Glossary
Key terms used throughout Medea Botanicals
Preparation methods
- Tinctureნაყენი
- An extract of plant material in alcohol (or glycerin). Concentrates active compounds and has a long shelf life.
- Decoctionნახარში
- A water extract prepared by simmering plant material (roots, bark, seeds) for 15–30 minutes. Used for hard plant parts that resist a simple steep.
- Infusionნაყენი-ჩაი
- A water extract prepared by steeping plant material (leaves, flowers) in hot water, like tea. Used for delicate plant parts.
- Essential oilეთერზეთი
- A concentrated volatile aromatic oil extracted by steam distillation. Used in aromatherapy and topical preparations — not for internal use.
- Infused oilინფუზიური ზეთი
- Plant material steeped in a carrier oil (e.g., olive, sunflower) over time. Used for topical application and massage.
- Poulticeკომპრესი
- Crushed or mashed plant material applied directly to the skin, often wrapped in cloth. Used for localized topical effects.
- Powderფხვნილი
- Dried and finely ground plant material. Used as a base for capsules, added to food, or applied topically.
- Syrupსიროფი
- A decoction or infusion concentrated and preserved with honey or sugar. Common for respiratory and throat preparations.
Evidence levels
- Clinical
- Tested in human clinical trials. The highest standard of evidence.
- Preclinical
- Laboratory or animal studies — promising but not yet confirmed in humans.
- Traditional (systematized)
- Documented in systematic traditional medicine literature (e.g., pharmacopoeia, clinical herbalism).
- Folk
- Reported in folk medicine sources. Not clinically validated. Treat as anecdotal.
- Historical
- Found in historical texts. Limited or no modern study.
Safety flags
- Safe
- No known safety concerns at documented traditional use levels.
- Caution
- Known interactions, contraindications, or dose-dependent risks. Use only with professional guidance.
- Danger
- Serious safety risk. Preparation instructions are not shown. For professional reference only.
- Excluded
- Excluded from the main catalog due to serious toxicity or legal restrictions. Listed for awareness only.