Glossary of Terms
Allopathic – relating to a system of medicine that aims to combat disease by using remedies (like pharmaceutical drugs or surgery) which produce effects that are different from or incompatible with those of the disease being treated. Western medicine is by and large an allopathic system.
Ethnobotany – the plant lore of indigenous cultures and the study of the relationship between plants and such people. The focus of ethnobotany is on how plants have been or are used, managed and perceived in human societies and includes plants used for food, medicine, divination, and textiles; for building, tools, currency, clothing, rituals, social life, and music.
Herb – a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities. The healing properties of herbs are mentioned in literature, the Bible, and in ancient civilizations. Herbs are safe and effective for various health treatments, being traditionally and scientifically proven many times over. Herbal medicine employs the use of medicinal fungi as well as plants.
Herbal Elixir – a liquid brew made with specialized herbs
Herbalist – a person who practices healing and health maintenance by the use of herbs.
Herbology – the practice of treating medical conditions and health issues via the natural benefits of plants and plant extracts. Herbology is also referred to as herbalism, botanical medicine, or phytotherapy. Chinese herbology uses herbs consumed for millennia to resolve illness and enhance wellness.
Holistic – relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts. Holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body; therefore, TCM and various other Eastern medicines are holistic practices.
Homeopathic – describing a system of medical practice that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in healthy persons produce symptoms similar to the disease. While most herbal remedies are holistic, they are not necessarily homeopathic; in herbology, measurable amounts of herbs are used, while in homeopathy the active ingredient is diluted significantly.
Modality – a therapeutic method or agent that involves the physical treatment of a disorder. A modality is characterized by a tendency to conform to a pattern or belong to a particular group or category.
Qi (Vital Energy) – pronounced “chee” and sometimes written “Chi,” the body’s vital energy regulates the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical balance; and it is influenced by the opposing forces of Yin (negative energy) and Yang (positive energy). The various TCM modalities help promote Qi flow through the body’s meridians, ridding it of obstructions and balancing Qi where it has become unbalanced.
Taoism – both a Chinese religious understanding and a life philosophy, Taoism emphasizes people’s inherent goodness. It promotes humility, moderation and compassion. Its belief system calls for a reflection on one’s place in nature to find enlightenment; and it acknowledges the universe’s duality as characterized by the Yin and Yang (which represent negative and positive energy).
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – a range of medical practices developed over several thousand years in China. The practices include herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, cupping, moxibustion, and acupressure. TCM is based on the concept of a balanced Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, which is believed to flow through the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist – a person trained in the ancient Chinese practice involving the use of thin, sterile and disposable needles inserted into the skin at specific points on the body to curative and analgesic (painkilling) effect. Acupuncture is a 5,000-year-old therapeutic modality recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of virtually any form of medical condition. It manipulates the body’s Qi flow, regulating and normalizing circulation for better Qi balance.
Zen – a branch of Buddhism which emphasizes meditation and the ability to view life “in-the-moment.” The Zen life is characterized by humility, labor, service, prayer and gratitude; it disdains the pursuit of worldly accomplishments and acknowledges that life’s pain and suffering often comes from material preoccupation and desires.