Ayurvedic Treatment Dictionary

Abhyanga Massage - herbal warm oil massage that covers the body head to toe and two therapists administer it in synchronicity.
Ayurvedic foot reflexology - India’s form of reflexology.
Basti - the administration of herbal enemas to cleanse.
Chavutti Thirumal - literally translated, means massage by foot pressure. So, during a treatment the masseuse applies one foot at a time, whilst holding on to a support rope which runs at head level across the treatment room. This support enables the practitioner to use her foot to travel the whole length of the body in one sweeping, flowing stroke, working from the fingertips to the toes. This allows for a wonderfully deep continuous movement, this being just one of the unique characteristics of the massage. Some are short, but generally they are long controlled strokes.
Garshana massage - done without oil and light vigorous strokes. Raw silk gloves are worn for the purpose exfoliating.
Herbal Dusting - the uses of specific herbs being rubbed into the body.
Indian Head Massage - massaging the scalp, face and neck.
Marma Therapy - the use of essential oils and light massage over specific points (marmas) on the body.
Nasya - the application of herbal substances through the nasal passages.
Panchakarma - a spa treatment related to Ayurveda, Panchakarma spa treatments use nutrition, herbs, massage, and meditation to cleanse and purify the body, and restore the body's ability to heal itself.
Pinda Swedna - a massage that serves two purposes--to relax and to deeply cleanse the client's skin. The therapist massages a mixture of rice boiled in milk and herbs into the client's tissues and joints, relaxing and cleansing the client at the same time.
Pizzichilli - the luxurious treatment in which two therapists pour warm herbal oils over the body while performing a gently soothing massage.
Rakta Mokshana - is a blood cleaning therapy. Historically this has involved the removal of small quantities of blood.
Samana - Herbal Remedies.
Shiro Abhyanga Nasya - a thorough head, face and neck massage followed by herbal steam to face, heat packs and herbal drops to nasal passages to clear congestion and improve mental clarity.
Shirodhara - treatment soothing warm oil is poured in a gentle stream on to the forehead.
Snehana - massaging herbal oils into the skin to help eliminate toxins.
Swedana - herbal steam therapy.
Vaman - carefully controlled vomiting.
Virechan - using laxatives.
Vishesh Massage - firmer, deeper and heavier so that tension is relieved and the oils can penetrate the tissues more easily.
Udvartina - a deep massage that uses herbal paste rather than oil, adding an exfoliating element.

Expanded AyUrVeDic dictionary

Abhyanga - an Ayurvedic oil massage whereby two practitioners work warm oil into the tissues of the entire body. This helps loosen and facilitate the removal of accumulated doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) and ama (toxins) from the body.
Adaptogens - herbs that improve the body's ability to adapt to stress of any sort, including infection, mental stress, or fatigue. Seem to change the threshold of resistance to damage by supporting the adrenal glands and possibly the pituitary glands. Examples: Ginseng
Agni - everything that is heat in the body (temperature, sight, heat); the digestive fire; its function is transformation, absorption, elimination and discrimination. Agni is the essential form of fire and heat: the basis of good digestion.
Ahara rasa - nutrient material, acted upon in the digestive tract by rasa dhatu agni.
Akasha - free space; void; substratum of the property of sound; one of the gross elemental principles.
Alternatives, Alteratives - tending to restore normal health; cleanses and purifies the blood; alters existing nutritive and excretory processes gradually restoring normal bodily functions. Ayurvedic herb examples: amalaki, ashwagandha, "Digest Ease", haritaki, hingvastak, "Mental Clarity", shatavari, "Stress Ease", "Sweet Ease", "Tranquil Mind", trikatu, triphala.
Alteratives restore the proper function of the body, usually through altering metabolism by improving the tissues' ability to metabolize nutrients and eliminate wastes. Many of these herbs act through the kidneys, liver, lungs, bowels, or skin to eliminate wastes. Some stimulate digestion, some are antimicrobial, and some work through actions not as yet understood.   Generally used as first line medicines in conditions of chronic inflammation or degeneration, for example, any sort of chronic skin condition, many types of arthritis, and auto-immune illnesses. Most herbs that have a primary action on the liver or kidneys can be considered alterative.
Western herb examples: burdock, cleavers, nettles
Alochaka - One of the five varieties of pitta, its major function is that of catching images of external objects.
Ama - Raw, undigested food products, having become fetid, producing toxins in the system. This ama enters the blood stream and is circulated throughout the body, clogging the channels. Retention of toxins in the blood results in toxemia. This accumulated toxicity, once well established, will slowly affect prana (vital life energy), ojas (immunity), and tejas (cell metabolic energy) and result in disease. This can be nature's effort at eliminating the toxicity from the body. Every so-called disease is a crisis of ama toxicity. Ama is the basic internal cause of all disease, due to the aggravated doshas. Herein lies the key to the prevention of disease: help the body eliminate the toxins. To stop the further production of ama Ayurvedic literature suggests putting the person on a proper diet with appropriate lifestyle, habits and exercise, and administering a proper cleansing program such as panchakarma. Ayurvedic herb examples: To burn ama: "Cumin, fennel - 1/3 teaspoon of each, mixed with a pinch of hing in warm water and drink twice daily." "Triphala and trikatu - 1/2 teaspoon with warm water at bedtime." "After meal to keep agni burning: cumin, coriander, ginger - equal proportions of each in warm water as tea, after meals."
Anodynes - herbs that reduce pain by reducing the sensitivity of the nerves. Synonymous with analgesics. Western herb examples: lady's slipper, opium
Antihydrotics - herbs that decrease sweating. Examples: astralgus
Anthelminthics - destroy or expel parasitic worms from the digestive system. Ayurvedic herb examples: haritaki, hingvastak, triphala. Western herb examples: garlic, tansy, wormwood.
Anticoagulant - Ayurvedic herb examples: "sesame oil (4 parts); back mustard seed (1 part), mix together and apply to the affected area, massage in well."
Antiepileptic - Ayurvedic herb examples: "Red punarnava: 500mg. (a laxative works well on the central nervous system) - take daily, after meals."
Anti-inflammatory - Counteracts inflammation or its effects. Ayurvedic herbal examples: amalaki, "Digest Ease", haritaki, shatavari, triphala.
Antioxidant - Absorbs or attaches to oxygen free radicals. Free radicals are highly receptive compounds that attack cell membranes, enzymes, etc. Ayurvedic herb examples: amalaki, haritaki, triphala.
Antipyretic - Reduces fever. Ayurvedic herb examples: amalaki, triphala, maha-sudarshan-churna (Lad).
Antispasmodic - Prevent or relieve spasm. Ayurvedic herb examples: ashwagandha, "Digest Ease", haritaki, hingvastak, shatavari, "Tranquil Mind". "Fennel as a tea or in room temperature water." "For the relief of muscle spasms, substances one may use are: salt, ginger, cumin, castor oil (externally), hing, or ajwan."
Apana - one of the five varieties of vata, it regulates exhalation and excretion. Its movement is downward.
Aphrodisiac - heightens senses and stimulates sexual drive. Ayurvedic herb examples: ashwagandha.
Appetizer - stimulates the appetite. Ayurvedic herbs examples: hingvastak, trikatu.
Artava - one of the seven dhatus; the female reproductive tissue.
Artha - an "object of pursuit"; money, the symbol of fulfillment/contentment. It is the secular value, which is both desired and desirable. It satisfies the acquisitive tendency in individuals.
Asthi - one of the seven dhatus; the bone tissue; supports the body, giving protection, shape, nourishment and longevity.
Astringent - constricting or binding effect - i.e. checks hemorrhages, secretions. Ayurvedic herb examples: amalaki, haritaki, shatavari.
Atman - True self; the self; spiritual self; oneself. The atman is "the True Self (devoid of all dis-eases); the cause of consciousness; functions through the mind with the help of the three gunas and the five elements; the real observer, listener, witness…[due to attachments to the body, the emotions, etc., we forget who we are]… to remain one with awareness = bliss… soul has no birth, no death. The sole cause of suffering is the suffering of the soul - the result of division.. Atman is the state of awareness without separation or division. For more on the atman, see Sushruta Samhita 1, 48, 56.
Atreya - Atreya is the author of Charaka Samhita.
AUM - the sound that is God's name; sometimes written (OM); AUM sounds for, "ALL" omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence; A, U, M, represent the outer, the inner, and the superconscious states of consciousness and the waking, dream, and deep sleep states respectively.
Avalambaka - one of the five kapha subtypes; located in the heart and sacrum; its important function is to nourish the heart and the sacrum, lubricating and protecting the heart and supporting and nourishing the sacrum.
Avyakta - unmanifest prakruti; indistinct, not apparent, inarticulate.
Ayurveda - Derived from two words: ayur, meaning life, and veda, meaning knowledge; ayurveda, meaning, the knowledge of life. The philosophy of ayurveda is "love of truth." "Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word which means the 'Knowledge of Life.' Its roots are buried deeply in the ancient culture of India. In fact, Ayurvedic medicine is considered to be the oldest natural healing system extant, pre-dating even the Chinese system of medicine. Ayurveda is more than a medical science, however, and can only be understood when one realizes that it is intricately woven into the fabric of Nature. Over five thousand years ago, spiritually enlightened persons known as Rishis or Seers, by close observation of Nature and its relationship to Man through a supramental state of meditation, imparted that truth from guru to disciple. Today, however, Ayurveda exists in texts, scribed in the form of melodious poetry. Because the roots of Ayurveda were born out of the realm of the Spirit, only with a spiritual orientation can one understand this knowledge." Ayurveda contains "the secrets of why Man needs to cooperate with Nature completely in order to insure his well- being. When there is little or no cooperation, the resultant disharmony is suffering, disease and finally a premature death. Thus, in dealing with the body in the context of the spirit, Ayurveda is a completely Holistic approach to life."
"Although the word 'Ayurveda' is often translated as 'the knowledge of life,' a more accurate translation is 'the knowledge of longevity.'"
Bala - Strength is "bala" in Sanskrit.
Balya - "An energizer that gives strength to the body. Substances one may use are: ashwagandha and shatavari." 
Bhakti - devotion, attachment, loyalty, faithfulness, reverent service, worship, homage.
Basti - Enema therapy of panchakarma. Vata's predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic basti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with basti.
Vata is a very active principle in pathogenesis. If we can control vata through the use of basti, we have gone a long way in going to the root cause of the vast majority of diseases.
Vata is the main etiological factor in the manifestation of diseases. It is the motive force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile and other excreta. Vata is mainly located in the large intestine, but bone tissue (asthi dhatu) is also a site for vata. Hence the medication administered rectally effects asthi dhatu. The mucus membrane of the colon is related to the outer covering of the bones (periosteum), which nourishes the bones. Therefore, any medication given rectally goes into the deeper tissues, like bones, and corrects vata disorders.
There are eight main types of basti, according to traditional texts, each with their own indications and contra-indications as listed below.
1. Anuvasana (oil enema) is used in pure vata disorders and when a person is having excess hunger or dryness related to vata imbalances.
2. Niruha-Asthapana (decoction enema) is used, among other conditions, for evacuation of vata, nervous diseases, gastro-intestinal vata conditions, gout, certain fever conditions, unconsciousness, certain urinary conditions, appetite, pain, hyperacidity and heart diseases.
3. Uttara Basti (through the urethra with men or vagina with women) is used for selected semen and ovulation disorders and for some problems involving painful urination or bladder infections. This is not to be used for someone with diabetes.
4. Matra Basti (daily oil enema) is used by someone emaciated by overwork or too much exercise, too much heavy lifting, walking too long of a distance, too much sexual activity or someone with chronic vata disorders. It does not need to be accompanied by any strict dietary restriction or daily routine and can be administered, in the appropriate cases, in all seasons. It gives strength, promotes weight and helps elimination of waste products.
5. Karma Basti (schedule of 30 bastis),
6. Kala Basti (schedule of 15 bastis; 10 oil + 5 decoction)
7. Yoga Basti (schedule of 8 bastis; 5 oil + 3 decoction).
In karma, kala and yoga bastis, it is better to give both types of basti in combination and not the oil and decoction separately. The conditions under which these are recommended are too detailed to be able to list in this article. In general, the indications and contra-indications that apply to basti also apply here.
8. Bruhana Basti (nutritional enema) is used for providing deep nutrition in select conditions. Traditionally, highly nutritive substances have been used, such as warm milk (ksirabasti), meat broth, bone marrow soup and herbs like shatavari or ashwagandha.
General Indications for Basti:
-constipation
-low back ache
-gout
-rheumatism
-sciatica
-arthritis
-nervous disorders
-vata headache
-emaciation
-muscular atrophy
General Contra-Indications for Basti
(include but are not limited to the following):
Enema therapy should not be used if the patient is suffering from diarrhea, bleeding of the rectum, chronic indigestion, breathlessness, diabetes, fever, emaciation, severe anemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, old age or for children below the age of seven years.
For oil enemas:
Diabetes, obesity, indigestion, low agni, enlarged liver or spleen, unconsciousness, tuberculosis and cough.
For decoction enemas:
Debility, hiccough, hemorrhoids, inflammation of anus, piles, diarrhea, pregnancy, ascites, diabetes and some conditions involving painful or difficult breathing.
For nutritional enemas:
Diabetes, obesity, lymphatic obstruction, ascites.
For urethra or vaginal enemas:
Diabetes
Bhedaniya - "Breaks down hard fecal matter and helps to remove it out of the body; thus, cleans the colon. Substances one may use are: kutki, castor oil, and senna."
Bhrajaka - one of the five sub-types of pitta, located in the skin of the entire body, and its function is to give color to the skin and to produce luster.
Bodhaka - one of the five kapha subtypes; it is located in the root of the tongue and pharynx; it enables the perception of taste.
Brahma - the first in the Hindu God Trinity; the creator, taking the universe as his body; manifesting the energy of creation.
Bruhaniya - "Expansion, which promotes growth (anabolic). These herbs are cool, oily, and soft, increasing kapha. Substances one may use are: coconut, squash, dates, almonds, cashew nuts, walnuts, ripe banana, pineapple, and apricot."
Buddhi - The faculty of intelligence, intuitive wisdom, and discrimination. Vata persons intellect (buddhi) is uncertain, unstable, active, very clear, subtle, and involves good recent memory. Pitta buddhi is sharp, penetrating, involves concentration, capacity for discrimination, understanding, appreciation, it retains knowledge - good remote and recent memory. Kapha buddhi is slow, dull, soft, slippery, and once a kapha person understands something, they retain it. Like an elephant they have good remote memory.
Carminative - "Relieves intestinal gas, pain and distention; promotes peristalsis. Ayurveda herbs: amalaki, 'Digest Ease', haritaki, hingvastak, trikatu, triphala." (Banyan) "Substances one may use are: baking soda, hing, triphala, and ajwan." In Sanskrit carminative is: "anulomika"
Chakhyushya - "Good for the eyes, and increases the tone of the ciliary muscles. Substances one may use are: pomegranate, mango, black olives, ghee, raisins, and triphala essence." (filtered triphala water)
Chakra - energy centers in the body; related to nerve plexus centers which govern the bodily functions.
Charaka - "Charaka means 'wanderer,' and Charaka must himself have spent many months in the jungles watching the behavior of wild animals in order to have gained the vast cache of wisdom which is his treatise" called the Charaka Samhita. "Early humans were generally helpless to control their physical environment, and when they were ill all they could do was look around themselves and try to locate a remedy in Nature. Primitive people are more intuitive than we moderns are, and because of their proximity to Nature many early humans could intuitively determine the likely effects of the ingestion of any particular plant. Also, sometimes someone would notice a monkey or an elephant eating a plant, which it would not normally eat, and that plant would be noted for future reference. Such observations, collected over thousands of years, finally developed into Ayurveda when experts like Charaka, the author of the famous text known as the Charaka Samhita, codified them into systems. Primitive men and women may never have suspected that such systematic codification would happen, for they knew only that a certain bark, root, leaf, flower or fruit would return them to health when they were ill."
Churna - Churna means "powder" in Sanskrit.
Consciousness - the state of being, characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought; the quality or state of being aware, especially of something within oneself; the state of being conscious of an external object, state, or fact.
Cure - Voltaire once said, "The physician's job is to entertain the patient, while God cures." "Ayurvedic texts clearly state that no physician since the beginning of time has ever cured even the simplest disease, because all therapeutic efforts only expedite Nature's processes. All diseases are created, and since everything created exists in time and must eventually be destroyed, the seeds of a disease's destruction are present even at the moment of its origin. Even though the end of the disease sometimes coincides with the end of the patient, no disease is permanent. All a good doctor can do is to hasten the process of healing; an incompetent, heroic or over-enthusiastic doctor may hasten the death of the patient more often that he or she hastens the death of the disease. A good musician can make melody with a defective instrument, and a good doctor can create harmony from malady."
Deva - celestial beings; angelic beings without physical bodies; shining ones.
Dhanvantari - the incarnation of Vishnu; the physician of the gods, said to have been produced at the churning of the ocean with a cup of nectar in his hand; represents the true healer in all beings.
Dharana - In Sanskrit, Dharana means "absorbing information into memory, and reproducing same".
Dharma - virtue, attribute, condition, righteousness; duty; prescribed course of conduct; nature or disposition; one's true character; about being a whole human being.
Dhatu - the basic nutritional and structural factors of the body; literally, to support or to nourish; there are seven dhatu (tissues) in the body. The seven bodily tissues are rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja and shukra.
Dhi - Dhi means "understanding" in Sanskrit.
Dhrti - Dhrti means "holding or retaining" in Sanskrit.
Dipaniya - "Kindles the gastric fire; increases the appetite. Substances one may use are: pippali, ginger, black pepper, ajwan, and hing."
Dis-ease - Throughout this glossary, the authors have used dis-ease, vice disease, to highlight the opposite of ease. This is in keeping with the idea that dis-ease is a condition of the body or one of its parts that impairs the performance of a vital function, thus bringing about the absence of ease. "The root cause of dis-ease is desire. Desire pulls one from attention and awareness. The lack of attention and awareness manifests as attachment, separation, division, confusion and hence, creates an imbalance of vata, pitta, kapha, resulting in physical disorder. The way out: When attention and awareness are sustained, the result is the reversal of the whirlpool which was set in motion by desire. The internal can become the external; the external can become the internal.
Diuretic - "Promotes activity of kidney and bladder and increases urination." Ayurvedic herbs examples: amalaki, ashwagandha,
Dosha - "Literally fault, blemish, defect, or morbid substance; the three humors are concepted as dosha vata, pitta, and kapha; these three dosha are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the human body, governing all the biological, psychological, and physio-pathological functions of the body, mind, and consciousness." Dosha, according to Dr. Sunil Joshi, (Ayur), is that which is "neither retained nor eliminated. It is a fault, meaning it defies the definition of dhatu (tissue, which is retained within the body) and mala (waste product which is eliminated from the body). Doshas can come and go, dhatus cannot."
Dravya - Substance; the substratum of properties, one of the special properties of the nine eternal substances according to the Vaisheshika system of Indian philosophy. The nine eternal substances are: earth, water, fire, air, ether, time, space, self, and mind.
Duhkha - Means "unhappiness" in Sanskrit. Vata persons tend toward a duhkha of insecurity, anxiety, fear, loneliness. Pitta constitution individuals tend towards a duhkha involving judgment, nothing to do, being judged, criticism, and lack of acknowledgement. Kapha duhkha is related to too much physical activity and hardship.
Emetics - "…that which eliminates the impurity from the upper part of the body is known as emetic." Herbs that cause vomiting. Have been used in the past in conditions characterized by a great deal of mucus (dispel kapha with vamana), to clear the mucus from the body. In modern herbalism, used to cause forceful emptying in cases of poisoning. Western herb examples: ipecacuanha.
Etiology - The study of the causes of dis-ease. One of the key causes of dis-ease according to Ayurveda is the "un-use, overuse, or misuse of the five senses: touch, smell, taste, vision, and sound. Improper diet causes disorder - dis-ease. One needs to be aware of how to eat, what to eat, when to eat, and the proper combination of food. Outside agents of dis-ease include evil spirits, poisons, air pollution (wind), fire, exposure to radiation and the seasons. Inside agents of dis-ease include low agni, repressed emotion (stress), fear, anxiety, intellectual blasphemy, and vata, pitta, and kapha imbalance." (Ammons: p. 15)
Ghee - Clarified butter. Recipe: Heat one pound of unsalted butter on a medium heat. After the butter melts, heat for about twelve minutes over a medium flame. As it boils, froth will rise to the surface. (Do not remove this foam for it contains medicinal properties.) Turn the heat to low. The butter will turn a golden yellow color and will smell like popcorn. A sediment of white milk solids can be seen at the bottom of the pot. When the white milk solids turn brown, the ghee is ready. Remove it from the heat. Pour it through a strainer that has been lined with cheese cloth. The Ghee may be stored without refrigeration. [DO NOT STIR DURING THE PROCESS]
Ghrta - Ghrta means "ghee" in Sanskrit. More information is found on ghee in Ci. 2.1.38.
Govinda - one of the common names for Krishna; meaning, cowherd; and he is the rescuer of the earth.
Guna - The three attributes of unmanifest prakruti, which are in balance before the creation of evolutes, and whose imbalance constitutes the process of creation. All material entities (evolutes), including the mind, are composites of the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas.
Hrudya - "Promotes cheerfulness; heart strengthener; strengthens the cardiovascular system, improving elasticity and dilation. Substances to use for this are: arjuna, pomegranate, punarnava, gold, rudraksha, gulwa, and triphala."
Iccha - Iccha is "the will" in Sanskrit. Vata persons will is shaky, undecided, superficial and drops soon. Pitta iccha is strong, determined and decisive. Kapha iccha is slow, steady, and like a turtle.
Isvara - God; Lord; forever and always free; wherever the Lordship reaches its extremity, that is God (Isvara).
Jiva - Individual soul; living being; the A empirical self.
Kama - desire; one of the three pursuits commonly desired and followed by most men, the other two are dharma and artha; as sexual desire, it is one of the five sins the yogi must cut off, the others being wrath, greed, fear, and sleep. (Lad: Pulse)
Kanthya - "Improves the voice and improves hoarseness of the voice; good for the throat, speech and voice. Substances one may use for this are: cinnamon, cardamom, licorice, katiphala, and rock candy with cloves." 
Kapha - one of the three dosha; the water humor; the extra cellular and intracellular fluid playing a vital role in the nutrition and existence of cells and tissues in the body.
Karma - action; work; a complex concept, the word originally denoted a religious act or rite and gradually assumed other shades of meaning, as in, action, work, past actions as producing good or evil results; the accumulated effect of deeds in lives, past and present. See also: Kama. "The remedy for disease is to be found in the cause, because, in Vimalananda's words, 'cause is effect concealed, and effect is cause revealed.' Cause and effect form not a dialectic but a continuum, which is expressed in the physical world by the permutations of the Five Elements." (Svoboda: Secret) For some meditative thoughts on karma, see Krishnamurti.
Karna-taila - Karna-taila is the Sanskrit word referring to "oiling the ears".
Keshyam - "Strengthens the hair and the hair root. Substances one may use are: licorice, jatamamsi, hibiscus, elephant tusk, amla (amalaki), and brahmi (the latter two strengthen hair roots)."  
Khumbhaka - the pranayama practice of controlled breath retention; the art of retaining the breath in a state of suspense; it is done with the brain relaxed in order to revitalize the nervous system; a pause between an in and an out breath or between an out and an in breath.
Kichadi - is a simple dish of basmati rice and split mung dal, with the appropriate spices added according to one's dosha, and/or according to the particular nutritional healing that needs to be addressed. It is easily digested and assimilated, and is the primary food to be taken during panchakarma. The basic recipe calls for one part mung dal and two parts basmati rice, with the appropriate herbs as mentioned above.
Kledaka - One of the kapha subtypes; its function is to moisten the food particles and after breaking them into small pieces, it liquefies the digested contents of food materials in the stomach; active in the stomach.
Kosha - Sheath; subtle body; there are five sheaths: sheath of bliss, sheath of knowledge, sheath of mind, sheath of prana, and sheath of food.
Krishna - Black; the ninth incarnation of Vishnu and the most popular of all his earthly incarnations; Krishna is the embodiment of love, the divine joy that destroys all pain.
Kundalini Shakti - Kundalini, the snake of eternity, the residue that remains after material consciousness is dissolved.
Lakshmi - The goddess of fortune and of beauty, and the consort of the great deity Vishnu; she is the created energy of the Lord and the divine mother of the universe; the cosmic power of physical abundance and wealth; fortune.
Lekhaniya - "Scraping fat from the body; removes the non-essential adipose tissue (catabolic). Substances one may use are: honey, hot water, vacha, kutki, copper, chitrak, and shilajit. Good for cellulite removal."
Lord Shiva - The third God in the Hindu Godhead Trinity; he is the deity of the people, of the common folks; literally, Shiva means "good" or "auspicious"; known as Rudra, the dissolver, the benevolent one; Shiva has eight qualities: independence, purity, self-knowledge, omniscience, freedom from mala, boundless benevolence, omnipotence, and bliss.
Ma - the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi; Ma is the giver of the heart in Ayurveda, that is, the heart comes from the mother; thus, any feeling that comes, any thought, any memory, is circulated throughout the body by this gift from Ma
Madhyama - Madhyama means the trunk of the body in Sanskrit
Mahat Bhoota - the five great and/or primary elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth.
Mahat - the great principle; the intellect, the cosmic aspect of the intellect, along with the intellect, ego and mind, it is the cause of the entire creation; it is also called buddhi, which is the psychological aspect of the intellect within individuals; its special function is determination; from Mahat evolves egoity.
Majja - one of the seven dhatus; bone marrow; it is unctuous and soft; its main function is to oleate the body, to fill up the asthi, and to nourish the shukra.
Malas - waste products: primarily includes urine, feces, and sweat
Mamsa - one of the seven dhatus; produced by rasa and rakta; its main function is to provide physical strength, and to support meda dhatu.
Mantram - A sacred word or phrase of spiritual significance and power; they are of two classes: one given expression to by the voice, and those that are non-uttered, but are repeated internally.
Marmas - These marmas are the 365 vital energy points in the body, of which 108 are of great importance in Ayurveda; they are also known as "door receptors"; anatomically, marmas are perceived as nerve crossings where nerves come to the fascia; they relate to the vital organs of the body.
Maya - illusion; maya is "God's creative energy," cosmic illusion; not illusion in the sense of unreality, but cosmic play the divine lila or sport.
Meda - one of the seven bodily tissues (dhatus); it is the fat tissue, supported by mamsa dhatu; its function is to support the body and to lubricate the body; meda in excessive quantity may produce obesity and physical weakness.
Moksha - liberation; spiritual freedom; release; the spiritual self dwelling in its own nature.
Nasya - nasal administration of herbs. The nose is the doorway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called nasya. An excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.
Ojas - Vitality, luster, splendor; superfine essence of kapha; prevents decay and degeneration of the body; while supporting the body, it provides strength against dis-ease and decay. "Ojas is a superfine biological substance and the biological strength of the tissues depends upon it. Ojas is not just a concept, not just a principle. It is a protoplasmic biological substance called albumin and globulin that is formed during the biosynthesis of bodily tissue. As ghee is the pure essence of milk, in the same way this protoplasmic biological substance is the pure essence of biological tissue. In the churning process to make ghee agni is created, electricity is created, which ionizes and separates the molecules of butter from buttermilk. In the same way, the end product of digested food plus agni creates the nutritional precursor called ahar rasa. Rasa dhatu agni transfers the immature ahar rasa into mature sthay rasa. Asthayi means mobile, unstable, unprocessed, and immature. Sthay means stable, permanent, and mature. In that transformation, dhatu waste products, dhatu by products and ojas is created. It is the tejas of rasa agni that separates out the pure essence of rasa and that pure essence is called ojas. The same process occurs with all bodily tissues. Every dhatu has its own ojas. There is a rasa ojas, rakta ojas, mamsa ojas, meda ojas, asthi, majja, and shukra ojas. Rasa means plasma; rakta means blood tissue, which is red blood cells; mamsa, the muscle tissue; meda, the fat or adipose tissue; asthi, the bone; majja, the nerve tissue and bone marrow; and shukra and artava, the male and female reproductive tissue. The same process occurs with all bodily tissues, so ojas is the pure essence of all dhatus (tissues). In a way every dhatu has its own ojas."
Pachaka - one of the five subtypes of pitta, it is located in an area between the stomach and the duodenum; it is the combination of bile and pancreatic juice; when functioning abnormally, it may cause a burning sensation, increased appetite, thirst, insomnia, and/or jaundice.
Pachaniya - "Aids digestion. Substances one may use are: fennel, coriander, cumin, trikatu, and chitrak."
Pakya - Pakya is "decoction" in Sanskrit. Also srta is Sanskrit for decoction
Panchakarma - the five-fold purification measures, for the purpose of internal purification, these are: vomiting, purgation, decoction enema, oily enema, and nasal administration of specific medications. Although panchakarma is often thought of as the entire procedure, it really is only one part of a group of therapies belonging to a class of cleansing procedures called shodan. There is also a group of milder techniques called shaman for those not strong enough for shodan.
Pitta - one of the three dosha; the bile humor; the entire hormones, enzymes, co-enzymes, and other agencies responsible for the physiochemical activities constantly going on in the body during life.
Prakruti - the Samkhya definition calls this the unconscious, material-energy principle; the inherent relationship between self and matter is an eternal attribute of prakruti; primal nature; the individual's constitution which is determined and fixed at the time of arrival.
Prana - the first of the five vital forces of vata dosha; the vital air; life breath; vitality; its most important function is to control the functions of the mind; it is also responsible for respiratory functions, regulating inhalation.
Pranayama - techniques for regulating and restraining the function of breathing, and/or for purifying the blood and vitalizing the inner organs; the three aspects are: inhalation, retention, and exhalation, with the aim being to make the span of each of these aspects longer and more controlled.
Pratyahara - "Withdrawal and liberation of the mind from the senses and objects (5th stage of yoga)."
Prayatna - Prayatna means "effort" in Sanskrit. Vata's effort is rapid, light, and superficial. Pitta's effort is sharp, hot, penetrating and skillful. Kapha's effort is heavy, dull, slow and sleepy.
Puraka - the in-breathing, inhalation aspect of pranayama.
Purgative - "…that which eliminates the impurity from the lower part of the body is purgative." Purgatives stimulate the production of bowel movements. Ayurvedic herbs examples: amalaki, haritaki, triphala. (Banyan)
Rajas - One of the three gunas; characterized by action, energy, passion, and stimulating, mobile, and painful. All movements and activities are due to rajas. It leads to the life of sensual enjoyment, pleasure and pain, effort and restlessness.
Rakshasa - demonic beings; when tamas increases, the mind becomes unable to distinguish between right or wrong acts, and becomes fixated on conflicts through anger. Such is the mind of the demonic being called rakshasa; this may also result from overpowering rajas.
Rakta - one of the seven dhatus; supported by rasa, it is one of the most important dhatus; responsible for the nourishment of the permanent dhatus; provides physical strength and color to the body; the basis of the life; it is the circulating blood cells.
Ram - the seventh incarnation of Vishnu; the warrior-hero of the Ramayana; the embodiment of righteousness.
Ranjaka - a pitta subtype; located in the liver and spleen; it confers color, and is mainly responsible for the formation of blood, working along with rakta dhatu in the liver and spleen.
Rasa - the first of the seven dhatus, rasa is derived from the digested food, and after absorption it circulates in the entire body by specific channels; its main function is to provide nutrition to each and every cell of the body; the plasma dhatu.
Rasayana - rejuvenative therapy which regenerates body-mind, prevents decay, postpones ageing.
Rechaka - the out-breath, exhalation aspect of pranayama.
Sadhaka - one of the pitta subtypes; it is responsible for intelligence, memory and enthusiasm, and is mainly concerned with the functions of the higher mental faculties.
Samadhi - absorption; concentration; harmony; a calm, desireless fixity; a unifying concentration; awareness; mastery and control by the mind-field.
Samana - one of the vata subtypes; located in the stomach and duodenum; important functions are the digestion of food materials and the separation of waste products; it is responsible for regulation of the composition of body fluids, body temperature, and for the movement of pitta and kapha.
Samkhya - the term Samkhya denotes both "discriminative knowledge" and "enumeration"; Samkhya is one of the schools of Hindu philosophy; founded by Kapila, it gives a systematic account of cosmic evolution according to twenty-five categories: Purusha (Cosmic Spirit), Prakruti (Cosmic Substance), Mahat (Cosmic Intelligence), Ahamkara (Individuating Principle), Manas (Cosmic Mind), Indriyas (Ten Abstract Sense Powers of Cognition and Action), Tanmatras (Five Subtle Elements), Mahat Bhutas (The Five Great Elements).
Samskara - the impressions left in the mind after any experience; imprints; whatever is done consciously or unconsciously leaves a samskara; samskaras represent the root impressions received from all one's past experiences recent past or distant past.
Sandhaniya - "Means 'to join' - helps the body in the healing of broken bones and torn ligaments; unites fractured and divided parts. Substances one may use are: licorice, gulwel, and mimosa pudica (a very sensitive plant)."
Sarasvati - the goddess of speech and learning; represented as the wife of Brahma.
Sat-Chid-Ananda - existence, reality, A being; :pure consciousness, the spirit, Brahman; bliss, delight.
Sattva - the first of the three gunas; attribute of prakruti; the purest aspect of the three gunas; the sentient principle; characterized by: purity, luminosity, lightness, harmony, and the production of pleasure. Sattvic qualities implies essence, reality, consciousness, purity and clarity of perception which is responsible for goodness and happiness.
Shakha - Shakha means extremity in Sanskrit.
Shirah - Shirah means head in Sanskrit.
Shleshaka - The fifth subtype of kapha; located in the bony joints of the body; viscous and oily; its main functions are to protect the bony joints, keeping them firm and united, and to keep them functioning smoothly.
Shodan - Cleansing methods. There are five basic shodans:
1) vaman: therapeutic vomiting or emesis
2) virechan: purgation
3) basti: enema
4) nasya: elimination of toxins through the nose
5) raktamoksha: detoxification of the blood
Shukra - the last of the seven dhatus; its chief functions are to produce sensation of ejaculation, fondness, and to strengthen the body; it is the semen, the male reproductive tissue.
Skandha
Skandha is a Sanskrit word meaning heap, pile, or aggregate. The Buddha illustrated his teaching about the skandhas by using five small piles - heaps - of different grains. The skandhas are general divisions for categorizing all phenomena in the conditioned world. Because they include with them all transitory, impermanent phenomena, they are an important tool for understanding the Buddhist doctrine of no-self. If one analyzes all aspects of what one feels to be one's 'self', one finds that all fall within the scope of the Five Skandhas. The Five Skandhas as they are found in your body are:
1. The body is the form skandha.
2. Once you have the form skandha, you then have feelings of enjoyment and pleasure.
3. You want pleasure, and so you give rise to polluted thinking, which is cognition. How can I get what I want? How can I actually indulge in pleasure?
4. You have to go and do it. That is formations.
5. Acting requires a certain amount of wisdom, a consciousness which is a kind of small intelligence, a minute amount…
When you break through all five skandhas, and are no longer deluded by them, you can 'cross beyond all suffering and difficulty.' You then put an end to all bitterness. Seeing that the Five Skandhas are all empty is getting rid of the attachment to self.
Smrti - Smrti means "memory" in Sanskrit.
So Ham - the word used with exhalation and inhalation to enter into meditation; "I am He, the Universal Spirit," the unconscious repetitive prayer that goes on with each exhalation within every living creature throughout life.
Srotas - a canal of nutriment in the body; the minute channels for transporting the nutrients that are undergoing metabolic transformation; all the dhatus have their own minute channels, made up of extremely fine pores, originating from the heart cavity, and spreading throughout the body; they transport the nutrient fluid to all parts of the body for nourishment and growth.
Sukha - Sukha is "happiness" in Sanskrit. Vata persons when experiencing sukha are easily bored, vata sukha is superficial, physical, and shaky. Pitta sukha involves solving problems, understanding, and solving puzzles. Kapha sukha is passive, involving napping, eating or sitting.
Surya - The sun.
Sushumna Nadi - the central, subtle energy channel that flows along the spinal column of the physical body; nadi is the subtle energy field or channel which controls the movements and configurations of sentient beings; sushumna nadi starts from the first chakra and extends up to the crown chakra.
Tamas
one of the three gunas; retentiveness; darkness; obscurity; insentience; stability; groundedness; supportiveness; lethargy; of the nature of indifference and serves to restrain; heavy and enveloping. Tamas is darkness, inertia, heaviness, and materialistic attitudes.
Tanmatra
the subtle essence of the five elements; the smallest particle of elemental knowables; the five subtle elements in the subtle body: sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell.
Tantra Yoga - a non-Vedic form of yogic practices leading to divine ecstasy through certain rites that emphasize the erotic and forbidden; also known as kundalini-yoga; tantra is centered on the divine female power; rule, ritual, scripture, religious treatise, loom, warp.
Tarpaka - one of the five kapha subtypes; present in the head; its important functions are to oleate and nourish the sensory organs; helps the brain and the five sensory organs to perform their specific functions in the body.
Tejas - the superfine essence of pitta; one of the five elements (fire); its characteristics are: light, illumination, luster, brilliance, and majesty.
Tri-dosha - the three humors, vata, pitta, and kapha are counted both as constituents and as doshas, or morbid substances; the human body is the combination of these three primary essential factors; the three doshas are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the human body; they govern the entire physical structure and function in a living being.
Trikatu - "The three pungents" Sunthi (dry ginger), pippali (Indian long pepper), and maricha (black pepper)
Trishna - Thirst
Udana - one of the five subtypes of vata; its site is in the umbilical region, chest, and neck; healthy udana governs enthusiasm, and is responsible for the vocal function of the body; udana regulates the upward movement of Aprana.
Uttama anga - In Sanskrit, "the shirah (head) is called uttama anga. Uttama means noble, great. Anga means part of the body. The main part of the body is the head. A person is identified by the head. If the head is covered, we don’t know whose body or picture it is.
Vaisheshika - one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy; founded by Kanada; the term, "vaisheshika," means excellence or distinction; the feature of the system is its doctrine of particularity.
Vamana
Therapeutic vomiting; one of the five methods of panchakarma emesis therapy. "When there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic vomiting, vaman, to eliminate the kapha causing the excess mucus. First, after the snehan and swedan, three to four glasses of licorice or salt water is administered, then vomiting is stimulated by rubbing the tongue which triggers the vomiting center through the gag reflex. Often times this also releases repressed emotions which have been held in the kapha areas of the lungs and stomach along with the accumulated dosha. Once the mucus is released the patient will feel instantly relieved. It is likely that congestion, wheezing and breathlessness will disappear and that the sinuses will become clear. Therapeutic vomiting is also indicated in chronic asthma, diabetes, chronic cold, lymphatic congestion, chronic indigestion and edema.
Before vaman is administered, oil massage and fomentation are recommended on the night before the day of vaman. One to three days prior to vaman, the person should drink one cup of recommended oil two to three times a day until the stool becomes oily, or until he or she feels nauseated. The person should also eat a kaphagenic diet to aggravate kapha in the system. Vaman should be given early in the morning (kapha time). The person should eat basmati rice and yogurt with much salt early in the morning, which will further aggravate kapha in the stomach. The application of heat to the chest and back will liquefy the kapha. The person should sit calmly on a knee-high chair and drink the concoction of licorice and honey, or salt water. This emesis preparation is measured and recorded before being drunk, so that at a later time the amount of vomits from the decoction can be determined. After drinking the decoction the person should feel nauseated. He should then rub the tongue to induce vomiting, continuing until bile comes out in the vomits. The degree of success in this treatment is determined by: 1) the number of vomitings (8 is maximum, 6 medium, 4 minimum), and 2) the quantity of vomits (1 quart maximum, 1 1/2 pints medium, 1 pint minimum).
Emetic Substances: madan-emetic nut, madhuka-yastimadhu-licorice, neem-bitter leaf, bimbi, kutaj-kurchi- conessi bark, murva-clematis, triloba-devdaru-deodar, Cedrus deodara, Salt, NaCl, ela-cardamom, nux vomica." (Lad: PK)
"Vamanopaga substances one may use are: licorice, cardamom, calamus root (vacha), neem, vidanga, salt, and bitter herb." (Ammons: 388)
"After vaman, resting, fasting, smoking certain herbal cigarettes, and not suppressing natural urges (i.e. urination, defecation, gas, sneezing, coughing) is recommended. If vaman is administered properly, the person should feel relaxation in the lungs, will be able to breathe freely, will have lightness in the chest, clear thinking, clear voice, a good appetite, and all symptoms of congestion disappear.
After practicing vaman in the morning, the person should fast until 5 pm, then eat kitchari with ghee. He or she can drink cumin, coriander, ginger, fennel tea (equal portions). Steep in hot water and drink with one tsp. honey. Or he can drink honey lime tea, using one tsp. honey and one tsp. lime juice to one cup of hot water.
Indications for Vaman:
-used for all kapha type disorders
-good for pitta headache, dizziness, and nausea
-will help to release blocked emotions
-respiratory congestion
-bronchitis
-chronic cold
-sinus congestion
-kaphagenic asthma
Contra-Indications for Vaman:
-below the age of 12 or over age 65
-menstruation
-pre-menstrual period (one week prior)
-pregnancy
-emaciation
-delicate or sensitive person with too much fear, grief or anxiety
-hypoglycemia
-vata prakruti
-vata diseases
-heart diseases
-during vata season
-acute fever
-diarrhea
-obesity"
Vamanopaga - "For the stimulation of vomiting."
Vamathu - Vomiting
Varnya - "Improve the complexion, body color (skin, eyes, hair). Substances one may use are: turmeric, sandalwood, manjista, and grass (darba)." 
Vata - one of the three humors; wind (air); that force which keeps kapha, pitta, and all of the seven dhatus and the malas in motion.
Vedas - "The word 'veda' is derived from a Sanskrit root meaning 'knowledge,' and the Vedas are verily the seeds of universal knowledge which have bloomed into Indian culture. Thousands of years ago the Rishis of India addressed the problem of eternal life, writing their answers to this conundrum in the four Vedas, the collections of hymns which are the oldest existing literary compositions of the human race. A famous Vedic prayer states: 'Lead me from darkness into light; lead me from untruth into truth; lead me from mortality into immortality.' We lay emphasis on the last clause of this prayer in our study of medicine, for Ayurveda's purpose is the systematic transformation of a mortal human into an immortal being."
Vikriti
modification; the pathological condition of the psychological condition of the psychosomatic apparatus; imbalance; dis-ease.
Virechan - "Purgation therapy of panchakarma. When excess bile, pitta, is secreted and accumulated in the gall bladder, liver and small intestine, it tends to result in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, chronic attacks of fever, biliary vomiting, nausea and jaundice. Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration of therapeutic purgation or a therapeutic laxative. Virechan is facilitated with senna leaves, flax seeds, psyllium husks or triphala in a combination that is appropriate for the individual person.
Senna leaf tea is a mild laxative, but in people of vata constitution, this tea might create griping pain, since its action aggravates peristaltic movement in the large intestine.
An effective laxative for vata or pitta constitutions is a glass of hot milk to which two teaspoons of ghee have been added. This laxative, taken at bedtime will help to relieve the excess pitta causing the bile disturbance in the body. In fact, purgatives can completely cure the problem of excess pitta.
When purgatives are used, it is important to check the diet. The patient should not eat foods that will aggravate the predominant humor or cause the three humors to become unbalanced.
Virechan Substances: Senna, prune, bran, flaxseed husk, dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow's milk, salt, castor oil, raisins, mango juice, triphala."
For virecanopaga (virechan or purgative) "substances one may use are: triphala, nishoth, kapila, senna, psyllium, flaxseed, fennel, castor oil, aloe, cactus milk, milk, cow's urine, and sesame seed."
"Indications for Virechan:
-allergic rash
-skin inflammation
-acne, dermatitis, eczema
-chronic fever
-ascites
-biliary vomiting
-jaundice
-urinary disorder
-enlargement of the spleen
-internal worms
-burning sensation in the eyes
-inflammation of the eyes
-conjunctivitis
-gout
Contra-Indications for Virechan:
-low agni
-acute fever
-diarrhea
-severe constipation
-bleeding from rectum or lung cavities
-foreign body in the stomach
-after enema
-emaciation or weakness
-prolapsed rectum
-alcoholism
-dehydration
-childhood
-old age
-ulcerative colitis"
Virecanopaga - "Purgative, assisting in the elimination of the dosha from the vital organs and helps rid the system of ama."
Vishnu - the Supreme Lord; the All-pervading; One without a second; the divine qualities are: knowledge, strength, lordship, power, virility, and splendor; the preserver.
Vitamin
Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a growth promoting vitamin. It pacifies vata and pitta and builds up kapha. According to Ayurveda, Vitamin A is effective for glaucoma. There is some Vitamin A in Punarnava.
Vitamin D. Vitamin D is the anti-rickets vitamin. It pacifies vata and pitta and promotes kapha. It works on asthi dhatu.
Vitamin E. Vitamin E is anti-sterility. it pacifies vata, increases pitta, increases kapha. It helps ovulation and spermatogenesis.
Vitamin K. Vitamin K helps coagulation. It is present in the liver. It increases vata, decreases pitta, and builds up kapha. Kapha and vata together work on coagulation.
Vitamin P. Vitamin P is called hesperidin. It is anti-hemorrhagic, it stops hemorrhage. It decreases vata, increases pitta, decreases kapha.
Vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 is anti-neuritic. It calms vata and pitta and builds up kapha.
Vitamin B2. Vitamin B2 pacifies vata, builds up pitta and kapha.
Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is called pyrodoxine. It pacifies vata, increases pitta, pacifies kapha.
Folic Acid. Folic Acid pacifies vata, increases pitta, reduces kapha.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. It pacifies vata, increases pitta, decreases kapha. That is why, whenever there is cold and congestion, Vitamin C is used. Amalaki is an alkaline version of Vitamin C. It contains a buffer action.
B12. Vitamin B12 is cyanocobalamin and is used in sciatica. It pacifies vata, pitta and builds kapha. B12 is also a cardiac tonic. It is present in pomegranate, Arjun, beet juice, and certain animal products. B12 is a nervine tonic. There is B12 in Guggulu, which contains cobalt and cyanocobalamin. For neurological pain B12 or Guggulu is used.
Vyana - one of the five vata subtypes; vital air; the life-breath which governs the circulation of blood in the body; it also regulates the nervous, muscular, and the skeletal systems in the body.
Yantra - a visual (symbol or design) concentration for each chakra, following tantric norms; used to channel psychic forces.
Yoga Nidra - yoga sleep; conscious sleep; one learns to observe the sleep process by dwelling in the light of the true self which observes the lower sleeping mind; when the mind becomes absorbed in this experience of consciousness, the true knowledge of sleep becomes the object of meditation; the mind then becomes established in stability.
Extra - Madhura (sweet)  Amla (sour)  Lavan (salty)   Katu (pungent)  Tikta (bitter)  Kasaya (astringent)  Guru (heavy)  Manda (dull)  Shita (cold)  Ushna (hot)  Snigdha (unctuous)   Slaksna (smooth)  Sandra (dense)  Mridu (soft)  Sthira (stable)  Suksma (subtle)  Visada (non-slimy)  Laghu (light)  Tikshna (sharp)  Rooksha (un-unctuous, dry)   Khara (rough)   Drava (liquid)   Kathina (hard)   Sara (unstable)   Sthula (gross)   Piccila (slimy)

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