Ayurvedic glossary

The Ayurvedic practice of massaging the body with warm oil. It is a common part of daily routine and of therapeutic care.

The idea that good conduct and a calm, honest way of living act as a natural rejuvenator. It treats character and behaviour as part of long term well-being.

The digestive and metabolic capacity in Ayurveda, often pictured as an inner fire. It is responsible for processing food and turning it into nourishment.

The strength of a person's digestive capacity at a given time. It is considered when deciding what and how much to eat.

The fire element among the five great elements. It represents heat, light and the power to transform one thing into another.

Diet and food in Ayurveda, regarded as one of the main pillars of health. The right food at the right time is considered central to balance.

The ether or space element, one of the five great elements. It represents openness and the empty space in which everything else exists.

An Ayurvedic procedure in which medicated ghee is held over the eyes within a small dam. It is part of traditional care for the eyes.

A subtype of Pitta seated in the eyes. It is associated with vision and the perception of light and colour.

An unprocessed residue that is said to form when digestion is incomplete. It is described as sticky and heavy and is thought to disturb balance.

The sour taste, one of the six tastes. It is generally regarded as warming and stimulating to appetite.

A preparation applied to the rim of the eyes in traditional care. It is part of classical practices for the eyes.

The channels said to carry food through the body. They are associated with the path that food takes during digestion.

A carrier substance taken together with a herb or preparation, such as warm water, milk or honey. It is chosen to support the intended effect.

The water element, one of the five great elements. It represents fluidity, cohesion and moisture, and is also called Jala.

A subtype of Vata governing the downward and outward movements of the lower body. It is linked with elimination and the reproductive area.

Foods and habits considered unsuitable for a person's balance. It is the opposite of pathya and points to what is best avoided.

A traditional Ayurvedic preparation made by fermenting a herbal decoction. It is a liquid form with a long history of use.

A yoga posture held with steadiness and ease. The practice of postures is often paired with Ayurveda to support the body.

A traditional Ayurvedic preparation made by fermenting herbs in water without first boiling them. It is closely related to arishtam.

The eight branches into which classical Ayurveda is traditionally divided. They cover areas such as general care, surgery, and rejuvenation.

A classical Ayurvedic text that gathers the eight branches of the subject into a concise form. It is attributed to Vagbhata and widely studied.

A classical Ayurvedic text that presents the eight branches in a fuller, prose form. It is a companion work attributed to Vagbhata.

The bone tissue, the fifth of the seven dhatus. It forms the framework that supports the whole body.

A sage of the classical Ayurvedic tradition associated with the teaching of internal care. His school is connected with the Charaka line of texts.

A subtype of Kapha seated in the chest. It is associated with giving support and steadiness to the heart and upper body.

A herbal confection or paste, a broader term for the lehyam style of preparation. It blends herbs into a thick, spoonable form.

The traditional knowledge system of India that studies life, health and longevity. The name combines ayus, meaning life, and veda, meaning knowledge.

Strength or resilience of the body and mind in Ayurveda. It is regarded as an important measure of overall health.

One of the five cleansing procedures of panchakarma, involving medicated enema. It is traditionally used to balance Vata.

A fine ash prepared through repeated heating of minerals or other materials in classical Ayurveda. It is a specialised traditional form.

A later classical Ayurvedic text known for its detailed section on medicinal plants. It is widely used as a reference on herbs and foods.

A subtype of Pitta seated in the skin. It is associated with skin colour, warmth and the way the skin receives applied substances.

A subtype of Kapha seated in the tongue and throat. It is associated with the sense of taste and the moistening of the mouth.

A practice of moderation and disciplined living, often including restraint of the senses. It is presented in Ayurveda as one foundation of steady health.

The collective name for the three great classical texts of Ayurveda. They are the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam.

A nourishing approach in Ayurveda that builds up the body. It is the counterpart to lightening methods and aims to add strength.

One of the foundational classical texts of Ayurveda, focused mainly on internal care. It is attributed to the tradition of the sage Charaka.

The Ayurvedic approach to restoring balance, covering the methods used to support health. It includes routine, diet, preparations and procedures.

A fine powder of one or more dried herbs. It is a common form for taking Ayurvedic preparations.

An approach that supports the strength of the digestive capacity. It uses foods and herbs thought to kindle the inner fire.

The land or environment a person lives in, considered when assessing balance. Ayurveda takes climate and place into account in its guidance.

A figure honoured in the Ayurvedic tradition as a patron of healing knowledge. He is connected in the texts with the surgical school.

A body tissue in Ayurveda. There are seven dhatus, formed one from another, that build and support the physical body.

The transforming capacity within each body tissue. Each of the seven tissues is said to have its own portion of this fire.

The practice of meditation, settling the mind into a quiet and focused state. It is valued in Ayurveda as support for mental balance.

The Ayurvedic daily routine, a set of habits followed through the day to support balance. It includes practices for waking, cleansing, eating and resting.

One of the three functional principles that shape the body and mind in Ayurveda. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and their balance is considered the basis of well-being.

A substance or material used in Ayurveda, such as a herb, mineral or food. Each substance is described by its taste, quality and action.

The Ayurvedic study of substances and their properties, especially plants. It looks at how a substance acts based on taste, quality and effect.

An Ayurvedic practice of holding liquid, often oil, in the mouth. It is part of traditional daily care for the mouth.

Clarified butter, known as ghee, used as a base for many Ayurvedic preparations. It is valued for carrying herbs into the body.

A medicated clarified butter prepared by cooking herbs into ghee. It is a traditional base for many internal Ayurvedic preparations.

A class of Ayurvedic preparations built around a purified plant resin of the same name. The resin is combined with other herbs and shaped into tablets.

A traditional Ayurvedic preparation shaped into small pills or tablets. It allows herbs to be taken in a measured form.

A quality or property used to describe a substance or state in Ayurveda. Classic examples include heavy and light, hot and cold, oily and dry.

The heavy quality, one of the pairs of qualities used in Ayurveda. It is associated with substances that feel dense and grounding.

The heart, regarded in Ayurveda as a central seat of vitality and feeling. It is counted among the most important parts of the body.

A sense faculty, such as sight, hearing, smell, taste or touch. The senses are considered the bridge between the mind and the outside world.

The water element, another name for Ap. It represents liquidity and the binding together of substances.

The main digestive capacity seated in the stomach and intestines. It is considered the central fire that processes all food.

The Ayurvedic practice of scraping the tongue, usually in the morning. It is a regular part of daily oral hygiene.

Time, including the time of day, the season and the stage of life. Ayurveda weighs these factors when describing balance.

One of the three doshas, the principle of structure and cohesion, made of earth and water. It gives the body stability, lubrication and steady strength.

The action of a substance, meaning the effect it has on the body. It is described alongside taste, quality and potency in Ayurvedic study.

An Ayurvedic procedure in which warm oil is gently placed in the ears. It is part of traditional care for the ears.

The astringent taste, one of the six tastes. It is generally regarded as drying and toning.

A herbal decoction made by boiling herbs in water and reducing the liquid. It is one of the basic liquid forms used in Ayurveda.

The pungent taste, one of the six tastes. It is generally regarded as warming and enlivening.

An Ayurvedic practice of swishing a small amount of liquid around the mouth. It is part of traditional oral care.

A Kerala style Ayurvedic procedure using warm herbal poultices pressed over the body. The poultices are usually filled with herbs, leaves or grains.

A subtype of Kapha seated in the stomach. It is associated with moistening food in the early stage of digestion.

The digestive tract and the way it tends to behave for a given person. It is described as soft, hard or balanced.

A general decline or reduction of a dosha or tissue below its normal level. It is the opposite of an increase or excess.

A thick medicated oil preparation in the South Indian Ayurvedic tradition. It is used in external care and is denser than a simple oil.

A herbal decoction, another name for the boiled and reduced liquid preparation. It is a foundational liquid form in Ayurveda.

The light quality, one of the pairs of qualities used in Ayurveda. It is associated with substances that feel easy and quick to process.

The collective name for three later, more concise classical Ayurvedic texts. They include the Sharangadhara Samhita, Bhavaprakasha and Madhava Nidana.

A lightening approach in Ayurveda that reduces heaviness, including measures such as fasting. It aims to make the body and digestion feel lighter.

The salty taste, one of the six tastes. It is generally regarded as moistening and softening.

A semi solid herbal paste or jam, often sweetened. It is a traditional form that combines herbs into an easy to take preparation.

A paste of herbs applied to the skin in Ayurveda. It is spread over an area as part of external care.

A classical Ayurvedic text devoted to the study of the causes and origins of imbalance. It is a standard reference on this branch.

The sweet taste, one of the six tastes. It is generally regarded as nourishing and grounding.

A great element, one of the five basic building blocks of the material world in Ayurvedic thought. Each element carries a set of qualities used to describe nature.

The marrow tissue, the sixth of the seven dhatus. It is said to fill the bones and support the finer tissues.

The waste products of the body, such as stool, urine and sweat. Their regular and comfortable elimination is regarded as a sign of health.

The muscle tissue, the third of the seven dhatus. It gives the body shape, covering and physical strength.

The mind in Ayurvedic thought, which receives impressions and directs the senses. Its calm and clarity are seen as part of overall well-being.

A vital point on the body where tissues and structures meet. These points are treated with care in Ayurvedic bodywork.

The fat tissue, the fourth of the seven dhatus. It provides lubrication and a steady reserve of energy.

The practice of eating in moderation, neither too much nor too little. It is regarded in Ayurveda as a foundation of steady digestion.

The urine, one of the three main waste products of the body. It is associated with the balance of fluids in the body.

The navel area, considered an important centre in the body in Ayurveda. It is associated with the seat of digestion.

An Ayurvedic procedure involving the application of oil or preparations through the nose. It is traditionally linked with the head and senses.

The study of the causes and origins of imbalance in Ayurveda. It looks at the factors that lead a state away from balance.

Sleep, regarded in Ayurveda as one of the pillars that support health. Restful and timely sleep is considered essential to balance.

A classical Ayurvedic glossary or lexicon of medicinal substances. These works list plants and materials with their names and properties.

The refined essence said to result from well nourished tissues. It is associated with steadiness, vigour and natural resilience.

Suitability that develops through gradual habit, so that the body adapts over time. It explains how a person can become accustomed to certain foods or routines.

A subtype of Pitta seated in the digestive area. It is associated with the breaking down and processing of food.

An approach that supports the processing of food and the clearing of undigested residue. It is closely linked with strengthening digestion.

The five great elements that are said to make up all matter in Ayurveda. They are earth, water, fire, air and ether.

A set of five cleansing procedures used in Ayurveda to reset balance. It is usually carried out under the guidance of a trained practitioner.

Foods and habits considered suitable and supportive for a person's balance. It is the idea of what is wholesome for a given state.

One of the three doshas, the principle of transformation, made of fire and water. It governs digestion, body temperature and the processing of food and ideas.

A Kerala style Ayurvedic procedure in which warm oil is poured and massaged over the whole body. It is known as a deeply soothing oil treatment.

The special effect of a substance that cannot be explained by its taste, quality or potency alone. It accounts for actions that seem unique to a particular substance.

A person's natural constitution, set at birth, described as the individual blend of the three doshas. It is regarded as a stable baseline for each person.

A subtype of Vata seated in the head and chest. It is linked with breathing, swallowing and the activity of the senses.

The channels said to carry the breath and life energy through the body. They are associated with the chest and the act of breathing.

The yogic practice of guiding and steadying the breath. It is used to calm the mind and support a sense of balance.

The earth element, one of the five great elements. It represents solidity, weight and structure in the body and in nature.

The stool, one of the three main waste products of the body. Its regular formation is taken as a sign of steady digestion.

One of the three subtle qualities of mind, associated with movement, drive and restlessness. It is regarded as the quality of activity.

The blood tissue, the second of the seven dhatus. It is associated with carrying vitality and colour through the body.

A traditional Ayurvedic procedure involving the controlled letting of a small amount of blood. It is one of the classical cleansing methods.

A subtype of Pitta connected with the colouring of blood. It is linked with the liver, spleen and the formation of red tissue.

Taste, one of the main ways a substance is described in Ayurveda. Six tastes are recognised, each linked with particular effects on the body.

The first body tissue, the nourishing fluid formed from digested food. It is said to carry nourishment to all the other tissues.

The branch of Ayurveda concerned with rejuvenation and maintaining vitality. It includes practices and preparations meant to support strength over time.

The branch of Ayurvedic preparation that focuses on rejuvenating formulas. It brings together herbs intended to support strength and vitality.

The fine channels that are said to carry the nourishing fluid through the body. They are part of the network of pathways in Ayurveda.

A season in the Ayurvedic calendar, used to guide adjustments in diet and routine. Six seasons are traditionally recognised in the Indian year.

The Ayurvedic seasonal routine, a set of adjustments to diet and habits for each season. It aims to keep the doshas balanced as the weather changes.

The dry quality, one of the pairs of qualities. It is associated with roughness and a lack of moisture.

A person who follows a disciplined practice or path of self development. The term appears where Ayurveda meets yoga and daily conduct.

A subtype of Pitta associated with the heart and mind. It is connected with understanding, memory and emotional clarity.

A code of good conduct described in Ayurveda for healthy living. It covers honest, kind and moderate behaviour in daily life.

A balanced state in which the doshas, tissues and waste products are in their proper proportion. It is considered the condition of good health.

A subtype of Vata located near the digestive area. It is associated with the movement that helps food along during digestion.

A classical compiled text or treatise in Ayurveda. The major works of the tradition are organised in this form.

The Ayurvedic description of how an imbalance develops step by step. It traces the process from first cause to the appearance of signs.

The set of seven body tissues described in Ayurveda. They are rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja and shukra.

What is suitable and well tolerated for an individual through habit and constitution. It explains why the same food or routine suits people differently.

One of the three subtle qualities of mind, associated with clarity, calm and balance. It is regarded as the quality of harmony.

The six tastes recognised in Ayurveda. They are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent.

A calming approach in Ayurveda that settles an imbalance without active cleansing. It relies on diet, routine and gentle preparations.

A classical Ayurvedic text known for organising methods of preparing medicines. It is a key reference for traditional pharmacy.

The head, regarded in Ayurveda as the seat of the senses and a vital region. Many traditional procedures focus on caring for it.

An Ayurvedic procedure in which a steady stream of warm oil is poured over the forehead. It is associated with deep relaxation.

An Ayurvedic procedure in which an oil soaked cloth is placed on the head. It is used to keep the scalp moist and calm.

The cold quality, one of the pairs of qualities. It is associated with coolness and calm.

A subtype of Kapha found in the joints. It is associated with lubricating and cushioning the joints during movement.

A cleansing approach in Ayurveda that aims to clear excess from the body. The panchakarma procedures are the classic examples.

The reproductive tissue, the seventh and final of the seven dhatus. It is regarded as the essence formed at the end of the tissue chain.

A general term for the oils and fats used in Ayurveda, such as oil and ghee. These are valued for their nourishing and lubricating qualities.

The Ayurvedic practice of applying or taking in oils and fats. It is used both as a daily routine and as preparation before cleansing procedures.

The oily or unctuous quality, one of the pairs of qualities. It is associated with smoothness and moisture.

The channels or pathways in the body through which fluids, nourishment and waste move. Keeping these channels clear is a central idea in Ayurveda.

Relating to the particular seat or location of a dosha within the body. Each dosha is described as having its own main residence.

One of the foundational classical texts of Ayurveda, known especially for its surgical knowledge. It is attributed to the tradition of the sage Sushruta.

The state of being settled in one's own natural balance, the Ayurvedic idea of health. It describes balanced tissues, digestion and a contented mind.

The Ayurvedic science of maintaining health and preventing imbalance. It covers daily routine, seasonal routine, diet and good conduct.

The sweat, one of the three main waste products of the body. It is linked with body temperature and the moisture of the skin.

An Ayurvedic procedure that applies gentle heat to encourage sweating. It is often used after oil massage to help the body relax.

Oil used as a base for Ayurvedic preparations, especially sesame oil. It is the foundation of many medicated oils.

An Ayurvedic procedure in which a stream of medicated buttermilk is poured over the forehead. It is a cooling variation of the pouring treatments.

One of the three subtle qualities of mind, associated with heaviness, inertia and dullness. It is regarded as the quality of rest and stability.

A subtype of Kapha seated in the head. It is associated with nourishing and lubricating the sense organs and mind.

The fire element among the five great elements, representing heat and transformation. The same word is also used for a subtle, refined form of inner radiance.

The subtle inner radiance said to refine the fire element in the body and mind. It is associated with clarity, courage and a bright complexion.

A medicated oil prepared by cooking herbs into a base of oil. These oils are widely used for massage and external Ayurvedic care.

The bitter taste, one of the six tastes. It is generally regarded as light and cooling.

The combined system of the three doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Their relative proportions are used to describe a person's nature and current state.

The three subtle qualities of the mind and nature in Ayurveda and Indian thought. They are sattva, rajas and tamas.

The three principal vital points of the body recognised in Ayurveda. They are the head, the heart and the lower abdomen area.

The skin, considered in Ayurveda as both a covering and a sense organ. It is a focus of many external preparations and procedures.

The channels said to carry water and fluids through the body. They are linked with thirst and the balance of moisture.

A subtype of Vata associated with the upward movement of air. It is connected with speech, effort and exhalation.

An Ayurvedic procedure in which herbal powders are massaged over the body. It is associated with toning and invigorating the skin.

A secondary tissue formed alongside the main body tissues. Examples include the skin and the channels that carry fluids.

The hot quality, one of the pairs of qualities. It is associated with warmth and activity.

A classical author credited with composing the Ashtanga Hridayam and Ashtanga Sangraha. His works are central to Ayurvedic study.

A practitioner of Ayurveda trained in its classical knowledge. The term refers to one who applies the tradition to support health.

The branch of Ayurveda concerned with reproductive strength and vitality. It is one of the classical eight divisions of the subject.

One of the five cleansing procedures of panchakarma, involving therapeutic vomiting. It is traditionally used to clear excess Kapha.

One of the three doshas, the principle of movement, made of air and ether. It governs breathing, circulation and the activity of the nervous system.

A tablet or pill form of an Ayurvedic preparation. It is similar to gulika and used for convenient dosing.

The stage of life, such as childhood, adulthood or later years. Each stage is linked with a tendency toward particular doshas.

The air element, one of the five great elements. It represents movement, lightness and dryness in the body and in nature.

The ancient body of knowledge from which Ayurveda is said to draw its roots. Ayurveda is often described as connected to the Atharva tradition.

Lifestyle and daily activity in Ayurveda, regarded alongside diet as a pillar of health. It covers movement, rest, work and habits.

The current state of the doshas, which may differ from a person's natural constitution. It reflects recent influences such as season, food and routine.

The taste that a substance is said to take on after digestion. It is used to describe the longer term effect of a food or herb.

One of the five cleansing procedures of panchakarma, involving therapeutic purgation. It is traditionally used to clear excess Pitta.

Food combinations considered unsuitable when taken together in Ayurveda. The idea is that certain pairings sit poorly even if each food is fine alone.

The active potency of a substance, often described as heating or cooling. It is one of the main ways Ayurveda explains how a substance works.

An increase of a dosha or tissue above its normal level. It is the opposite of a decline or reduction.

A subtype of Vata spread throughout the body. It is associated with circulation and the movement of the limbs.

Physical exercise as recommended within Ayurveda. It is advised in moderation and adjusted to a person's constitution.

A traditional Indian system of physical postures, breathing and mental practice. It is often used alongside Ayurveda to support body and mind.