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A

Aakash or Akasa – Aether element or sky. One of the 5 elements of creation.
Abhyanga – massage or self-massage with oil. Most effective administered by two medics who massage to let go the warm oil into the tissues of the entire body. This facilitates the removal of Kapha, Vata and Pitta doshas and toxins (Ama) as well.
Abramacharya = sex, sexuality
Achara Rasayana = healthy attitude, cure for the mind
Adhobhakta – Taking medicine after meals. This is to cure the imbalance of vyaan vayu.
Agada tantra – Branch of Ayurveda devoted to toxicology, a branch of Ayurveda that deals with poisons.
Agantuka – A stranger.
Agni – Fire element – is the form of fire and heat that is related to the digestive system and release of energy. One of the 5 elements of creation.
Ahamkara – Better known as ego. Ego or identity, formed by the three Gunas
Ahar – diet
Ahara rasa – It is the nutrient substance that enzymes act upon in the digestive tract.
Ajirna – Indigestion
Ajna – third eye chakra
Akriti – Appearance or shape
Alocaka (Pitta) – Pitta that governs the vision.
Alochaka (pitta) – Pitta form, sub-dosha
Ama – poison, the toxins of the body
Ama pachana – diet to digest Ama
Ama Visha – Ama or reactive toxins
Amavata – A disease caused by ama and vata, like arthritis.
Amla – Sour taste or acidic flavor.
Anahata – heart chakra
Anamaya kosha – physical body, physical layer
Anandamaya kosha – spiritual body
Angulipeedana – digital kneading (massage technique)
Anjana – Black pigment applied in eyes.
Anurasa – secondary flavor of a food
Anuvasana (Basti) – Enema that is given with an oily substance.
Apa – The element water. One of the 5 elements of creation
Apana – One of the vatas, which goes downward such as urine, menstrual blood etc.
Apana (Vayu) – Vata form, sub-dosha
Aparadha – Sin or offence
Apara-ojas – Inferior of the two types of vital fluid (ojas) present in the body.
Arsha – Sacred and pious
Artava – female reproductive tissue
Artha – It relates to meaning and the essence of a thought.
Asana – Yogasana – Posture or position
Asatmya – Bad or improper.
Ashtanga Ayurveda – The eight branches of Ayurveda
Astanga Hrdya – An ancient Ayurvedic text written by Vagabhatta
Asthi – Bone tissues that supports the body by giving it shape, protection and longevity.
Atman – The true self that governs the consciousness.
Atreya – The author of Charaka Samhita.
Aum – Aum represents the inner, outer and the super conscious stages of consciousness.
Aushadha – Medicine
Avagaha sveda – Sitz bath. Herbs are boiled in water before use.
Avalambaka (kapha) – Kapha form, sub-dosha
Avapeedana – superficial kneading (massage technique)
Avila – “murky” quality
Avyakta – Indistinct or not evident
Ayur – life, longevity
Ayur Balance – The perfect solution for achieving balance in health would be though Ayurveda. Balancing the mind, body and soul through diet, exercise, and introspection (meditation or prayer).
Ayurveda – Constituted of two words, Ayur (life) and Veda (knowledge). knowledge of life, longevity
Ayurveda Health – Ayurveda states that the health is defined as a state of balance of three physical humors and all other physical aspects, senses and psyhe when considering its original shape with respect to body and its function.
Ayurveda Massage – The massage helps to balance the doshas in order to help the patient gain fulfillment and health.
Ayurveda Spring Cleanse – Seasonal transitions are more prone for Doshic Vitiation, which means one can easily become imbalance in their health. During the spring season the transition with weather is winter completing and summer starting. When we cleanse the body as the seasons change, we are better able to avoid the imbalances that may come with the change of seasons.

B

Back Pain – According to Ayurvedic medicine, back pain is associated with “kati soola” and sciatica with “Gridhrasi”, each was examined within Ayurvedic classical text where causative factors, patho-physiology and its treatment methods were explained.
Bala – A Sanskrit word that means strength.
Bala – immune system
Bala Tantra – branch of Ayurveda dedicated to pediatrics
Balya – An energiser that strengthens the body.
Basti – Rectal enema therapy of panchkarma. It relieves constipation and chronic fever.
Bhakti – Devotion and worship of the almighty.
Bheda – appearance of the disease (phase 6 of the disease)
Bhrajaka – A type of Pitta that makes the skin shiny.
Bhrajaka (pitta) – Pitta form, sub-dosha
Bhuta Vidya – branch of Ayurveda dedicated to psychiatry
Bhutagni – The enzyme that helps in digestion process.
Bhuta-vidya – Demonology, the branch of science concerned with evil spirits.
Bodhaka – One of the five subtypes of taste located at tongue root which enables perception of taste.
Bodhaka (kapha) – Kapha form, sub-dosha
Brahma – God in Hindu mythology, who is considered to be the creator of the universe and mankind.
Brahmacharya – State of continence followed during student life while studying Vedas.
Brahma-muhurta – Two hours of time period before sunrise.
Bruhaniya – Herbs that promote growth.
Buddhi – Intellect, intelligence and wisdom

C

Caksu – Ayurvedic herbs considered good for eyes.
Carminative – natural ayurvedic herbs that cure intestinal gas and pain.
Chakra – Energy centers in the body, related to the nerve plexus center.
Chakra – location of several energy-carrying channels, points of entry and exit of the energy
Chala – “mobile” quality
Chandranamaskar – Moon salutation
Churna – Sanskrit word for powder.
Cikitsa – Science of medicine; therapy to cure illness.
Citraka Mula – A herb that improves digestive power.
Citrakadi vati – An ayurvedic medicine that consists citrak as the primary ingredient.
Consciousness – State of awareness through emotions, thoughts and sensations.
Cosmic Consciousness – In Ayurvedic treatment everything is connected. We are connected to our environment, our thoughts are connected to the illness that manifests in our body. Constipation – The main cause of constipation involves physical and mental factors. Physical factors mainly constitutes dietary. Eating food, which is GURU (difficult to digest), example red meat, cheese etc. eating fast foods or junk food, irregular eating habits, eating foods with less fiber or less roughage, excess intake of coffee or tea, sleeping late at night
Cure – State of being remedied from illness.

D

Dashamula – mixture of true acore, fennel, and dry ginger, used as a cleansing decoction
Dhatus –tissues forming the human body
Dhroni – hollowed wooden table for oil massages
Dinacharya – daily routine
Doshas – the 3 doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) determine our deep nature, their imbalance is seen as the cause of disease
Drava – “liquid” quality
Dravyaguna – Ayurvedic pharmacology

E

Endometriosis – Endometrial tissue (the inner layer of the uterus sheds once in 28 to 30 day normally. In Endometriosis the endometrial tissue may also be found in other than the uterus, such as fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterine ligaments, urinary bladder, pelvis and rarely on intestinal lining.
Erectile Dysfunction – Erectile dysfunction is inability to keep or develop an erection of penis during intercourse.

F

Five Elements – We are all made up of these five elements to a certain degree. All food is made up of these five elements as is the universe. Food as Medicine – For years, society has turned a blind eye to the philosophy that what you eat contributes to who you are. The statement may sound harsh, and although it’s not meant as a statement to upset you, it is one that requires an expansion of the mind.

G

Gara Visha – highest concentration of Ama in the body, very toxic
Garbhini paricharya – pregnant woman routine, pregnancy routine
Garshana – dry glove massage
Guna – elemental energy (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), the link that connects to the physical world
Guru – “heavy” quality

H

Headaches Ayurveda –
Healthy Aging through Ayurveda – Aging of the human body is unavoidable. It could be described as a sum total of changes that occur naturally in a living organismas time passes. These changes can lead to decreasing ability to survive stress. And increase functional impairment as the organism becomes aged. Ayurveda, the Indian traditional medicine, describes aging with great details. And offers a graceful way to move into the senior years.

I

Ida – female nadis
Infertility & Ayurveda -There are many factors which affect fertility, these include a wide range of general health and lifestyle issues. Factors such as smoking, excess caffeine intake, excess consumption of alcohol and drugs, and other medical reasons such as previous cancer treatment, obesity, and other conditions,
Insomnia & Ayurvedic – There are two different types of insomnia. Chronic and accute, accute insomnia usually experienced in shorter periods and due to stress, trauma, or pressure at work. Insomnia is defined as lack of proper sleep, trouble falling asleep, or waking up tired after the sleep.

J

Jal – element Water. One of the 5 elements of creation.
Jarahar – aging of the body
Jatharagni – digestive fire, commonly known as Agni

K

Kapha Ayurveda Constitution –
Karma – action
Kashaya – astringent flavor
Kathina – “hard” quality
Katu – pungent flavor
Kaya Chikitsa – Ayurveda branch dedicated to internal medicine
Khara – “rough” quality
Kledaka (Kapha) – Kapha form, sub-dosha
Koshas body layers
Kundalini – pure divine energy

L

Laghu – “light” quality
Lavana – salty flavor
Lepa – cosmetic treatment

M

Madhura – sweet flavor
Mahabhuta – elements
Majja – nerves and marrow (one of the 7 dhatus)
Mala – body waste
Mamsa – muscles (one of the 7 dhatus)
Manda – “slow” quality
Manipura – solar plexus chakra
Manomaya – emotional body
Marma – vital point
Meda – body fat (one of the 7 dhatus)
Menopause & Ayurveda –
Mrudu – “soft” quality
Muladhara – root chakra
Mutra – urine

N

Nadi – subtle energy channel of the body
Nasya – nasal lubrication with oil
Neti – cleaning the nasal passages with salt water
Nidan parivarjan – identification of Ama factors

O

Obesity (Weight Loss) – Ayurveda teaches that the balance of three subtle energies, known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha, maintains health. Kapha is responsible for strength and immunity. It is also the dosha that responsible for obseity. It is important to balance all three doshas, to be able to maintain a healthy weight.
Ojas – vital force at the base of the immune system and foundation of the Aura

P

Pachaka (pitta) – Pitta form, sub-dosha
Padabhyanga – foot massage
Panchakarma – detoxification cure in five actions
Parkinson’s Disease – Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of central nervous system. The early symptoms included but are not limited to shaking, rigidity, slowness in the general movements, and difficulty in walking, cognitive and behavioural problems which normally occurs in the advanced stages.
Pingala – male nadi Polycystic ovarian syndrom (PCOS) – PCOS is a common endocrine disorder in reproductive age females.
Poorvakarma – pre-cure care before Panchakarma
Prakopa – intensification (phase 2 of the disease)
Prakriti – deep nature, patient’s original doshic constitution
Prakruti – female energy
Prana (vayu) – form of Vata, sub-dosha
Prana – vital force, equivalent to Qi in Chinese, or Ki in Japanese
Pranayama – breath control, neurorespiratory integration exercises
Pranayama kosha – subtle Prana layer, vitality body
Prapeedana – deep kneading (massage technique)
Prasra – diffusion (phase 3 of the disease)
Prithivi – Earth element. One of the 5 elements of creation.
Psoriasis -Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disorder that affects 3% of world’s population. Psoriasis in Ayurvedic Medicine is mentioned under Kusta, related to the most symptoms mentioned under “Kitibha Kushta”. The disease symptoms and treatments for Psoriasis are well explained in Ayurvedic Medicine.
Purisha – stool
Purusha – masculine energy

R

Rajas – movement energy
Rakta – blood (one of the 7 dhatus)
Raktamoksha – bloodletting
Ranjaka (pitta) – form of Pitta, sub-dosha
Rasa – plasma (one of the 7 dhatus)
Rasas – flavor, taste
Rasayana – herbal ayurvedic treatment: branch of Ayurveda dedicated to geriatrics and rejuvenation
Rheumatoid Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes swelling, weakness, stiffness and loss of function in joints (some times deformity). It can affect any joint, but is more common in smaller joints. Rheumatoid refering to the lining of joints becoming inflamed. Women are more prone to it more than men.
Ruksha – “dry” quality

S

Sadaka (pitta) – form of Pitta, sub-dosha
Sahasrara – crown chakra
Salakya Tantra – Ayurveda branch dedicated to O.R.L. medicine
Samana (Vayu) – form of Vata, sub-dosha
Samkhya – knowing the truth
Sanchya – accumulation (phase 1 of the disease)
Sandra – “thick” quality
Sattva – perfect balance, perfect energy
Seven Stages of Disease –
Shalya Tantra – Ayurveda branch devoted to surgery
Shantala – newborn massage
Shirodhara – Shiro means “Head” and dhara means uninterrupted or continuous flow, Shirodhara is a rejuvenation procedure where herbal oils, medicated milk, medicated butter milk, etc will be poured on the forehead in a certain way for 45 to 60minutes, this treatement is usually recommend for 7 to 21 days.
Shirodhara – flow of oil on the head
Shita – “cold” quality
Shodhana – detoxifying diet
Shramhar – tiredness
Shukra – reproductive tissue (one of 7 dhatus)
Slakshna – “viscous” quality Sleep Disturbances and Adrenal Health – Many of us complain about not getting enough sleep. But some people have the opposite complaint. They sleep too much (hypersomnia).
Slesaka (Kapha) – Kapha form, sub-dosha
Sneha – oil / love
Snehana – oleation
Snigdha – “oily” quality
Srotas – energy channels of the body
Sthana samshraya – localization (phase 4 of the disease)
Sthira – “sattvic” quality
Sthula – “coarse” quality
Sukshma – “subtle” quality
Suryanamaskar – salutation to the sun
Sushumna – cental Nadi
Svadhisthana – under the navel chakra
Sweda – sweat
Swedana – sweating

T

Tamas – inertia energy, laziness
Tarpaka (kapha) – Kapha form, sub-dosha
Tejas – vital force connected to Agni, metabolism.
Thyroid Dysfunction – Thyroid issues are the most common endocrine dysfunctions. Patients that are suffering from thyroid disorders will have either hypo or hyper function of the gland.
Tikshna – “sharp” quality
Tikta – bitter taste

U

Udana (Vayu) – Vata form, sub-dosha
Udvartana – massage with powder or herb paste.
Ushna – “hot” quality
UTI: Ayurvedic View – UTIs are due to an imbalance within ‘pitta dosha’. This is mainly dominated by the fire.

V

Vajikarana – branch of Ayurveda focusing on fertility
Vamana – vomiting
Vata: Ayurvedic Biomaterials –
Vayu – air element, can also be spelled Vaayu
Veda – wisdom, knowledge
Vichar – thoughts
Vihar – lifestyle of an individual
Vijnanamaya kosha – mental body
Vikruti – doshic constitution at a precise moment
Virechana – laxative purge
Vishada – “clear” quality
Vishesh – very deep Abhyanga massage
Vishuddha – throat chakra
Vitiligo -Ayurvedic View –
Vyakti – manifestation (phase 5 of the disease)
Vyana (Vayu) – form of Vata, sub-dosha

Y

Yoga asana – neuromuscular integration exercise