Common Ayurvedic Terms

Created by Lekha A Anil kumar, Modified on Tue, 9 Apr at 1:58 PM by Santhigram Foundation

No	Sanskrit Term	English term	Description
1	Aachar	Lifestyle (recommendation)	Aachar refers to our daily routines and Ayurveda recommends following healthy habits that align with the diurnal and seasonal rhythms of nature. Includes waking up and going to bed at consistent times, maintaining a regular meal schedule, practicing good hygiene, and engaging in regular physical exercise to support the body's natural rhythms and promote balance of mind, body, and spirit.
2	Abhyaṅgaḥ	Oil massage	Whole body oil massage with rhythmic repetitive strokes around the joints and key pressure points to mechanically stimulate the soft tissues, improve circulation and rejuvenate the body.
3	Agni	Digestive, metabolic fire	Collective term for the various factors governing digestion and metabolism or food transformation which are basic element fire -predominant.
4	Agnikarma	Thermal cauterization	A type of parasurgical procedure in which thermal cauterization of tissue or a body part is carried out by a method resembling moxibustion.
5	Āhāra	Diet or food	Aahar, the essence of Ayurveda's dietary wisdom, emphasizes the profound connection between our food choices and eating habits. Ayurveda advises consuming fresh, wholesome, and natural foods that align with individual constitution. It encourages mindful eating to deepen the connection with food and develop a greater appreciation for the nourishment it provides.
6	Ama	state of incomplete digestion and metabolism	A transient state of the body wherein the digestive, metabolic processes come to a standstill and do not further transform to end products and leads to various changes in the body such as blockade of channels, excess secretions, unusual accumulation of waste materials, slowing down of movements and catabolic processes. It presents with the following generic symptoms: loss of strength, heaviness, laziness, tastelessness or altered taste, and exhaustion.
7	Amla	Sour (taste)	One of the 6 tastes in Ayurveda
8	Añjanam	Collyrium	The administration of medications (collyrium) into the lower conjunctival fornices, moving from the inner to outer canthus and vice versa, using an applicator.
9	Arishtam	Fermented herbal decoction	Ayurvedic medicines prepared by boiling medicinal herbs in water and then fermenting the decoction
10	Asavas	Fermented non-alcoholic herbal decoction	Ayurvedic medicine prepared by the fermentation of fresh herbal juices
11	Āyurvedaḥ	Ayurveda	Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine and health care which originated in the Indian subcontinent. The sanskrit term Ayurveda denotes “knowledge of life”. It is a compound of two words, “ayu” meaning life and “veda” means sacred knowledge. Ayurveda therefore translates as, "the sacred knowledge of life.”
12	Bala Chikitsa	Child and maternal health	The clinical speciality of Ayurveda dealing with child and maternal health and obstetrics; its scope extends to cover pre- and postnatal care.
13	Basti	Therapeutic enema	A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
14	Bija	Seed	Factors responsible for conception
15	Brahmacharyam	Celibacy	Non-indulgence in sensual pleasures including sexual activity
16	Bṛhattrayī	Major triad of Ayurveda texts	The three principal texts of Ayurveda. Carakasamhita, Sushrutasamhita and the writings of Vāgbhaṭa: Ashtangasamgraha and Ashtangahridaya.
17	Chikitsa	Treatment	Any type of Ayurvedic treatment or therapy intended to correct or manage an imbalance or a specific disease (e.g., ahara chikitsa—food-based treatment; shodhana chikitsa—cleansing therapies; rasayana chikitsa—rejuvenation therapy).
18	Churna	Herbal medicinal powder	A mixture of powdered herbs
19	Chyavanprash		A traditional Ayurvedic herbal jam made primarily of amalaki, but containing a number of other complementary ingredients; chyavanprash is frequently used as a rejuvenative and is particularly balancing for pitta.
21	Dhātuḥ	Fundamental structural component	The seven fundamental structural components of the body, which are formed from digested food. They provide nourishment and support to the body. They are primary circulating nutrient fluid (rasa), blood (rakta), muscle (mamsa), fat (medas), bone (asthi), bone marrow (majja) and semen (sukra). The Sanskrit term dhatu also denotes group of metallic ingredients for medicinal usage.
22	Dhūmam	Fumigation for detoxification	Neutralizing the toxic effects of poison by fumigating the bite site: fumigation is performed by inhaling through the nostrils and exhaling through the mouth.
23	Dinacharya	Daily routine	A term covering activities related to diet, lifestyle, work and recreation from the time an individual wakes up through to sleep: it is prescribed in accordance with natural diurnal rhythms and their impact on the human body and mind based
24	Doṣaḥ	Dosha	The regulatory functional factors of the body formed by the synchronized interplay between the five basic elements within any living system. The three doshas include Vata, Pitta and Kapha and unique ratio of the 3 doshas determine an individual’s prakriti (constitution).
25	Dravyaguna vijnana	Ayurvedic pharmacology	Dravyaguna Vijnana is the cornerstone of Ayurvedic pharmacy, focusing on identifying, understanding the properties of, and utilizing various medicinal substances like herbs, minerals, and even some animal products for therapeutic purposes.
26	Elakizhi	Leaf bag massage	Massaging whole body or affected area in long, circular and stamping strokes , with pouches of medicinal leaves, fried in medicated oil to induce sweating, improve circulation and promote relaxation.
27	Gandusha	Oil pulling	act of swishing oil around the mouth for oral hygiene and detoxification.
28	Grahacikitsā or bhūtavidyā.	Psychiatry	The clinical speciality of Ayurveda dealing with the treatment of mental disorders.
29	Guna	Quality	A quality or characteristic; most commonly referring to one of twenty primary gunas used in Ayurveda to describe different substances, and to predict their effects on the body.
30	Hetu	Cause or reason	the immediate cause of an observable event; the pivotal element in the inferential process.
31	Kapha	Kapha, doṣha responsible for cohesiveness	One of the three doshas (functional energies in nature); kapha is predominated by the earth and water elements and governs structure and cohesiveness; it is heavy, slow, cool, oily, smooth, dense, soft, stable, gross, and cloudy.
32	Karma	Action	Karma in Ayurveda relates to the concept of cause and effect, where our actions have a direct impact on our health and wellbeing. It emphasizes the importance of conscious choices and intentional actions that align with our values and purpose. By being mindful of our actions, we can create a positive impact on our overall health and well-being. Ayurveda views Karma as an integral part of our daily life, where we can choose to engage in actions that promote balance and harmony within ourselves and in our surroundings.
33	Kashaya	Astringent (taste)	One of the 6 tastes in Ayurveda
34	Kashayam	Herbal concentrate	Water-based extracts of single herb or multiple herbs
35	Kaṭibastiḥ	Therapeutic retention of oil over lumbosacral region	A procedure which involves holding medicated oil over the lumbosacral region for a specific duration.
36	Katu	Pungent (taste)	One of the 6 tastes in Ayurveda
37	Kayachikitsa	General medicine	Focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders affecting body's internal organs and systems, The clinical speciality of Ayurveda dealing with the entire physical body and mind. The term kaya indicates the capacity of the organism to digest and metabolize food
38	Kosha	Sheath or covering	One of five sheaths, or coverings of the self—both gross and subtle—that together comprise the physical and energetic aspects of who we are, Koshas provide a framework for understanding the various dimensions of the human being in Ayurveda.
39	Kriya		Kriya practices in Ayurveda aim to support the body's natural functions of breathing, digestion, and elimination. Proper elimination through regular and healthy bowel movements and urination is crucial for removing toxins and preventing disease. Incorporating Kriya practices such as cleansing rituals and breathing exercises can promote the healthy functioning of channels responsible for elimination. These practices support physical, mental, and emotional balance, making them an essential aspect of Ayurvedic self-care.
40	Kriyākalpaḥ	Topical ocular procedures	Therapeutic procedures in which topical procedures are applied to the eye
41	Laghutrayī	Lesser triad of Ayurveda texts	The supportive texts of Ayurveda - Madhavanidana, Sharangadharasamhita and Bhavaprakāśa.
42	Lavana	Salty (taste)	One of the 6 tastes in Ayurveda
43	Madura	Sweet (taste)	One of the 6 tastes in Ayurveda
44	Malaḥ	Excretory products	Waste products formed during various stages of digestion and metabolism; there are two categories: waste products from digestion of food and waste products from transformation of structural components - mainly faeces and urine. The waste products from transformation of structural components are: phlegm (excretory form of kapha) from the primary product of digestion (the primary circulating nutrient fluid), bile (excretory form of pitta) from blood, mucus of nose and ear wax from muscle, perspiration from fat, nails and hair from bone, and rheum of the eye from bone marrow
45	Manas prakriti	Mental constitution	The mental constitution; each individual’s unique proportion of sattva, rajas, and tamas in the mind; manas prakriti is established at conception, but can change over time, reflecting our capacity to develop more (or less) evolved states of consciousness over the course of our lives.
46	Mantra	Chanting of auspicious hymns	A sacred word, sound, or phrase, often used in meditation to focus the mind.
47	Nadi	Pulse	Nadi refers to the pulse, one of the most important tools for clinical assessment in Ayurveda.
48	Nasya	Nasal administration of medicine	involves administering medicated herbal oil through the nostrils to cleanse the respiratory system and promote mental clarity., A therapeutic practice of applying plain or herbal oil (or medicinal herbs) to the nasal passages; an important means of eliminating excess vata, pitta, and kapha from the head, neck, throat, and the senses via the nasal passages; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
49	Navarakizhi	Massage with medicated rice	Navarakizhi is a form of sweat inducing massage therapy using linen bags containing special rice and milk processed with medicinal herbs to provide strength and nutrition to bones, muscles and soft tissues.
50	Neti	Nasal cleansing	A therapeutic practice of cleansing the nasal passages with saline water (also known as jala-neti); an important means of eliminating excess dust, pollen, mucus, and other blockages from the nasal passages; a neti pot is the vessel used to pour the saline solution into one nostril so that it can flow out through the other nostril.
51	Netratarpaṇam	Therapeutic retention of melted medicated ghee over the eyes	Type of therapeutic procedure which involves retention of the supernatent portion of melted ghee or medicated ghee over the open eyes at a given temperature and for a specific duration, after forming a concentric boundary around the orbit with black gram dough or other preparation.
52	Nidrā	Sleep
53	Nighaṇṭuḥ	Materia medica	A glossary setting out synonyms, as well as the properties, names and actions of drugs, plants, minerals or other substances administered either as food or medicines to the human body
54	Ojas	ojas	The essence of seven fundamental structural components: vital for life, providing strength and resistance to disease and supporting mental function.
55	Oushadhi	Medicinal recommendations	Aushadhi in Ayurveda refers to the use of herbal remedies and other natural medicines to prevent and treat illness. These remedies are tailored to an individual's constitution and are believed to bring balance and harmony to the body and mind. By using natural medicines, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of addressing the root cause of an illness rather than just treating its symptoms. This approach promotes long-term health and well-being, and is believed to be effective in preventing and treating a wide range of health conditions
56	Padaabhyanga	Foot massage	An Ayurvedic foot massage for relaxation and well-being.
57	Panchakarma	Five actions	A Sanskrit term literally meaning “five actions;” a deep Ayurvedic cleanse focused on returning excess vata, pitta, kapha, and ama to the digestive tract in order to be eliminated from the body; panchakarma refers to the five traditional Ayurvedic cleansing actions that are used to eliminate these disturbances from the digestive tract: vamana (therapeutic vomiting), virechana (therapeutic purgation), basti (therapeutic enema), rakta moksha (therapeutic blood letting), and nasya (therapeutic administration of herbs and oils to the nasal passages).
58	Panchamahabhuta	Five great elements	The five elements (panchamahabhuta) 1. Space (akasha); 2. air (vayu); 3. fire (tejas, agni); 4. water (jalam); and 5. earth (prithvi).
59	Pitta	Pitta (dosha)	Pitta is one of the three doshas, it is responsible for digestion and metabolism in the body. The predominant basic elements in pitta are fire and water.
60	Pizhichil		Pizhichil involves application of warm medicated oil all over the body, along with gentle, nourishing and synchronised massage with up and down strokes on the entire body.
61	Prakṛiti	An individual’s inherent nature - body constitution	An individual’s inherent nature is the discrete phenotype of an individual based on physical, psychological, physiological and behavioural traits, independently of social, ethnic and geographical variables. It represents a person’s baseline state of optimal functioning of both body and mind. The predominant expression of an individual’s inherent nature in bodily functions is known as body constitution with a predominance of dosha (doshaprakṛti) and its expression in the domains of mental and physical personality is called kaya/manasaprakriti. However, for all practical purposes the doshaprakriti and kaya of an individual need to be interpreted in consideration with the following entities: ethnicity (jaati), familial inheritance, genetics (kula), the influence of a specific geographical region and climate (desha), as well as the ageing process (kala).
62	Pramāṇaḥ	Proof, means of valid cognition or knowledge	The tools which lead to accurate, true knowledge in Ayurveda are direct perception, observation (pratyakṣsham), codified knowledge, expert opinion (aptopadesha), inference based on observations (anumana), reasoning, understanding causation (yukti) and analogy (upamana).
63	Prana	Life force	The vital life force that enters the body primarily through the breath, but that can also come from food and water; the flow of cellular intelligence, perception, and communication that is the positive subtle essence of vata; prana shares a subtle functional integrity with ojas and tejas.
64	Prasūtītantra, Sthrīroga	Obstetrics, gynecology	Branch of Ayurveda specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of health concerns specific to women.
65	Rajas		One of the three maha gunas, universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; rajas is the principle that ignites energy, movement, passion, and the ability to act.
66	Rakta moksha	Blood letting	A therapeutic practice of blood letting or blood cleansing; an important means of purifying and eliminating excess pitta from the blood; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
67	Raktamokṣaṇam	Blood letting	Removal of vitiated blood by bloodletting, blood purification, gently removing excess Pitta Dosha to effectively address skin problems and haemorrhoids.
68	Rasa	Taste	A Sanskrit word with many meanings, including “taste,” “flavor,” “essence,” “experience,” “juice,” “sap,” and “plasma.” Ayurveda identifies six primary tastes: madhura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (salty), katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), and kashaya (astringent). As taste, rasa is our first experience of an ingested substance; other common uses of this word include ahara rasa (food juice or chyle) and rasa dhatu (plasma and lymph).
69	Rasayana	Rejuvenation	The therapeutic process of offering deep nourishment to the cells, tissues, and organs of the body in support of their healing, renewal, and regeneration; this therapy is indicated in a number of different situations (e.g., after a deep cleanse like panchakarma) and is believed to enhance immunity, stamina, and longevity.
70	Rasayana or Jara Chikista	Geriatrics	The clinical speciality of Ayurveda dealing with age-related issues and promoting health and well-being, Rejuvenation and revitalization therapy
71	Ritucaryā	Seasonal routine	Routine pertaining to diet, daily activities and periodical cleansing which is customized for each season of the year.
72	Sadvṛttam	Harmonious way of living
73	Sālakyatantra, ūrdhvāṅgacikitsā	Head and neck medicine	The clinical speciality of Ayurveda dealing with the treatment of diseases affecting the head and neck region (including ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology and dentistry) .
74	Salyacikitsā	Surgery	The clinical speciality of Ayurveda dealing with the removal of internal or external foreign bodies (shalya) through surgical intervention(s), reating fractures, tumours, cataract, and complications during delivery
75	Sattva		One of the three maha gunas—universal attributes (or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; sattva is the principle that gives rise to equilibrium, clarity, light, intelligence, compassion, insight, and wisdom.
76	Sattvic		A substance, experience, or mental state infused with the qualities of sattva: light, clarity, intelligence, compassion, and wisdom.
77	Shadrasa	Six tastes	The 6 tastes in Ayurveda include: madhura or sweet, amla or sour, lavana or salty, tiktaor bitter, katuor pungent and kashaya or astringent..
78	Shamana chikitsa	Palliative therapy	Ayurvedic palliative therapies that gently pacify the doshas in support of a return to balance. These therapies are often employed when the more intense approach of shodhana chikitsa (cleansing therapy) is contraindicated.
79	Shiroabhyanga	Head massage	specific Ayurvedic treatment focusing on the head, neck, and shoulders, uses warm herbal oil to massage head, neck and shoulders, helps to reduce anxiety, stress and insomnia
80	Shirodhara	Head oil puring	An Ayurvedic treatment of warm herbal oil poured slowly and in a continuous stream over the forehead and the third eye, promoting a deep sense of relaxation that calms the nervous system, expands awareness, and synchronizes thought waves.
81	Shodhana chikitsa	Head oil retention therapy	Ayurvedic cleansing therapies aimed at removing excess dosha, ama, and other toxins from the body. The five cleansing therapies for which panchakarma is named are examples of shodhana chikitsa, but there are others, such as fasting (langhana) and scraping fat (lekhana).
82	Sirovasti		Shirovasti involves a slow dripping of warm medicated oil on the forehead covered with a leather cap to retain the oil for a specific duration.
83	Srotaḥ	Channel,	Channels for the transportation of substances from one part to another
84	Svastha	Healthy	Healthy; Composed of two words, Swa and Stha. Swa means own, self and Stha means stable, steady, thus Swastha denotes self abiding, being in ones natural/prākritika state. 2. One who is in his own norms, individual who enjoys normal health.
85	Swedana	Therapeutic sweating	Whole body herbal steam therapy performed, in a specially designed seating chamber to induce sweating for releasing impurities through the skin and to soothe aching muscles and joints.
86	Tailam	Ayurvedic medicated herbal oil	Tailam is a concoction of various herbs cooked in a base oil, such as coconut oil or mustard oil
87	Tamas		One of the three maha gunas (universal attributes or qualities of consciousness) that give rise to all phenomena in nature; tamas is the principle responsible for inertia, darkness, heaviness, slowness, sleep, and decay; tamas also gives rise to the five elements and their subtle attributes, the five tanmatras (objects of perception): sound, touch, form, taste, and smell.
88	Tejas		Solar energy; the positive subtle essence of agni and of pitta that governs intelligence, discernment, enthusiasm, and all types of digestion and transformation; tejas shares a subtle functional integrity with ojas and prana.
89	Tikta	Bitter (taste)	One of the 6 tastes in Ayurveds
90	Tridoshic		A traditional Ayurvedic formula composed of three pungent herbs—pippali, ginger, and black pepper; an effective rejuvenative for kapha; traditionally used to kindle agni (the digestive fire), burn excess fat and ama (toxins), while supporting healthy metabolism, clear respiratory channels, and the lungs.
91	Triphala		A traditional Ayurvedic formula composed of the powders of three dried fruits: amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki; triphala is revered for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the digestive tract, support regularity, and simultaneously offer deep nourishment to the tissues.
92	Udwarthanam	Massage with medicated herbal powder	Udvartanam is a therapeutic deep tissue dry massage performed with herbal powders and oil to energize the body.frequently recommended following abhyanga or snehana because it is so helpful in removing excess oil from the skin; this practice reduces kapha, increases circulation, bolsters the health of the skin, helps liquefy fat, and lends strength, stability, and cohesiveness to the tissues of the body.
93	Uzhichil	Body massage	Uzhichil is a traditional Ayurvedic body massage from Kerala, India. It uses warm, medicated oils and long, rhythmic strokes to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and nourish the body, therapist uses their feet instead of hands to apply pressure and perform strokes on the body.
94	Vaidyaḥ	Physician	The physician or medical practitioner is expected to have the following qualities: to be an expert in medical treatment (daksha), academically qualified (trirthashastrartha), experienced (drishtakarma), in good physical and mental health (shuci) and able to fully appreciate the state of health or illness of the patient.
95	Vajikarana	Fertility treatment	One of the eight branches of Ayurvedic medicine, this one dealing with all types of sexual dysfunction; vajikarana chikitsa (therapy) is aimed at improving the overall functioning of the reproductive channels in both men and women; the root of the word vajikarana is “vaji,” meaning “stallion;” these therapies are intended to bestow upon their recipients the virility of a horse.
96	Vājīkaraṇacikitsā̄, vṛṣacikitsā,	Fertility treatment	The clinical speciality of Ayurveda dealing with reproductive and sexual health.
97	Vaman	Therapeutic emesis.	Induces controlled vomiting to eliminate toxins from the upper gastrointestinal tract to address issues like chronic cough and loss of appetite.
98	Vārdhakyam	Senility	characteristics aging include diminution of structural components, perceptiveness of sense organs; physical strength; potency or semen; energy, increase in wrinkles; grey hair, baldness; cough; breathlessness ; inability to perform the full range of activities; diminished digestive, metabolic capacity; aggravated vata; loosened muscles, joints and bones; roughness of skin; body curvature; shivering or trembling.
99	Vasthi	Ayurvedic enema	Administering herbal decoctions or oils through the rectum to eliminate toxins, balance Vata-related disorders and provide relief from constipation and skeletal conditions.
100	Vātaḥ	Vata, dosha regulating movement and cognition	One of the three regulatory functional factors (dosha). The functional balance governing all sensory perceptions, motor activities and higher mental activities. The predominant basic elements in vata are air and space.
101	Vayu	Air	The second of five elements recognized in Ayurveda: the air element; wind; the principle of movement; an alternate name for vata.
102	Vedic		Pertaining to Vedic period in ancient India, from approximately 1750–500 BCE; the time during which the Vedas were composed, including the oldest ancient texts of Ayurveda and Yoga.
103	Vichar	Mindset recommendations	Vichar refers to our thought patterns and mental attitudes. Ayurveda encourages cultivating a positive mindset and healthy emotional states, such as love, compassion, gratitude, and contentment that can help in better social relationships and interactions and maintain balance and harmony in our mind and body
104	Vihara	Acitivity (related to the body, senses, mind and speech.)	Vihar involves our social and environmental interactions, including creative and leisure activities that promote relaxation, positive social connections, and well-being. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy social interactions, engaging in enjoyable activities, and fostering a connection with our environment. By nurturing positive relationships and engaging in meaningful activities, we can promote our overall well-being. Additionally, spending time in nature and cultivating a healthy relationship with our surroundings can have a positive impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health.
105	Vikriti	Current state of health or disease	An individual’s current state of health; the specific ratio of vata, pitta, and kapha that currently exists within one’s body—as opposed to the natural ratio of the three doshas represented by one’s prakriti (constitution).
106	Vipaka	Post digestive effect	Vipaka in Ayurveda refers to the post-digestive effect of any ingested substance, be it food (Ahara Dravya) or medicine (Aushadh Dravya). It's a unique concept that emphasizes the body's transformation of what we consume
107	Virechana	Therapeutic purgation	The practice of therapeutic purgation of the digestive tract (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess doshas (especially pitta) from digestive tract and, in particular, from the small intestine; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
108	Virya	Cold/hot potency	The heating or cooling nature of an ingested substance, experienced after rasa (taste), but before vipaka (the post-digestive effect); while there is a broad spectrum of variance between hot and cold, most substances can be described as being either heating or cooling in nature.
109	Visha chikitsa	Toxicology	The clinical speciality of Ayurveda dealing with the treatment of poisoning .
110	Vyādhiḥ, roga	Disease	Disease, a condition which causes various types of pain and distress to the body and mind;
111	Vyayama	Physical exercise	Vyayam, the Ayurvedic concept of physical exercise, emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity such as yoga, walking, or other forms of exercise. Incorporating regular physical exercise into our daily routine can help improve flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, cardiovascular health, and boost the immune system
112	Yuktiḥ	Reasoning, understanding causation	The perception of the multiplicity of factors behind a phenomenon or event.