Astringent: a substance that contracts the tissues of the body, diminishing discharges, as of mucus or blood.
Carminative: a drug that induces the expulsion of
gas from the stomach or intestines
Cathartic: an agent for purging the bowels,
especially a laxative
Decoction: a liquid preparation made by boiling a
medicinal plant with water
Dysmenorrheal: a drug
that relieves painful menstruation
Emetic: to induce vomiting
Emmenagogue: a drug or agent that induces or
hastens menstrual flow
Emollient: a substance that softens or soothes
something, especially the skin
Febrifuge: a drug that reduces fever
Hemostat: an agent, such as a chemical, that
stops bleeding
Menorrhagia: excessive
menstrual discharge
Nervine: acting on or relieving disorders of the
nerves; soothing the nerves
Pectoral: a medicine for relieving disorders of
the chest or respiratory tract
Poultice: a medical dressing consisting of a soft
heated mass to treat wounds
Purgative: a drug or other substance that causes
evacuation of the bowels
Rubefacient: a substance that causes the skin to
become red, especially a cream or ointment used as a
counterirritant
Styptic: a drug that slows bleeding by contacting
blood vessels or by accelerating clotting
Sudorific: a drug or other agent that causes
sweating
Vermifuge: a drug or other substance that causes
parasites to be expelled from the intestines
