A

Acetylcholine

uh-seet-l-koh-leen

a vital chemical compound that acts as a neurotransmitter, carrying signals from nerves to other cells, including muscle cells, nerve cells, and gland cells. It is crucial for bodily functions, including heart regulation, vasodilation, and glandular secretions.

Examples: released during muscle contraction, heart rate reduction, hieghtened focus, digestion

Adenosine receptor

uh-den-uh-seen | ri-sep-ter

acts as a local modulator, accumulating during cell stress (e.g., lack of oxygen) or high metabolic activity to protect tissues. They act as sensors of cellular stress, regulating energy supply, and are major targets of stimulants like caffeine.

Adaptogen

uh-dapt-uh-juhn, -jen

non-toxic plants, herbs, and mushrooms that help the body manage, resist, and adapt to physical, chemical, or mental stress. They work by balancing the body’s systems (homeostasis) and reducing stress-induced fatigue, acting as "stress response modifiers" that regulate hormone reactions.

Examples: Ashwagandha, Asian Ginseng, Rhodiola, Cordyseps

Alkaloid

al-kuh-loid

Alkaloids are a diverse group of naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom, and possess basic ("alkali-like") properties. Mostly produced by plants, bacteria, fungi, and animals, they are cause strong physiological effects on humans and animals.

Examples: Morphine, Caffeine, Nicotine, Atropine

Analgesic

an-l-jee-zik, -sik

a substance that relieves pain and discomfort without causing a loss of consciousness. Commonly referred to a painkillers, they work by reducing inflammation or altering how the brain receives pain signals.

Examples: Tyleonl, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Opioids

Analgesic adjunct

an-l-jee-zik, -sik | aj-uhngkt

a medication whose primary, original indication is not pain control, but which has been found to provide pain relief (analgesia) in specific, often chronic or complex, painful conditions.

Examples: anticonvulsants, antidepressants, corticosteroids, local anesthetics

Anthelmintic

ant-hel-min-tik

a group of antiparasitic drugs that expel or destroy parasitic worms and other internal parasites from the body. These drugs work by interrupting the parasite's metabolic processes (e.g., inhibiting glucose uptake) or by causing paralysis, which makes the parasite lose its grip on the host's tissues and become expelled.

Examples: Enverm, Stromectol, Biltricide

Anthocyanin

an-thuh-sahy-uh-nin

act as natural colorants and powerful antioxidants, providing health benefits such as reducing inflammation. They are responsible for the vibrant colors in blueberries, raspberries, black rice, red grapes, and purple cabbage.

Examples: Cyanidin (red cabbage), Malvidin (red wine/grapes), Delphinidin (blueberries)

Anticonvulsant

an-tahy-kuhn-vuhl-suhnt

a pharmacological agent used to prevent or treat seizures and convulsions by controlling abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, or halt ongoing seizures.

Antispasmodic

an-tee-spaz-MOD-ik or an-tye-spaz-MOD-ik

prevent or relieve muscle spasms, particularly in the smooth muscles of internal organs like the stomach, intestines, bladder, and uterus. They work by relaxing smooth muscle tissues, often acting as calcium channel inhibitors or by blocking neural signals that cause contractions.

Anxiolytic

ang-zee-uh-lit-ik

aka anti-anxiety agents, that reduce the symptoms of anxiety, including fear, dread, and physical tension. They work by slowing down central nervous system activity, helping to "loosen" anxiety's hold on a person.

Examples: Benzodiazepines, SSRIs, beta-blockers, barbituates

B

Bronchodilator

brong-koh-dahy-ley-ter

relaxes the muscle bands surrounding the airways (bronchi) in the lungs, causing them to widen and making it easier to breathe. They are usually administered via inhalers or nebulizers.

Examples: Albuterol, Ipratropium, Serevent, Spiriva

C

Cardiotonic

kahr-dee-oh-ton-ik

increases the efficiency and force of heart muscle contractions. . By improving cardiac output, these agents help the heart pump more blood with each beat, often making them useful in treating conditions like heart failure.

Examples: Digoxin, Dobutamine, Hawthorn, and other cardiac glycosides, phosphodiesterase, and sympathomimetics

Cerebral vasoconstriction

suh-ree-bruhl | vas-oh-kuhn-strik-shuhn

involves the temporary narrowing of blood vessels in the brain, often causing severe "thunderclap" headaches and potentially leading to strokes or seizures. This can manifest as Reversible Vasoconstruction Syndrome (RCVS) and should be treated by a doctor.

Cholinesterase inhibition

koh-luh-nes-tuh-reys | in-i-bish-uhn

increase the concentration and duration of action of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions and brain synapses, enhancing cholinergic signaling. Drugs that inhibit cholinesterase are primarily used to manage neurodegenerative diseases and neuromuscular conditions.

Examples: Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne

Cholinergic

koh-luh-nur-jik

substances that mimic or enhance the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, typically acting on the parasympathetic nervous system.

Examples: nicotine, bethanechol, pilocarpine

CNS depressant

siː.enˈes | dih-pres-uhnt

substances that slow brain activity, commonly used to treat anxiety, panic, and sleep disorders by inducing sedation and muscle relaxation. CNS stands for Central Nervous System.

Examples: xanax, valium, ambien, alcohol

CNS stimulant

siː.enˈes | stim-yuh-luhnt

substances that speed up brain activity, increasing alertness, energy, and focus. NS stands for Central Nervous System.

Examples: amphetamines, caffeine, nicotine, Vynase, Adderall

Cognitive enhancer

kog-ni-tiv | en-han-ser

substances designed to improve mental faculties such as memory, focus, alertness, and executive function. While they may help mask boredom or fatigue, they often do not increase raw intelligence.

Examples: caffeine, Donepezil, Adderall, Aricept, Creatine, Lion's Mane mushroom

Contraindication

kahn-truh-in-di-kay-shuhn

a specific situation (a symptom, condition, or drug interaction) where a treatment, medicine, or procedure should not be used because it may be harmful to the patient.

Examples: Acutane & pregnancy, Aspirin and children, MRI & metal, surgery during infection, etc.

Cyanogenic glycoside

sahy-uh-noh-jen-ik | glahy-kuh-sahyd

a natural plant toxins that release hydrogen cyanide when broken down, acting as a defense mechanism against herbivores. When the plant tissue is damaged (e.g., chewing, crushing), enzymes break down the glycosides, releasing poisonous hydrogen cyanide.

Examples: linamarin found in cassave, amygdalin dound in stone fruit seeds

D

Demulcent

dih-muhl-suhnt

a substance that's mucilaginous (slimy, or oily) that forms a soothing, protective film over mucous membranes to relieve minor pain, inflammation, and irritation.

Examples: liquorice root, honey, and found in cough drops

Diuretic

dahy-uh-ret-ik

help remove excess fluid from the body by increasing urine output, commonly treating high blood pressure, heart failure, and edema.

Examples: Hydrochlorothiazide, Furosemide, Spironolactone

Drug interaction

druhg | in-ter-ak-shuhn

a change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with other substances, including other medications, food, beverages, or supplements, or when affected by an underlying medical condition. Can be drug to drug, drug to food/drink, or drug to condition.

E

Essential oils

uh-sen-shuhl | oy-lz

concentrated, volatile hydrophobic liquids extracted from plants (flowers, leaves, roots, bark, seeds) that retain the natural smell, flavor, and compounds of the source. They are commonly used in aromatherapy, perfumes, cosmetics, and food flavorings, often produced via steam distillation or expression.

Examples: lavender, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus

F

Flavonoid

fley-vuh-noid

plant-based pigments and antioxidants that provide significant health benefits, found commonly in berries, citrus fruits, dark chocolate, tea, and onions.

Examples: quercetin in apples, hersperidin in citrus, catechins in tea

G

GABA receptor

gab-uh | ri-sep-ter

specialized proteins in the brain that respond to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary neurotransmitter responsible for inhibiting, calming, or turning off nerve cell signals in the central nervous system (CNS). They reduce neuronal excitability, helping to regulate anxiety, sleep, and muscle tone

Examples: Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol, Ambien

Ginsenoside

jin-SEN-uh-sighd

the principal active compounds found naturally in the roots, stems, and leaves of the Panax (ginseng) plant family, including Asian, American, and notoginseng varieties. They are a class of steroid glycosides and triterpenoid saponins responsible for ginseng's well-known pharmacological effects. Their molecular structures allow them to affect multiple metabolic and cellular pathways, they exhibit a wide array of physiological effects.

H

Hepatotoxic

hep-uh-toh-TOCK-sick

substances that cause damage to the liver (hepatotoxicity).

Examples: Acetaminophen, antibiotics, NSAIDs, immunosuppressants

HPA axis

Aych-Pee-Ay | AK-sis

your body’s primary stress response system. HPA stands for Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis. It connects the brain to the adrenal glands and regulates immune functin, digestion, mood, and more.

I

Immunostimulant

ih-myoo-noh-STIM-yuh-luhnt

a substance that boosts the body’s immune system, increasing its ability to fight infections, diseases, and cancer.

Examples: Lenalidomide, Mozobil, Imunovir, Promalidomide

K

Kavalactone

kah-vah-LACK-tone

psychoactive, lipophilic compounds found in the roots of the kava plant. ), which is native to the South Pacific islands. They are the active ingredients responsible for kava's, relaxing, sedative, and potential anxiety-reducing properties.

M

Monoamine oxidase (MAO)

mon-oh-AM-een | OK-sih-dayz

n enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They work by stopping the breakdown of neurotransmitters, allowing them to remain in the brain longer, thus improving mood.

Examples: Phenelzine, Selegiline, Marplan, Parnate

N

Neurotransmitter reuptake inhibition

nyoor-oh-tranz-MIT-uh | ree-UP-tayk | in-huh-BISH-uhn

blocks the reabsorption of neurotransmitters back into the presynaptic nerve cell. This process increases the availability of these neurotransmitters to stimulate post-synaptic receptors for a longer duration, which helps modulate mood, attention, and other functions.

Example: SSRISs (Prozac, Zoloft), SNRIs (Effexor), NDRIs (Wellbutrin)

O

Oxidative stress

OK-si-day-tiv | STRES

an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, leading to cell and tissue damage. This imbalance occurs when free radicals outnumber antioxidants, leading to damage in cells, proteins, and DNA.

Examples: premature aging, chronic inflammation, diabetes, cancer

P

Platelet aggregation

PLAYT-let | ag-ruh-GAY-shun

the process where blood cells called platelets clump together to form a plug at the site of a damaged blood vessel, preventing excessive bleeding. This crucial step in hemostasis follows initial platelet adhesion and helps stop bleeding by creating a seal (like a scab).

Phenolic / Polyphenol

fuh-NAHL-ik | pah-lee-FEE-nahl

Photosensitivity

foh-toh-sen-suh-TIV-uh-tee

an abnormal skin or body reaction to UV light or sunlight, resulting in rashes, intense sunburns, hives, or pain. Can be medeication or condition induced.

Psychoactive

sigh-koh-AK-tiv

refers to chemical substances that act on the central nervous system to alter brain function. This results in temporary changes to perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior.

Examples: stimulats, depressants, hallucinogens, pschotherapeutics, cannabinoids

S

Saponin

SAP-uh-nuhn

natural, plant-derived chemical compounds (glycosides) known for creating soap-like foam when mixed with water. They act as natural pest deterrents for plants. In human health, they may assist in lowering cholesterol and have potential anticancer properties, though they can also be toxic to some animals.

Examples: glycyrrhizin in licorice, soyasponins in soybeands, diosgenin in wild yam

Standardized extract

STAN-dur-dyzd | ik-STRAKT

a herbal preparation processed to guarantee a specific, consistent concentration of active compounds in every batch, usually expressed as a specific percentage.

Examples: turmeric (95% curcuminoids), milk thistle (80% silymarin), Ginkgo biloba (24% flavone glycosides)

Sympathetic nervous system

sim-puh-THET-ik | NUR-vuhs | SIS-tuhm

a component of the autonomic nervous system that triggers the body’s "fight-or-flight" response, preparing it for stressful, dangerous, or physically demanding situations.

Examples: increased heart rate, alertness

T

Tachycardia

tak-ih-KAHR-dee-uh

a type of heart arrhythmia where the heart beats faster than normal.

Examples: a resting heart rate over 100 beats per minute (bpm)

Tannin

TAN-in

astringent, polyphenolic compounds found in many plants, bark, wood, leaves, and fruit, known for creating a drying, bitter sensation in the mouth.

Examples: red wine, tea, dark chocolate, pomegranates, walnuts, pecans

Terpenoid

TUR-puh-noyd

a large, diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals. In plants, they are responsible for aromatic qualities (scent), pigmentation (color), and defense against herbivores and pathogens.

Examples: menthols, camphor, cannabinoids

Theobromine

THEE-uh-broh-meen

a bitter, white alkaloid found primarily in cacao beans, tea, and cola nuts. It functins as a mild stimulant, vasodilator, and diuretic. It causes the bitter taste in dark chocolate.

Words you'll seeexplained.

Rhizome

Spp.

Family (plant)

Native to

Medicinal parts

Volatile compound

A