GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Agni	Fire element, digestive fire.
Agni dipana	Increases digestive fire.
Ahamkara	Sense of separate self or ego. Literally, “I former.”
Alochaka Pitta	Sub-type of pitta which governs visual perception.
Alterative	Blood purifying substances that gradually restores healthy bodily functions.
Ama	Toxic residue of improperly digested food that can become the source of disease.
Ama pachana	Promotes digestion and the destruction of toxins
Amenorrhea	Absence or suppression of menstruation.
Anabolic	Constructive or building phase of metabolism.
Analgesic	A substance that relieves pain.
Anthelmintic	Destroying and dispelling parasites (including bacteria, yeasts and fungus).
Antibacterial	Inhibits or destroys bacteria.
Antibiotic	Inhibits or destroys bacteria and other microorganisms.
Antiemetic	A substance that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting.
Antifungal	A substance that prevents and inhibits the growth of fungi.
Antipyretic	Dispels heat and reduces fever.
Antispasmodic	Relieves muscle spasms and cramping.
Antiviral	A substance that inhibits viruses.
Anupana	A Substance that serves as a medium of intake for herbs, such as honey, aloe vera juice, etc.
Apana Vayu	Downward moving sub-type of vata, responsible for elimination of waste products, gas, menstruation and child birth.
Aphrodisiac	Substances that stimulate and/or revitalize the reproductive system.
Arishta/Asava	Traditional medicated herbal wines used in Ayurveda.
Aromatic	Herbs containing volatile, essential oils that aid digestion and relieve gas.
Artava	Female reproductive tissue.
Asthi dhatu	Bone tissue.
Astringent	Substances that firm tissues and reduce discharges and secretions.
Avalambaka Kapha	A sub-type of kapha located in the chest region, mainly in the lungs.
Ayurveda	“Science of Life.” The ancient medical system of India.
Basti	Therapeutic enema, one of the five main cleansing measures of Panchakarma.
Bhasma	Incinerated and purified substance such as a mineral, gem, shell, coral, etc., with potent healing properties.
Bhedaniya	Substances that break down accumulated tissues and waste products.
Bhrajaka pitta	A subtype of pitta located in the in the skin and governs complexion.
Bhutagni	Digestive fire located in the liver that governs the metabolism of the five elements.
Bodhaka kapha	A subtype of kapha located in the mouth and tongue and is responsible for taste and digestion.
Buddhi	Intellect (individual form).
Carminative	A substance that relieves gas and promotes digestion and peristalsis.
Catabolic	Destructive phase of metabolism.
Cathartic	Strong laxatives that cause powerful evacuation.
Charaka	Author of the ancient Ayurvedic text CharakaSamhita.
Chikitsa	Therapy or treatment.
Cholagogue	Promotes flow of bile from the gall bladder.
Cystitis	Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
Demulcent	Soothes, protects and nurtures internal membranes.
Dhatu	The seven main bodily tissues.
Dhatu agni	Specialized digestive fires located in the membranes of each of the seven bodily tissues.
Diaphoretic	Induces sweating and increases the release of toxins through the skin.
Diuretic	Promotes kidney and bladder activity and increases urination.
Dosha	Three basic energetic principles, which determine individual constitution.
Drastic	A strong laxative.
Dysmenorrhea	Painful or difficult menstruation.
Dyspnea	Difficulty in breath, often associated with respiratory and cardiac disease.
Edema	Swelling caused by fluid retention in the bodily tissues.
Emetic	A substance that inducing vomiting.
Emmenagogue	A substance that aids in promoting and regulating menstruation.
Emollient	Soothes, softens and protects the skin.
Enteritis	Inflammation of the small intestine.
Expectorant	A substance that encourages the clearing of phlegm from the lungs and throat.
Galactagogue	A substance that promotes the secretion of breast milk.
Gastritis	Inflammation of the stomach.
Ghee	Clarified butter.
Guna	Attributes, modes of nature that influence creation.
Hematemesis	Vomiting blood.
Hemoptysis	Spitting up blood from the lungs.
Hemostaic	A type of astringent that stops bleeding and internal hemorrhaging.
Kapha	One of three basic energetic principles composed of water and earth.
Kledaka kapha	A subtype of kapha located mainly in the stomach, which is associated with gastric and other mucous membrane.
Kundalini	Serpent like spiritual energy that rises from below the base of the spine when awakened.
Laxative	Substances that promote mild bowel movements.
Lechaniya	Scraping or reducing action.
Lithotriptic	A substance that dissolves and dispels gall bladder and urinary stones and gravel.
Mahat	Cosmic mind, cosmic consciousness.
Majja dhatu	Nervous tissue, bone marrow.
Mala	Bodily waste products.
Malabsorption	Abnormality in the absorption of nutrients across the intestinal tract.
Mamsa dhatu	Muscle tissue.
Manas	Recording or conditioned mind.
Mandagni	Slow or sluggish digestive fire.
Mantra	Sacred sounds, sacred syllables.
Meda dhatu	Adipose tissue.
Menorrhagia	Excess menstrual bleeding.
Nasya	Administration of medication through the nose.
Nephritis	Inflammation of the kidney.
Nervine	Substances that improve the function of the nervous system; may be stimulants or sedatives.
Nirama	Without toxins.
Nutritive tonic	Increases weight and strength and nourishes all the bodily tissues.
Ojas	Refined essence of all bodily tissues, which maintains immunity, strength and vitality.
Pachaka pitta	Subtype of pitta located in the stomach region governing digestion.
Pachana	Digestion; that which promotes digestion
Panchakarma	Five cleansing measures for eliminating ama and dosha from the body (emesis, purgation, enema, bloodletting and nasal medications).
Pitta	One of three basic energetic principles composed of fire and water.
Prabhava	The special potency or action of a substance that cannot be explained by the logic of its taste, energy or post digestive effect.
Prakruti	Eternal principle of matter, primordial energy of creation.
Prana	Vital life force, a subtype of vata governing inward movement.
Pranayama	Expansion of vital energy (prana), a term commonly used for yogic breathing practices.
Purgative	A strong laxative that often causes multiple loose bowel movements.
Purusha	The eternal Self, pure consciousness.
Rajas	Active principle.
Rakta dhatu	Blood tissue.
Ranjaka pitta	A subtype of pitta rooted in the liver and spleen and is responsible the color and formation of blood.
Rasa	Taste; plasma.
Rasa dhatu	Plasma, lymph, white blood cells.
Rasayana	Rejuvenation, rejuvenating therapies and substances.
Rejuvenative	Prevents decay, slows the aging process and revitalizes the organs.
Rhinitis	Sinus inflammation.
Rishis	An enlightened seer or sage.
Sadhaka pitta	A subtype of pitta located in the brain and heart responsible for mental and higher mind functions.
Sama	With toxins.
Sama agni	Balanced digestive fire.
Samana vayu	A subtype of vata present in the small intestine and navel region that governs the digestive system.
Samkhya	The System of Indian philosophy, which deals with cosmic evolution.
Sattwic	Purity, clarity, light, essence.
Sedative	A substance that calms or tranquilizes.
Sedative	Calms or tranquilizes.
Shakti	Divine creative energy, cosmic feminine energy.
Shleshaka kapha	A subtype of kapha present in the joints, which provides lubrication and freedom of movement.
Shukra	Sexual fluid.
Spermatorrhea	Abnormal loss of semen without ejaculation.
Srotas	Bodily channels or pathways.
Stimulant	Improves physical and mental function, increases heat and circulation, dispels chills, and strengthens digestion and metabolism.
Stomachic	A substance that strengthens stomach function
Suppuration	Pus formation and discharge.
Tamas	Inertia, darkness, stability.
Tarpaka kapha	A subtype of kapha associated with the white matter of the brain, cerebral spinal fluid and protective membranes in the nervous system.
Tejas	Superfine essence of pitta, flame of intelligence in the body.
Tikshna agni	Sharp digestion, excessive appetite.
Tikta	Bitter taste.
Tinnitis	Ringing in the ear.
Tridoshic	Balance of the three doshas, balancing to all threedoshas.
Udana	A subtype of vata that governs speech, energy, will power and exhalation
Urticaria	A skin condition characterized by itching or hives.
Vajikarana	A substances that enhance sexual energy and function.
Vasodilator	A substance that causes relaxation of the blood vessels.
Vata	One of three basic energetic principles composed of air and space.
Vedas	Ancient scriptures of India.
Vikruti	Disease, deviation from nature, imbalanced state of the doshas.
Vipaka	Post-digestive effect.
Virya	Energy of a substance such as heating and cooling.
Vulnerary	A substance that heals wounds and prevents infection by stimulating cell regeneration.
Vyana vayu	A subtype of vata governing the circulatory system and the movement of the musculoskeletal system.
Yoga	Union with God, the practical science of self or god realization