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 Charaka Samhita. |
| 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 three doshas. |
| 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 |