Expanding the mind

A type of drug that causes the kidneys to make more urine. Diuretics help the body get rid of extra fluid and salt. They are used to treat high blood pressure, edema (extra fluid in the tissues), and other conditions.

An anti-inflammatory is something that reduces inflammation, which is the body's natural response to injury or illness, characterized by redness, swelling, and pain.

**Inflammation is the body's essential protective response to injury or infection, involving increased blood flow, immune cell activity, and fluid to the affected area, leading to classic symptoms like redness, heat, swelling, and pain. This acute response is vital for healing and fighting off harm. However, if unresolved, chronic inflammation can persist, damaging healthy tissues and contributing to serious long-term health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.  

A substance that kills microorganisms such as bacteria or mold, or stops them from growing and causing disease.

The name 'antimicrobial' is an umbrella term for anything that inhibits(hinder,restrain, or prevent ) or kills microbes(a microorganism, especially a bacterium causing disease or fermentation.) including antibiotics (which target bacteria), antifungals (which target fungi) and antivirals (which target viruses).

Antimicrobials refer to a group of agents that share the common aim of reducing the possibility of infection and sepsis.

  An astringent is a chemical substance that causes body tissues to contract, shrink, and become tighter. This effect is achieved by various mechanisms, such as constricting blood vessels, dehydrating tissues, or coagulating proteins. Astringents are used to control bleeding (styptics), reduce swollen mucous membranes, and remove oil from the skin, though they can also be drying.  

In medicine, an antioxidant is a chemical compound that neutralizes free radicals, preventing them from causing damage to cells and contributing to diseases like cancer and heart disease. These free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage DNA and cell membranes, result from normal bodily processes and exposure to environmental factors like pollution and UV radiation. Antioxidants achieve this by donating electrons to free radicals, thereby stopping a harmful chain reaction of cellular damage

Medically, free radicals are highly unstable atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron, making them very reactive and short-lived. They are produced during normal cellular processes and from external sources like pollution or radiation. When free radicals accumulate and overwhelm the body's antioxidant defenses, they cause oxidative stress. This damage can harm DNA, lipids, and proteins, increasing the risk of chronic diseases and contributing to aging.  

an antibody (or immunoglobulin) is a Y-shaped protein produced by the immune system in response to an antigen, which is a foreign substance or germ. Antibodies work by recognizing and binding to their specific antigens, like a key to a lock, to neutralize or destroy the pathogen, toxin, or foreign cell and protect the body from harm. They are a crucial part of the adaptive immune response, providing long-lasting immunity after an infection or vaccination.