Ayurveda Glossary
Ayurveda with Initial – A
Abhyanga
An ayurvedic oil massage practiced by two medics
who massage to let go the warm oil into the tissues of the entire body. This
helps loosen and facilitate the removal of accumulated ama (toxins) and the
doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) from the body.
Acara
Good conduct, an established rule of conduct.
Agada tantra
Toxicology, a branch of Ayurveda dealing with
poisons.
Agantuka
External or a stranger.
Ahamkara
Conception of one's individuality, egoism, pride or
haughtiness.
Ajasrika
Activities that promote positive health.
Ajirna
Indigestion, weak digestion.
Akasa
Free open space, ether, sky or atmosphere.
Akriti
Physical appearance or external shape.
Alabu
A vessel made of dried gourd.
Alocaka (Pitta)
A type of Pitta governing vision, causing to see.
Amala (Amalaki)
An Ayurvedic herb, Emblica officinalis (Emblica
myrobalan)
Amavata
A disease caused by ama and vata, comparable to
arthritis in modern medicine.
Amla
Sour taste.
Anjana
Black pigment applied in eyes and eyelashes.
Anna-vaha srotas
The channels transporting grains or food, the
digestive system, alimentary canal.
Anupana
A fluid vehicle for medicine; drink taken with or
after medicine, drink after eating.
Anurasa
A secondary flavor (as a little sweetness in sour
fruit), a subordinate feeling.
Anuvasana (Basti)
Enema given with an oily substance.
Apa
The element water or water.
Apana
One of the five types of vata, which goes downward
and is responsible for expulsion of faces, flatus, urine, menstrual blood etc.
Aparadha
Offence, sin, wrong action or misuse.
Apara-ojas
One of the less important of two types of vital
fluid (ojas) present in the body, inferior, lower.
Ardhavabhedaka
A kind of migraine affecting half of the head or
skull.
Arsha
Saintly, pious, and sacred.
Asana
Posture, seat or position.
Asatmendriyartha samyoga
Improper contact of senses with their objects.
Asatmya
Unwholesome, bad, improper.
Astanga Hrdya
An ancient Ayurvedic text written by Vagabhatta.
Adaptogens
Herbs that improve body's ability to adapt to
stress, including infection, mental stresses and fatigue. It supports the
adrenal glands and the pituitary glands and changes the threshold of resistance
to damage.
Agni
Agni is the form of fire and heat that is the basis
of the digestive system and the process of release of energy. The term includes
the body heat, body temperature, sight, the digestive fire; its function is
transformation, absorption, elimination and discrimination is agni.
Ahara rasa
It is the nutrient substance that is acted upon in
the digestive tract by the enzymes or the bile juice.
Akasha
It is the free space or void; also related to the
property of sound and is one of the aggregate elemental processes.
Alternatives
Alternatives alter existing nutritive and excretory
processes gradually restore normal health; cleanses and purifies the blood.
Alternatives improve the tissue ability to metabolize and eliminate waste to
restore the proper function of the body. Most of the alternative herbs that have
their initial action on the liver or kidneys can be considered.
Alochaka
It is one of the five varieties of pitta and helps
in catching the image of external objects.
Ama
It is the toxins that enter the blood stream and
are circulated in the whole body. Toxins or ama are produced in the body by the
raw, undigested food products that become fetid.
Retention of toxins in the blood results in toxemia. Almost every disease is a
result of toxicity ormits crisis. Toxins are vital for prana (vital life
energy), ojas (immunity), and tejas (cell metabolic energy).
Anodynes
They are the herbs that reduce the sensitivity of
the nerves and reduce. They have a similar reaction as that of the analgesics.
Antihydrotics
It is the herbs that decrease sweating.
Anthelminthics
This herb destroys or expels the parasitic worms
from the digestive system.
Anticoagulant
They are herbs that resist the coagulation in the
affected area and helps in massage also.
Anti-inflammatory
It restrains inflammation and counteracts to its
effects.
Antioxidants
These medicines absorb or attach themselves to the
oxygen free radicals that are highly receptive to compounds that attack the cell
membranes, enzymes etc.
Antispasmodic
These medicines help preventing and relieving
spasm.
Apana
This medicine acts in the downward direction of the
body and regulates exhalation and excretion.
Aphrodisiac
It acts as a stimulant and when consumed heightens
senses and stimulates sexual drive.
Appetizer
The medicine is a good stimulant and increase
appetite by stimulating it.
Artha
It relates to meaning, the final essence of every
thought, it is an object of pursuit, which is desired and desirable and
satisfies the acquisitive tendency in every individual.
Asthi
It is one of the seven components and the bone
tissues that supports the body by giving it protection, shape, nourishment and
longevity.
Astringent
This medicine has a binding effect as it checks
hemorrhages and secretions.
Atman
Atman means the true self, which is the cause of
consciousness and all functions by the mind.
Atreya
Atreya is the author of Charaka Samhita.
Aum
Also said as OM, the god's name has in itself the
sounds for all omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence. A, U, M, represent the
outer, the inner, and the super conscious stages of consciousness, waking,
dream, and the state of extreme sleep.
Avalambaka
It is located in the heart and the sacrum and has
the vital function of nourishing them both, lubricating and protecting the heart
and support the sacrum.
Avyakta
It refers to indistinct, not evident and
inarticulate.
Ayurveda
Constituted of two words, Ayur meaning life and
Veda meaning knowledge, ayurveda means the knowledge of life. Another accurate
translation of ayurveda is 'the knowledge of longevity. The roots of ayurveda
rest in the ancient Indian culture. Ayurveda can be thoroughly understood by
getting woven up in the fabric of nature.
Ayurveda encompasses the secrets of why Man needs to cooperate with Nature
completely in order to insure his well being.
Bala
This is a Sanskrit word which means strength.
Balya
It is an energizer that gives strength to the body.
Bheda
Division, variety and distinction.
Bhrajaka (Pitta)
A type of Pitta that gives color or shining to the
skin.
Bhutagni
The fire (enzyme) that digests elements (bhuta).
Bhuta-vidya
The science dealing with microorganisms and evil
spirits, demonology.
Bhakti
It means devotion for the almighty, faithfulness,
worshipful service, homage and loyalty towards the creator.
Basti
It refers to the enema therapy of panchkarma.
Basti is the most effective treatment of vata disorder. Vata is a predominant
site in the colon. In ayurveda basti involves the introduction of herbal
solution of sesame in the rectum.
Basti relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders,
kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other joint pains like
arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasm and headaches.
Bhedaniya
These are the substances that break down fecal
matter and help remove it out of the body thus cleaning the colon.
Bhrajaka
Located in the skin of the whole body it is one of
the five sub types of pitta And has the function of giving color to the skin and
provide luster.
Bodhaka
Located at the root of the tongue and the pharynx
it is one of the five subtypes of kapha and enables perception of taste.
Brahma
It is the name of the first god in the Hindu God
trinity. Considered as the creator of all mankind, all that lives and
constitutes the mortal universe he has the universe as his body that manifests
the energy of creation.
Bruhaniya
These are the herbs / natural substances that
promote growth.
Buddhi
Refers to the intellect of the living beings, the
faculty of wisdom, intelligence and discrimination. There are two types of
buddhi namely: pitta buddhi which is sharp and has the capability of
discrimination, understanding and appreciation providing a strong remote and
recent memory, whereas the other one i.e.: the kapha buddhi is slow, dull and
capability to understand little with the capacity to retain it.
Brahmacharya
A state of continence followed during student life,
routine followed while studying Vedas.
Brahma-muhurta
Time period (two hours) preceding sunrise.
Carminative
These are the natural ayurvedic herbs that relieve
intestinal gas, pain and distention and promote peristalsis.
Caksu
Eye.
Chakhyushya
Natural ayurvedic herbs that are good for eyes and
increase the tone of the ciliary muscles.
Chakra
These are the energy centers in the body that are
related to the nerve plexus center, which govern the body functions.
Charaka
Charaka meaning the wanderer is believed to have
spent many years between the wild animals in dense jungles, which enabled him to
coin his experiences in the book considered as the bible of ayurveda and called
the Charaka Samhita.
Charaka's encounter with nature and its beings for many years led to the writing
of the great text relating ayurveda, naturotherapy and use of natural substances
for curing and preventing diseases when mankind was unaware of the medicinal
values of these substances and the various measures quoted by him.
Churna
It is a Sanskrit word that means powder.
Consciousness
It refers to the state of being hat is
characterized by sensations, emotions, thoughts and awareness within oneself.
Cure
According to the literal meaning the word cure
refers to the any diseased person's state of being remedied from his ailment. In
ayurveda it is clearly stated that no physician since the beginning of time has
been able to cure even the simplest disease, also that all the therapeutic
efforts only expedite the processes of nature. It is believed that all diseases
are created and since everything that is created exists for sometime and then is
destroyed even the disease has some seeds of destruction in itself since its
origin.
The thought conveyed could be phrased by this saying: A good musician can make
melody with a defective instrument, and a good doctor can create harmony from
malady.
Cikitsa
Treatment, a therapy to retain balance, practice or
science of medicine.
Citraka
Name of an herb, Latin Name: Plumbago zeylanica.
Citraka- mula
The root of the herb citrak (Plumbago zeylanica).
Its root is good for increasing the strength of the digestive power.
Citrakadi vati
An Ayurvedic medicine made using citrak as the main
ingredient.
Deva
They are considered as the angles, celestial beings
without physical body structure.
Danti mula
Root of the herb "danti" (Latin Name:
Baliospermum montanum).
Desa
Region, country, area, and kingdom.
Dhanvantari
According to the Hindu mythology during the
churning of the ocean, Vishnu, the physician of gods is believed to be produced
with a cup of nectar in his ahnd that represents the true healer in all beings.
Dharana
This Sanskrit word means absorbing information into
the memory and reproducing the same.
Dharma
It refers to one's character, one's true self and
about being a whole human being by the virtue of righteousness, virtue,
attribute, duty, nature of disposition and prescribed code of conduct.
Dhatu
It is the basic structural and nutritional body
factor that supports or nourishes the seven body tissues. These seven tissues of
our body includes the rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja and shukra.
Dhi
It is a Sanskrit word that means understanding.
Dhrti
It is a Sanskrit word that means holding or
retaining.
Dipaniya
These are the natural substances that kindle the
gastric fire and augment the appetite.
Disease
It is a condition in which one or body parts impair
the performance of the vital functions and thus bring the absence of ease.
Desire is considered to be the root cause of all diseases. It is said that
desires pull the individuals form awareness and affection and this creates
imbalances.
Diuretic
It refers to the natural substances that promote
the activities of bladder, kidney and increase urination.
Dravya
According to the vaisheshika system of philosophy
dravya menas substance or the substratum of properties of the nine eternal
substances i.e. the earth, water, fire, air, ether, time, space, self, and mind.
Dushti Duhkha
It is a Sanskrit word that means unhappiness. Vata
persons tend toward a duhkha of insecurity, anxiety, fear and loneliness whereas
with Pitta constitution individuals tend towards a duhkha involving judgment,
nothing to do, being judged, criticism, and lack of acknowledgement. The Kapha
duhkha relates to too much physical activity and hardships.
It is any substance that eliminates the impurity
from the upper part of the body.
Etiology
It is the study of the causes of all diseases. In
ayurveda the cause of most of the diseases is due to the overuse, misuse or no
use of the five senses.
It is the clarified butter made by heating unsalted
butter. The ghee may be stored without refrigeration and can be used for most of
the preparations that need oil or butter as the basic ingredient..
Ghrta
It ia a sanskrit word meaning ghee.
Govinda
It is one of the most common name of the Hindu God,
Lord Krishna, the rescuer of the earth.
Guna
All material entities including the mind are the
composites of the three gunas, namely the sattva, rajjas and tamas. These are
the attributes whose imbalance leads to creation.
Gandharva
Celestial musicians, Heavenly singers.
Goksuru
Puncture vine, Latin name: Tribulus terrestris.
Guduci
Name of an herb: Latin name: Tinospora cordifolia.
Guggulu
A gum from the herb called Indian bedellium, Latin
name: Commiphora mukul.
Haritaki
Chebulic myrofalan, Latin name: Terminalia chebula.
Harsani
Delightful, pleasant.
Hina yoga
Insufficient, deficient.
Faculty of sense, organ of sense.
Isabgol
An herb commonly used as laxative. Latin Name:
Plantago ovata.
Iccha
It is a Sanskrit word meaning "the will".
Isvara
Means the God or the Lord who is exists forever,
free and where the Lordship reaches extremity God exists.
It is the empirical self, individual soul or the
living being.
Jala
Water, fluid.
Jalauka
Leech.
Jathara
Stomach, belly or abdomen.
Jatharagni
Fire located in stomach, digestive fire, gastric
juices, digestive enzymes.
Jati
Jasmine.
Time period, season.
Kamya
Desirable, amiable, performed for desiring an
object.
Kama
It is a sexual desire apart from the other two i.e.
the dharma and artha which are mostly desired by men and are the three things
from which a yogi, the saint must keep himself away from besides greed, fear,
sleep and wrath.
Kanthya
It is the natural substances that improve the
hoarseness of voice and are good for throat, speech and voice.
Kapha
It is one of the three doshas i.e. the water humor,
the intracellular fluid and the extra cellular fluid that plays significant role
in the nutrition and existence of body cells and tissues.
Karma
It refers to the religious act or rite but now has
the literal meaning of action, work, deeds in life for one's present, past and
future.
Kama
It refers to the healthy and spiritual use of
senses.
In ayurveda it is believed that the remedy of the disease is to be found in the
the cause itself so the senses have a vital role to play in curing the ailment.
Karna-taila
It is a Sanskrit word meaning oiling the ears.
Keshyam
These are the natural herbs and substances that
strengthen hair and the hair root.
Khumbhaka
In yoga it is a breathing exercise in which the
breath is retained in a state of suspense when the mind is relaxed. This
exercise re vitalizes the nervous system.
Kichadi
It is meal that is prepared with basmati rice and
split mungdal. Sometimes few other legumes and vegetables are also used.
Kledaka kapha
It is one of the five subtypes of kapha. It has the
vital function of moistening the food and liquefying the digested contents in
the stomach.
Kosha
It refers to the subtle bodies, the sheaths. Human
body has five sheaths in all, namely the sheath of knowledge, the sheath of
bliss, the sheath of prana, the sheath of mind and the sheath of food.
Krishna
It refers to the most popular earthly incarnations
and romantic god in the Hindu mythology. Krishna is considered to be the ninth
incarnation of Vishnu and is the embodiment of love and divine joy that destroys
all pains and sufferings.
Kundalini
Meaning the spiritual life force, Shakti kundalini
is the residue that remains after material consciousness is dissolved.
Karana
Doing, making, effecting, causing.
Karanja
Indian beech, Latin name: Pongamia pinnata.
Karavira
Indian oleander, Latin name: Nerium indicum.
Karmendriya
An organ of action, the working sense.
Kasaya
Astringent taste or flavor.
Kathina
Hard, firm, stiff, harsh, inflexible, cruel.
Katu
Pungent taste or flavor.
Katuka
An herb, Latin name: Picrorhiza kurroa.
Kaumarabhrtya
The branch of Ayurveda that deals with child- care
( pediatrics ).
Kaya
Body, habitation.
Kay-cikitsa
Treatment of body diseases, Internal Medicine.
Kedari kulya
Irrigation canal analogy, a theory described in
Ayurveda to explain the formation of tissues.
Khale kapota
The grain pigeon analogy, a theory described in
Ayurveda to explain the formation of tissues.
Kledaka
Wet, moist or phlegm in stomach.
Kriya
Action, practice, applying a remedy.
Kriyakala
Duration of an action.
Ksira Dadhi
A theory described in Ayurveda to explain the
formation of tissues.
Kubera
The God of riches and treasure.
Kuti
Cottage or hut.
Kutipravesika
Entering or living in a cottage for the purpose of
rejuvenation.
Light, small, minute.
Lassi
Buttermilk, drink made by mixing water in yogurt
and churning it.
Lavana
Salty taste of flavor.
Lavana-bhaskara
An Ayurvedic powder popularly used to enhance
digestion.
Lakshmi
In Hindu mythology Laksmi is considered to be the
goddess of fortune and beauty. The consort of Lord Vishnu, she is the created
energy of the lord and the divine mother of all universe, the cosmic power of
physical abundance, fortune and wealth.
Lekhaniya
They are the natural substances that remove fat
from the body by scraping the nonessential adipose tissue. The natural herbs
used here are good for cellulite removal also.
Lord Shiva
In the Hindu godhead trinity he is the Lord. In
literal terms, Shiva means good or auspicious. Also known as Rudra and many
other names Shiva has eight qualities in all, namely, purity, knowledge,
independence, omniscience, omnipotence, freedom from mala, benevolence and the
bliss.
Ayurveda with Initial – M
In Hindu mythology ma means the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. According to
ayurveda ma is the giver of heart i.e. the heart comes form the mother and thus
the way of one's thinking, his way of life, feelings, memory that is circulated
throughout his body is the gift form ma.
Madhyama
In Sanskrit this word means trunk of the body. In
ayurvedic terminology it refers to the sound rising form the heart that is felt
by the ears and not heard.
Majja
It means the bone marrow. Being one of the seven
dhatus it is soft and has the main function of filling up the asthi and
nourishing the shukra.
Malas
It means the waste products that are excreted out
of the body by some or the other phenomenon. It primarily includes urine, feces
and sweat.
Madhura
It means sweet.
Mantram
These are the sacred words or phrases that have a
spiritual significance and power. These are of two types: one that is expressed
or said by voice and are heard whereas others are non- uttered but are repeated
internally.
Marmas
These are the nerve crossings where nerves come to
the fascia and relate to the vital human body organs. Marmas are the 365 vital
energy points in the body of which 108 are of great importance in ayurveda. They
are also called door receptors.
Maya
Literal meaning is illusion whereas in spiritual
terms it refers to god's creative energy, cosmic illusion. The illusion here is
not an illusion in terms of it being unreal but in terms of the divine acts,
sport or lila played by the cosmic deities.
Meda
It is the fat tissue supported by mamsa dhatu. The
main function of this one of the seven bodily tissues is to support the human
body and lubricate it. Meda's presence in excess can cause obesity and physical
weakness.
Moksha
It means liberation, freedom in every aspect and
every way of life.
Madakari
That which causes intoxication.
Madanaphala
Emetic nut, Latin name: Randia spinosa.
Madhura
Sweet taste of flavor, pleasant, charming,
delightful.
Madya
Any intoxicating drink or substance.
Mahabhuta
Big elements, gross elements, being great.
Mahad tattva
Intellect, great principle.
Mahendra
A great king or leader, the great Indra. Indra is
the king of demigods
Majja-vaha srotas
Channels transporting bone marrow.
Malinikarana
The act making impure, staining.
Mamsa-vaha srotas
Channels transporting muscles.
Manas
Mind.
Manda
Slow.
Mandagni
Weakened state of digestive fire.
Medha
Mental power, intelligence, wisdom, and prudence.
Medo-vaha srotas
Channels transporting fatty tissue.
Medya
That which enhances wisdom, mental power and
intelligence.
Mithya-yoga
Wrong use, wrong employment.
Matsaya
Fish
Moong ki daal
A variety of green dry beans used for cooking or
making sprouts.
Mrudu
Soft, delicate, tender.
Mudra
A sign, position, image commonly practiced in Yoga
or religious worship.
Mutra
Urine.
Mutra-vaha srotas
Channels transporting the urine.
Pulse, any tubular organ such as vein or artery.
Nasya
Herbal medication of nasal is called nasya. In the
medictaion the excess bodily humors that accumulate in the sinus, throat, nose
or head is eliminated by the means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.
Naimittika
A cause to achieve a specific result.
Nanatmaja
A result (disease) caused by single factor (dosa).
Neem
Margosa tree, Latin name: Azadirachta indica.
Netra
Eye.
Nidana
Cause of disease and investigating it.
Nidra
Sleep.
Nija
Innate, one's own, internal.
Niruha (Basti)
An enema not of an oily kind.
Niyama
Restrain, regulate, to fix upon, control, check.
Ayurveda with Initial-O
Vigor, strength and vitality that is the essence of all tissues (dhatus). It
means the life sap or the essence of immune system and spiritual energy. Ojas is
a protoplasmic substance called the albumin and globulin that is formed during
the biosynthesis of bodily tissues and strengthens the tissues.
As ghee is the pure essence of milk, in the same way this protoplasmic
biological substance is the pure essence of biological tissue. In the churning
process to make ghee, agni is created, electricity is created, which ionizes and
separates the molecules of butter from buttermilk. In the same way, the end
product of digested food plus agni(fire or warmth, body heat) creates the
nutritional precursor called ahar rasa. Rasa dhatu agni transfers the immature
ahar rasa into mature sthay rasa. Asthayi means mobile, unstable, unprocessed,
and immature. Sthay means stable, permanent, and mature. In that transformation,
dhatu waste products, dhatu by products and ojas is created.
Pachaka
It is the combination of bile and pancreatic juices
located in an area between the stomach and the duodenum. It is one of the five
subtypes of pitta and when malfunctions it causes burning sensation, increases
appetitie, thirst, insomnia and jaundice,
Pachaniya
These are the natural substances that help in
proper digestion.
Pakya
It is a Sanskrit word meaning decoction, boiling,
and fermentation.
Panchakarma
According to ayurveda this refers to the five
cleansing therapies i.e. vaman, virechan, basti, nasya and rakta moksha. In
literal terms these internal purification refer to vomiting, purgation,
decoction enema, oily enema, and nasal medications.
Pitta
It is one of the three doshas i.e. the bile humor,
entire hormones, enzymes, coenzymes and agencies responsible for the
physiochemical processes of the body.
Prakruti
According to the Samkhya definition this means
unconscious, inherent relationship between self and matter. In other words it
means one's life consumption.
Prana
Literally meaning outgoing moving air, this is
first of the five-vayu subdoshas and is responsible for respiratory functions
and regulating inhalation.
Pranayama
It is a breathing exercise for purifying the blood
and vitalizing the inner organs. The three aspects of this exercise are
inhalation, retention and exhalation with the aim of increasing the span of each
aspect and more controlled.
Pratyahara
It is the fifth stage of yoga and means withdrawal
and liberation of mind from the sense sand the objects.
Prayatna
It is a Sanskrit word meaning effort. Effort of vata is light, rapid whereas
pitta's effort is sharp, penetrating and skillful and kapha's effort is heavy,
dull and sleepy.
Puraka
It is the inhalation aspect of pranayama i.e. the
in breathing process.
Purgative
These are the herbs, natural substances that
stimulate the bowel movement by eliminating the impurity from the lower part of
the body.
Panir
A type of fresh cheese made by curdling milk.
Para-ojas
High quality or superior vital fluid located in the
heart.
Pariksa
Examination, inspection or investigation.
Pasava
Animal type, belonging to cattle or animal family.
Pascata karma
Post action, therapies induced after the main
action (therapy).
Peya
Rice gruel or any drink mixed with a small quantity
of boiled rice.
Pichila
Slimy, lubricous, slippery, smeary.
Pippali
Long pepper, Latin name: Piper longum.
Pitta
Fire, bile, one of the three main biological energy
in the body.
Prabhava
Effect, prominent, peculiar or special action of an
herb.
Prajna
Wisdom, intelligence, knowledge.
Prajnaparadha
Not using intellect, offending the wisdom.
Prakopa
Vitiation, aggravation.
Prapti
Obtaining, attaining.
Rajas
It refers to the law of nature that maintains life.
It is one of the three gunas characterized by action, energy, passion and
stimulation that leads to the life of sensual enjoyment, pleasure and pain,
efforts and restlessness.
Rakshasa
It is a synonym for demons or demonic beings whose
minds are unable to distinguish between right and wrong and is diverted towards
conflicts and anger.
Literally meaning the blood, rakta is one of the seven dhatus supported by rasa
and is responsible for the nourishment of the permanent dhatus, providing
physical strength and color to the body. This circulating blood vessel is
considered as the basis of life.
Ram
In Hindu mythology ram is the seventh incarnation
of Vishnu and the warrior hero of the holy Hindu epic, the Ramayana. He is also
regarded as the embodiment of righteousness.
Ranjaka
Located in the stomach, liver and spleen it is one
of the five pitta subdoshas, liver and spleen. Its function is to give color to
the lymph chyle when it is transformed into blood as it passes through the liver
and spleen.
Rasa
It is derived from the digested food and is
circulated the entire body by channels. The main function of this first of the
seven dhatus is to provide nutrition to all cells of the body and the plasma
dhatu.
Rasayana
Literally means rejuvenation i.e. the therapy that
rejuvenates or regenerates body- mind, prevents decay and postpones aging.
Rechaka
It refers tot he exhalation aspect of pranayama,
the out breath.
Rasa-vaha srotas
Channels carrying plasma or lymph.
Rasi
Quantity, a measure for quantity, a heap, a pile,
mass.
Ratricarya
Routine to be followed in night or evening, night
regime.
Ritucarya
Seasonal regimes, routine to be followed in various
seasons.
Ruksa
Dry, arid, not greasy, emaciated, thin.
Rupa
Sign, symptoms, mark (of diseases).
Ayurveda with Initial –
S
Located in the heart and responsible for
intelligence, knowledge, memory, enthusiasm and consciousness by maintaining
rhythmic contraction sadhaka is one of the five-pitta subdoshas.
Samadhi
It is the stage of self realization where harmony,
calmness, concentration, awareness and mastery over mind, desires and body is
achieved.
Samana vayu
It means equalized movement of air. Located in the
stomach and the duodenum this type of vata subtypes has the function of
digestion of food materials, separation of waste products, regulation of
composition of body fluids, body temperature and the movement of pitta and kapha.
Samkhya
This word means both "discriminative
knowledge" and "enumeration". It is one of the schools of Hindu
philosophy founded by Kapila that gives a systematic account of cosmic evolution
according to twenty-five categories, namely:
Purusha or cosmic spirit
Prakruti or cosmic substance
Mahat or cosmic intelligence
Ahamkara or individuating principle
Manas or cosmic mind
Indriyas or ten abstract sense powers of cognition and action
Tanmatras or five subtle elements
Mahat bhutas or the five great elements
Samskara
The impression left in ones mind followed by any experience, imprints or some
incident of the past consciously or unconsciously leaves samskara. It represents
the root impressions derived from past experiences maybe of recent past or
distant past.
Sandhaniya
It means to join. There are natural herbs that
helps the body in healing of broken bones and torn ligaments and in uniting
fractured and divided body parts.
Sarasvati
In Hindu mythology she is regarded as the goddess
of speech and learning and is represented as the wife of Brahma.
Sat-Chid-Ananda
It means existence, reality, pure consciousness,
the spirit, brahman, a being, bliss and delight.
Sattva
It means purity. First of the three gunas, it is
the purest aspect and the sentient principle characterized by purity,
luminosity, lightness, harmony and the production of pleasure.
Sattvic
It refers to the qualities that are pure, realistic
and have the clarity of perception , which is responsible for goodness and
happiness.
Shakha
It is a Sanskrit word meaning extremity.
Shirah
In Sanskrit it means head.
Shleshaka
Located in the body joints of the body, it is the
fifth subtype of kapha, is viscous and oily and has the function to protect the
bony joints by keeping them firm and united. It also helps in keeping the bones'
function smooth.
Shodan
It refers to the cleansing methods. There are
basically five cleansing methods, namely:
Vaman or therapeutic vomiting or emesis
Virechan or purgation
Basti or enema
Nasya or elimination of toxins through the nose
Raktamoksha or detoxification of the blood
Shukra
It is the last of the seven dhatus, the semen or
the male reproductive tissue and has the major functions of producing sensation
of ejaculation, fondness and strengthens the body.
Skandhas
It is a Sanskrit word meaning a heap, pile or
aggregate. They are important tools for understanding the Buddhist doctrine of
no self as they include with them all transitory, impermanent phenomena. The
Five Skandhas as they are found in the body are as follows:
Body form Feelings of enjoyment and pleasure. Cognition of how to get what
you want? How to actually indulge in pleasure? Formations Consciousness
Smrti
It is a Sanskrit word meaning the memory
Srotas
Literally means the source. It is a canal for
nutrition in the body. All the dhatus have their own minute channels or srotas
made up of extremely fine pores, originating from the heart cavity, and
spreading throughout the body; they transport the nutrient fluid to all parts of
the body for nourishment and growth.
Sukha
It is a Sanskrit word meaning happiness. Vata
persons' experience of sukha is boring as in vata, sukha is superficial,
physical, and shaky. Pitta sukha involves solving problems, understanding, and
solving puzzles whereas Kapha sukha is passive, involving napping, eating or
sitting.
Surya
It means the sun.
Sushumna Nadi
Nadi is the subtle energy field or channel by which
the movements and configurations of sentient beings are controlled. Sushumna
nadi starts from the first chakra and extends up to the crown chakra.
Sabda
Sound, tone, voice.
Sada
Six.
Sadavidha
Six types.
Sadhaka (Pitta)
Energizing, effective, accomplishing, one of the
five types of pitta.
Sakuna
Relating to birds, having the nature of a bird,
bird catcher.
Salakya tantra
Science using probes or cylindrical sticks for
investigation and treatments, branch dealing with eyes, ears, nose and throat.
Salya tantra
Splinter (extraction) science, surgery.
Samanyaja
A result (disease) caused my many factors (two or
all three dosas).
Samhita
Methodically arranged collection of verses, texts.
Samprapti
Pathogenesis, the complete route of manifestation
of disease.
Samsarjana (karma)
Diets and activities practiced after a treatment to
get back to normal routine and food.
Samyaka
Accurate, proper, correct.
Samyoga
Combination, connection, conjunction.
Sancaya
Accumulation, collection, gathering.
Sandra
Dense, thick, solid, compact.
Sankhapuspi
An herb used as a tonic for nervous system: Latin
Name: Convolvulus pluricaulis.
Sanskrit
Purified, sanctified, the language used in Vedic
age.
Sapta
Seven.
Sapta-dhatu
The seven constitutional elements or tissues of the
body.
Sara
Liquid, fluid, moving, wandering.
Sarira
Body, physical body.
Sarpa
Snake, serpent.
Sarpagandha
Name of an herb used for lowering high blood
pressure- Latin name: Rouwolfia serpentina.
Sarvangasana
A yoga posture.
Sastriya
According to original texts (Sastra), confirmable
to sacred precepts.
Savasana
Dead body posture of Yoga.
Silajita
A black sticky mineral that leaks out of some
mountains, black bitumen.
Sira
Any tubular vessel in the body - a vein, nerve or
artery.
Sira
The head, skull.
Sirodhara
Pouring oil or any other liquid on forehead from a
special pot.
Sirsasana
Head stand posture of Yoga.
Sita
Cold, chilly, frigid.
Slakshana
Smooth, polished, soft, tender, gentle.
Slesaka
Attaching, connecting.
Snehana
Lubricating, anointing, rubbing with oil, unction.
Snigdha
Sticky, viscid, unctuous, smooth, adhesive.
Sodhana
Cleaning, purifying, refining.
Sparsa
Touching, sense of touch.
Sringa
Horn.
Srvanam
The act of hearing, acquiring knowledge by hearing,
transportation, carrying.
Sthana samsraya
Location in a place, relocation of dosas.
Sthira
Firm, hard, solid, compact, strong, immovable,
fixed.
Sthula
Large, thick, big, gross, massive, stout.
Ayurveda with Initial – T
Takra
Buttermilk, a drink made by mixing water in yogurt and churning it
Tamaka svasa
A kind of asthma.
Tiksagni
Strong digestive fire, increased activity of
digestive fire.
Tiksna
Sharp, hot, fiery, pungent.
Tikta
Bitter taste or flavor.
Tri
Three.
Tridosa
The three dosas.
Tridoshic
Relating to tridoshas (see tridosha above).
Triguna
The three qualities of Nature.
Triphala
An Ayurvedic recipe made by mixing equal quantities
of fruits of three particular herbs.
Trivrita
An herb (Indian jalap) used for purgation, Latin
name: Operculina turpethum.
Tulasi
Holy Basil. Latin Name: Ocimum sanctum.
Tamas
It refers to the darkness, inertia, heaviness and
the materialistic attitude.
Tanmatra
It is the subtle essence of the five elements in
the body i.e. sound, touch, sight, taste and smell.
Tantra
It is a non vedic form of yoga leading divine
ecstasy through certain rites that emphasize the erotic and forbidden. It is
also known as kundalini-yoga it is centered on the divine female power; rule,
ritual, scripture, religious treatise, loom, warp.
Tarpaka
Located in the head it is one of the five subtypes
of kapha having to itself the functions to nourish the sensory organs and help
the brain and the five sensory organs to perform their function in the body.
Tejas
Having the characteristics of light, illumination
and brilliance it is the superfine essence of pitta, one of the five elements,
fire.
Tri-dosha
It refers to the combination of three humors,
morbid substances i.e. the vata, pitta and kapha. The human body is a
combination of these three essential factors and these three doshas are
responsible for maintaining the integrity of human body and for governing the
physical structure and functions of the living beings.
Trikatu
It refers to the three pungents i.e. the sunthi or
dry ginger, pippali or indian long pepper and maricha or black pepper.
Trishna
It means thirst.
Ayurveda with Initial – U
Udaka-vaha
srotas
Channels transporting water or watery liquids in
the body.
Upa-dhatu
Not a main tissue, a secondary tissue that supports
the main tissue.
Upasaya
The allaying (of disease) by suitable remedies, advantageous medicine, diagnosis
by the effect of medicines or food items.
Upastambha
Supporting pillars, sub- pillars.
Upyoga-samstha
Using method, user manual, and instructions to use
or practice a technique.
Upyokta
User
Usna
Hot, warm, passionate, sharp.
Uttanapadasana
A Yoga posture (asana).
Udana
It is located in the umbilical region, chest and
the neck and is the five subtypes of vata. The function of udana is to govern
enthusiasm, responsibility of various vocal functions and the upward movement of
aprana.
Uttama anga
The word is a combination of two words i.e. uttama
meaning noble, great and anga that means part of the body
Ayurveda
with Initial –
V
Vaisheshika
It is one of the six orthodox schools of the Indian
philosophy, founded by kanada. The word means excellence or distinction.
Vamana
It is therapeutic vomiting.
Vamanopaga
These are the natural substances that are used for
the stimulation of vomiting.
Vamathu
It means vomiting.
Varnya
These are the substances that improve the
complexion of the body, its color, skin, hair and eyes also.
Vata
It refers to one of the three humors, the force
that keeps pitta, kapha, all the seven dhatus and the malas in motion.
Vedas
It is a Sanskrit word meaning knowledge. Vedas are
the oldest source of universal knowledge, which bloomed in the Indian culture
centuries ago by rishis and holy saints. The four Vedas namely, Rig-Veda, Yajur
Veda, Athrva Veda and Sam Veda have answers to mostly all the questions relating
to life and living.
Vikriti
It is the modification; imbalance or disease.
Virechan
It is the medicated purgation; one of the pancha
karma cleansing processes
Virecanopaga
These are the purgatives assisting the elimination
of the doshas form the vital organs and helps the system get rid of the ama.
Vishnu
In Hindu mythology lord supreme Vishnu is all
pervading. His divine qualities are for knowledge, strength, lordship, power,
virility, splendor and the preservation.
Vitamin
These are essentials for growth of the body and
healthy functioning of all organs. There are following types of vitamins:
Vitamin A is a growth promoting vitamin.
Vitamin D is the anti-rickets vitamin.
Vitamin E is anti-sterility.
Vitamin K helps coagulation.
Vitamin P is called hesperidin. It is anti-hemorrhagic.
Vitamin B1 is anti-neuritic..
Vitamin B2 pacifies vata, builds up pitta and kapha.
Vitamin B6 is called pyrodoxine..
Folic Acid. pacifies vata, increases pitta, reduces kapha.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is ascorbic acid whenever there is cold and
congestion, Vitamin C is used.
B12 is cyanocobalamin and is used in sciatica.
Vyana
It is one of the five subtypes of vata and
regulates the circulation of blood in the body, the nervous system, muscular
functions and the skeletal system in the body.
Vagabhatta
A famous personality in the history of Ayurveda wrote Astanga Sangraha and
Astanga Hrdya.
Vaidya
Ayurvedic doctor
Vajikarana
The science of aphrodisiac, producing virility.
Vamana
The act of vomiting, emesis.
Vanaspatya
A tree, shrub or plant.
Varuna
God of waters, sea, rivers.
Vibhitaka
Belliric myrobalan, Latin name: Terminalia
bellirica.
Vidahi
Heat, burning, inflammation, acid.
Virya
Potency, power, vigor, semen.
Visada
Clear, pure, spotless, shining.
Visesa
Opposite, different, not similar.
Vismagni
Irregular digestive fire, unstable digestive fire.
Visravana
To let flow, to let spread.
Vyakta
Visible, specific.
Ayurveda
with Initial – Y
Yantra
It is a visual concentration for each chakra used
to channel psychic force.
Yoga Nidra
It means yoga sleep or conscious sleep.
Yama
Rules, instructions, guidelines.
Yamya
One, who takes initiative, is courageous and has
leadership qualities.
Yastimadhu
Licorice, Latin name: Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Yoga
To link, to add, to join, a progressive method to
become self-realized and link the soul to super soul, there are several types of
yogas.
Yusa
Soup generally made from various kinds of pulses.