Ligurian High Trebbia Valley

Find out the pure beauty of the Ligurian Trebbia Valley

through its history, pictures, villages and traditions

Terms	Description
Alterative	Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
Anodyne	Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
Anthelmintic	Expels parasites from the gut.
Antiasthmatic	Treats asthma.
Antibacterial	Kills bacteria.
Antidandruff	Treats dandruff.
Antidote	Counters poisoning.
Antiecchymotic	Prevents or treats bruising.
Antifungal	An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.
Antihalitosis	Treats bad breath
Antiinflammatory	Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
Antiphlogistic	Reduces inflammation.
Antipruritic	Treats itching of the skin.
Antirheumatic	Treats rheumatism.
Antiscorbutic	A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.
Antiseptic	Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
Antispasmodic	Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Antitussive	Prevents or relieves coughing.
Aperient	A mild laxative.
Appetizer	Improves the appetite
Aromatherapy	Plants whose essential oils are used in Aromatherapy.
Aromatic	Having an agreeable odour and stimulant qualities.
Astringent	Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Bach	Plants used in the Bach flower remedies.
Basketry	Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
Besom	A type of broom.
Biomass	Provides a large quantity of plant material that can be converted into fuel etc.
Birthing aid	Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.
Bitter	Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.
Blood purifier	Purifies the blood.
Cancer	Used in the treatment of cancer.
Cardiac	Used in the treatment of heart problems.
Cardiotonic	A tonic for the heart.
Carminative	Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
Charcoal	Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.
Cholagogue	Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.
Cleanser	For various materials. Perhaps best included under separate headings.
Compost	Plants used for activating compost heaps, providing biomass for composting, using as instant compost etc.
Cosmetict	Used to improve the physicalappearence of a person.
Cytostatic	Slows or controls the growth of tumours.
Decongestant	Removes phlegm and mucous, especially from the respiratory system.
Demulcent	Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
Deobstruent	Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.
Depurative	Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Detergent	A cleansing agent, used on wounds etc. It removes dead and diseased matter.
Diaphoretic	Induces perspiration.
Digestive	Aids digestion.
Diuretic	Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Dye	Plants that provide dyes.
Emetic	Induces vomiting.
Emmenagogue	Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Emollient	Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.
Essential	Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.
Expectorant	Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Febrifuge	Reduces fevers.
Fibre	Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Fruit ripening	Substances that promote the premature or rapid ripening of fruits.
Fuel	Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.
Fungicide	Arrests the growth of, or kills, fungi.
Galactogogue	Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
Ground cover	Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.
Haemostatic	Controls internal bleeding.
Hair	Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
Hedge	Habitat: Plants which can be used for hedgeing Other Uses: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Hepatic	Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
Herbicide	Plants or plant extracts that can inhibit the growth of other plants.
Homeopathy	A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
Hypoglycaemic	Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
Hypnotic	Induces sleep.
Hypotensive	Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Incense	Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.
Ink	Plants that can be used as an ink.
Insecticide	Kills insects.
Insulation	Providing insulation against extremes of temperature, sound or electricity.
Kidney	Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
Latex	A source of rubber.
Laxative	Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Liquid feed	Plants that can be used to make a liquid fertilizer.
Lithontripic	Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.
Litmus	Used for testing whether a substance is acid or alkaline.
Miscellany	Medicinal Uses: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification. Other Uses: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Musical	Specific mention of plants used as musical instruments. Does not include the various woods that can be used for making musical instruments.
Narcotic	Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.
Nervine	Stimulates and calms the nerves.
Nutritive	A food for convalescents to help restore strength.
Odontalgic	Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
Oil	Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Ophthalmic	Treats eye complaints.
Oxytoxic	Hastens parturition and stimulates uterine contractions. See also birthing aids.
Paint	Plants used directly as a paint. Does not include oil plants and dyes that can be used as ingredients in paints.
Paper	Related to the entry for fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
Parasiticide	Medicinal Uses: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in 'Other Uses'. Other Uses: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
Pectoral	Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.
Pioneer	Plants, usually trees and shrubs, that can be used to reforest land.
Pipes	For carrying water etc.
Plant support	Usually bamboos, used as canes in the garden for holding up plants.
Polish	Plants used to give a shine to metals, wood etc.
Potash	Used for making glass, soap and as a fertilizer.
Poultice	A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Purgative	A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Refrigerant	Cools the body.
Repellent	Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
Resin	Used in perfumery, medicines, paints, soap making etc. This also includes turpentine, which is extracted from many resins and used as a preservative, water proofer etc,
Resolvent	Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
Rootstock	Plants used as the rootstock for grafting scions onto.
Rubefacient	A counter-irritant and external stimulant, it produces inflammation and redness of the skin.
Salve	Soothes and heals damaged skin.
Sandpaper	Plants used to smooth rough wooden surfaces by means of abrasion.
Scourer	Used for cleaning pots, pans, plates etc.
Sedative	Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Sialagogue	Stimulates the secretion of saliva.
Skin	Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Soil reclamation	Plants that can be grown in such circumstances an the spoil tips of mines in order to restore fertility.
Starch	Used as a fabric stiffener.
Sternutatory	Promotes sneezing and nasal discharges.
Stings	Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
Stimulant	Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
Stomachic	Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Strewing	Plants, usually aromatic, that are strewn on the floor to give a nice smell, repel insects etc.
Tannin	An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.
Teeth	Plants used to clean and care for the teeth.
Thatching	Used for making thatched roofs.
Tinder	Used for starting fires. See also Kindling.
Tonic	Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Vasoconstrictor	Narrows the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure.
Vasodilator	Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
Vermifuge	Expels and kills internal parasites.
Vulnerary	Promotes the healing of wounds.
Warts	Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.
Waterproofing	Does what it says. See also Pitch and Oil.
Wood	A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.