| A | |
| Aacharya | A religious teacher. |
| Aam | Toxic by-product of impaired digestion. |
| Aam Vata | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Abaddha | Loosen |
| Abhyang | An ayurvedic oil massage. Oil is rubbed into the tissues of the body. This aid in loosening and facilitating the removal of the Doshas and Aam from the body. |
| Adhay | Well off class of people. |
| Adhisthana | Seat, abode |
| Agnayashay | Pancreas |
| Agni | Everything which is heat in the body (temperature, sight, heat); the digestive fire; its function is digestion, transformation, absorption and elimination. Agni is the important form of fire and heat: the basis of good digestion. |
| Agni mandhya | Decreased digestive power |
| Ahaar ras | Essence of food, chyle |
| Akash | Free Space or Void |
| Amashayoth | Originated from Amashay / stomach. |
| Anulomak | Carminative |
| Apaan | Type of Vata, controls the elimination of bodily wastes. |
| Arsha | Haemorrhoids |
| Aruchi | Loss of appetite |
| Asadhya | Incurable |
| Asanas | Yogic postures |
| Asthi | One of the seven dhatus; the bone tissue; supports the body by forming the skeleton, giving protection, shape, nourishment and longevity. |
| Atharva Veda | Fourth Veda |
| Atipravriti | Overproduction, overflow |
| Atisara | Diarrhoea / loose motions |
| Atman | The Divine Self |
| AVatar | Incarnation of God |
| Avil | Dirty |
| Ayurveda | Derived from two words: ayu, meaning life, and Veda, meaning knowledge; Ayurveda, means ” the knowledge of life” |
| B | |
| Bahu | Excess |
| Bala | Strength |
| Basti | Medicated enema |
| Bhakti Yoga | Yoga of Devotion |
| Brihadantra | Large intestine |
| Brihan | Nourish |
| C | |
| Carminative | Relieves intestinal gas, pain and distention; promotes peristalsis. Herbs like Amalaki, Haritaki, Hingvastak, Trikatu, Triphala. Carminative in Sanskrit is known as Anulomak. |
| Chakras | Nerve centers of the subtle body. |
| Charaka Samhita | An ancient textbook of Ayurveda written byCharaka, an ancient Ayurvedic scholar.. |
| Chhardi | Vomiting |
| Chhidra | Orifices |
| Chikitsa | Treatment |
| Chitta-vritti | A mode of behavior |
| Choorna | Powder; Choorna are ayurvedic preparations and may contain single or a combination of herbs and minerals. |
| D | |
| Daurbalya | Weakness |
| Deepan | Kindling the gastric fire; increasing the appetite. Substances used are like pippali, ginger, black pepper, ajwain, and hing (Asafetida). |
| Dhamani | Arteries |
| Dhanvantri | The incarnation of Vishnu; The physician of the Gods, known to have been produced at the churning of the ocean with a cup of nectar in his hand. |
| Dharana | Yogic concentration or attention |
| Dhatu | There are seven dhatu (tissues) in the body. The seven bodily tissues are Rasa, Rakta, Maans, med, Asthi, Majja and Shukra. |
| Dhatukshaya | Loss of Tissues |
| Dhatupak | Metabolism |
| Dhatus | Bodily tissues in Ayurvedic Medicine |
| Dhatvansh | Constituents of tissues |
| Dhyana | Contemplation, meditation |
| Divaswapan | Sleeping during day time. |
| Doshas | Tri means three and Doshas being the basic physical energies when in balance. Tridoshasare the biological deriVataives of the five basic elements present in the Universe. Literally meansfault. The term Doshas means the factors which are capable of vitiating the body tissues if they are increased, decreased or vitiated alone or all together. These three are the basic constituents responsible for the structure and proper functioning of the body or its existence as a whole. |
| At the time of conception, permutations and combinations of Vata, Pitta and Kapha determine the constitution of the new individual. | |
| Drav | Liquid |
| Dushya | Deranged or disturbed tissues. |
| G | |
| Ghee | Clarified butter |
| Ghrit | Clarified butter or ghee. |
| Grahni | Duodenum |
| Gud | Jaggery |
| Gulpha | Ankle |
| Gunas | Prime qualities of nature. |
| H | |
| Hath Yoga | Yoga of the physical body |
| J | |
| Jaathragni | Fire located in stomach, digestive fire, gastric juices, digestive enzymes |
| Jangha | Leg, calf |
| Janu | Knee |
| Jatru | Clavicle or collar bone |
| Jnana Yoga | Yoga of Knowledge |
| Jwar | Fever |
| K | |
| Kama | Pursuit of desire |
| Kapha | One of the three dosha; the extracellular (outside the cell) and intracellular (inside the cell) fluid playing a significant role in the nutrition and existence of cells and tissues in the body. Responsible for strength, immunity, lubrication of joints etc. |
| Kaphaj Kas | Chronic Bronchitis |
| Kapha shthivan | Expulsion of sputum |
| Karma | Actions |
| Kas | Cough |
| Kashay | Astringent |
| Katu | Charpari, Teekhi, Pungent, Spicy |
| Khudd | Small, joint. |
| Kleda | Body Fluids |
| Kosha | Cells |
| Koshthagni | Digestive fire |
| Krish | Weak, Lean, Thin |
| Kshataj | Related to injury |
| Kshayaj | Related to wasting |
| Kshaudra meha | Diabetes mellitus |
| Kshudra | Small |
| Kshudrantra | Small Intestine |
| Kulaj | Hereditary/ runs in family |
| Kundalini | Serpent power, power of subtle body |
| L | |
| Lakshan | Clinical features |
| Lasika | Lymph |
| Laya Yoga | Yoga of absorption into the sound-current (nada) |
| M | |
| Maans | One of the seven dhatus; its main function is to provide physical strength. |
| Madhumeha | Diabetes Mellitus |
| Madhurya | Sweetness |
| Madhya | Alcohol |
| Majja | Bone marrow; One of the seven Dhatus; it is unctuous/oily and soft; its main function is to oleate the body, to fill up the Asthi (bone), and to nourish the Shukra (the reproductive tissue). |
| Manana | Pondering |
| Manas | Mind or emotion |
| Mantra | Spiritual or empowered speech. |
| Marga | A path |
| Marmabhighat | Injury to Vital points |
| Marmas | Sensitive and vital body points known in Ayurveda |
| Mastishka | Brain |
| Maya | Illusion |
| Med | Fat tissue, supported by Maans dhatu; its function is to support the body and to lubricate the body; med in excessive quantity may produce obesity and physical weakness. |
| Medovaha Srotas | Channels carrying lipids |
| Moksha | Liberation; spiritual freedom; release. Hindu mythology states that a being, after death is re-born in some other form depending on his Karma. Moksha is the ultimate freedom after which the being is destined to the Heaven. |
| Mool | Root |
| Moong | A variety of green dry beans (lentils) used for cooking or making sprouts . |
| Moorchha | Loss of consciousness |
| Mutra | Urine |
| Mutravaha srotas | Urinary tract |
| N | |
| Nadis | Nerves of the subtle body. |
| Nadi-shodhana | The purification of the Nadis. |
| Nasya | Administering a remedy through nose. The nose is known to be the doorway to the brain in Ayurveda and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called Nasya. It is one of the karma in Panchakarma. An excess of bodily humors clogged in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose. |
| Nidan | Cause, Diagnosis |
| Nidranash | Disturbed sleep |
| Nirodha | Restraint or Control |
| Niyama | Yogic observances or Self-purification through discipline. |
| O | |
| Ojas | Vitality, immunity, essence of body tissues; prevents decay and degeneration of the body; Supports the body; provides strength and is essential for sustenance. |
| Ojomeha | Diabetes mellitus |
| P | |
| Paachaniya | Anything that aids digestion. Substances one may use are: fennel, coriander, cumin, trikatu
[Sunthi (dry ginger), pippali (Indian long pepper), and maricha (black pepper)] and Chitrak. |
| Pakvashay | Large intestine |
| Pakvashyoth | Originated from large intestine |
| Pancha | Five |
| Panchakarma | Five purification or detoxifying procedures for the purpose of internal cleansing, these are: vomiting (Vamana), purgation (Virechana), decoction/oily enema (Basti-decoction/unctuous), and nasal administration of specific medications (Nasya). Panchakarma is an integral part of Ayurvedic treatment besides other therapies and is called Shodhana chikitsa. |
| Parshva | Chest |
| Parsukas | Ribs |
| Partantra | Dependent |
| Paschat Karma | Post procedures succeeding main action |
| Patanjali | Main teacher of classical Yoga system |
| Peshi | Muscles |
| Pidika | Eruptions |
| Pitta | One of the three doshas; is responsible for body temperature, digestion, assimilation, metabolism. In nutshell responsible for biotransformation. |
| Pittashay | Gall Bladder |
| Pleeha | Spleen |
| Poorva karma | Prior actions or preparatory procedures, actions preceding main actions, here in Ayurvedic context; Oleation therapy and Sweat inducing therapy. |
| Prabhoot | Excess, Increased |
| Prakrit bal | Natural power of the body |
| Prakriti | Human constitution |
| Prakupit | Imbalanced, Vitiated |
| Prameh | Anomalies of urinary secretion |
| Pramehpidika | Carbuncle |
| Prana | Breath, energy, life force |
| Prana Yoga | Yoga of the life-force |
| Pranayama | Deep rhythmic controlled breathing (Yogic breathing exercise). |
| Pranvaha Srotas | Respiratory tract |
| Pratyahara | Yogic control of mind and senses. |
| Pravahika | Dysentery |
| Prodromal symptoms | Early symptoms indicating the onset of disease. |
| Puja | Hindu worship |
| Purgative | Anything that eliminates the waste product or toxins from the lower part of the body is purgative. Purgatives stimulate the bowel movements. Ayurvedic herbs examples: Haritaki, Triphala etc. |
| R | |
| Raj Yakshma | Pulmonary tuberculosis (Tuberculosis of the lungs) |
| Raja Yoga | Integral or royal yoga path of Patanjali |
| Rajas | Quality of energy, mobility or agitation |
| Rakta | Second of the seven dhatus; supported by Rasa, it is one of the most important dhatus; responsible for the nourishment of the other dhatus; provides strength and color to the body; the foundation of life; it can be identified with blood. |
| Rakta Mokshana | One of the methods in Panchakarma. It is calledblood-letting. This is done either by venesection or with the help of leeches. The sites depend upon the ailments. It is very useful in gout, skin disorders, pigmentation of skin, blood disorders, Alopecia/ Baldness etc. |
| Raktapitt | Haemorrhagic disease |
| Rasa | The first of the seven dhatus, rasa is derived from the digested food, and after absorption it circulates in the whole body by specific channels; its main function is to provide nutrition to every cell of the body; can be identified with plasma. |
| Rasayana | Herbs, foods, activities that prevent ageing and promote longevity |
| Rig Veda | Oldest Hindu scripture; Veda of chant |
| Rishis | Ancient Vedic seers |
| S | |
| Sadhya | Curable |
| Sadhyasadhyata | Prognosis, Outcome |
| Sahaj | Congenital |
| Samadhi | Absorption, bliss, state of super consciousness |
| Samprapti | Pathogenesis, Disease forming process |
| Samsarjana Karma | Regulated prescribed diet plan followed for a period of time after main purification or detoxification procedure before continuing with normal dietary plan or activities. |
| Sandhi | Joints |
| Sandhi Vata | Osteoarthritis |
| Sannyasa | Stage of life of renunciation. |
| Sanshamana chikitsa | Palliative Treatment |
| Sanshodhana chikitsa | Purifying/cleansing/detoxifying treatment |
| Satva | Quality of truth or light |
| Shalya Tantra | Surgery |
| Shamana | To palliate |
| Sharir | Body |
| Shaucha | Mental and bodily cleanliness |
| Shirodhara | Pouring oil or any medicated liquid over forehead through a vessel placed on a height |
| Shodana | Purification |
| Shoka | Anguish |
| Shonit | Blood |
| Shuddha | Clean, pure |
| Shuddhi | Purification |
| Shukra | The last of the seven dhatus; can be identified with the reproductive tissue; Semen. |
| Shwas Rog | Difficulty in breathing / dyspnoea |
| Shwas kashta | Difficulty in Breathing |
| Sira | Veins |
| Sneh | Oily Preparation |
| Srav | Discharge |
| Srotas | Channels, Tubes |
| Srotorodh | Obstruction of channels |
| Sthool | Obese |
| Sthoolantra | Large Intestine |
| Sushrut Samhita | An ancient text of surgery |
| Sushumna | The spinal cord |
| Sutra | A thread |
| Swarbhed | Hoarseness of voice |
| Swarsada | Hoarseness of voice |
| Swatantra | Independent |
| Swed | Sweat |
| T | |
| Tamak shwas | Bronchial Asthma |
| Tamas | Quality of darkness, ignorance and inertia |
| Tikta | Bitter |
| Tridosha | Vata, Kapha, Pitta |
| Trikatu | An ayurvedic preparation consisting of Sunthi (dry ginger), pippali (Indian long pepper), and maricha (black pepper) |
| Triphala | An ayurvedic preparation consisting of Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vibhitaka (Terminalia bellerica). |
| Trishna | Thirst |
| Twak | Skin |
| U | |
| Udak | Water |
| Udbhav | Origin |
| Upanishads | Vedic philosophical texts |
| Updrava | Complications |
| Upsarga | Contagious |
| Uru | Thigh |
| V | |
| Vamana | Therapeutic / Drug induced Vomiting; one of the five procedures of Panchakarma. Vamana done for all kapha type disorders; respiratory congestion – bronchitis – chronic cold – sinus congestion – asthma caused due to Kapha Dosha. |
| Vasa | Muscle fat |
| Vata | One of the three Doshas; wind (air); that force which keeps Kapha, Pitta, and all of the seven dhatus and the malas in motion. Responsible for all voluntary and involuntary movements of the body. In nutshell, it is the principle of motion. |
| Vatashma | Tophi |
| Vata rakta | Gout |
| Vedas | Ancient scriptures of India. |
| Veg | Episodes, Natural urges |
| Vegavrodh | Holding back of natural urges |
| Vikar | Pathology, abnormality, derangement |
| Vikriti | An imbalance or disorder |
| Virechana | Drug induced purgation; One of the procedure of Panchakarma. Senna leaves, flax seeds, Pysillium husks or Triphala in a combination are used as per requirement. Indications for Virechana: allergic rash, skin inflammation, acne, eczema, jaundice, urinary disorder, enlargement of the spleen, chronic fever, biliary vomiting etc. |
| Vispharak | Dilator |
| Vyadhi | Disease |
| Y | |
| Yajur Veda | Veda of ritual or sacrifice. |
| Yakrit | Liver |
| Yama | The five yogic attitudes |
| Yoga | Union, from ‘yuj’ – to join, techniques of developing and integrating energy, uniting with the Divine |
| Yoga Sutras | Classical text of Patanjali on Yoga. |
