The Ayurveda Encyclopedia

The classical knowledge of Ayurveda,
clearly referenced.

Herbs, formulations, therapies and theory, grounded in the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and the classical Nighantus.

The reference

The whole of Ayurveda, explained plainly and sourced

Ayurveda is the classical science of life, one of the oldest recorded traditions of health and daily living. Its name joins two Sanskrit words, ayus, meaning life, and veda, meaning knowledge. The tradition was set down more than two thousand years ago in treatises such as the Charaka Samhita, the Sushruta Samhita and the Ashtanga Hridayam, and it reads health as a working balance: among the three doshas of Vata, Pitta and Kapha, in the strength of agni, the digestive fire, and in the quality of the bodily tissues.

Ayurvedapedia gathers that tradition in one place and explains it in plain, accurate English. You will find monographs on single herbs and their classical properties, entries on the named formulations of the pharmacopoeia, accounts of the therapies of Panchakarma, the daily and seasonal routines of Dinacharya and Ritucharya, guidance on diet by constitution, and the foundational theory of the doshas, agni and the dhatus. Where an entry states a point of classical fact, it names the text it comes from.

This is a reference work, not a shop and not a clinic. Its purpose is to explain the tradition clearly, to show the sources it rests on, and to leave the reader better informed. It does not diagnose, prescribe or recommend self-treatment; for a health concern, the right step is a qualified practitioner. Everything here is free to read, with no account and no sign-up. You can read how entries are researched and sourced in our editorial standards.

Start with the essentials

The entries readers reach for first

Start here

Ayurveda, from the beginning

New to Ayurveda? These are the ideas to read first, each explained plainly and drawn from the classical sources.

01 What is Ayurveda? What is Ayurveda? A clear introduction to the classical Indian science of life, its view of health as balance, and the ideas of Dosha, Agni and Prakriti. Read → 02 The Benefits of Ayurveda The benefits of Ayurveda, told honestly: its focus on prevention, daily routine and a whole-person, individualised approach rooted in classical tradition. Read → 03 The Three Doshas Explained The three doshas explained: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, their elements and qualities, what each governs in body and mind, and how their balance shapes health. Read → 04 How Ayurveda Works How Ayurveda works, step by step: reading your constitution and imbalance, then correcting it with diet, routine, herbs and cleansing to restore balance. Read → 05 Ayurveda Explained Ayurveda explained for a newcomer: the science of life, its five elements, the three Dosha and the digestive fire Agni, and how it all fits together. Read → 06 Ayurveda for Beginners Ayurveda for beginners made simple: the few core ideas worth knowing first, plus gentle daily habits, from routine to diet to Abhyanga, to start today. Read →

See all Ayurveda Basics →

Browse the encyclopaedia

Everything, well organised

Materia Medica

Herbs & Plants Ayurvedic herbs and plants: botanical identity, classical properties of rasa, guna and virya, and traditional use, one clear monograph at a time.

Formulations

Thailam (Medicated Oils) Thailam, the Ayurvedic medicated oils prepared by the classical sneha-paka method: how they are made, their qualities and their traditional use. Ghritham (Medicated Ghee) Ghritham, the Ayurvedic medicated ghee preparations of the classical tradition: how each is prepared, its properties and its traditional purpose. Arishtam & Asavam Arishtam and Asavam, the naturally fermented liquids of classical Ayurveda: how self-fermentation is done and the qualities of each preparation. Kashayam (Decoctions) Kashayam, the classical Ayurvedic water decoctions of herb combinations: how each blend is boiled down, its properties and its traditional use. Churnam (Herbal Powders) Churnam, the fine Ayurvedic herbal powders and powder blends: the herbs in each formula, their classical properties and their traditional use. Gulika & Vati (Tablets) Gulika and Vati, the classical Ayurvedic tablets and pills: the herbs bound into each, their properties and their place in traditional practice. Lehyam (Herbal Jams) Lehyam, the semi-solid Ayurvedic herbal confections and rasayana jams: how each is cooked, the herbs within and its traditional nourishing use. Formulations Ayurvedic formulations: the compound preparations of the classical pharmacopoeia, their ingredients, their properties and their traditional use.

Therapies & Practice

Treatments & Therapies Ayurvedic treatments and therapies: Panchakarma and the classical procedures, how each is performed and its place in traditional practice. Practices & Rituals Ayurvedic practices and rituals: the daily and seasonal routines of dinacharya and healthy living, explained clearly one practice at a time. Health Guides Practical Ayurvedic guides: the herbs and habits the tradition draws on for sleep, immunity, stress, digestion, skin and everyday wellbeing.

Foundations

Ayurveda Basics Ayurveda explained from the beginning: what it is, where it comes from, how it understands health, and how to begin. Doshas & Constitution Doshas and constitution in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, their qualities, and the theory of prakriti, your individual constitution. Anatomy & Physiology Ayurvedic anatomy and physiology: agni, the dhatus, the srotas and the classical model of the body, explained one clear concept at a time. Diet & Nutrition Ayurvedic diet and nutrition: ahara, the classical principles of food, the six tastes and how to eat well for your constitution and the season. Classical Texts Classical Ayurvedic texts: the foundational treatises of Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata and the Nighantu lexicons, and what each one contains.

Free tools · No sign-up · Private

Live it, don't just read it

Dosha Test

Find your Ayurvedic constitution in a few questions, with guidance to keep it in balance.

Foods by Dosha

Hundreds of foods, and which to favour or reduce for Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Weekly Meal Plan

A seven-day plan for your dosha, with a shopping list to save as PDF.

Recipes

Classic Ayurvedic dishes with clear, simple steps.

Daily Routine

The Ayurvedic day step by step, with a calendar you can download.

Meditation & Breath

Pranayama, meditation and mantra, with a timer to practise on the page.

Home Remedies

Simple traditional preparations for digestion, sleep, skin and the seasons.

Seasonal Living

Eat and live with the seasons, plus a gentle reset you can track.

Ojas Check

A ten-question check of your vitality, with ways to build it back up.

Food Combining

The everyday pairings Ayurveda avoids, and the simple rules behind them.

Glossary

Every Ayurvedic term you will meet, explained in plain English.

Recently published

From the encyclopaedia

Treatments & Therapies Anuvasana Basti: The Oil Enema of Panchakarma Anuvasana Basti, the nourishing oil enema of Panchakarma: how it settles Vata, why it opens and closes a Basti course, and why it stays practitioner-led. Read article Health Guides Is Ashwagandha Banned? Denmark and the Global Picture Is ashwagandha banned? Denmark restricts it in supplements; the US, India and most of the world keep it legal. The global regulation picture, explained. Read article Health Guides Heavy Metals in Ayurvedic Products: The Real Picture Heavy metals in Ayurvedic products are a real but narrow issue, mostly tied to rasa-shastra mineral preparations, and how testing and GMP address it. Read article Treatments & Therapies Seasonal Panchakarma: The Best Time of Year The best time for Panchakarma, in the classical view, follows the seasons: spring for Kapha, autumn for Pitta and the rains for Vata, judged for each. Read article Herbs & Plants Shilajit: Benefits, Side Effects and Purity Shilajit (shilajatu) is a classical mineral-pitch Rasayana. Its real benefits, its side effects, and why purity and proper shodhana matter most of all. Read article Treatments & Therapies Siravedha: Ayurvedic Venesection Siravedha, the Ayurvedic venesection, is the principal instrument method of Raktamokshana: a physician opens a vein to let a small measure of blood. Read article

Questions

Ayurveda, briefly answered

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the classical Indian science of life and health, first set down in Sanskrit treatises such as the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita more than two thousand years ago. It reads wellbeing as a working balance among the three doshas, the strength of the digestive fire, and the condition of the bodily tissues.

What are the three doshas?

The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the functional principles Ayurveda uses to describe the body and mind. Vata governs movement, Pitta governs transformation and heat, and Kapha governs structure and cohesion. Their particular balance differs from person to person.

Is Ayurvedapedia free to use?

Yes. Every article and every tool is free to read, with no account and no sign-up. Ayurvedapedia is a reference work and is kept independent of any shop.

Does Ayurvedapedia give medical advice?

No. It describes the classical understanding of herbs, formulations and practices for education. It does not diagnose, prescribe or replace professional care. For a health concern, speak with a qualified doctor or a registered Ayurvedic practitioner.

Where does the information come from?

Entries are compiled from the foundational treatises of Ayurveda and the classical lexicons known as the Nighantus, and each entry names the sources it draws on.

Why Ayurvedapedia

Grounded in the classical texts, and it shows its sources

Every entry is compiled from the foundational treatises and the classical Nighantus, names the classical sources it draws on, and is checked against them before publication.

Are you an Ayurvedic doctor? Write for us →

The classical knowledge of Ayurveda,clearly referenced.