ASTRINGENTS, ASTRINGENTIA, in Medicine, binding Remedies; or such as have the Power of contracting the Parts, and diminishing the Pores thereof. See MEDICINE.
Astringents act either by the Asperity of their Particles, whereby they corrugate the Membranes, and make them draw up closer; or by thickening the Fluids, whereby they cannot run off so fast as before. Astringents therefore stand opposed to Laxatives. See PURGATIVE, etc.
Hence, astringents are of the Class of Strengtheners, or Corroborants; the Nature and Operation whereof, see under the Article STRENGTHENER.
Astringents only differ from Styptics, in Degree of Efficacy. See STYPTIC.
The Word is compounded of the Latin ad and stringo, I bind.
Among Simples, Mint, red Roses, Nettles, Sanicle, Barberries, Quinces, Pomegranates, Sloes, Cinnamon, Blood-stone; Alum, Chalk, Boles, Coral, Tutty, etc. are principal Astringents.
