the growth of disease-inducing agents or other microbes.

Antispasmodic

Something that works to relieve spasms that occur in involuntary muscles (such as the intestines or the heart, which cannot be started or stopped at will).

Beware

An essential oil that works to stimulate the appetite.

Aphrodisiac

Something that stimulates or excites sexual desire, attraction, or arousal.

Aromatherapy

A branch of holistic medicine that uses plant materials and oils (including essential oils and compounds) in an effort to alter the mood, mental dexterity, psychological and / or physical well-being of enthusiasts. For centuries aromatherapy was the forefront of chemistry. Today, it is considered an alternative medicine, although new scientific studies are constantly emerging showing that aromatherapy can have powerful applications.

Astringent

A solution that causes contractions in the tissues of the body in general, but is used almost universally in conjunction with the skin in health and wellness applications.

Bactericide

This is a fairly broad term indicating a wide variety of agents that kill bacteria, including disinfectants, antiseptics, and antibiotics.

Carnation

A fairly polite term for something that helps relieve gas, specifically flatulence. Think of Bean-o.

Colagogo

Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and measured by the gallbladder. Cholagogues are elements that promote the discharge of bile through and out of the system.

Healing

A fairly archaic term that basically translates to the healing process through the formation of scar tissue.

Cordial

Since this is also quite a popular term for foodies, figuring out details about this one was quite difficult. From what I could gather, it is somewhat invigorating and exhilarating. It is also synonymous with medicine, specifically a stimulant or a tonic. The good news is that cordials, as the association above implies, are said to taste comforting or pleasant.

Cytophylactic

It’s certainly not a term that appears in typical dinner conversation, a cytophylactic is believed to protect cells and fight infection. They are believed to increase something known as leukocytes, which are responsible for stimulating cell regeneration and repair.

Purifying

Those who are detoxifying and cleansing are all about cleansing, a term that means something has purifying and detoxifying properties, cleaning waste and toxins from the system.

Digestive

Something to aid digestion.

Disinfectant

This means that the solution has antimicrobial properties or agents.

Diuretic

If you look at the center of the word “ure”, you will get a hint. Diuretics cause your body to increase the production and passage of urine.

That’s it for the AD aromatherapy glossary.