Glossary

Glossary

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  • Abhyanga

    Massage-like therapies

  • Acidity

    Increase in the acid content of stomach; a sign of indigestion

  • Adrenergic

    Term applied to sympathetic nerves which liberate adrenaline and noradrenaline from their terminations

  • Agni

    Digestive enzymes

  • Ahimsa

    Non-violence

  • Ajapa

    The Gayatri mantra that brings salvation

  • Ajirna

    Indigestion

  • Ajna chakra

    Third eye or intuitive eye

  • Akasha

    Space

  • Akshe-paka

    Convulsions

  • Alaji

    A painful mouth eruption emitting discharge

  • Alasaka

    A digestive disorder

  • Albumin.

    Any of a class of water-soluble proteins found in egg-white, milk, blood, etc.

  • Alepa/ atepanam

    Medicated pastes for ulcers

  • Allaepauk

    Ginger jam with additional spices

  • Allergen.

    Any substance that causes an allergic reaction.

  • Alochaka Pitta

    One of the five Pitta subdoshas; resides in the retina of the eyes and governs sight.

  • Alopecia

    Baldness, loss of hair, a natural or abnormal condition

  • Ama

    Sour

  • Amenorrhea

    Suppression or absence of menstruation

  • Amlapitta

    Acid gastritis

  • Anaha

    A digestive disorder involving ama and /or feces accumulation in the digestive tract

  • Anahata chakra

    Fourth or heart chakra

  • Analgesic

    agent that relieves or reduces pain

  • Anasarca

    An edema-like swelling

  • Anemia

    decreased oxygen carrying capacity of blood, decrease hemoglobin content of blood

  • Angina

    sense of suffocation or constriction

  • Angina pectoris

    Pain in the chest brought on by exertion, occurring due to an inadequate blood supply to the heart.

  • Anguli/ angula

    Finger width measurement

  • Ani marma

    Energy point governing muscle tension (located just above the knees)

  • Anjana

    Eye salves

  • Anna lepa

    Poultice used when pinda sweda is contraindicated or ineffective

  • Annamaya kosha

    Food cell

  • Annavaha srota

    Digestive system channels of transport

  • anoopsi

    great,good,fine,nicest

  • Antacids

    agents, which neutralize excessive acidity in the stomach

  • Anthelmintic

    Agents, which destroy or expel intestinal worms (e.g. Vidanga, Male fern root, Chenopodium). Any drug or agent used to destroy parasitic worms, especially intestinal ones

  • Antidiabetic

    medicine preventing or overcoming diabetes by lowering blood sugar

  • Antidysenteric

    medicine given against dysentery

  • Antiemetic

    which prevents or lessens the tendency to vomit

  • Antigen

    A foreign substance which causes the body to produce antibodies.

  • Antipyretic drug.

    A drug that reduces fever.

  • Antiseptics

    inhibits or retards or prevents the growth and reproduction or arrests the development of bacteria or other microorganisms on the surface of body or in vitro

  • Antitussive

    any measures which suppress cough

  • Antraja vriddhi

    Inguinal hernia

  • Anupana

    A food medium or vehicle that transports herbs to the tissue levels (e.g., honey)

  • Anuvasana basti

    Unctuous medicated enema

  • Ap

    Water element

  • Apan Vayu

    One of the five Vayu subdoshas; downward moving air

  • Apanahas svedhana

    Hot poultice applied to body then wrapped in heated cloth

  • Aparigraha

    Not chasing after material wealth

  • Apartarpana

    Reducing or detoxifying therapies

  • Apasmara

    Epilepsy

  • Arbuda

    Cancer

  • Ardha matsyendrasana

    Alternate spinal twist yoga pose

  • Arishtha/ asava

    Medicated wines

  • Arochaka

    Anorexia

  • Arogya

    Health

  • Arrhythmias

    any deviation from the normal rhythm of the heart

  • Arshas

    Hemorrhoids

  • Artavaha srota

    Uterus channels

  • Arthralgia

    pain in a joint, especially when there is no inflammation

  • Arthritis

    inflammation of joints

  • Asana

    Hatha yoga postures

  • Asanas

    Body postures adopted in Yoga.

  • Asava, arishtha

    Medicated wines

  • Ashaya

    Containers within the body

  • Ashcotana

    Therapy using eye drops

  • Ashtabindu

    Eight drops

  • Ashtanga Hridayam

    One of the three main ancient Ayurvedic texts

  • Asrigdara

    Menorrhagia

  • Asthapana or niruha basti

    Non-oily enema

  • Asthi

    Bone tissue

  • Astivaha srota

    Bone channels

  • Astringent

    an agent, which contract tissues and checks secretions, allay inflammations, acts as styptic (stops capillary blood flow), stimulates epithelial growth locally, acts as antiseptic and protective

  • Atisara

    Diarrhea

  • Atreya

    Author of Charak Samhita

  • Aum

    First sound of creation

  • Aupadravikam adhyayam

    Eye diseases

  • Avagahan

    Soaking in a tub of medicated water

  • Avalambaka Kapha

    One of the five Kapha subdoshas; found in the chest and creates cohesion, softness, moistness, and liquidity, which results in maintaining body strength.

  • Avaleha

    Confections

  • Avapida

    Nasal therapy using fresh herb juices

  • Ayurveda

    Science of life and longevity

  • Bahihpragna

    Perceiving the world through the senses

  • Bahya kumbhaka

    Outer breath retention

  • Baikhari

    Audible sounds produced by the throat

  • Bajra nadi

    First subtler channel in sushumna

  • Balamaya pratihedha

    Children?s diseases

  • Bandhas

    Energy locks used during yoga poses

  • Basmati rice

    A sweet, nutritious, and easily digesed riceq

  • Basti

    Bladder or medicated enema-one of the five pancha karma therapies

  • Basti marma

    Energy center below the navel; governing apana Vayu, Kapha, urine function

  • Bhagandara

    Fistula-in-ano

  • Bhagnam

    Fractures

  • Bhajans

    Singing of religious songs

  • Bhasma

    Burnt metals or gems (generally for ingesting)

  • Bhastra kumbhaka

    Bellows breath exercise

  • Bhesan

    Chick pea (also called garbanzo and channa)

  • Bhrajaka Pitta

    One of the five Pitta subdoshas; resides in the skin. It regulates complexion by keeping secretions from the sweat and sebaceous glands of the skin active.

  • Bhramari kumbhaka

    Humming-bee breath

  • Bhujangasana

    Serpent pose

  • Bhujangini mudra

    Breathing exercise for stomach diseases and digestion.

  • Bhut Vidya

    Ayurvedic psychiatry

  • Bhutagnis

    Five digestive enzymes and metabolize the five elements

  • Bidalika

    Tonsillitis

  • Bij

    Seed

  • Bikshepa

    Hallucination energy of the causal or essential body.

  • Bindu

    Semen or ovum

  • Bodhaka Kapha

    One of the five Kapha subdoshas; found in the tongue and is responsible for taste

  • Brahma

    Name of God of creation.

  • Brahmacharya

    Celibacy; one who follows a spiritual lifestyle including celibacy (certain religious married couples have their own form of brahmacharya).

  • Brahman

    A name for eternal, unmanifest God

  • Brahmanadi

    Subtlest channel in the sushumna

  • Brahmarandhra

    Area in the crown chakra

  • Brahmi

    Gotu kola

  • brahmi ghee

    A rejuvenating herbal/ghee therapy with brahmi as the main ingredient.

  • Brihat Samhita

    A Jyotish astrology text.

  • Brimhana

    Nourishing therapies in pancha karma

  • Bronchietasis

    Dilatation onf the bronchi, the air passages

  • Bronchitis

    illness caused by the inflammation of bronchial tree in the lungs

  • Caecum

    A blind-ended pouch at the junction of the small and large intestines

  • Cala

    Moving quality of food.

  • Calculus

    A stone or stony mass of minerals formed within the body.

  • Camphor

    A white, translucent, crystalline, swiftly-evaporating substance with an aromatic smell.

  • Cardiac ischaemia.

    A reduction of blood supply to the heart.

  • Carminative

    having the power to relieve flatulence and associated colic

  • Carminative.

    .A mixture of medicines which sharpens the appetite

  • Chai

    Tea

  • Chaitanya

    Consciousness

  • Chakra

    Spiritual energy centers in the body.

  • Chandrabheda pranayama

    Left-nostril breathing exercise

  • Channa dal

    Chick peas or garbanzo beans

  • Charak

    Pen name of author of Charak Samhita (Lord Atreya)

  • Charak samhita

    One of the three main ancient Ayurvedic texts

  • Chardi

    Vomiting

  • Chitrini

    Second subtlest channel in the sushumna

  • Cholinergic

    applied to parasympathetic nerves, which liberate acetylcholine at their terminations

  • Choti ela

    Small cardamom seeds

  • Churnas

    Herb powders

  • Chyavan prash

    Herbal rejuvanative jam with amalaki and ghee as its main ingredients

  • Cirrhosis

    degenerative changes in the liver which results in fibrosis

  • Cirrhosis.

    A chronic disease of the liver marked by the degeneration of cells and the thickening of surrounding tissues, as a result of alcoholism, hepatitis, etc.

  • Coitus

    the act of sexual intercourse; copulation

  • Colic

    pain due to contraction of smooth muscles in the walls of intestines or genitourinary system

  • Conjunctivitis

    inflammation of the conjunctiva

  • Coronary thrombosis.

    A blockage of the blood flow caused by a blood in a coronary artery.

  • Cortisone

    A steroid harmone produced by the outer part of the adrenal glands or synthetically, and used medicinally, especially against inflammation and allergy.

  • Crystalluria

    excretion of crystals in the urine

  • Emulsion

    A fine dispersion of fatty liquid in another liquid, usually water.

  • Endocrine glands.

    Glands secreting directly into the blood stream-also known as ductless glands.

  • Endometrium.

    The membrane lining of the womb

  • Endotoxin

    A toxin produced inside certain bacteria.

  • Expectorant

    A medication that facilitates the coughing out of phlegm, etc.

  • Exporthalmic goitre.

    Overactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in eyeballs protruding out.

  • Galaganda

    Goiter

  • Ganges

    Famous river in India believed to believed to posess spiritual healing powers

  • Gangotri

    A holy place near the source of the

  • Garuda Purana

    Ancient Vedic text that discusses gems.

  • Gayatri mantra

    Mantra for salvation

  • Ghee

    Clarified butter

  • Ghrita

    Another word for ghee

  • Glutanic acid

    A naturally occurring amino-acid, a constituent of many proteins.

  • Gomedha

    Hessonite garnet used for healing in Ayurveda and Jyotish astrology

  • Gomukhasana

    Cow-face yoga pose

  • Gonads

    . Testicles or ovaries.

  • Goraksha Samhita

    A major hatha yoga treatise

  • Grahani

    Duodenum. Digestive disorders

  • Gridhrasi

    Sciatica

  • Grishma

    Summer

  • Guda

    (jaggery) a form of pure cane sugar

  • Gulma

    Abdominal tumors

  • Gunas

    Three qualities or the fundamental laws of nature (sattwa: creation, rajas: maintainance, tamas: dissolution)

  • Guru

    Teacher; also heavy quality of foods.

  • Guti

    Herbal pills

  • Ida

    Left or lunar channel, associated with pingala; surrounding the sushumna

  • Infarction.

    A small localized area of dead tissue caused by an inadequate blood supply.

  • Infusion.

    A liquid obtained by steeping the herb, etc. in liquid to extract the content.

  • Insulin.

    A hormone produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langherhans, regulating the amount of glucose in the blood and the lack of which causes diabetes.

  • Odana

    Soft, plain basmati rice meal

  • Ojas

    Life sap; essence of immune system and spiritual energy

  • Oxalic acid.

    A mild and sour acid found in some fruits and herbs.

  • Pachaka agni

    Responsible for digestion

  • Pachaka Pitta

    One of the five Pitta subdoshas; the main digestive enzymes, they are found in the small intestine, stomach, and colon as non-liquid heat, bile, or digestive fire. The fire digests and transforms food, emulsifying food fats and separating absorbable nutrients from waste, so they may be passed to lacteals by absorption.

  • Padabhyanga

    Foot massage

  • Padma

    Lotus

  • Padmasana

    Lotus yoga pose

  • Pancha karma

    Five cleansing therapies; vaman, virechan, basti, nasya, rakta moksha

  • Panchang

    Ephemeris

  • Pandu-roga

    Anemia

  • Panir

    Home made Indian ricotta cheese

  • Pantha

    Passages within the body

  • Pantothenic acid.

    A vitamin of the B complex group which is essential for the oxidation of fats and carbohydrates.

  • Para nada

    Sound evolving from kundalini at the first chakra

  • Parisheka

    Medicated water sprinkled over localized areas of the body for therapeutic benefits

  • Parlaya

    Universal sound sleep

  • Parotid gland.

    A salivary gland in front of the ear.

  • Parshva-shula

    A form of colic

  • Paschimottanasana

    Back stretching yoga pose

  • Pashasana

    Chord yoga pose

  • Pasyanti

    Sound only heard by advanced yogis

  • Patanjali

    Author or the Yoga Sutras and commentator on yama and niyama

  • Payasam

    Semi-solid pudding for pinda sveda

  • Pestle.

    A club-shaped appliance used for pounding substances.

  • Peya

    Thin soup taken after pancha karma therapies

  • Phanta

    Hot infusions

  • Phospholipids.

    Any lipid consisting of a phosphate group and one or more fatty acids.

  • Pinasa

    Rhinitis

  • Pinda sveda

    abhyanga therapy using a heated bolus

  • Pingala

    The right or solar nerve channel ?related to ida; both surround the sushumna

  • Pitta

    Biological bile; fire energetic, a constitution, or humor

  • Pituitary gland.

    A small ductless gland at the base of the brain secreting various hormones essential for growth and other bodily functions.

  • Pizhichil

    Abhyanga therapy involving the continuous pouring of warm oil over the body

  • Poultice.

    A soft, medicated and usually heated mass applied to the body and kept in place with muslin, etc. for relieving soreness and inflammation.

  • Prabhava

    Special effect of herbs

  • Pradara

    Menorrhagia

  • Pradhamana

    Nasal therapy: herbs blown through a tube

  • Pradhana karma

    Primary pancha karma practices

  • Pradhena

    Non-absorbing topical pastes for Vayu and kapha doshas

  • Prakriti

    One?s Life consumption

  • Pralepa

    Topical pastes for pitta dosha

  • Prameha

    Obstinate urinary disease (including diabetes)

  • Prameha

    pidaka Diabetic ulcer

  • Prana Vayu

    One of the five Vayu subdoshas; outward moving air.

  • Pranalife

    Force

  • Pranavaha

    srota Channel which prana flows

  • Pranayam

    Breathing exercise

  • Prasad

    Food offering to God

  • Prasadana

    Vision-clearing eye salves

  • Pratimarsha

    Oil/uncting nasal therapy

  • Pratishyaya

    Colds

  • Pratyahara

    Withdrawal and liberation of the mind for senses and objects (5th stage of yoga)

  • Pravahika

    Dysentery

  • Pritivi

    Earth

  • Puakusha

    Gingivitis

  • Puja

    Worship ritual

  • Punster

    Male reproductive system

  • Purine

    . A product of protein metabolism.

  • Purisha

    Feces waste product

  • Purishavaha srota

    Feces elimination channels

  • Purusha

    Eternal, unmanifest consciousness

  • Purva karma

    Preliminary pancha karma therapies (oleation & sudation)

  • Purvarupa

    Hidden or incubatory signs of disease

  • Pushti

    nourishing

  • Pustule

    . A blister containing pus

  • Tadan Kripa

    Great piercing (yoga) position

  • Taila seka

    Another name for kaya seka

  • Talu vidradhi

    Palatal abscesses

  • Talugata roga

    Palate disorders

  • Tamas/tamasic

    One of the three gunas; lethargy destruction property

  • Tanmatras

    Primal sensory energies before they develop into the five senses

  • Tannic acid.

    A complex natural organic compound of a yellowish colour used as an astringent.

  • Tannin

    As astingent chemical substance found in tea, coffee, and the barks of some trees.

  • Tapas

    A form of spiritual practice

  • Tarpaka Kapha

    Subdosha that nourishes the senses. One of the five Kapha subdoshas; found in the head and nourishes the sense organs

  • Tarpana

    Soothing eye therapies

  • Tejas

    Mental fire

  • Tekshna

    Quick quality of food

  • Tenesmus

    A continual inclination to evacuate the bowels or bladder accompained by painful staining.

  • Thyroid gland.

    A large ductless gland in the neck secreting a hormone which regularizes growth and development through the rate of metabolism

  • Tikshna

    Strong smoke therapies

  • Tikshnagni

    Pitta-produced digestive enzymes

  • Tikta

    Bitter

  • Til

    Sesame seeds

  • Timira

    Blindness

  • Tridosha/tridoshic

    A physical constitution involving all three doshas

  • Triglycerides.

    A kind of fat which exists in the blood.

  • Trishna

    Thirst

  • Tur dal

    A legume high in protein

  • Warts.

    A small growth on the skin, usually caused by a virus

  • Yajur Veda

    One of the four main vedic texts

  • Yakrit janya raktaplata

    Sickle cell anemia

  • Yama

    Codes of ethical behavior non-envy, truth, non-stealing, continence, not desiring of material wealth(included with niyama)

  • Yoga

    Uniting of mind an d body, and the various subtale energies within ; also a form of stretching postures (see hatha yoga)

  • Yoga Vani

    An instructional book for the attainment of siddhayoga ( a guide to self-ealization)

  • Yoni mudra

    Hand position to awaken raja yoga

  • Yonivyapat

    Female reproductive

  • Yusha

    Rice and split yellow mung dal soupY