Glossary of ayurvedic terms

1. www.ayurvedakerala.biz Glossary of Ayurvedic Terms

2. Glossary of Ayurvedic Terms Aap: Water element. Abhyanga: oil masssage. Acne: An inflammatory eruption occurring usually on the face and neck. Agni: digestive fire, synonymous with properly balanced cell metabolism in Western medicine. Ajna chakra: Centre of command,the" third eye". Akasha: Ether or space. Alambushanadi: Yogic nadi, channel. Alochakapitta: Form of pitta governing vision.

3. Ama: residual impurities deposited in the cells as the result of improper digestion. Also mental ama, impure or negative thoughts and moods. Anaemia: A below-normal level in the number of red blood cells. Analgesic: A substance that relieves pain. Anna:Food. Annamayakosha: Physical or gross body. Apanavayu: Downward moving vayu. Arishta: Symptom suggestive of death. Aromatic: Taste which stimulates the gastrointestinal tract. Artava: Menstrual Blood.

4. Artavahasrotas: Menstrual channels. Arthritis: An inflammatory condition of the joints. Asana: Posture, third stage of yoga. Ascites: An excessive accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Ashvinimudra: Yogic practise of contracting anal sphinctor muscles. Asthi: Bone. Asthidharakala: Special membrane for bone. Asthma: A respiratory disorder in which there is breathlessness wheezing and cough (dry or with mucus expectoration). Atrophy: A wasting or diminution of size or physiological activity of a part of the body. Attributes: The inherent qualities or properties of a substance.

5. AvalambakaKapha: Form of Kapha in chest. Avasthapaka: Primary phase of digestion. Basti : enema Betel leaf: A leaf eaten after a meal to assist digestion Bhajani: A mixture of roasted cereals Bhajiyas: Fried items of onion and other vegetables Bharta: A mashed preparation (of aubergines) Bhasma: Residue after incineration Bhutagni : digestive fire governing element.

6. Bile: A bitter fluid secreted by the liver which flows into the small intestine, which is stored in the gallbladder. It helps to metabolize fat Chandan: Sandalwood (Santalum album) Chapati: A type of Indian bread Charak: Great Ayurvedic profounder who has written one of the classic Ayurvedic text CharakSamhita. Charakasamhita: One of the oldest Ayurvedic text Cholesterol: A fatty substance in crystalized form found in all animal fats, oils, milk, egg yolks, bile, blood, brain tissue, liver, kidney and adrenal glands. Churna: Powder of medicine

7. Chyavanprash: A formualtion based on honey, amla and other 45 ingredients. Colitis: A chronic disease characterized by the inflamation of colon Compress: A pad of folded linen applied so as to create pressure upon exterior parts of the body Conjunctivitis: A painful and infectious illness in the eyes which makes them red and makes the eyelids swollen and sticky

8. Cosmic energy: The all-pervading energy in the universe Dermatitis: An inflammatory condition of the skin. characterized by redness. pain and itching Dhatu: one of the body's seven basic constituents Diabetes: A clinical condition characterized by the excessive secretion of urine and increased blood-sugar level Dinacharya: daily routine Diuretic: A substance that increases the secretion of urine Dosha: three basic metabolic principles connecting the mind and body and biological humour.

9. Doshavaishmya: pathological condition of dosha Drava: type of attribute liquid Eczema: Acute or chronic skin inflammation Emetic: Medicine that produces vomiting Expectorant: A substance that promotes the ejection of mucus. Flora: Healthful bacteria which are present in various parts of the body, list of plants of a particular place Fomentation: Treatment by warm and moist application to skin

10. Gati : quality of the pulse Gonorrhoea: A common venereal disease most often affecting the genitourinary tract Gout: Metabolic disease marked by acute arthritis and inflammation of the joints Grahani : Chronic diarrhoea, malabsorption syndrome in the small intestine Gulma : Any tumor, lump or diverticulosis Guna: fundamental natural quality (e.g., dry, moist, hot, cold, etc.). Also applied to sattva, rajas, and tamas, the "three gunas"

11. Guru: type of attribute, heavy, spiritual teacher, Grishma, Summer, Teacher Halasana : Plough posture Hath Yoga : Yoga of physical postures Hemant: Early winter Hemoptysis: Coughing up of blood from the respiratory tract Hemostatic: A substance that checks the flow of blood Hima : Type of attribute, cold Hing:Asafoetida

12. Hridroga : Heart disease Hives: Eruptions of very itchy skin caused by an allergic substance Jalaneti : Yogic cleansing of nasal passages by water Japa :Repetation of mantras Jatharagni : Digestive fire, responsible for the digestion and transformation of food material Jaundice : A condition characterized by yellowness of the skin and elevated level of bilirubin Kapalabhati: Kriya and pranayama that cleanses respiratory tract Kapha:thedosha responsible for bodily structure Kathina: Type of attribute, hard

13. Katu: Pungent or spicy Khara: Type of attribute, rough to touch Kleda: Subtle waste product Kledakakapha: form of kapha governing digestion Kuhu:Nadi in yoga Kundalini: Potential energy lying dormant at the base of the spine. Kurma: Type of vata in yoga Laghu: type of attribute, light Langhana: fasting, reducing therapy Leucoderma: Localized loss of skin pigment Leucorrhea: A condition that causes a whitish, viscid discharge from the vagina and uterine cavity

14. Lohita: second layer of skin Lymphadenitis: Inflammatory condition of the lymph nodes Macrocosm: The universe itself; a system regarded as an entity containing subsystems Madhyamamarga: Middle pathway, (deep tissue) Mahabhuta: Basic five elements (space, air, fire, water and earth) Mahamarma: One of the three major marma Majja: Nerve tissue and bone marrow Mala: Metabolic end-products Malabsorption syndrome: A condition in which there is no proper digestion, absorption and assimilation of food in the gastro intestinal tract

15. Mamsadhatu: Muscle tissue Manda: Type of attribute, slow pachakapitta, form of pitt chakra Mandagni: Diminished digestive capacity Manomayakosha: Mental sheath Mantra: Sacred sounds Manusmriti: Compendia, Marga -pathway or tract Marga: Path or tract Marma: A junction point between consciousness and matter or weak Vital points. Matsyendrasana: Yoga posture with spinal twist Mayurasana: Yoga posture like peacock Meda: Fat tissue Microcosm: A diminutive representative world; a system more or less analogous to a much larger system

16. Moong: A type of pulse Mridu: Type of attribute, soft Muladhara chakra: First chakra Mutra: Urine Mutravahasrotas: Urinary system Nadipariksha: Pulse examination Nadivigyana: Pulse diagnosis Nag: Type of vata in yoga Nasya: Nasal administration of therapy Nauli: Action like pitching of boat in stormy sea Naulichalana: A process in which the abdominal muscles are made to move vertically and laterally in surging motion

17. Nidana: Etiological factor or diagnosis of disease Nidanapanchaka: Five ways to diagnose a disease Nirama: Without ama or toxic substance Ojas: The purest expression of metabolism; the final end product of correct digestion and assimilation of food Om : Seed mantra Palpation: The act of feeling with the hand; the application of the fingers with light pressure to the surface of the body for the purpose of determining the consistancy of the parts beneath Panchakrama: The five cleansing (purification) methods to get rid of excess Doshas. Paneer: Cheese Papad: Made from dried lentils; eaten fried or roasted Parkinsonism: A neurologic disorder characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity and slow movements

18. Parpati: medicinal preperation of sulphur and mercury Paschimotanasana: head to knee yoga posture Pavanamuktasana: knee to chest yoga posture Percussion: The act of striking a bodily part with short, sharp blows as a diagnostic aid that reveals the condition of that area of the body Peristalsis: Rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle that forces food through the digestive tract Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the throat Physiognomy: The study of facial features Pichila: type of attribute, slimy Pingala: carries solar energy, right nostril Pippali: herb / Piper longum Pitta: the dosha responsible for metabolism (closely identified with agni, the body's vital heat)

19. Poorvakarma: Procedures done prior Poultice: A soft moist substance applied hot to the surface of the body for the purpose of supplying heat and moisture Pradhana: main, prominent Pragyaaparadh: the "mistake of the intellect" (i.e., identifying with the part and losing the whole) Prajnyaparadh: volitional transgression Prakriti: primal nature, natural state, constitution Prakriti-nature: referring either to one's individual nature (body type) or to Nature as a whole

20. Prana: It is vital energy (life-energy) which activates the body and mind. Prana is responsible for the higher cerebral functions, the motor and sensory activities. The prana located in the head is the vital prana, while prana which is present in the cosmic air is nutrient prana. There is a constant exchange of energy between vital prana and nutrient prana through respiration. During inspiration, the nutrient prana enters the system and nourishes the vital prana. During expiration, subtle waste products are expelled.

21. Pranavahasrotas: respiratory system Pranayama : respiratory exercise, also called "balanced breathing" Prapaka: primary stage of digestion Prashama: alliviation of dosha Prithvi: element earth Psoriasis: A disease in which areas of skin turn red and are covered with small dry pieces of skin Psychosomatic: Pertaining to the mind-body relationship: an illness caused by anxiety and worry Ptosis: An abnormal condition of one or both upper eyelids in which the eyelid droops.

22. Purisha: stool, faeces Purvarupa: predormal symptoms Rajas: the intermediate principle of energy among the three qualities of nature Rajasic: having the nature of Rajas (Kings) Raktadhatu: blood Raktamokshana: blood-letting (type of panchakarma) Raktavahasrotas: circulatory system Ranjakapitta: form of pittacolouring the blood

23. Rasa: plasma, taste Rasayana: Traditional Ayurvedic herbal or mineral preparation for longivity and rejuvenation Rheumatism: Any of a large number of inflammatory conditions of the joints, ligaments or muscles, characterised by pain or limitation of movement Rhinitis: Inflammation of the mucus membrane of the nose Rigveda: type of veda Ritucharya: seasonal behaviour Roga: disease Roopa: symptom Ruksha: type of attribute, dry Sadhakapitta: type of pitta governing the brain Sama: with ama or toxins

24. Samadhi: A state of equilibrium; supreme joy and bliss Samanavata: equalising form of five vata types Sammurchana: amalgamation between viliateddosha and dushya Samprapti: pathogenes Samsarga: duel vitiation of dosha. Sandra: type of attribute, dense Sattva: the higher principle of harmony of three qualities of nature or trigunas Scabies: A contagious skin disease characterized by itching and peeling of the skin Sciatica: Inflammation of the sciatic nerve characterized by lower back pain which radiates down the leg Shakha: four limbs

25. Shakhamarga: external disease tract Shishir: winter Shita: type of attribute, cold Shlakshna: type of attribute, smooth Shleshaka: form of kapha Shleshaka: form of kapha lubricating joints Shodhana: purification, detoxification Shukra: reproductive tissue Shukradharakala: special membrane for reproductive system Sira: blood vessel

26. Snehan: fomentation Snehana: oleation therapy Soma: bliss of pleasure, principle at work behind the mind and senses Spondylosis: A condition of the spine characterized by fixation or stiffness of a vertebral joint Sthanasaushraya: localisation, stage of pathogenesis Sthira: type of attribute, stable Sthoola: type of attribute, gross Sukshma: type of attribute, subtle Surya Namaskara: the "sun salute," Sushruta: author of SushrutaSamhita, ancient Ayurvedic surgeon Sweda: sweat Swedavahasrotas: system for sweat

27. Syphilis: A venereal infection transmitted through sexual contact Tamakashwasa: bronchial asthma Tamas: the lower principle of inertia of omni substances Tamasic: having the nature of tamas Tapas: self discipline Tarpaka: form of kapha governing brain and nerves Teja: premordial element, fire Tejas: mental fire Tikta: bitter Tikshna: form of attribute, penetrating Trataka: steady gazing

28. Tridosha: The three bodily organizations -Vata (air). pitta (fire) and Kapha (water) -which govern the psychosomatic activity of daily living Udakavahasrotas: -system of water metabolism Udanavata: upward moving type of vata Udara: abdomen Upadhatu: offshoots of tissues Upadrava: complication Upashama: symptoms getting relieved after treatment Undhiya: A mixed vegetable preparation favourite among the Gujaratis Urticaria: A blood reaction of the skin. marked by the transient appearance of smooth. slightly-elevated patches which are redder or paler than the surrounding skin. This condition often is attended by severe itching.

29. Ushma: Hot Vamana: medicated emesis Varsha: monsoon Vasa: fact of the muscles Vasant: Spring Vata: the dosha responsible for all movement in the body, biological air humor. Vatavyadhi: diseases due to aggravation of vatas Vataj: due to vata Vayu: another name for vat Vedas: ancient books of knowledge presenting the spiritual signs of awareness Vijnyana: intelligence Vipaka:metabolised part of drug, the after taste of food in the body

30. Virechan: Purgation Vishesh: Special Yakrit :LiverYashasvati : Type of nadi in YogaYoga: psycho physical practices aimed at self knowledge

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