Category: I
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Inhalation
Breathing of medicinally infused steam or liquid through the nasal passages. The action of breathing in a medicinal substance as part of a treatment. Act of breathing in, whereby air or other gas or vapor (e.g., anesthetic gas) is taken into the lungs. The act of breathing in air. Inhalation therapy is the breathing in…
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Immuno-suppressant
Inhibits or blocks the body’s normal immune defenses.
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Immune stimulant
Stimulates the body’s immune defenses to counter infection. A substance capable of improving the immune system.
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Internal and External
Two of the Eight Principles. When using the Eight Principles to diagnose a patient, a disease is classified as being situated in either the exterior or the interior. A variety of symptoms are used to assess whether a condition is interior or exterior, including signs from the tongue and pulse. An exterior condition is an…
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Isomers
Substances that are composed of the same elements in the same proportions and hence have the same molecular formula but differ in properties because of differences in the arrangement of atoms. Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas. Molecules that have the same empirical formula but differ in position of substituents or…
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Isoflavones
A subgroup of flavonoids in which the basic structure is a 3-phenyl chromane skeleton. They act as phytoestrogens in mammals. A type of phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) found primarily in soybeans. A group of phytochemicals (including genistein and daidzein) that are produced within the seeds of the soybean plant. Evidence suggests that consumption of isoflavones by…
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Ischuria
Retention or suppression of urine.
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Ischemia
An insufficient supply of blood to an organ, usually due to a blocked artery. Deficiency of blood in an area due to a functional constriction or actual obstruction of a blood vessel(s); blockage or inadequate supply of oxygenated blood to tissues or organs; may be caused by overzealous tight suturing. Deficiency of blood in a…
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Iron (Fe)
Is essential to most life forms and to normal human physiology. In humans, iron is an essential component of proteins involved in oxygen transport and for haemoglobin. It is also essential for the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. A deficiency of iron limits oxygen delivery to cells, resulting in fatigue, poor work performance, and…
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Iodine (I)
Is an essential chemical element that is important for hormone development in the human body. Lack of iodine can lead to an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre) or other iodine deficiency disorders including mental retardation and stunted growth in babies and children. Iodine is found in dairy products, seafood, kelp, seaweeds, eggs, some vegetables and iodised…