Glossary Pt. 1: Herbal Terms

Knowledge is power, especially when that knowledge can help you heal. Here are a list of common terms used within herbalism.

Compress: When herbal material is wrapped inside a cloth and the cloth is applied to the body.

Electuary: Powdered herbs mixed into honey.

Extract: Medicinal preparation where an herb is steeped in high proof alcohol to extract its medicinal properties.

Folk Herbalism: A shared knowledge and teaching about herbs and how to collect and use them. Medicinal knowledge based on use of kitchen herbs and plant medicine.

Herbal Oil: Plant material extracted into high fat carrier oil like olive oil or sweet almond oil.

Mucilage: Viscous, water-soluble polysaccharides, produced in certain plants.

Oxymel: Mixture of honey and vinegar. Used as medicinal remedy.

Menstrum: Term used for any liquid solvent used to extract the medicinal properties of plants.

Poultice: When the herbal material touches the body directly.