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 Glossary: Ayurveda
Abhyanga An ayurvedic oil massage practiced by two medics who massage to let go the warm oil into the tissues of the entire body. This helps loosen and facilitate the removal of accumulated ama (toxins) and the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) from the body. Aadaan kala: the first half of the year According to Ayurveda, a year is divided into two periods or kalas : adaan and visarga. Aaadan kala is also called utarayana (northern solstice). During this period the sun and wind become strong and take away the cooling properties of the earth. It starts from mid January to mid July. Ritus (seasons) included are Sisra (cold and dewy season); Vasanta (spring season) and Grisma ritu (summer season). Aadharniya vega non suppression of natural urges It means the natural urges which should not be suppressed by force as a habit. Aayschotana Type of Eye salves It is a type of eye treatment in which drops of herbal liquids are put into the eyes. This therapy prevents excess lacrimation, burning sensation and redness of eyes. Abhakta aushadha empty stomach medication intake Ayurveda describes various methods of intake of medicine depending upon the dosha imbalanced. Empty stomach medicine intake is one of the methods The medicine is given early in the morning empty stomach. It is mostly recommended to patients who are strong enough to take medicine empty stomach and in aggravation of kapha. Adhobhakta Intake of medicine after meals The medicine is given immediately after the meals. It is recommended in imbalance of vyaan vayu. Agada tantra Toxicology, a branch of Ayurveda dealing with poisons. Agantuka External or a stranger. Ahamkara Conception of one's individuality, egoism, pride or haughtiness. Ajirna Indigestion, weak digestion. Akasa Free open space, ether, sky or atmosphere. Akriti Physical appearance or external shape. Alabu A vessel made of dried gourd. Alocaka (Pitta) A type of Pitta governing vision, causing to see. Amala (Amalaki) An Ayurvedic herb, Emblica officinalis (Emblica myrobalan Amavata A disease caused by ama and vata, comparable to arthritis in modern medicine. Amla Sour taste. Anjana Black pigment applied in eyes and eyelashes. Anna-vaha srotas The channels transporting grains or food, the digestive system, alimentary canal. Anupana A fluid vehicle for medicine; drink taken with or after medicine, drink after eating. Anurasa A secondary flavor (as a little sweetness in sour fruit), a subordinate feeling. Anuvasana (Basti) Enema given with an oily substance. Apa The element water or water. Apana One of the five types of vata, which goes downward and is responsible for expulsion of faces, flatus, urine, menstrual blood etc. Aparadha Offence, sin, wrong action or misuse. Apara-ojas One of the less important of two types of vital fluid (ojas) present in the body, inferior, lower. Ardhavabhedaka A kind of migraine affecting half of the head or skull. Arsha Saintly, pious, and sacred. Asana - Yogasana Posture, seat or position. Asatmendriyartha samyoga Improper contact of senses with their objects. Asatmya Unwholesome, bad, improper. Ashtanga Ayurveda: The eight branches of Ayurveda Astanga( Hrdya) An ancient Ayurvedic text written by Vagabhatta. Agni Agni is the form of fire and heat that is the basis of the digestive system and the process of release of energy. The term includes the body heat, body temperature, sight, the digestive fire; its function is transformation, absorption, elimination and discrimination is agni. Ahara( rasa) It is the nutrient substance that is acted upon in the digestive tract by the enzymes or the bile juice. Akasha It is the free space or void; also related to the property of sound and is one of the aggregate elemental processes. Alochaka [pitta] It is one of the five varieties of pitta and helps in catching the image of external objects. Ama It is the toxins that enter the blood stream and are circulated in the whole body. Toxins or ama are produced in the body by the raw, undigested food products that become fetid. Retention of toxins in the blood results in toxemia. Almost every disease is a result of toxicity ormits crisis. Toxins are vital for prana (vital life energy), ojas (immunity), and tejas (cell metabolic energy). Apana [vata] This medicine acts in the downward direction of the body and regulates exhalation and excretion. Artha It relates to meaning, the final essence of every thought, it is an object of pursuit, which is desired and desirable and satisfies the acquisitive tendency in every individual. Asthi It is one of the seven components and the bone tissues that supports the body by giving it protection, shape, nourishment and longevity. Atman Atman means the true self, which is the cause of consciousness and all functions by the mind. Atreya Atreya is the author of Charaka Samhita. Aum Also said as OM, the god's name has in itself the sounds for all omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence. A, U, M, represent the outer, the inner, and the super conscious stages of consciousness, waking, dream, and the state of extreme sleep. Aushadha Medicine ,Aushadha means medicine to be given for cure of the disease. Charaka states aushada as one of the constituent of Chiktisa Chatushpada(Four essential constituents of treatment). Based on action, aushadha mainly of two types: Shodhana (Purifactory therapy) and Shamana (Palliative therapy). Depending upon its origin aushadha is of two types: Sthavar (plant origin) and Jangam (animal origin). Avagaha sveda Sitz bath. The herbs to be used are boiled in water. The patient is asked to dip the affected part in it. It's most commonly used in arsh (piles). Avalambaka [kapha] It is a type of kapha. It is located in the heart and the sacrum and has the vital function of nourishing them both, lubricating and protecting the heart and support the sacrum. Avyakta It refers to indistinct, not evident and inarticulate. Ayurveda Constituted of two words, Ayur meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge, ayurveda means the knowledge of life. Another accurate translation of ayurveda is 'the knowledge of longevity. The roots of ayurveda rest in the ancient Indian culture. Ayurveda can be thoroughly understood by getting woven up in the fabric of nature. |
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