Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Bipinnate
A pinnate compound leaf whose leaflets, in tum, are stems that have pinnate leaflets. Pinnate and the first leaflets again pinnate. Twice pinnate; Describes compound leaves having secondary leaflets that are also pinnate. Doubly pinnate with the pinnae divided into pinnules. Twice pinnate, as in many ferns and such tropical trees as the jacaranda. Twice…
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Biodiverse
The state of life interdependency that is possible when large and small plants, soil organisms, insects, and fuzzy beasts exist in the ebb and flow created by the natural environment. Cut down the trees once and you lessen the biodiversity drastically. Wait fifty years and cut again and you have a small fraction of the…
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Benign prostatic hypertrophy, or hyperplasia
The benign buildup in the prostate of “warts” or epithelial neoplasias that can block or interrupt urination, and which are usually concurrent with moderate prostate enlargement, having a dull ache on urination, ejaculation, and/or defecation. The diagnosis is medical, since the same subjective conditions can result from cancer of the prostate. It is common in…
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Balsamic
Soft or hard plant or tree resins composed of aromatic acids and oils. These are typically used as stimulating dressings and aromatic expectorants and diuretics. This term is also applied loosely to many plants that may not exude resins but which have a soothing, pitchy scent. (Examples: Balsam Poplar, Yerba Santa.)
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Atopic
A type of inherited allergic response involving elevated immunoglobulin E. Sometimes called a reagin response, it means that you have hay fuver, bronchial asthma, or skin problems like urticaria or eczema. It can be acquired, sometimes after hepatitis or extended contact with solvents or alcohol, but if your mama sneezed and your daddy itched, you…
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Antiphlogistine
An agent that limits or decreases inflammation; an anti-inflammatory or antihistamine. A patented product, typically in the form of a poultice, designed to provide comfort and alleviate pain in muscles and joints. It resembles a kaolin poultice, which contains china clay or kaolin and a blend of various essential oils.
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Aerial
The parts of plants growing aboveground.
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Adrenal cortex
The outer covering of the adrenal glands, the two triangular endocrine glands that rest atop the kidneys. Formed in fetal development from the same tissue that becomes the gonads, the adrenal cortex secretes a number of steroid hormones that regulate carbohydrate use, salt balance, reproductive function, anabolism, catabolism, and inflammation. In Chinese Medicine these functions…
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Wortcunning
Anglo-Saxon for herb lore.
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Trituration
A process of rubbing herbs and spices down to a fine powder and blending them. The method of preparing a non-soluble substance for homeopathic purposes by pulverizing it into a fine powder and blending it with lactose powder to achieve dilution. The act of creating a fine powder.
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