Ayurvedic Glossary
Sanskrit medical terms and their meanings
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Aushadha
Medicine
Any substance used for healing; includes herbs, minerals, and animal products.
Category: Pharmacology
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Manas
Mind
The mind; the instrument of thinking, feeling, and willing. It is the bridge between the senses and consciousness.
Category: Mental
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Nasya
Nasal Therapy
Administration of medicated oils or powders through the nose to treat head and neck disorders.
Category: Therapy
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Shamana
Palliation
Pacification therapies that balance doshas without elimination. Includes herbs, diet, lifestyle changes.
Category: Therapy
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Rasa
Plasma/Taste
First dhatu (tissue); lymph and plasma. Also means taste. The six tastes are: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent.
Category: Anatomy
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Vipaka
Post-digestive Effect
The taste that emerges after digestion. Three types: Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Katu (pungent).
Category: Pharmacology
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Virya
Potency
The heating or cooling energy of a substance. Ushna (heating) or Sheeta (cooling). This is the most powerful property affecting doshas.
Category: Pharmacology
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Katu
Pungent
Pungent taste; increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha. Heating and stimulating. Examples: ginger, pepper, chili.
Category: Taste
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Virechana
Purgation
Therapeutic purgation to eliminate excess Pitta through the intestines.
Category: Therapy
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Shodhana
Purification
Elimination therapies that remove excess doshas from the body. Includes Panchakarma procedures.
Category: Therapy
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Sattva
Purity
One of three mental qualities (Gunas); represents purity, clarity, harmony, and light. The quality of pure consciousness.
Category: Mental
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Guna
Quality
The 20 fundamental qualities that describe all substances: heavy/light, cold/hot, oily/dry, dull/sharp, stable/mobile, soft/hard, smooth/rough, dense/liquid, gross/subtle, cloudy/clear.
Category: Fundamental
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Rasayana
Rejuvenation
Rejuvenation therapy; special herbs and practices that promote longevity, enhance immunity, and delay aging.
Category: Therapy
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Lavana
Salty
Salty taste; increases Pitta and Kapha, decreases Vata. Moistening and grounding. Example: sea salt, rock salt.
Category: Taste
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Ayurveda
Science of Life
Ancient Indian system of holistic medicine that focuses on preventing disease and promoting health through balance of body, mind, and spirit. Literally means "knowledge of life" or "science of longevity".
Category: Fundamental
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Ritu
Season
The six Ayurvedic seasons: Shishira (late winter), Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn), Hemanta (early winter).
Category: Fundamental
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Ritucharya
Seasonal Routine
Seasonal regimen; adjusting diet and lifestyle according to the six seasons to maintain doshic balance.
Category: Lifestyle
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Shad Rasa
Six Tastes
The six tastes that should be included in every meal: Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent).
Category: Nutrition
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Amla
Sour
Sour taste; increases Pitta and Kapha, decreases Vata. Stimulating and cleansing. Examples: lemon, yogurt, tamarind.
Category: Taste
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Prabhava
Special Action
The unique, inexplicable action of a substance that cannot be explained by taste, energy, or post-digestive effect alone.
Category: Pharmacology