Ayurvedic Glossary
Sanskrit medical terms and their meanings
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Rajas
Activity
One of three mental qualities; represents activity, passion, desire, and attachment. Necessary for action but causes restlessness.
Category: Mental
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Vajikarana
Aphrodisiac
Therapies that enhance sexual vitality, fertility, and virility. A branch of Ayurveda dedicated to reproductive health.
Category: Therapy
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Kashaya
Astringent
Astringent taste; increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha. Drying and contracting. Examples: pomegranate, beans, tea.
Category: Taste
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Dosha
Biological Humor
The three fundamental energies (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) that govern all biological, psychological, and physiopathological functions of body, mind, and consciousness.
Category: Fundamental
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Tikta
Bitter
Bitter taste; increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha. Cooling and cleansing. Examples: turmeric, neem, bitter melon.
Category: Taste
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Rakta
Blood
Second dhatu; blood tissue responsible for oxygenation and nourishment. Governed primarily by Pitta dosha.
Category: Anatomy
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Srotas
Body Channel
The physical channels or systems of the body including circulatory, digestive, respiratory, etc.
Category: Anatomy
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Nadi
Channel
The subtle energy channels through which Prana flows. Also refers to the pulse used in diagnosis.
Category: Anatomy
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Prakriti
Constitution
An individual's unique psychophysiological constitution determined at conception. It represents the natural state of balance for each person and remains constant throughout life.
Category: Fundamental
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Vikriti
Current State
The current state of imbalance in the doshas, which deviates from one's natural Prakriti. Represents the present condition of health or disease.
Category: Fundamental
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Dinacharya
Daily Routine
The ideal daily routine including waking before sunrise, elimination, tongue scraping, oil pulling, exercise, meditation, and regular meal times.
Category: Lifestyle
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Ahara
Diet
Food and drink; one of the three pillars of life along with sleep and celibacy. Proper diet is medicine; improper diet is poison.
Category: Nutrition
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Agni
Digestive Fire
The biological fire governing digestion and metabolism at all levels. There are 13 types of Agni in the body. Strong Agni is the key to health.
Category: Digestion
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Basti
Enema Therapy
Medicated enema therapy; considered the most powerful treatment for Vata disorders.
Category: Therapy
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Pitta
Fire Principle
The dosha composed of fire and water elements. Governs all transformation, digestion, metabolism, and intelligence. Qualities: hot, sharp, light, oily, liquid, spreading, sour.
Category: Dosha
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Panchakarma
Five Actions
The five primary purification therapies: Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), Basti (enema), Nasya (nasal), Raktamokshana (bloodletting).
Category: Therapy
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Viruddha Ahara
Incompatible Foods
Food combinations that disturb digestion and create Ama. Examples: milk with fish, honey heated above 40┬░C, fruit with milk.
Category: Nutrition
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Tamas
Inertia
One of three mental qualities; represents darkness, ignorance, inertia, and heaviness.
Category: Mental
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Tejas
Inner Radiance
The subtle essence of Pitta; inner fire governing intelligence, courage, and digestion at all levels.
Category: Fundamental
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Prana
Life Force
The vital life energy that animates all living beings. A subtle form of Vata that governs consciousness, respiration, and circulation.
Category: Fundamental