An English-Romanian Glossary On Medicinal Plants

UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

APPLIED MODERN LANGUAGES
AN ENGLISH-ROMANIAN
GLOSSARY ON
MEDICINAL PLANTS
Coordinator: Graduate:
Professor Dr. Diana Ioniță Minculete Evelina
June, 2019
Medicinal plants
• For thousands of years, medicinal plants have been
our only treatment, and the fact that we use them
today is a clear evidence of their beneficial effects.
• Medicinal plants are among the safest remedies on

earth.
• Medicinal plants can be bought easily or even

grown in our own garden.
Why medicinal plants?
• I have always been interested in plants and what nature
offers us in general.
• I wanted to know more information about medicinal
plants and natural remedies.
• From my point of view, the role of medicinal plants is
very important because they are capable of treating
many diseases.
• I really think we should give them greater importance
because: medicinal plants have moderate prices, are
easy to procure and do not have adverse effects if they
are correctly administrated.
The Glossary of terms
• This terminological glossary contains terms in the
area of medicinal plants.
• It can be suitable for translators who have to
translate texts of this specialty but also, it can help
anyone who wants to enrich their knowledge in this
field.
• It is useful and easy to use for anyone who needs it.
TERM: ALOE VERA
SOURCE : https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/aloevera
(accessed on 26.02.2019)
I.D LANGUAGE: English
I.D COUNTRY: USA, UK
STANDARD DEFINITION : ,,A type of plant with thick pointed leaves,
that is used to treat damaged skin”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE : https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/aloevera
NOTA BENE : ”from Latin aloe, from Greek aloe; modern Latin true aloe”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.etymonline.com/word/aloe#etymonline_v_10907 (accessed on
26.02.2019)
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Aloe vera
GENERIC CONCEPT: Medicine
GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY: noun phrase
HYPERONYM : Liliaceae family
CONTEXT : (1) ”Aloe vera has been the subject of much scientific study over the last few years,
regarding several claimed therapeutic properties"
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265800.php (accessed on 23.03.2019)
(2) ”Aloe vera has been used for a host of purposes since the ancient Egyptians called it
the plant of immortality Since then, its uses have become more targeted and medicinal, and it's one
of the leading therapies for sunburns.”
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7654/the-benefits-of-using-aloe-vera-for-skin-care-and-more.html
USE AREA: Medicine
DESIGNATION STATUS: Official
COMMENT: Aloe vera is known for its healing properties. The liquid found in its leaves is used to
treat damaged or burnt skin.
TERM: MARIGOLD

SOURCE: https://draxe.com/marigolds/ (accessed on 13.04.2019)

STANDARD DEFINITION : ” any of several unrelated plants,
especially of the genus Calendula, as C. officinalis, marigold.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/marigold
NOTA BENE: ” Middle English, from Mary (mother of Jesus)+ Middle English gold.”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marigold (accessed on 13.04.2019)
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Gălbenele
GENERIC CONCEPT: Plant.
GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY: Noun
SYNONYM: Calendula
HYPERONYM: Compositae family
CONTEXT : (1) ” Marigolds of the Calendula genus are utilized for their many anti-inflammatory,
antispasmodic and antifungal compounds.” https://draxe.com/marigolds/ (accessed on 13.04.2019)
(2) ” Marigolds (Calendula officinalis) are mainstays in gardens all over the world
because of their sunny appearance. Throughout history, the marigold plant, also called calendula,
has been well-utilized since the 12th century in Central Europe and the Mediterranean.”
https://articles.mercola.com/herbs-spices/marigold.aspx (accessed on 13.04.2019)
USE AREA: Medicine.
TERM: CHAMOMILE

SOURCE: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031.php
STANDARD DEFINITION : ” a composite plant, native to the Old World,
having strongly scented foliage and white ray flowers with yellow centers
used medicinally and as a tea.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/chamomile
NOTA BENE: ” Middle English camemille, Latin chamaemelon, from Greek chamaimēlon. ”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chamomile (accessed on
26.03.2019)
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Mușețel
SYNONYM: Matricaria chamomilla
HYPONYM: Yellow chamomile
CONTEXT : (1) ” Chamomile tea is a popular variety of tea that many uses to help with digestion
and prevent nausea and cramping. Due to its anti-inflammatory nature, it also helps assuage
diarrhea and bloating.”
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/beverage/chamomile-tea-benefits-uses.html (accessed on
26.03.2019)
(2) ” Chamomile is an herb that comes from the daisy-like flowers of the Compositae
plant family. It has been consumed for centuries as a natural remedy for several health conditions.”
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/5-benefits-of-chamomile-tea (accessed on 26.03.2019)
USE AREA: Medicine.
TERM: YARROW

SOURCE: https://articles.mercola.com/herbs-spices/yarrow.aspx
STANDARD DEFINITION : ” A widely naturalized strong-scented Eurasian
composite herb with finely dissected leaves and small white flowers.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yarrow
NOTA BENE: ” Middle English yarowe, from Old English gearwe.”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yarrow (accessed on 12.05.2019)
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Coada șoricelului
SYNONYM: Achillea millefolium
CONTEXT : (1) ” According to Greek mythology, whenever the mighty warrior Achilles became
injured in battle, he used the yarrow herb to help heal his wounds faster, and even covered his
body with a tincture made from the leaves to stay invincible against arrows.”
https://articles.mercola.com/herbs-spices/yarrow.aspx (accessed on 12.05.2019)
(2) ” Used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years, Yarrow has a long history of use
in the traditional medicine systems of many ancient cultures .”
https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/natural-health-guide/benefits/yarrow (accessed on 12.05.2019)
USE AREA: Medicine.
COMMENT: Applying dried yarrow leaves can stop the bleeding.
TERM: GINSENG

SOURCE: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginseng-benefits
STANDARD DEFINITION : ”a Chinese perennial herb having
five leaflets on each leaf, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root
used in herbal medicine especially in eastern Asia.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ginseng
NOTA BENE: ” from Chinese jen-shen.”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.etymonline.com/word/ginseng (accessed on 3.04.2019)
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Ginseng
SYNONYM: Panax ginseng
HYPERONYM: Araliaceae family
HYPONYM: Red ginseng
CONTEXT : (1)” Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
This slow-growing, short plant with fleshy roots can be classified three ways, depending on how long it is
grown: fresh, white or red. ” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginseng-benefits (accessed on 4.04.2019)
(2) ” Ginseng may help stimulate physical and mental activity in people who feel weak and tired.
One study revealed that ginseng showed good results in helping cancer patients with fatigue.”
USE AREA: Medicine.
COMMENT: Ginseng is a plant that has anti-inflammatory properties.
CHILI PEPPER

SOURCE: https://www.britannica.com/plant/chili-pepper
STANDARD DEFINITION : ”the pungent pod of any of several species
of Capsicum, especially C. annuum longum.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE : https://www.dictionary.com/browse/chili
NOTA BENE : chili: ”pod or fruit of a type of American pepper, used as a condiment,1660s,
from Nahuatl (Aztecan) chilli, native name for the peppers.”
Pepper : ”Old English pipor, from an early West Germanic borrowing of Latin ”piper” pepper. ”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.etymonline.com/word/chili#etymonline_v_11262
https://www.etymonline.com/word/pepper#etymonline_v_12657
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Ardei iute.
GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY: Noun phrase
SYNONYM: Hot pepper
HYPERONYM: Solnaceae family
CONTEXT : (1) ”The bright red color of chili peppers indicates its high pro-vitamin A or beta-
carotene content.” https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/chili-pepper-health-benefits/ (accessed on
02.03.2019)
(2) ” Chili peppers are rich in antioxidant plant compounds that have been linked
with various health benefits.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/chili-peppers#section3
USE AREA: Medicine.
TERM: CARROT

STANDARD DEFINITION : ” a biennial herb (Daucus carota of
the family Umbelliferae, the carrot family) with a usually orange spindle-shaped edible root.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrot
NOTA BENE: ” Middle French carotte, from Late Latin carota, from Greek karōton.”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrot
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Morcov
SYNONYM: Daucus carota
HYPERONYM: Umbelliferae family
HYPONYM: White carrot
CONTEXT : (1)” The health benefits of carrots include reduced cholesterol, lower risk of heart
attacks, improved vision, and reduced signs of premature aging.”
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/carrots.html (accessed on 26.03.2019)
(2)” The carrot (Daucus carota) is a root vegetable that is often claimed to be the
perfect health food.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/carrots (accessed on 26.03.2019)
USE AREA: Medicine.
COMMENT: Carrot is a plant that first grew in Asia .
TERM: LAVENDER

STANDARD DEFINITION : ”a Mediterranean mint widely cultivated
for its narrow aromatic leaves and spikes of lilac-purple flowers which
are dried and used in sachets and from which is extracted an aromatic oil.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lavender
NOTA BENE: ” Middle English lavendre, from Medieval Latin Lavandula.”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lavender (accessed on 12.04.2019)
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Lavandă
SYNONYM: Lavandula
HYPERONYM: Lamiaceae family
CONTEXT : (1) ” Lavender is an herb native to northern Africa and the mountainous regions of the
Mediterranean. Lavender is also grown for the production of its essential oil, which comes from the
distillation of the flower spikes of certain lavender species. ”
(2) ” The Egyptians used lavender for mummification and as a perfume. In fact, when King
Tut’s tomb was opened in 1923, there was said to be a faint scent of lavender that could still be
detected after 3,000 years.” https://draxe.com/lavender-oil-benefits/ (accessed on 12.04.2019)
USE AREA: Medicine.
COMMENT: Lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and it can heal minor burns.
TERM: CAULIFLOWER

SOURCE: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cauliflower
STANDARD DEFINITION : ” a garden plant related to the cabbage and
grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cauliflower
NOTA BENE: ” Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo cabbage (from Latin caulus, cabbage) + fiore flower, from
Latin flor-, flos .”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cauliflower
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Conopidă
SYNONYM: Brassica oleracea botrytis
HYPERONYM: Cruciferae family
CONTEXT : (1) ” Cauliflower is an extremely healthy vegetable that's a significant source of nutrients.It
also contains unique plant compounds that may reduce the risk of several diseases, including heart
disease and cancer.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cauliflower (accessed on 30.03.2019)
(2) ” Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, often overshadowed by
its green cousin broccoli. This is one vegetable that deserves a regular rotation in your diet, however, as
it contains an impressive array of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other
phytochemicals.” https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/22/cauliflower-health-benefits.aspx
USE AREA: Medicine.
TERM: CHICKWEED

SOURCE: https://www.indigoherbs/natural-healthguide/benefits/chickweed
STANDARD DEFINITION : ”a cosmopolitan weed naturalized in the U.S. from Eurasia.”
STANDARD DEFINITION SOURCE: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chickweed
NOTA BENE: ”from chick + weed In Old English such plants were cicene mete ”chicken food.”
NOTA BENE SOURCE : https://www.etymonline.com/word/chickweed
ROMANIAN CORRESPONDENT: Răcovină
SYNONYM: Chickenwort
CONTEXT : (1) ” As a medicinal, Culpeper recommended Chickweed for the cleansing and
healing of wounds. He prescribed it to be taken internally it as a remedy for "inward
bruising" and as a cooling diuretic.”
https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/natural-health-guide/benefits/chickweed (accessed on 31.03.2019)
(2) ”Chickweed functions as both a mild laxative and a diuretic, helping rid the
body of toxic substances. In traditional Indian medicine, it is used as a preventive measure
for obesity.” https://articles.mercola.com/herbs-spices/chickweed.aspx (accessed on 31.03.2019)
USE AREA: Medicine.
The origin of terms
• Various terms are identical or similar in many
languages because of their etymology.
• There are similar terms in this glossary in English
and Romanian language and the reason for this is
the fact that the words are of : Latin origin (eg. Aloe
vera, Lotus) and Greek origin (eg. Chicory,
Coriander, Eucalyptus).
• Also, there are terms borrowed from Old English or
German (eg. Apple, Garlic)
The most problematic terms
• The main problem I faced when I analyzed the terms was that
in Romanian I could not find etymology for certain terms:
( Răcovină, Păpălău, Leuștean, Brusture, Mușețel ).
• The most problematic term analyzed in this glossary was
CHICKWEED. In Romanian it has 2 correspondents ( Răcovină
and Rocoină) and I had to research in many medicinal plants
books or on the internet to find out which correspondent is
the right one. The unknown etymology was also an
impediment.
• Finally, I found out that ”Răcovină” is the most commonly
used term and ”Rocoină” is an old term that is not used
anymore.
Conclusions
• This glossary contains some of the most important medicinal
plants.
• I searched simple and clear definitions so that anyone who
reads the glossary, can understand perfectly what it is about.
• The glossary has 150 terms, 75 are in English and 75 are their
correspondent in Romanian. 71 of the terms are nouns and 4
of them are noun phrases.
(eg. Aloe Vera, Chinese Lantern, Chili Pepper and Shepherd’s purse)
• All English terms are arranged in alphabetical order.

• The glossary contains an analysis of the terms from the lexical
point of view, a rubric especially for contexts, synonyms, as
well as for hyperonyms, and hyponyms, in case they exist.
Bibliography
Books: Main links:

• The Gardener's Companion to Medicinal Plants: An • http://www.dictionary.com/
A-Z of Healing Plants and Home Remedies - Jason
Irving, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, October 2019 • https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
• A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs– James • https://www.merriam-webster.com/
A. Duke, Ed. Fiat Lux, June, 2003 • https://www.etymonline.com/
Other links:
• https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/aloe-a
• https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/terminology Images bibliography:
• https://www.etymonline.com/word/aloe#etymonline_v_10907 • http://priorityseed.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/C
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265800.php auliflower.jpg
• https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7654/the-benefits-of-using-al
oe-vera-for-skin-care-and-more.html • https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/styles/
node_hero_default/public/2018-01/common%20chickw
• https://www.csid.ro/plantmedicinal-faloe-11431678 eed%20cpt%20Amy%20Lewis.jpg?h=23b97785&itok=nx
• https://www.secom.ro/articles/u-75-subst-active-properties-benef KPzWbx
cial
• https://www.healthline.com/nu • https://www.greenmylife.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/
• https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary 02/Carrot.jpg
• https://www.etymonline.com/word/
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269468.php • https://edge.bonnieplants.com/www/uploads/20180920
• https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-of--seeds-fo 002443/715339012197_Bonnie_Ellagance_Lavender.jpg
r-your-skin-hair-and-health/#gref
• https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/csz/n
• https://www.csid.ro/plant-medicinal-f-gmen-cavum-carvi-1148541 ews/800/2015/25-researchersu.jpg
1
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270191.php • https://www.tazo.com/sk-eu/content/dam/brands/tazo/
• https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrot united_states_ofamerica/1370168-chamomile.png.rendi
• https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/carrots.ht
tion.280.280.png
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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

• Medicinal plants are among the safest remedies on

• Medicinal plants can be bought easily or even

SOURCE: https://draxe.com/marigolds/ (accessed on 13.04.2019)

• All English terms are arranged in alphabetical order.

Books: Main links:

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