Glossary of Ayurvedic Terms

Medicinal Herbs

Now a days there is a rush to Ayurveda and is due to various reasons. There is a tendency among people to look positively at alternative medicines and treatments. Their knowledge about alternative and herbal medicine is increasing day by day because of the top results achieved by these systems like the ability to offer cure for chronic diseases, comprehensive but simple treatment methods and the most important with very little side-effects. Even Ayurveda houses for healthy living are started building in state Kerala(India). Thousands of people used to search Internet day by day to know about Ayurveda, and to understand properly, the knowledge about the common terms is necessary. Here in this hub I decided to include the common terms used in Ayurveda and its definitions.

• Ashtanga Hrdayam- One among the three important books in Classical Ayurveda (two other are Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita), written by Vagbhata.
• Asana- Yoga posture
• Ama- The waste products accumulated in cells which is the residue of their own metabolism or in other ward undigested food. Also impure or negative thoughts and moods are called mental ama.
• Artva- Menstrual blood.
• Agada tantra- Toxicology, a branch of Ayurveda dealing with poisons.
• Anupana- A fluid accompanied with medicine.
• Arishta- Fermented formulation.
• Artha- Prosperity.
• Agni- The digestive fire.
• Abhyanga- Oil massage.
• Akasha- Ether or space
• Anna- Food
• Arthritis- Inflammation of joints
• Ashvini Mudra- Practice of contracting anal sphincter muscles in Yoga
• Asthi- Bone
• Ajirna- Indigestion or weak digestion.
• Amla- Sour taste
• Apana- Acts in the downward direction of the body.
• Astringent- Medicines that cause shrinkage of body tissue(mucous membrane).
• Bhasma- Residue after incineration.
• Bhajani- A mixture of roasted cereals.
• Bhala- Means strength
• Balya- The energizer that gives strength to body
• Bile- A fluid secreted by the liver which flows into the small intestine, and is stored in the gallbladder.
• Brahma- The creator and the first god in Hindu religion.
• Brahma- Muhurtam- Time period (2 hours) before sunrise.
• Bhoota- Element, "essence" or "fundamental"
• Charaka samhita- One of the oldest Ayurvedic text.
• Churna- Powdered herbal medicine.
• Chyavanprash- A combination of amla, honey and other 45 ingredients.
• Chakra- Energy centers in the body which controls body functions.
• Chikitsa- Treatment.

• Dharma- Career.
• Dhara- One of the preparatory procedures for panchakarma. Specially trained masseurs apply specified medicated oil on the body of the patient.
• Dinacharya- Daily routine.
• Drava- Liquid.
• Dhatu- Body's basic constituent.
• Dosha- Body mind composition.
• Gati- Quality of the pulse.
• Ghrita- Ghee based drug.
• Gulika- Pill.
• Ghritham- Ghee based drug.
• Guggulu- A gum from the herb called Indian bedellium.
• Guru- Teacher, spiritual teacher.
• Grahani- Chronic diarrhea.
• Hatha Yoga- Yoga of physical postures.
• Isvara- God.
• Isabgol- Herb used as laxative.
• Jiva- Individual soul.
• Japa- Repetition of mantras.
• Jalauka- Leech.
• Jathara- Stomach or abdomen
• Kama- Sexual desire.
• Kapha- One of the three doshas, the body structure itself, including muscles, skeleton, tendons, ligaments and fascia.
• Kala- Time period.
• Kundalini- Potential energy lying dormant at the base of the spine.
• Keshyam- Natural herbs and substances that strengthen hair and the hair root.
• Karana- cause.
• Kaya-Chikitsa- Treatment, internal medicine.
• Kriya- Action.
• Mala- Metabolic end products.
• Mahabhoota- Big main elements.
• Majja- Bone marrow.
• Madhura- Sweet.
• Manthram- Sacred words.
• Marma- A junction point between consciousness and matter or weak Vital points.
• Maya- Illusion.
• Moksha- It means liberation, freedom in every aspect and every way of life.
• Manas- Mind.
• Mandagni- Weak digestive fire.
• Mudra- A sign, position commonly practiced in Yoga.
• Mutra- Urine.

• Nasya- Nasal application of medicated oil.
• Nadi- Pulse.
• Netra- Eye.
• Nidana- Cause of the disease and investigating it.
• Njavarakizhi- The whole body, or a specific part, is made to perspire by the application of certain medical herbs applied for 45-90 minutes a day for 14 days. This treatment is given for rheumatism, emaciation of limbs, high blood pressure, cholesterol and certain skin conditions.
• Nidra- Sleep.
• Ojas- Vigor, strength and vitality.
• Panchakarma- The five cleaning methods to maintain the equilibrium of three doshas.
• Pitta- The qualities of pitta is same as the qualities of digestive juices.(metabolism)
• Prana- meaning outgoing moving air, the vital energy and basic life force.
• Pranayama- Breathing exercise for purifying blood and internal organs.
• Prakriti- Relationship between self and matter or natural state or constitution.
• Prithvi- Earth.
• Raktadhatu- Blood.
• Rasayana- Ayurvedic therapy and preparation for longevity and rejuvenation.
• Roga- Disease.
• Shukra- Reproductive tissue.
• Snehana- Lubricating, the oleation therapy.
• Snehapanam- The oral intake medicated ghee as a part of body purification.
• Shirodhara- Pouring of warm oil onto the forehead for 40 minutes to treat loss of memory, insomnia, headaches, mental tension, and certain skin diseases.
• Sodhanam- Purification therapy.
• Swedanam- The main aim is to generate sweat to detoxify the body using medicated steam.
• Sweda- Sweat.
• Takra- Buttermilk.
• Tikta- Bitter taste.
• Tridosha- Three doshas.
• Triguna- Three qualities of nature.
• Uttanapadasana- A yoga posture.
• Udvarthanam- A powder massage effective for obesity, hemiplegia, paralysis, skin diseases and impaired circulation.
• Ushma- Hot.
• Vata- The force that keeps pitta, kapha, all the seven dhatus and the malas in motion.The dosha responsible for all movement in the body.
• Varsha- Mansoon.
• Vamana- Therapeutic vomiting.
• Vaidya- Ayurvedic doctor.
• Virechanam- Medicated Purgation.
• Yantra- It is a visual concentration for each chakra used to channel psychic force.
• Yakrit- Liver.