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Need a simple herbal or health definition, stop in on the
Fevertree Glossary of terms.
Wondering about a word or a term that you heard? Confused
about something that needs clarification. Fevertree believes in putting things
as simply as possible. With this in mind, we have created our Fevertree Glossary of Terms – a guide to
some of the terminology used in the herbal and health world. We anticipate that
the glossary will grow, if you have a word or term, of which you are not sure
of, then click here and place the word in the message and we will add the
definition to the glossary. Please feel free to participate, if you would like
to add your own definition to the glossary, then click here and add your own
definition.
A
 Acetylcholine:
A neurotransmitter that plays an important role in memory & brain
functioning. Acetylcholine is also responsible for making muscles contract.
[Interesting facts: The herb Rosemary contains compounds that prevent the
breakdown of Acetylcholine in the brain which is probably why Rosemary has been
know for centuries as the herb of
remembrance. Another interesting fact is that the venom of the deadly
Button spider stimulates the secretion of Acetylcholine as part of its
neurotoxic effects]. Other information: see neurotransmitters below.
Read an article about plants and neurotransmitters
Adrenaline:
A Hormone and neurotransmitter made in the adrenal glands, a small gland found
just above the kidney. Adrenaline effects the sympathetic nervous system,
responding to physical or mental stress, playing a part in the so called fight
or flight process. Effects include increase in heart rate, increase in blood
pressure, constriction of blood vessels in the skin, dilation of the bronchi in
the lungs and even thickening blood to limit bleeding in the event of injury. Adrenaline also raises the glucose levels in
the blood. [Interesting fact: prolonged exposure to adrenaline can leave the
body stressed, depleted of energy and low on serotonin. The adrenal glands can
also become stressed and depleted] . Other information, see neurotransmitters and cortisol.
Read an article about plants and neurotransmitters
African
Potato: Also known as Hypoxis hemerocallidea, yellow star flower and
inKomfe in Zulu; this perennial plant creates flowering stems in summer. It is
rooted to the ground with a hard brown corm covered with a hairy husk, which is
used for a range of medicinal purposes. Hypoxis is traditionally used for
dizziness, burns and urinary disorders. Researchers now believe that the plant
can boost the immune system, fight cancer and has anti-inflammatory effects. Sources [i],
[ii]
Products:inkomfe
Blend (Click here)
Read more about the African Potato
Alfalfa:
Known as Medicago sativa or
Lucerne
in the agricultural world, Alfalfa is a perennial flowering legume which
contains nitrogen fixing bacteria (in other words, it's a member of the pea
family). While Alfalfa is widely regarded by farmers as a high yielding feed
for animals, Alfalfa has a number of uses for humans including supplying :vitamin
C beta carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6,
folate and vitamin K. Minerals found in
Alfalfa include: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese
and potassium.
Sources:[iii],
[iv]
See a product that contains alfalfa
Antioxidant:
A chemical that reduces or prevents damage to the bodies cells by oxidation.
Many anti oxidants achieve their health giving effects by binding them selves
to harmful molecules roaming the body called free radicals, which are largely
responsible for destabilizing cells within the body. Anti oxidants can be found
naturally in fruit and vegetables, especially dark and yellow fruit and
vegetables. Well know anti oxidants include: glutathione, Co enzyme Q10, vitamin
C, Vitamin E and selenium.
Sources:[v],
[vi]
Products:
Complete Immune (Click here)
Artemisia: A genus of hardy herbs and
shrubs with fern-like leaves known for their volatile oils, belonging to the
sunflower family (Asteraceae). The most famous being Artemesia absinthium, a
truly wicked alcoholic beverage, virtually banned.
South Africa has its own Artemesia,
Artemesia afra or Wilde Als, used for a number of miraculous
cures for ailments ranging from respiratory problems, anti-constipation,
fevers, worms to malaria
B.
Bacteria:
Small, single-celled life forms that reproduce very quickly. They belong to the
kingdom of plants known as the Prokaryotes, and without them we would not be
able to make cheese. In fact these organisms can either be fatal such as in the case of tuberculosis, or vital such as in the case of probiotics which are essential to our digestive process.
Barley
grass: European annual (Hordeum
murinum). Rich on chlorophyll therefore acting as a strong source of anti-oxidants,
proteins, minerals, B-complex vitamins and vitamin E.
Read about a product that contains Barley grass
C.
Cancer:
A malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division.
It can spread through the lymphatic or blood systems to other parts of the
body. Causes can include pollution, diet and certain patterns of thought which might include stress, pain and or trauma.
Colloid:
A stable arrangement of microscopic particles suspended in something else. For
example milk or smoke.
Read about colloidal silver
Cortisol:
A hormone produced by the Adrenal gland. It is called the primary stress
hormone so it is the body’s natural way of fighting stress and it also works as
an anti-inflammatory hormone.
D.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic
acid. The stuff inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic material
of the creature inside which the particular cell is part of.
Devils
Claw: African plant (Harpophagophytum
procumbens). A prostate, perennial herb with stems trailing from a large,
tuberous root. The fruit has horn-like arms with spines and 2 horns on the
upper surface, hence the name Devil’s Claw. Medicinally if used as a tea, it
rids the body of uric acid.
Dopamine:
A chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells, or a
neurotransmitter. It is linked to sexual desire, pleasure and movement. It acts
as an inhibitor.
Read an article about plants and neurotransmitters
E.
E coli:
Short for Escherichia coli. It is one
of the several bacteria normally found in the intestine of humans and animals.
Some types of E. coli (E. coli 0157:H7 for example) can produce toxins that can
damage the lining of the intestine. See bacteria above for more informtion
F.
Free
Radical: A chemical that contains oxygen and is produced when molecules
split to give off products which have an extra electron. This process is called
oxidation. Free radicals can therefore damage molecules such as DNA or other
important parts of a cell, which is why it is so important to eat anti-oxidants
to counter-act this effect.
View products that combat free radicals
Greenfood product
Complete immune product
Fevertree:
Acacia xanthophloea. A tall tree
that grows in groups in low-lying, swampy, sub-tropical areas, once thought to
be the cause of malaria. The truth about the association with malaria is that
the trees grow in the swampy areas where the Anopheles mosquito, the true
bearer of malaria, breed. The bark of the tree is a striking acid green colour.
The leaves are fine and pinnately compound and fall in winter to be replaced in
early spring by yellow balls, i.e. the flowers. Like all legumes, the Fevertree
is a nitrogen fixer, so very good for the soil.
Read an article about the fevertree
Fevertree.za.com:
A very cool website (spread the word)
G.
Glycemic Index: This is a measurement
of how fast and how much a food (usually this means carbo-hydrates) can raise
the glucose level of the blood. Therefore it is better to eat foods with a low
glycemic index.
Find a product that can help maintain your GL
Green: A colour somewhere in between
the blue and yellow that is severely lacking in most cities.
H.
Heart
Attack: A medical condition that people suffer from when receiving a bill
from a doctor.
Herb:
A plant which does not have a permanent woody stem and which dies back after
flowering. The can be used for medicinal, culinary, cosmetic purposes.
Hoodia
gordonii: The Queen of the Namib is a
genus in the plant family called Apocynaceae. They are stem succulents and grow
in rocky areas in the Namib and Kalahari deserts. They are also called
Bushmen's Hats because the flower is flat, more like a Frenchman's hat really
and are fleshy-coloured and smell pleasant to flies and other creatures who
find the odour of carrion delectable. They have appetite suppressing qualities,
so in this the age of the obese, have become endangered.
Read more about Hoodia
Hormone: A
chemical substance that is secreted into the body fluids by the brain, and is
transported to a particular organ, where it produces a particular effect on
metabolism in that organ. Some organs have many effects. One hormone called
testosterone, the world could do with less of.
Hypoxis: See
African Potato
I.
Immune System: A body system made up of
everything in the body that is indigenous to the body, for example the organs,
tissues, cells and cell products such as antibodies. The immune system can
distinguish between what is supposed to be in the body and what is an invader
to the integrity and health of the body, such as an infection or a foreign
substance, which it seeks out and destroys.
Look for immune boosters
[i]
Van Wyk, Van Oudtshoorn, Gericke. 1997. Medicinal Plants of
South Africa.
Briza
publications
[ii]
http://www.plantzafrica.com/frames/plantsfram.htm
[iii]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfalfa
[iv]
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-alfalfa.htm
[v]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_oxidant
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