Definition
noun, plural: sudorifics
An agent promoting or causing profuse sweating or sensible perspiration
adjective
Of or relating to causing sweat
Supplement
Sudorifics are agents that induce the body to sweat profusely. They may be pharmacologic drugs (e.g. plant-derived drugs) or herbals such as Jamaican Ginger, Boneset, Bayberry bark, Yarrow stems and leaves, Blackpepper berries, Canada snake root, and Sage leaves.1
Sudorifics are different from diaphoretics. Although both are involved in the regulation of body temperature by water loss and evaporation, sudorifics are those that cause sensible perspiration (in contrary to diaphoretics that induce insensible perspiration). With sudorifics, the body senses the sweat secreted. The body releases sweat so profuse that there is not enough time to evaporate and go unnoticed. The body perceives the sweat as drops on the surface of the skin. Sudorific drugs may act upon the terminations of nerves in the glands, on the sweat centers, or sensory nerves causing the sweat glands to secrete more sweat.2
Word origin: Latin sūdōrificus, same as Latin sūdōr-, sūdor (sweat)
Synonym(s):
- sudoriparous
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Reference(s):
1“Diaphoretics &sudorifics.” diaphoretics &sudorifics Flashcards. N.p., n.d. Web. Link.
2 “A Text-Book Of Pharmacology, Therapeutics And Materia Medica by T. Lauder Brunton.” A Text-Book Of Pharmacology, Therapeutics And Materia Medica by T. Lauder Brunton. N.p., n.d. Link.
