Skip to main content

A

Aerial Plant Parts

The aerial plant parts are the parts above the soil. This includes the stems, leaves, petioles, flowers, fruit and seeds.

B

Bract

A bract is a modified leaf with a flower or cluster of flowers in its axil, or space along the shoots. Linden is a perfect example of a plant with bracts.

M

Menstruum

The liquid solvent used to extract an herb’s medicinal properties (compounds) are called the menstruum. The following are examples that may be used as a menstruum:

  • Water, such as used to make a tisane, decoction, or macerate (aka, herbal tea)
  • Alcohol (ethanol), such as used to make a tincture or extract
  • Vinegar, such as used in herbal vinegars
  • Glycerin, such as used in a non-alcohol extract
  • Honey, such as used in an oxymel when combined with vinegar

V

VOCs - Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemical compounds that readily evaporate into the air under normal atmospheric conditions, meaning the part that has an odor that can evaporate quickly.