Enzymes are present in digestive juices, where they act upon food substances,
causing them to break down into simpler compounds. They are capable of
accelerating the speed of chemical reactions.
Ephidrosis abnormal amount of sweating.
Epidermis the outermost layer of the skin.
Epigastric upper middle region of abdomen.
Epinephrine Known as adrenaline, it is a neurotransmitter secreted by the
adrenal medulla in response to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Low levels cause some of the physiological expressions of fear and anxiety
and have been found in excess in some anxiety disorders. It’s also produced
by tissues other than the adrenals. It is responsible for the Fight or Flight
Syndrome/response.
Epithelial Cells the cells that cover the entire surface of the body and that line
most of the internal organs.
Epstein-Barr Virus the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis and that is
associated with Burkitt’s lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.
Errhines herbs that increase nasal secretions from the sinuses (Blood Root,
Horseradish, Ginger).
Essential a term for nutrients needed for building and repairing that cannot
be manufactured by the body, and that therefore must be supplied in the diet.
At present, there are at least forty-two known essential nutrients. (There are
many different opinions of what truly is “essential” and what is created by the
body itself as a natural side-effect of metabolism.)
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, and
arachidonic) which cannot be synthesized in the body and are considered
essential for maintaining health.
Essential Oils also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, or essences. They are
usually complex mixtures of a wide variety of organic compounds (e.g.,
alcohols, ketones, phenols, acids, ethers, esters, aldehydes and oxides) that
evaporate when exposed to air. They generally represent the odoriferous
principles of plants and have a broad range effect upon the body, especially
the nervous system.
Estrogen female hormone (steroid) responsible for stimulating the
development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics.
Aggressive and acid-forming vasodilating properties.