Plant compounds
5-LOX
An enzyme involved in making some inflammation-related signaling molecules.
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42 words · Source-linked explanations
Effects & safety
Adverse effect
An unwanted harmful effect associated with a treatment.
Plant compounds
Alkaloid
A nitrogen-containing chemical, often found in plants.
Effects & safety
Anti-inflammatory
Relating to reducing inflammation.
Effects & safety
Anticoagulant
A medicine or substance that slows blood clotting.
Effects & safety
Antimicrobial
Acting against microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi.
Effects & safety
Antioxidant
A substance that can limit damage from unstable molecules called free radicals.
Reading evidence
Association
A relationship between things observed in a study.
Traditions
Ayurvedic
Relating to Ayurveda, a traditional medical system from India.
Traditions
Ayurvedic resin
A plant resin used in the Ayurvedic medical tradition.
Reading labels
Bioavailability
How much of a substance becomes available for the body to use.
Preparations
Botanical
A plant or plant part used for its properties, flavor, or scent.
Body language
Cardiovascular
Relating to the heart and blood vessels.
Reading evidence
Clinical trial
A study that tests an intervention in people.
Effects & safety
Contraindication
A reason a treatment may be unsuitable because it could cause harm.
Reading labels
Daily Value
A reference amount used to calculate the percentages on nutrition and supplement labels.
Preparations
Decoction
A preparation made by simmering plant material in water.
Preparations
Extract
A preparation made by drawing selected substances out of a material.
Plant compounds
Flavonoid
One of a large group of compounds found in plants and plant foods.
Plant compounds
Flavonolignan
A type of plant compound found in milk thistle.
Plant compounds
Free radical
An unstable molecule that can react with and damage other molecules.
Body language
Gastric
Relating to the stomach.
Body language
Gastrointestinal
Relating to the stomach and intestines.
Body language
Hepatic
Relating to the liver.
Effects & safety
Inflammation
The body’s response to injury or irritation.
Preparations
Infusion
A preparation made by steeping plant material in water.
Effects & safety
Interaction
When one substance changes how another acts in the body.
Reading evidence
In vitro
Studied outside a living body, such as in cells in a laboratory.
Reading evidence
In vivo
Studied within a living organism.
Reading evidence
Meta-analysis
A statistical method for combining results from multiple studies.
Reading evidence
Observational study
A study that observes people without assigning the treatment being studied.
Reading evidence
Placebo
A comparison treatment without the active treatment being tested.
Reading evidence
Randomized
Assigned to study groups by chance.
Reading labels
RDA
Recommended Dietary Allowance: an intake intended to meet the needs of nearly all healthy people in a group.
Body language
Renal
Relating to the kidneys.
Plant compounds
Resin
A sticky plant material that can harden after it is released.
Preparations
Rhizome
A plant stem that grows underground and can send up new shoots.
Plant compounds
Silymarin
A mixture of compounds extracted from milk thistle.
Preparations
Standardized
Made to contain a consistent amount of selected marker compounds.
Reading evidence
Systematic review
A structured assessment of research addressing a particular question.
Preparations
Tincture
A liquid botanical preparation made using alcohol and water.
Reading labels
Upper intake limit
The highest usual daily intake unlikely to cause harm for most people in a specified group.
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