Glossary (A–Z)

Appendix A: Full Glossary (A-Z)

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A

Abhyanga

Oil massage, done by a therapist or as gentle self-care. Used to support warmth, steadiness, and dryness patterns.

Achara Rasayana

Rejuvenation through conduct. Daily behaviours that build reserve, clarity, and resilience.

Acharya

A respected teacher or senior authority in a tradition.

Agnikarma

A classical heat-based procedure used in clinical contexts. Always clinician-led.

Agni

Digestive and metabolic capacity. The body’s ability to transform food and experiences into usable energy and nourishment.

Ahara

Food and diet, including timing, preparation, and the state you eat in.

Ahamkara

I-making. The sense of ego or personal identity.

Akasha

Space element. Capacity, openness, the room that allows function.

Alochaka Pitta

A subtype of Pitta linked with vision and perception.

Ama

Residue of incomplete digestion and processing. Often linked with heaviness, fog, and sluggishness.

Annavaha Srotas

Channels related to food intake and digestive movement.

Anupana

The vehicle taken with a medicine or food (for example warm water, ghee, honey), chosen to guide action and digestion.

Apana Vata

A subtype of Vata linked with elimination and downward movement.

Arishta

Fermented herbal tonic. Clinician-guided use.

Asana

Yoga posture.

Asava

Fermented herbal tonic. Clinician-guided use.

Ashta Ahara Vidhi Visheshayatana

The eight factors that influence how food affects you (nature of food, preparation, combination, quantity, place, time, eating rules, the eater).

Ashta Sthana Pariksha

Eightfold examination in Ayurveda (varies by lineage), often including pulse, urine, stool, tongue, voice, touch, eyes, and overall appearance.

Asthi Dhatu

Bone and structural tissue layer.

Avalambaka Kapha

A subtype of Kapha linked with chest support and stability.

Avaleha / Lehyam

Herbal jam or paste preparation. Clinician-guided use.

Ayurveda

Knowledge of life. A traditional system focused on balance, prevention, and personalised care.

B

Basti

Therapeutic enema therapy used in Ayurveda under supervision. Often central in Panchakarma plans.

Bheda

The sixth stage in Shadkriyakala, where patterns become more complex and differentiated.

Bhava

Inner state or mental attitude.

Bhrajaka Pitta

A subtype of Pitta linked with skin metabolism and complexion.

Bhutagni

The five elemental processing fires that support deeper transformation of nourishment.

Bodhaka Kapha

A subtype of Kapha linked with taste and saliva.

Brahmacharya

Wise use of energy and senses. Often linked with moderation and conservation of reserve.

Brahmi

A herb traditionally used to support mental clarity and calm, clinician-guided.

C

Charaka Samhita

A classical Ayurveda text focused on internal medicine and principles.

Chikitsa

Treatment or therapeutic approach.

Chikitsa Sutra

Treatment principle or guiding logic for a condition or pattern.

Churna

Herbal powder preparation.

Chakra

Energetic centre concept used in yoga traditions. Not required to practise Ayurveda well, used in some lineages.

Chedana

Scraping or reducing heaviness, often linked with Kapha reduction strategies.

D

Darshana

Observation (one part of classic assessment).

Deepana

Supporting appetite and digestive readiness.

Desha

Place, region, and climate. A key factor in how food and routine affect you.

Dhara

A therapy method where a continuous stream of liquid is applied (often on the forehead in Shirodhara).

Dhatu

Tissue layer. Ayurveda describes seven dhatus.

Dhatvagni

Tissue-level fires that govern transformation within each dhatu.

Dinacharya

Daily routine aligned to health and balance.

Dosha

Organising principle governing function. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

Drik Pariksha

Eye observation in Ayurvedic assessment.

Dushya

Affected tissue or substrate where imbalance expresses.

E

Ekadosha / Ekaja Prakriti

A rare constitution described as predominantly one dosha.

F

Fomentation

Warming approach, commonly referred to as Swedana in Ayurveda.

G

Ghrita

Ghee, often used as a food and as a base for medicated ghee preparations.

Greeva Basti

Localised oil-holding therapy around the neck region.

Grishma

Summer season (traditional seasonal classification).

Guna

Quality or attribute (for example hot, cold, dry, oily, heavy, light). Also refers to the three mind qualities: sattva, rajas, tamas.

Guduchi

A herb traditionally used in Ayurveda, clinician-guided.

H

Hrid Basti

Localised oil-holding therapy around the chest region.

Hatha Yoga

A branch of yoga focused on physical practice and breath.

Hita

Beneficial, suitable, wholesome (often used in food and lifestyle context).

I

Indriya

Sense organs and sensory function.

Ishvara Pranidhana

Surrender or devotion principle from yoga traditions, used by some practitioners as a mental anchor.

J

Jala

Water element. Cohesion, lubrication, fluidity.

Jatharagni

Main digestive fire governing digestion and assimilation.

Jihva

Tongue (used in assessment).

Janu Basti

Localised oil-holding therapy around the knee region.

K

Kala

Time. Includes time of day and seasonal timing.

Kalabasti / Yoga Basti

Structured basti schedules (specific clinical patterns), clinician-led.

Kapha

Dosha of structure and stability (earth + water). Linked with nourishment, lubrication, steadiness.

Karna Purana

Ear oil therapy administered under supervision.

Kashaya / Kwatha

Herbal decoction (simmered preparation).

Kati Basti

Localised oil-holding therapy around the lower back.

Kledaka Kapha

A subtype of Kapha linked with stomach lubrication and protection.

Kosha

Sheath concept used in yoga philosophy. Not required for basic Ayurveda practice.

Krimi

A term used in classical texts for organisms/infestations (context varies).

Kshara

Alkaline preparation used in certain classical procedures, clinician-led.

Kshara Sutra

A specialised clinical procedure (often for fistula), always clinician-led.

Kshudha

Appetite and hunger signals.

L

Langhana

Lightening approach. Used when heaviness or load is high, clinician-guided.

Lepa

Herbal paste or pack applied to the body.

Lobha

Greed or grasping (mental quality in some frameworks).

M

Mala

Waste products. Commonly discussed: stool (purisha), urine (mutra), sweat (sweda).

Manas

Mind.

Manovaha Srotas

Functional channels linked with mind and perception (term used in some lineages).

Marma

Vital points where multiple structures meet. Applied gently and skillfully.

Mamsa Dhatu

Muscle tissue layer.

Meda Dhatu

Fat and lubrication tissue layer.

Mudra

Gesture or seal used in yoga and meditation traditions.

Mutra

Urine (a main mala).

Mutravaha Srotas

Channels related to urine flow and urinary function.

N

Nadi

Pulse and also channel in some contexts.

Nadi Pariksha

Pulse assessment in Ayurveda (usage varies by lineage).

Nasya

Nasal therapy, clinician-led.

Nidana

Causes and triggers.

Nidana Panchaka

Fivefold diagnostic method (varies by lineage) to understand cause, symptoms, path, and progression.

Nidra

Sleep.

Nirama

Without ama (cleaner pattern, less sticky load).

Niruha Basti

A type of basti using a decoction-based mixture, clinician-led.

Nourishment models

Classic metaphors for how dhatus are fed (irrigation model, milk-to-yoghurt model, grain-and-birds model).

O

Ojas

Deep reserve and resilience. Often felt as steadiness, recovery capacity, and inner stability.

Oleation (Snehana)

Oil-based preparation, external or internal, clinician-guided.

P

Pachana

Supporting processing and reduction of ama through digestion support.

Panchakarma

Classical cleansing and restorative process (phased), clinician-led.

Pancha Mahabhuta

The five great elements (space, air, fire, water, earth).

Pitta

Dosha of transformation (fire + water). Linked with metabolism, heat, focus, intensity.

Prabhava

Specific action of a substance not explained only by taste and qualities.

Pradhana Karma

Main Panchakarma procedures phase.

Prakopa

Second stage of Shadkriyakala (aggravation).

Prakriti

Baseline constitution.

Prana

Vital current, closely linked with breath and nervous system vitality.

Pranavaha Srotas

Channels related to breath and prana function.

Pranayama

Breath practice.

Prasara

Third stage of Shadkriyakala (spread).

Pratimarsha Nasya

Very small-dose nasal oil practice in some traditions, clinician-guided.

Prajnaparadha

Mistake of the intellect. Repeated choices that go against wellbeing, often under stress and overstimulation.

Purisha

Stool (a main mala).

Purva Karma

Preparation phase before main Panchakarma procedures.

R

Rajas

Mind quality of agitation, movement, drive, restlessness.

Rakta Dhatu

Blood tissue layer.

Raktamokshana

Classical blood-related procedure, highly restricted and clinician-led.

Rasa

Taste, and also first nourishment tissue (rasa dhatu) depending on context.

Rasa Dhatu

Fluids and first nourishment layer after digestion.

Rasayana

Rejuvenation direction of care aimed at rebuilding reserve and steadiness.

Rasavaha Srotas

Channels related to circulation of first nourishment.

Ritucharya

Seasonal routine and seasonal intelligence.

Roga

Condition or disease pattern.

Rogi

The person (the patient).

Rukshana

Drying/lightening approach used when heaviness is high, clinician-guided.

S

Sadhaka Pitta

A subtype of Pitta linked with mental processing, ambition, emotional heat.

Sadvritta

Good conduct and supportive habits that protect the mind and social harmony.

Samagni

Balanced digestion.

Samana Vata

A subtype of Vata linked with digestion coordination and appetite rhythm.

Samanya Vishesha

Principle that like increases like, opposites restore balance.

Samprapti

How a pattern develops over time (pathogenesis).

Sama

With ama present (sticky, reactive, loaded pattern).

Sanchaya

First stage of Shadkriyakala (accumulation).

Satmya

Suitability and habituation. What suits one person due to long adaptation.

Sattva

Mind quality of clarity and steadiness.

Shad Rasa

The six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent).

Shadkriyakala

Six stages of imbalance progression.

Shamana

Pacifying and stabilising approach (food, routine, gentle support).

Shleshaka Kapha

A subtype of Kapha linked with joint lubrication.

Shirodhara

Continuous stream therapy over the forehead, clinician-guided.

Shirovasti

Head oil retention therapy, clinician-led.

Shiro Pichu

Oil-soaked pad applied to head region, clinician-guided.

Shodhana

Clearing approach (cleansing) used when appropriate and supervised.

Shodhana Nasya

Clearing type of nasya, clinician-led.

Shukra / Artava Dhatu

Reproductive vitality tissue layer (male and female contexts respectively).

Snehana

Oleation, external or internal, clinician-guided.

Sparshana

Touch assessment (one part of classic assessment).

Srotas

Channels and pathways in the body.

Srotodushti

Disturbance of channels (obstruction, excess, weakness, misdirection, dryness).

Sthana Samshraya

Fourth stage of Shadkriyakala (localisation).

Sushruta Samhita

Classical Ayurveda text with strong surgical and procedural emphasis.

Sweda

Sweat (a main mala).

Swedana

Therapeutic heat and sweating therapies.

T

Tamas

Mind quality of heaviness, inertia, fog, shutdown.

Taila

Oil, often medicated in therapy contexts.

Tejas

Inner brightness and transformative clarity.

Tikshnagni

Sharp digestion pattern (often heat-driven).

Tridosha

The three doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

Triphala

Classical three-fruit formula often used in Ayurveda, clinician-guided.

Tarpaka Kapha

A subtype of Kapha linked with nourishment of the nervous system and sense organs.

U

Udakavaha Srotas

Channels related to water regulation.

Udana Vata

A subtype of Vata linked with voice, expression, upward movement.

Udvartana

Powder massage therapy, often used for heaviness and stagnation patterns.

Upanaha Sweda

Warm paste or poultice-style heat therapy, clinician-guided.

Upayoga-samstha

Rules of eating (timing, attention, quantity, suitability).

Upayokta

The eater (your constitution, current state, digestion, lifestyle, season).

V

Vaidya

Ayurvedic doctor or practitioner.

Vamana

Therapeutic emesis procedure, clinician-led.

Vata

Dosha of movement (space + air). Linked with nerves, circulation, elimination, dryness, variability.

Vatahara

Vata-calming direction (warmth, steadiness, nourishment).

Vayu

Air element. Movement, messaging, change.

Vihara

Lifestyle and daily living, including sleep, movement, recovery, rhythm.

Virechana

Therapeutic purgation procedure, clinician-led.

Virya

Heating or cooling potency of a substance.

Vipaka

Post-digestive effect of a substance.

Vyakti

Fifth stage of Shadkriyakala (manifestation).

Vyana Vata

A subtype of Vata linked with circulation and distribution through the body.

Y

Yoga

Union and disciplined practice. Here, yoga is used as a supportive tool for movement, breath, and steadiness.

Yoga Nidra

Guided deep rest practice (yogic sleep) used for nervous system settling.

Yukti

Intelligent application of principles; practical reasoning in Ayurveda.

Z

Zzz

The only thing you need to remember at the end of this glossary: protect your sleep runway.

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