Ancient Wisdom.
Modern Understanding.

Acacia / Shatala (सातला / शातला)

Acacia concinna DC.

Shatala (Acacia concinna) is mentioned in the text as Shikakai, widely used for hair care. The pods contain natural saponins that serve as a gentle hair cleanser. It is also used as a mild purgative and blood purifier. The pod decoction is used for skin diseases.

Agarwood (Agaru / अगर)

Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.

Agarwood is Krimija, the resinous heartwood born of fungal infection. Hot, bitter, and pungent, it calms Vata-Kapha, eases Hridroga, asthma, and stubborn skin disease.

Agastya Flowers (Agasti Pushpa / अगस्ति पुष्प)

Sesbania grandiflora Linn.

The flowers of Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora) are large, white or red, and edible. They are used as a vegetable, especially in South Indian cuisine. The flower juice is used for nasal polyps and sinusitis as nasal drops. The flowers have anti-inflammatory properties. They are cooling and useful in Pitta disorders.

Agnimantha / Arani (अग्निमन्थ / अरणी)

Premna integrifolia Linn.

Agnimantha (Premna integrifolia), also known as Arani, is one of the Dashamula (Laghu Panchamula -- five small root drugs) group plants. The name 'Agnimantha' literally means 'fire churner', indicating its strong digestive fire-kindling properties. It is a large shrub or small tree found across India. The root bark is the main medicinal part. It is highly valued for its Deepana (appetizer) and Pachana (digestive) properties. Two species are described: Premna integrifolia (larger variety) and Premna latifolia Roxb. The plant is an important constituent of Dashamula formulations.

Ajwain (Carom Seeds / यवानी)

Trachyspermum ammi syn. Trachyapermum copticum, Carum copticum/roxburghianum/ajowan, Ptychotis ajowan

Deliciously aromatic, ajwain is a wonderful remedy for sluggish digestion and coughs. A truly warming seed.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Herb with astringent and slightly bitter taste, anti-vata and anti-kapha properties, anti-inflammatory, effective for cleansing toxins from the large intestine

Almond (Badam / बादाम)

Prunus amygdalus Batsch.

Almond (Vatama) is Ayurveda's Medhya nut: 5-7 kernels soaked overnight, peeled at dawn, sharpen Smriti and rebuild Kshaya. Badam Rogan oils Vata skin and Nasya.

Aloe Vera (Kumari / कुमारी)

Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Syn. A. vera Tourn. ex Linn.)

Kumari, Aloe Vera, is Ayurveda's cooling Rasayana for liver, skin, and stuck bowels. 10-20 ml gel cools Pitta and Raktapitta; dried Musabbar moves Apana Vayu.

Abdominal Colic (Shula)

Vit-Shula is colic, dry foods deranging Vata and snuffing Agni until pain seizes the lower belly. Hingvashtaka with ghee, warm castor oil, and Haritaki release it.

Acid Reflux (Amlapitta)

Acid reflux is Amlapitta, sharp Pitta scorching the stomach lining. Avipattikar churna cools the burn, Shatavari milk soothes, Amla at dawn rebuilds Agni without heat.

Acne (Yauvana Pidaka)

Acne is Yauvana Pidaka, Pitta surfacing through Rakta and Bhrajaka in the skin. Manjistha and Neem cool the blood, Triphala clears the gut, Kumari gel calms flares.

Acute Fever (Nava Jwara)

New or acute onset fever

Addictions

Addictions are Vayu's nervous dependency, Pitta's stubborn grip, Kapha's heavy clinging. Ashwagandha steadies the nerves, Brahmi clears the mind, Vacha breaks the loop.

Aging (Jara)

Described in Ayurveda as an autoimmune disease caused by repeated indulgence in sensory pleasures that destroys Ojas.

Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Massage)

Ayurvedic oil massage that serves as one pathway to communicate with pithara agni at the cellular level.

Basti (Medicated Enema)

Medicated enema; one of the five panchakarma procedures, primarily used to eliminate excess vata via the colon.

Nasya (Nasal Therapy)

Panchakarma (Five Purification Therapies)

Ayurvedic cleansing therapies including snehana (oil massage), svedana (sweating), and basti that stimulate pilu and pithara agni to burn cellular ama.

Raktamokshana (Bloodletting)

Shirodhara (Oil Pouring Therapy)