Learn Ayurveda

Abnormal Complexion

Abnormal color or complexion of the skin, recognized as a sign of impaired agni

Acquired Immunity

Immunity obtained through external means such as vaccination against smallpox or polio, distinct from ojas-based natural immunity.

Aggravation/Increase

Increase of a dosha or substance, one of the nine types of dosha gati (movement)

Agni

The fire element governing all transformation in the body, primarily responsible for digestion, absorption, assimilation, and transformation of food and sensations into energy.

Agni Karma

Ahamkara (Ego

The sense of 'I am' that arises from Mahad, creating a center of identification that forms the border of individual consciousness and differentiates universal intelligence into individual awareness.

Ahara Rasa

The post-digestive chyle — a milk-like, alkaline product of digestion carried from the intestines by the lymphatic system into the bloodstream, serving as precursor for all dhatus.

Air Fire

The fire component of the Air element that regulates cellular respiration and yields mobile, dry, light, cold, rough, and subtle qualities.

Ajna Chakra

The sixth chakra where alpha meets omega, the seat of intuition, connected to anandamaya kosha and the pituitary gland.

Alochaka Pitta

The subtype of Pitta located in the eyes that governs visual perception, optical chemistry, and the emotional expression through tears.

Ama

Toxic byproduct of incomplete digestion resulting from impaired agni, manifesting as indigestion, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and mental confusion.

Amashaya

The stomach; literally the receptacle for undigested food.

Anabolism, Metabolism, and Catabolism

The three transformational processes of the body governed respectively by kapha (building), pitta (maintaining), and vata (breaking down).

Anandamaya Kosha

The outermost kosha located about three and a half feet from the body, representing the sheath of bliss.

Anjali

A traditional Ayurvedic measure equal to the volume held by two cupped hands.

Antidiarrheal Herbs

Antiparasitic Herbs

Anupana

Apana Vayu

The subtype of vata located in the colon and pelvic cavity, governing downward and outward movement, elimination, and nourishment through mineral absorption.

Apana Vayu Dushti

Disorder of apana vayu marked by abdominal distention, constipation or diarrhea, gas, bloating, and pain.

Apara Ojas

The grosser, circulating form of ojas, about a half-handful in volume, distributed throughout the body to sustain immunity and vitality.

Aphrodisiacs

Apo Agni

The fire component of the Water element that maintains the cytoplasm and yields liquid, cold, oily, dull, soft, and smooth qualities.

Appetizers

The action of kindling or stimulating the digestive fire

Artava Dhara Kala

The membrane lining the ovaries that contains the cells responsible for egg creation, along with ojas, tejas, and prana.

Artava Dhatu

The seventh dhatu in women, encompassing the female reproductive system including ovaries, eggs, and reproductive hormones.

Asava & Arishta

Cowardice)

Fear, anxiety, and lack of courage; classified as signs of impaired agni.

Ashita

A food type that is soup or jelly-like and swallowed without mastication.

Ashru

The upadhatu (superior byproduct) of majja dhatu; lacrimation that lubricates the eyeball and keeps the cornea clean.

Ashtavidha Virya

The eight gunas with the most prominent secondary effects on the body: hot-cold, heavy-light, oily-dry, soft-sharp.

Asthayi Dhatu

The unstable, nutritive precursor form of each bodily tissue, nourished directly from the six stages of digestion within 6 to 12 hours of eating.

Asthayi Dhatu Dushti

Entry of a dosha into immature tissue causing qualitative disturbance and acute disorders.

Asthi Vaha Srotas

Channel carrying nutrients to bone tissue, rooted in the pelvic girdle and sacrum, opening at the nails and hair.

Astringent Herbs

Astringent Stage of Digestion

Sixth and final stage of digestion in the cecum and colon where Earth and Air elements form stool and absorb water and minerals.

Astringent Taste

Sixth taste in digestion; arises in ascending colon; Earth and Air elements make food material solid; makes person feel light

Atipravritti

Excessive flow or overflow; one of the three general categories of srotas pathology (sroto dushti).

Avalambaka Kapha

The subtype of kapha located in the lungs, pleural cavity, heart, respiratory tract, and spine that provides structural support, holds emotions, and supports all other kapha systems.

Avaleha

Ayurveda

आयुर्वेद

Ayurveda is the science of life: balance the three doshas, kindle Agni, clear Ama, and rebuild ojas with Triphala, Ashwagandha, ghee, and seasonal rhythm.

Ayurvedic Definition of Health

A state of balanced doshas, agni, dhatus, and malas together with a blissful mind, senses, and soul, as defined in Sushruta Samhita 15.38.

Ayurvedic Treatment Principles

Bhasma

Specialized Ayurvedic preparation produced by purification and incineration into ash; highly potentized and absorbable.

Bhrajaka Agni

Fire component of bhrajaka pitta that governs and organizes the digestive functions of the skin.

Bhrajaka Pitta

The subtype of Pitta located in the skin responsible for complexion, luster, tactile perception, and absorption of substances applied externally.

Bitter Stage of Digestion

Fifth stage of digestion in the ileum dominated by Ether and Air, where most nutrient absorption occurs through intestinal villi.

Bitter Taste

Bitter taste composed of air and ether elements; increases vata and pacifies pitta and kapha

Bitter Taste

Fifth taste in digestion; arises in cecum (large intestine); Air and Space elements help churning and mineral absorption

Bitter Tonics & Antipyretics

Blood Channel

The second dhatu channel carrying blood, rooted in the liver and spleen, encompassing red blood cells, heart, bone marrow, and arteries.

Blood Vessels

The upadhatu (superior byproduct) of rakta dhatu, comprising the blood vessels of the circulatory system.

Blood-Purifying Herbs

Blue

Blue is the color of Pure Consciousness with a calming, cooling effect on body and mind. Helps correct liver disorders and skin dispigmentation.

Bodhaka Agni

The subtle digestive fire on the tongue that allows the perception of taste the moment food enters the mouth.

Bodhaka Kapha

The subtype of kapha located in the oral cavity responsible for salivary secretions, taste perception, swallowing, and speech.

Bodily Constitution

The current bodily prakruti influenced by maternal diet, lifestyle, environment, and mental states during pregnancy

Bodily Fire

The balanced fire component of the entire body; essence of digestive fire manifesting as enzymes, hormones, and amino acids governing cellular metabolism.

Bone Metabolic Fire

The fire component of asthi dhatu that transforms unprocessed asthi into processed bone tissue, working in conjunction with thyroid and parathyroid hormones to maintain calcium metabolism.

Bone Tissue

The densest dhatu composed primarily of Earth (80%), Air (15%), and Water (5%), providing structural support, protection of vital organs, and formation of body cavities.

Bone Tissue Excellence

A person with excellent quality asthi dhatu, characterized by strong bones, good height, strong teeth, thick nails, great endurance, and longevity.

Brahma Randhra

The opening at the top of an infant's skull through which consciousness enters the fetus; it provides space for brain growth and is under the control of prana.

Celibacy)

The practice of disciplined sexual activity that causes Creative Energy to accumulate within, essential for any degree of rejuvenation.

Buddhihara

Lack of discrimination, reasoning power and indecisiveness; a sign of impaired agni

Buddhikara

The creation of reasoning capacity; one of the functions of healthy agni

Carminatives

Cartilage

A specialized form of unprocessed asthi dhatu (asthayi asthi dhatu) that represents an intermediate stage in bone tissue formation.

Cellular Respiration

Two modes of cellular respiration: aerobic (oxygen-based, linked to prana vayu, speeds oxidation) and anaerobic (carbon-dioxide-based, linked to apana vayu, extends cellular lifespan).

Central Digestive Fire

The main digestive fire located in the stomach and small intestine, also called koshta agni, kaya agni, or maha agni, governing initial digestion of all food and medicine.

Chakra

Energy centers in the body related to nerve plexus centers, connecting physical and astral bodies

Channel Fire

The agni of a particular srotas (channel) that maintains the functional activity of that channel, part of the dhatu agni present at the root of each srotamsi.

Channel Obstruction

Blockage of a bodily channel, preventing the proper flow of dhatus, doshas, or malas and giving rise to disease.

Channel Opening

The opening or orifice of a bodily channel through which substances enter or leave the channel.

Channel Root

The originating site or root organ of a bodily channel from which it begins its course.

Shadow)

The dull, gloomy, lusterless appearance resulting from depleted tejas; the opposite of prabha.

Chidakasha

The synaptic space between two neurons where neurotransmitters carry impulses; chid means awareness and akash means space.

Chikitsa

Therapeutic treatment in Ayurveda

Consciousness)

Churna

Classification

Distinction and categorization, a function of tejas maintaining cell and organ form

Clavicular Fire

The agni that serves as a bridge between bhuta agni (elemental fires of the liver) and the various dhatu and pilu agnis.

Clear Quality

The clear quality among the twenty gunas, associated with clarity, understanding, communication, and cleansing

Cold Infusion

Cold Quality

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the cold quality creates numbness, contraction, stagnation, and promotes mucus accumulation while slowing digestion and reducing immunity.

Collective Ojas

The combined pure essence of all seven dhatus, representing the total immune strength of the body.

Color Therapy

Ayurvedic treatment using vibrations of seven natural colors to establish balance of the three doshas

Combined Tastes

Comparison

The third pramana — knowledge gained by perceiving similarity between the description of an unfamiliar object and something already known.

Concentration

The sixth limb of Patanjali's Yoga; one-pointed focus of attention on a single object

Constitutional Treatment

Cosmic Intelligence

The first expression of creation arising when Prakruti becomes conscious of Consciousness; supreme intelligence that puts everything in its proper place, the collective cellular intelligence.

Cravings

Ayurvedic understanding of healthy versus perverted cravings as signals of dosha imbalance with or without ama.

Crown Chakra

The seventh chakra beyond the koshas, related to self-realization and bliss, connected to the pineal gland.

Decoction

Ayurvedic herbal preparation made by boiling herbs over a low flame and reducing the water, producing a stronger extract than Western-style decoctions.

Decreased Majja Dhatu

Depletion of majja dhatu leading to osteoporosis, anemia, arthritis, sexual debility, insomnia, and neurological problems.

Defective Space

A weak or defective space in the body—from past trauma, chronic disease, or heredity—where aggravated doshas lodge and create disorder.

Deluded Mind

A disturbed state of mind driven by inferior goals such as sex, power, prestige, and position in society.

Dhamani

The arterial channels carrying blood from the heart

Dhatu Poshana Nyaya

Three principles governing tissue nutrition: kedara kulya nyaya (irrigation), khale kapota nyaya (selectivity), and kshira dadhi nyaya (transformation).

Diaphoretics

Direct Perception

The first pramana — knowledge produced through direct contact of the senses with objects, classified as ordinary (laukika) and extraordinary (alaukika).

Discrimination

A function of samana vayu that physiologically separates essential from inessential food components and mentally manifests as discernment

Dispassion

Revulsion, depression, withdrawal, or lack of enthusiasm, regarded as a sign of impaired agni

Distracted Mind

A mental state that fluctuates between active and dull, one of the five classical states of mind

Diuretics

Dosage

Dosha Depletion

Quantitative disturbance in which a dosha becomes depleted

Dosha Increase

Quantitative disturbance in which a dosha becomes increased

Dosha Movement

The vector or direction in which a dosha moves through the body

Dosha Vitiation

Qualitative disturbance of a dosha, distinct from quantitative imbalance

Dosha and Subdosha Theory

The organizational framework describing how doshas and their subtypes govern elemental functions in specific locations of the human body.

Doshas and Plants

Dreams and Majja Dhatu

Dreams are a function of majja dhatu that discharge incomplete thoughts and restore order in the brain

Dryness

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the dry quality creates dehydration, hard dry stools, constipation, and stimulates fire; in excess causes constriction, spasm, and pain.

Earth Element

The fifth element, representing solidity and structure; all solid structures in the body are derived from Earth.

Eight Limbs of Yoga

Patanjali's eight-step methodology for expanding individual consciousness to universal Consciousness and attaining enlightenment.

Ekagra

A focused, one-pointed state of mind capable of deep concentration, problem-solving, and probing deeply into subjects.

Elemental Digestive Fire

Specialized liver enzymes that govern the transformation of unprocessed elements of food into processed elements of the tissues, sourced primarily from ranjaka agni.

Emmenagogues

Ether

The first of the five great elements (Mahabhutas), all-pervading and all-enclosing, the first expression of Consciousness and home for all objects in the universe.

Excess Flow

A type of sroto dushti characterized by overflow or excessive flow through a channel, as in diarrhea or vomiting.

Expectorants & Demulcents

Eye Administration

Eye Lubrication

Oily secretions of the eyes; one of the inferior by-products (mala) of majja dhatu.

False Passage of Doshas

A type of sroto dushti where the contents of a channel flow in the wrong direction or leak into surrounding tissues, as in edema, fistula, or perforation.

Fat Tissue Displacement

Ayurvedic concept where fat molecules are pushed to different body regions due to imbalanced prana or apana vayu

Fat Tissue Fire

The metabolic fire governing fat metabolism; when low, it leads to slow fat metabolism and excess accumulation of adipose tissue.

Fetal Dhatu Development Sequence

The sequential maturation of the seven dhatus during fetal development, with one dhatu reaching maturity each month over seven months.

Fifteen Doshic Fires

Fifteen agnis corresponding to each dosha subtype, located at their respective sites; for example, ranjaka agni processes hemoglobin and forms bile.

Fire Element

The third of the five great elements, intensely rajasic and sattvic, associated with the tanmatras of sound, touch, and form (rupa).

Fire Element Agni

The fire component of the Fire element that maintains cellular metabolic activity and yields hot, sharp, light, dry, and subtle qualities.

Fire of Awareness

The fire of attention, awareness and consciousness; the highest function of agni

Five Methods of Herbal Preparation

The five foundational Ayurvedic methods of extracting and preparing herbs: fresh juice, paste, decoction, hot infusion, and cold infusion.

Five Pranas

Five Sheaths

The five layers or sheaths of the mind from annamaya to anandamaya, representing different vibrations through which the mind operates.

Five Types of Nutritional Disorders

Ayurveda classifies nutritional disorders into five categories: quantitative deficiency, qualitative deficiency, over-nutrition, toxins in food, and foods unsuitable for constitution.

Fluidity

Fluidity or liquefaction; a function of tejas due to heat

Food Channels

The channel that carries food from the mouth through the gastrointestinal tract to the ileocecal valve, responsible for receiving and processing nourishment.

Food Qualities and the Doshas

The Ayurvedic principle that foods possess attributes (heavy/light, hot/cold, oily/dry) that interact with dosha qualities to determine balance or aggravation.

Food Sheath

The most basic sheath of the mind, equated with the physical body that needs food, water, and air.

Four Types of Food

Ayurvedic classification of food by how it is consumed: swallowed, chewed, drunk, or licked.

Fresh Juice

The strongest of the five Ayurvedic herbal preparation methods, obtained by crushing fresh plants and straining the liquid.

Garbha Chetana

The Ayurvedic understanding that consciousness enters the ovum at fertilization, and the fetus exists in a blissful state of samadhi until birth activates objective consciousness.

Ghrita

A preparation of ghee in which herbs are infused or boiled into the clarified butter

Immunity Gland)

The Ayurvedic concept of tonsils as glands of immunity that regulate the immune function of mamsa dhatu.

Grahani

The small intestine, which serves as the 'fireplace' where jathara agni performs digestion.

Green

Green color has a calming effect upon the mind, creates freshness, and brings energy to the heart chakra.

Gross Quality

Grossness associated with obstruction and obesity; increases kapha, decreases vata and pitta

Hard Quality

Hardness; one of the twenty gunas that increases vata and kapha while decreasing pitta.

Health

Health in Ayurveda isn't absence of disease; it's Swastha: balanced doshas, steady Agni, clear tissues, calm mind and senses, kept by dinacharya and ritucharya.

Heart Chakra

The fourth chakra and seat of compassionate love and immunity, connected to jnanamaya kosha and the thymus.

Heating Potency

Hot potent energy that kindles agni, promotes digestion and metabolism, and pacifies vata and kapha while stimulating pitta.

Heaviness

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the heavy quality promotes growth, nourishment, groundedness, and stability, but in excess slows digestion and creates dullness.

Hemostatic Herbs

Herbal Energetics

Herbal Formulation

Hot Quality

Heating quality that stimulates gastric fire, circulation, and digestion; promotes cleansing but also irritability

Hyperactive Mind

A disturbed, restless, or hyperactive state of mind; one of the five classical states of mind in yogic and Ayurvedic psychology.

Improper Heat

Loss of the body's ability to regulate temperature; a sign of disturbed agni.

Inconceivable Potency

Unpredictable or inexplicable action of a substance; synonymous with prabhava.

Increased Majja Dhatu

Excess accumulation of majja dhatu leading to tumors, heaviness, excess sleep, and hydrocephalus.

Indriya Agni

Five specialized agnis in each sensory pathway that digest, absorb, assimilate, and transform sensory perception into knowledge.

Inference

Inferential reasoning, accepted in Ayurveda as one of the valid means of knowledge alongside direct perception and authoritative testimony.

Inner Digestive Fire

Internal digestive fire; a synonym for jathara agni.

Intellect

The individual reasoning capacity and intellect that arises when Mahad's universal creative intelligence is focused through the lens of Ahamkara.

Interactions of the Doshas

The principle that doshas influence one another through shared and opposing qualities — like attracts like, and predominant qualities inhibit minor ones.

Internal Fire

A synonym for jathara agni, the central digestive fire of the gastrointestinal tract.

Internal Medicine

Ayurvedic internal medicine focused on treatment of diseases affecting the body, mind, and consciousness, with agni quality as its central concern.

Irregular Digestion

Irregular metabolism; associated with aggravated vata; cold quality slows agni, mobile quality makes it fluctuate, producing variable digestion

Janma Prakruti

The genetic prakruti determined at the moment of conception, reflecting karmic influences and the parents' doshic ratios

Kala

The membranous structure that holds tissues and lines all organs and cavities in the body

Kalala

The fertilized ovum, literally 'the first expression of creation,' containing maternal and paternal ojas, tejas, and prana.

Kalka

Ayurvedic preparation method where fresh herbs are crushed into a soft mass, often combined with honey, ghee, or oil for internal and external use.

Kandara

The cord-like structure formed when mamsa dhatu kala (fascia) extends beyond the muscle, thickened by tarpaka kapha and apana vayu.

Kapha Constitution

The constitutional body type dominated by kapha dosha, characterized by heavy, slow, cool, oily, liquid, smooth, dense, and soft attributes manifesting in body, mind, and emotions.

Kapha Disorders of Majja Dhatu

When kapha affects majja dhatu it creates thickening of nerves, loss of sensation, and conditions like leprosy.

Kapha Dosha

The principle of cohesion from Sanskrit 'ka' (water) and 'pha' (to flourish), comprising all cells, tissues, and organs and providing structure and lubrication.

Kapha Management

Kapha Prakriti

Karaja Tejas

The tejas principle within food released by jathara agni, corresponding to the action of enzymes in Western terms.

Khadita

Food that must be chewed thoroughly to become soft enough to swallow.

Khamala

The inferior by-products of mamsa dhatu, including nasal crust, earwax, sebaceous secretions, tartar, and smegma.

Khara Guna

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the rough quality increases dryness, absorption, and constipation; present in raw vegetables and many beans.

Kledaka Kapha

Kledaka Kapha is your stomach's mucus armor: it moistens food, kindles digestion, and shields the lining from Pitta. Weak Kledaka is the root of Amlapitta.

Kloma

A Sanskrit term referring to both the pancreas and the choroid plexus in the brain, linking pancreatic function to cerebrospinal fluid secretion.

Kloma Agni

The agni of the pancreas that governs digestion of sweet taste and water regulation, operating during the salty phase of digestion.

Kosha

The five sheaths or layers of the human being—food, prana, mind, knowledge, and bliss—that envelop the soul.

Kriyashakti

The power of action and movement; a defining characteristic of rajo guna.

Ksheera Paka

Kundalini

A primal energy that moves along the spinal cord; its downward movement at birth separates individual consciousness from higher consciousness, while upward movement reunites them.

Lack of Arousal

Unhappiness or depression; recognized as a sign of impaired agni.

Lactation

Breast milk; the superior by-product (upadhatu) of rasa dhatu

Lactation Channel

The channel responsible for lactation, structurally confluent with artava vaha srotas and functionally related to rasa dhatu as an upadhatu.

Law of Irrigation

The first law of tissue nutrition; the process by which the end-product of digested food (ahara rasa) is carried throughout the body via the circulation.

Law of Selectivity

Second law of nutrition: each dhatu intelligently selects the specific elemental components it needs, like pigeons choosing grain from a field.

Law of Transformation

The third law of tissue nutrition; the conversion of immature (asthayi) dhatu into mature (sthayi) dhatu by the action of dhatu agni.

Laxatives & Purgatives

Lehya

A semi-solid medicinal preparation taken by licking, commonly used to administer bhasmas and rasayanas.

Liberated Mind

The highest state of mind representing liberation and cosmic consciousness, the ultimate goal of human life according to Ayurveda.

Light Quality

Lightness; an attribute of vata and pitta that aids digestion, cleansing, and alertness but in excess causes insomnia and ungroundedness.

Like Increases Like

The Ayurvedic law stating that when similar qualities come together, their quantitative expression increases; opposite qualities decrease each other.

Liquefaction

Hydration and liquid secretions—mucus, sebum, and other fluids—governed by kapha dosha.

Liquidity

One of the 20 universal attributes representing the liquid, diluted, less concentrated quality

Localized Ojas

The ojas present in a single cell or individual dhatu, supporting that tissue's agni in the dhatu dhara kala.

Logic

One of the six philosophical schools of Shad Darshan, dealing with logic, reasoning, and four methods of valid knowledge (pramana).

Loss of Vision

Impaired visual perception; one of the clinical signs of disturbed agni.

Maha Srotas

The largest srotas in the body, referring to the gastrointestinal tract, formed by the convergence of many smaller channels.

Mahat

Majja Agni

The metabolic fire of nerve tissue composed of enzymes, amino acids, and neurotransmitters that governs nourishment and metabolism of nerve cells and the neurological digestion of experience.

Majja Dhatu

The sixth dhatu responsible for communication, sensory perception, motor response, self-identity, and the recording of psychological experiences within the nervous system.

Majja Dhatu Disorders

Neurological and psychological disorders arising from doshic disturbance of nerve tissue and bone marrow

Majja Sara

The clinical sign of healthy marrow and nerve tissue, expressed as sharp memory, intelligence, longevity, and lustrous eyes.

Majja Vaha Srotas

The channel carrying nutrients to bone marrow and nervous tissue; rooted in the brain, spinal cord, and joints, opening at the synaptic spaces.

Mala Agni

Three agnis governing the excretion of the three malas: urine (mutra agni), feces (purisha agni), and sweat (sveda agni).

Mamsa Dhara Kala

The fascial membrane that holds and supports muscle tissue, formed as a byproduct during mamsa dhatu formation.

Mamsa Dhatu

The third dhatu in the sequence of seven bodily tissues, comprising skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles that provide movement, protection, coordination, and body shape.

Mamsa Sara

The state of fully developed mamsa dhatu with all its superfine qualities, manifesting as physical strength and positive psychological attributes.

Mamsa Upadhatu

The superior and inferior byproducts generated during the metabolism of muscle tissue.

Mamsa Vaha Srotas

The channel carrying nutrients to muscle tissue; rooted in the fascia and small tendons, opening through the pores of the skin.

Manda Agni

Sluggish digestive fire affected by the heavy, slow, cool qualities of kapha; one of the three categories of disturbed agni causing slow metabolism.

Manifestation Stage

The fifth stage of pathogenesis (samprapti) during which the cardinal signs and symptoms of a disease become manifest

Mano Vaha Srotas

The bodily channel system that carries consciousness, thoughts, emotions, and mental experiences, manifesting through the koshas and chakra system.

Manomaya Kosha

The mental layer of the human being composed of thoughts, emotions, and sensory impressions, one of the five koshas.

Mantra Healing

Margavarodha

Marma

A vital energy point on the body, similar to an acupuncture point, used both therapeutically and diagnostically where consciousness is most expressive.

Marma Chikitsa

A therapeutic practice that uses pressure, oils, or needles on marma points to release blocked prana and restore physiological balance.

Matroshna

Proper regulation of body temperature; one of the cardinal signs of healthy agni.

Mature Tissue

The stable, fully formed tissue that has completed its nourishment cycle and performs its physiological function in the body.

Mature Tissue Disturbance

Qualitative disturbance of stable, fully formed tissues; often causes chronic disorders

Meda Dhatu

The fourth dhatu in Ayurveda, consisting of adipose tissue including fat, phospholipids, steroids such as cholesterol, and other lipids.

Meda Dhatu Agni

The metabolic fire governing fat tissue transformation; when low it causes unprocessed fat accumulation, when excessively high it causes fat depletion.

Meda Sara

The superfine quality of meda dhatu that confers beautiful eyes, hair, melodious voice, soft skin, flexible joints, and longevity.

Meda Vaha Srotas

Channel of adipose tissue providing lubrication and insulation; rooted in the omentum and adrenal glands.

Medha

Mental and physical intelligence; the cognitive faculty supported by majja dhatu and a healthy nervous system.

Medhahara

Loss of mental and cellular intelligence; a clinical sign of impaired agni.

Medhakara

The agni function that creates intelligence and supports clear cellular communication throughout the body.

Medhya Dravya

Meditation

An action of clear perception and moment-to-moment awareness without judgment, conclusion, or criticism, which cleanses body, mind, and consciousness.

Meditation

The seventh limb of Patanjali's Yoga; continuous, choiceless awareness without judgment

Medo Vaha Srotas

The bodily channel that carries nutrients to adipose tissue, governed by the omentum and adrenals and opening at the sweat glands.

Memory

The faculty of the mind that gathers and stores experience and knowledge, described as the mother of knowledge.

Menstrual Channels

The channel system governing female reproduction, ojas production, and emotional release through the ovaries, uterus, and reproductive passages.

Mental Ama

Unprocessed thoughts, feelings, and emotions stored within intercellular connective tissue space when pithara agni is low, forming the subconscious mind.

Mental Constitution

The psychological constitution expressed during the third month of pregnancy when the heart develops, determined by the balance of sattva, rajas, and tamas.

Mental Essence

The state of a person whose mind is healthy, sane, compassionate, spiritual, and meditative — the essence of pure mental function.

Mica Ash

Mica ash; a classical Ayurvedic mineral preparation used in rasa shastra.

Mimamsa

Philosophy of attaining freedom through the performance of duty (dharma), founded by Jaimini, emphasizing rituals and analysis of truth.

Mithuna

The merging of male and female energy, a concept encompassing the union of opposites at physical, neurological, and spiritual levels.

Mobility

One of the 20 universal attributes representing motion, shakiness, and restlessness

Moral Restraints

The first limb of Patanjali's eight-limbed yoga, comprising ethical restraints such as non-violence and non-possessiveness

Motor Faculties

The five motor pathways — speech, grasping, walking, procreation, and elimination — formed from the interaction of sattva and rajas as part of the organic universe.

Mridu

The soft, tender, and delicate guna; it increases mucus, adipose tissue, and relaxation, promoting kapha and pitta while decreasing vata.

Mudra

A yogic or devotional gesture, often formed with the fingers, that channels energy and supports communication between the body and the deeper mind.

Muscle Channel

The third dhatu channel carrying and nourishing muscle tissue.

Muscle Fat

Subcutaneous fat; one of the superior by-products (upadhatu) of mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue)

Muscle Tissue Fire

The metabolic fire of mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue) that governs muscle nourishment and transformation.

Mutra Vaha Srotas

The channel carrying urine; rooted in the kidneys, with the ureters, bladder, and urethra forming its pathway.

Nadi

Literally a river or channel; the innumerable subtle and gross passageways that carry substances and energy throughout the body, including the pulse.

Nakha

The fingernails and toenails, considered an inferior by-product (mala) of asthi dhatu (bone tissue).

Natural Urges

Natural urges and velocity governed by vata dosha

Niyama

The five personal observances of Patanjali's yoga: purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender to the divine.

Nutritive Tonics

Oily Quality

Unctuous, oily quality associated with nourishment, lubrication, and moisture; increases pitta and kapha, decreases vata

Ojas

The pure essence of all dhatus and the end product of tissue nutrition; eight drops of para ojas reside in the heart while apara ojas circulates throughout body and mind.

Ojaskara

A function of healthy agni that produces ojas, the refined essence of all properly nourished bodily tissues.

Ojo Dushti

A pathological state in which the quality of ojas is impaired, weakening immunity and resilience.

Ojohara

Depletion of ojas resulting in weakened immunity; recognized as one of the signs of impaired agni.

Pachaka Pitta

The subtype of pitta located in the stomach and small intestine responsible for digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food.

Pachana

The biochemical transformation of complex food particles into simpler forms suitable for absorption and assimilation.

Pakti

The function of agni responsible for the digestion, absorption, and assimilation of both food and sensory experience.

Pakvashaya

The colon or large intestine; the primary seat of vata dosha and the site where stools are formed.

Pakvashaya Agni

The fire component of the large intestine that governs the final stages of digestion and the formation of stools.

Pancha Mahabhuta

The five fundamental elements of creation — Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth — born in the womb of tamas, each evolving successively to include its own tanmatra plus all prior tanmatras.

Para Ojas

The refined, stable form of ojas measured as eight drops, seated in the heart, which maintains consciousness and cellular lifespan.

Parthiva Agni

The fire component of the Earth element that governs mineral regulation and yields heavy, dull, static, hard, gross, and dense qualities.

Pathogenesis

The Ayurvedic concept of disease pathogenesis or the chain of disease development, which Buddhist philosophy suggests can eradicate itself given time and patience.

Periosteum

The membranous covering of bone rich in lymphoid tissue where unprocessed asthi dhatu is transformed into processed asthi dhatu by asthi agni.

Phanta

Pilu Agni

The digestive fire operating in cell membranes that transforms extra-cellular nutrients into intra-cellular content and maintains semi-permeability.

Pilu Paka

Subtle atomic-level digestion occurring at the cell membrane and cytoplasm, transforming immature elemental molecules into mature cellular components.

Pithara Agni

The genetic digestive fire within the nuclear membrane of cells that transforms cytoplasmic food content into consciousness and maintains the genetic code (prakruti).

Pithara Paka

The deepest level of cellular metabolism that digests thoughts, feelings, emotions, and genetic memory into cellular intelligence.

Pitta Constitution

Pitta Disorders of Majja Dhatu

When pitta affects majja dhatu it creates inflammation of nerve endings, neuralgia, demyelination, cerebral hemorrhage, and serious neurological conditions.

Pitta Dosha

The dosha composed primarily of Fire and Water, governing all transformation in the body including digestion, metabolism, and body temperature.

Pitta Management

Plasma Channel

The first dhatu channel carrying plasma, serum, and lymph, rooted in the right chamber of the heart and the ten great vessels.

Plastering Function

The plastering or holding action; one of the principal functions of mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue).

Poshaka Kapha

The immature, nutritive form of kapha that flows through the body to nourish the sthayi kapha at each tissue site.

Poshaka Pitta

The immature, nutritive form of pitta that circulates to nourish the stable pitta resident in each tissue.

Posterior Fontanel

The posterior opening in an infant's skull through which, according to mystic anatomy, the consciousness of a yogi leaves the body at death, leading to liberation.

Prabha

The luminous, shining, lustrous quality of healthy tejas expressed as bright eyes, shiny skin, and radiant personality.

Prabhav

Specific unexplained action when two substances of similar taste, energy and vipak show entirely different actions. Beyond logic of rasa-virya-vipak theory.

Prabhava

The unique, dynamic action of a substance that cannot be explained by its taste (rasa), energy (virya), or post-digestive effect (vipaka).

Prajanana

The function of producing or creating offspring, performed by shukra and artava dhatus (the reproductive tissues).

Prajnaparadha

The willful perversion of intellect and common sense that makes us act against what we know is healthy, considered the ultimate cause of all disease.

Prakriti

Prakriti

The primordial will and creative potential from whose womb the entire universe is born; Awareness with choice, the Divine Mother, feminine creative energy.

Prakriti

Prakruti Varna

The maintenance of one's normal, healthy color and complexion; one of the functions of well-functioning agni.

Energizers)

Prana

The basic principle of the Air element — the flow of Consciousness from cell to cell in the form of intelligence, governing all subtle and gross movements in the body.

Prana Vaha Srotas

Channel of respiration, emotions, thinking, and communication; rooted in the left chamber of the heart and GI tract, opening at the nose.

Prana Vayu

The subtype of vata located in the head and brain, governing higher cerebral function, sensory perception, and inspiration.

Pranahara

Depletion or loss of prana (vital life force); one of the recognized signs of impaired agni.

Pranakara

The function of healthy agni that creates and replenishes prana, the body's vital life force.

Pranamaya Kosha

The etheric or energy sheath of the human being, made of electromagnetic vital essence and surrounding the physical body.

Prarabdha Karma

The accumulated seeds of past-life karma that must be experienced in this lifetime; its pure essence is tejas.

Prasada and Kitta

The two products of dhatu agni action on food precursors: prasada (essential, creates mature dhatu) and kitta (non-essential, creates immature dhatu).

Praspandanam

Pulsation and throbbing throughout the body; one of the principal functions of vyana vayu, the circulatory subtype of vata.

Pratyahara

The fifth limb of Patanjali's eight-limbed yoga, in which the senses are withdrawn from external objects and consciousness is drawn inward.

Prinana

Nourishment; the principal function of rasa dhatu, which delivers nutrition to the entire body.

Pungent Post-Digestive Effect

Catabolic post-digestive effect from pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes that increases vata and dries secretions.

Pungent Stage of Digestion

Fourth stage of digestion in the jejunum dominated by Air and Fire, where pungent enzymes continue digestion and initial absorption of chyle begins.

Pungent Taste

Fourth taste in digestion; arises in jejunum from intestinal pitta fire; Fire and Air elements improve digestion and assimilation

Purisha Agni

The mala agni governing fecal excretion, absorbing liquids and minerals, forming stools, and maintaining fecal temperature and color.

Purisha Vaha Srotas

The channel that carries and eliminates purisha (feces), one of the three mala srotamsi for elimination.

Purple

Purple is the color of Cosmic Consciousness, brings awakening of awareness, creates lightness in the body and opens the doors of perception.

Purusha

The formless, choiceless, passive awareness that is the witness to all creation — pure energy without form, color, or attributes.

Rajah Vaha Srotas

The bodily channel system responsible for clearing the unfertilized ovum and preparing the uterus for the next cycle through menstruation.

Motion)

Mental hyperactivity; rajasic people twist facts to fit their preconceptions and convince themselves they are progressing when they are merely reinforcing ahamkara's dependencies.

Rakta Agni

The metabolic fire specific to blood tissue that transforms asthayi rakta into sthayi rakta dhatu and governs erythrogenesis in bone marrow.

Rakta Dhatu

The second of seven bodily tissues consisting of red blood cells, responsible for carrying nutrients, prana, and waste products throughout the body.

Rakta Sara

The state of optimal rakta dhatu quality, characterized by healthy complexion, warm delicate skin, rosy cheeks, red lips, lustrous eyes, and pink nails.

Rakta Vaha Srotas

The bodily channel that maintains red blood cell function, governed by the liver and spleen and extending through the arteriolar circulatory system.

Ranjaka Pitta

The subdosha of pitta present in rakta dhatu represented by bile, responsible for giving color to rasa dhatu and transforming it into asthayi rakta dhatu.

Rasa

The initial taste experience when a substance touches the tongue. One of the three key pharmacological concepts along with virya and vipak.

Rasa Agni

The metabolic fire governing transformation of rasa dhatu; when low it causes excess rasa production, when high it causes rasa depletion.

Rasa Dhatu

The first of the seven bodily tissues, associated with plasma, lymph, and blood serum, responsible for nutrition (prinana) of all tissues.

Rasa Dhatu Disorders

Pathological conditions arising from disturbed, increased, or decreased plasma tissue including edema, anemia, fever, and reproductive disorders.

Mineral Alchemy)

Rasa Vaha Srotas

The bodily channel that maintains lymph and plasma (rasa dhatu), governed by the right chamber of the heart and the ten great vessels, traveling through the venous and lymphatic systems.

Rasayana

The science of rejuvenation in Ayurveda, literally meaning 'the Path of Rasa', focused on purifying and nourishing Rasa Dhatu to produce healthy Shukra and Ojas.

Reproductive Tissue Fire

The metabolic fire of shukra/artava dhatu (reproductive tissue) that governs reproductive tissue nourishment through hormone metabolism.

Respiratory Channel

The life-carrying channel system governing respiration, with its root in the left chamber of the heart and the gastrointestinal tract.

Root Chakra

The first chakra related to survival and groundedness, connected to annamaya kosha and the gonads or ovaries.

Routes of Administration

Ruksha Guna

The dry quality among the twenty gunas; causes dehydration, constriction, spasm, dryness of skin, and emotional states like fear, isolation, and loneliness.

Sacral Chakra

The second chakra related to procreation, self-identity, and self-esteem, connected to pranamaya kosha and the adrenals.

Sadhaka Pitta

The subtype of pitta present in the gray matter of the brain that regulates nerve temperature and governs the digestion, absorption, and assimilation of sensory experiences into understanding.

Sadvritta

The Ayurvedic practice of bringing total awareness to every thought and action as a means of healing.

Sahaja Bala

Inborn resistance to infection that depends on the quality of ojas, as distinguished from acquired immunity through vaccination.

Salty Stage of Digestion

Third stage of digestion in the duodenum where acidic stomach contents mix with alkaline bile and pancreatic juices to form salts.

Salty Taste

Taste composed of Water and Fire elements that is heating, heavy, oily, and hydrophilic, relieving vata but increasing kapha and pitta.

Sama Agni

Balanced metabolism; tridoshic; state of perfect health where any reasonable quantity and quality of food is digested without adverse symptoms

Sama Dosha

Sama and Nirama

Samadhi

State of balanced cognition where body, mind and consciousness merge; the ultimate goal of Patanjali's yoga, representing spiritual liberation.

Samana Vayu

Samana Vayu is the Vata current at the navel that fans Agni, drives peristalsis, and times the pyloric and ileocecal gates. Steady it with warm meals, ginger, and Hingvastak.

Sanchita Karma

The total storehouse of accumulated karma from all lifetimes, a portion of which becomes prarabdha karma for the next life.

Sandra

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the dense quality increases compactness of the body and makes a person more grounded.

Sandra Guna

The dense quality among the twenty gunas; increases kapha while decreasing vata and pitta, promoting compactness, solidity, and grounding.

Sanga

Accumulation or stagnation in the channels, manifesting physiologically as constipation, blood clots, lymphatic congestion, growths, or blockages.

Sankhya Philosophy

One of the six classical Indian philosophies that forms the theoretical foundation of Ayurveda, describing the evolution of Consciousness into matter through 24 principles of creation.

Sapta Dhatu

The seven structural tissues of the body: rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja, and shukra/artava.

Sara

The pure, stable, superior essence of a dhatu — healthy, fully processed tissue, as opposed to unstable tissue or its by-products and wastes.

Sattva

The quality of purity, harmony, and clarity associated with foods and behaviors that support spiritual awareness and balance.

Scraping Action

Ayurvedic pharmacological action meaning the scraping away of fat and toxins from the body, attributed to bitter and astringent tastes.

Sensory Faculties

The five sensory pathways — hearing, touch, vision, taste, and smell — formed from the interaction of sattva and rajas as part of the organic universe.

Sensory Mind

The seventh causative substance in Vaisheshika; universal, atomic, and indivisible, functioning as awareness directed through the senses on both conscious and subconscious levels.

Seven Body Tissues

Seven Dhatus

The seven bodily tissues that form the structural foundation of the body: rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja, and shukra/artava.

Sharp Quality

Sharp, penetrating quality associated with concentration, discrimination, and comprehension

Sharpness

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the sharp quality improves learning, concentration, understanding, and comprehension, but in excess can create ulcers.

Shita Guna

The cold quality among the twenty gunas; produces numbness, contraction, fear, and insensitivity, slows digestion, and reduces immunity.

Shita Virya

The cooling energetic action of a substance after digestion, one of the two main viryas used to classify herbs and foods in Ayurveda.

Shlakshna Guna

The smooth quality among the twenty gunas; brings lubrication, flexibility, and ease of movement to the body.

Shleshaka Kapha

The subtype of Kapha present in joint spaces that lubricates joints, nourishes articular surfaces and cartilages, and supports the skeletal system.

Shukra Dhara Kala

The membranous structure within the wall of the seminiferous tubule from which sperm are created, becoming active at puberty.

Shukra Dhatu

The seventh dhatu in Ayurveda representing male reproductive tissue, whose vital function is procreation and continuation of the human species.

Shukra Vaha Srotas

The channel carrying nutrients for male reproductive tissue (shukra dhatu), governed by the testicles and nipples, with a pathway through the vas deferens, epididymis, prostate, and urethra.

Shukrala

Ayurvedic subcategory of Vajikarana herbs that are nutritive tonics specifically for reproductive secretions like semen and breast milk.

Siddha Ghrita

Siddha Taila

Siddha Yoga

Sira Granthi

A type of sroto dushti characterized by abnormal expansion, growth, or swelling in a channel, as in tumors or diverticulosis.

Six Stages of Digestion

The Ayurvedic model of digestion as a six-stage sequential process where each stage corresponds to one of the six tastes and nourishes a specific tissue.

Six Tastes

The six fundamental tastes in Ayurveda that influence doshas, body, and mind through pharmacological and psychological actions.

Skin Administration

Slow Quality

The slow attribute that increases kapha and creates sluggishness, dullness, relaxation, and quietness.

Slowness

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the slow/dull quality creates sluggishness, relaxation, calm, quiet, and silence.

Smoothness

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the smooth/slimy quality lubricates the body, increases flexibility, and helps prevent osteoporosis and arthritic changes.

Snayu

The upadhatu (superior byproduct) of meda dhatu, comprising flat muscles, sinews, tendons, and ligaments.

Fats & Oils)

Sincere affection, described as mental oil that must be consistently applied to a mind filled with fear to induce it to release that fear.

So'ham Mantra

The inner profound pulsating vibration of prana representing pure choiceless awareness; 'So' the in-breath of higher consciousness and 'Ham' the out-breath of ego.

Soft Palate

The soft palate; one of the roots of ambu vaha srotas (water-carrying channel)

Softness

One of the 20 universal attributes representing softness, delicacy, and tenderness

Solar Plexus Chakra

The third chakra related to ambition, achievement, power, and control, connected to manomaya kosha and the pancreas.

Soma

The subtle cellular food and nourishing plasma that is the mother of prana, transformed by tejas into consciousness and life force.

Soul

Atman is the eternal witness behind body and mind, the Self that does not age, sicken, or die. Vaisheshika counts it as the sixth substance, host of Consciousness.

Sour Post-Digestive Effect

Metabolic post-digestive effect from sour taste that increases pitta and creates acidic bodily secretions.

Sour Stage of Digestion

Second stage of digestion in the stomach where Earth and Fire predominate, marked by hydrochloric acid secretion and protein digestion.

Sour Taste

Sour Taste

Second taste in digestion; arises in stomach from hydrochloric acid (pachaka pitta); contains Fire and Earth elements; aids digestion

Sources of Valid Knowledge

The four sources of valid knowledge according to Nyaya philosophy: perception, inference, comparison, and testimony.

Srotas

Subtle or gross channels made of tissues that carry substances and energies through the body

Sroto Dushti

Disorders of the bodily channels, classified into four types: excess flow, obstruction, overflow, and abnormal diversion.

Sroto Marga

The passage or lumen of a bodily channel through which fluids, nutrients, and wastes flow.

Stability

Stable, supportive quality also linked to stubbornness and constipation; increases kapha, decreases vata and pitta

Sticky Quality

One of the 20 universal attributes representing stickiness, cloudiness, and cohesiveness

Stimulant and Digestive Herbs

Stool Examination

Ayurvedic diagnostic method of examining stool for form, buoyancy, and presence of undigested food to assess digestion and toxicity.

Subclavicular Gland

The thymus gland in classical Ayurvedic anatomy.

Substances of Diverse Action

Substances with similar rasa, virya, and vipaka but different atomic structure, the basis of prabhava

Subtle Quality

The subtle quality among the twenty gunas, associated with anything fine or penetrating including cells, thoughts, and emotions.

Subtle Sense Objects

The five objects of sensory perception — sound (shabda), touch (sparsha), form (rupa), taste (rasa), and odor (gandha) — which are the subtle qualities (gunas) of the five elements.

Suffering

Literally 'bad space'; a state of misery, pain, disease or suffering of any kind

Superior Plasma Quality

The expression of fully mature, superior quality rasa dhatu, manifesting as beautiful soft skin, good complexion, strength, love, compassion, and faith.

Sweat

The mala (inferior byproduct) of meda dhatu; sweat is the waste product generated during fat tissue metabolism.

Sweat Channels

The channel system that eliminates liquid wastes through perspiration and regulates body temperature and electrolyte balance.

Sweat Fire

Fire component of the sweat-related organs; regulates body temperature, skin moisture, and water-electrolyte balance

Sweat Pores

The sweat glands and hair follicle openings, which serve as one of the openings of ambu vaha srotas, the water-carrying channel.

Sweet Post-Digestive Effect

Anabolic post-digestive effect derived from sweet and salty tastes that promotes tissue growth and increases kapha.

Sweet Stage of Digestion

First stage of digestion dominated by Water and Earth elements, beginning in the mouth and stomach where sweet taste nourishes rasa dhatu.

Sweet Taste

Sweet Taste

Earth + Water elements. Oily, cooling, heavy qualities. Anabolic in action. Pacifies vata and pitta, aggravates kapha in excess.

Tamas

The quality of inertia, heaviness, and dullness associated with foods and behaviors that promote stagnation and unconsciousness.

Tanmatra

The five subtle sensory essences — sound, touch, form, taste, and smell — that give rise to the five gross elements.

Tarpaka Kapha

The subtype of kapha that forms the sensitive recording medium within nerve tissue on which all sensory and psychological experiences are recorded as neurological and psychological images.

Tarpana

That which nourishes the tissues and records and retains memories

Tejas

The subtle essence of fire and pitta, representing cellular intelligence, luminosity, and the transformative energy governing digestion, perception, and metabolism.

Tejaskara

The creation of tejas (subtle fire); one of the functions of healthy digestive fire (agni)

Tejo Hara

Depletion of tejas (subtle fire); one of the signs of impaired agni

Three Doshas

The three fundamental bioenergetic principles — Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — that group the five elements into functional principles governing psychophysiological response and pathological changes.

Three Gunas

The three mental qualities that unite the Five Mental Elements, paralleling how the three doshas unite the Five Great Physical Elements in the body.

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland in Ayurvedic anatomy; literally 'gland above the collarbone'

Tikshna Agni

An intensely sharp digestive fire caused by increased pitta dosha, leading to hypermetabolism with excessive hunger and inflammatory conditions.

Time

The eighth causative substance in Vaisheshika; a force that produces change, used as a marker for creation, maintenance, and destruction, measurable in terms of prana (breath cycles).

Times of Administration

Tissue Byproducts

The three products created during transformation of immature dhatu into mature dhatu: sara (pure essence), upadhatu (superior byproduct), and mala (inferior byproduct).

Tissue Depletion

Decreased quantity of a dhatu caused by high dhatu agni leading to reduced production of that tissue.

Tissue Digestive Fire

The seven metabolic fires present in each tissue (dhatu) that transform immature, unprocessed tissue into mature, processed tissue.

Tissue Disorders

Qualitative changes in a dhatu caused by the entry of an aggravated dosha, altering the tissue's inherent attributes.

Tissue Emaciation

Tissue emaciation and malnourishment, a sign of impaired agni

Tissue Excellence

The state when a particular dhatu is fully mature and of superior quality, clearly expressing the superior qualities associated with that tissue.

Tissue Excess

Increased quantity of a dhatu caused by slow dhatu agni leading to undue production of that tissue.

Tissue Formation Timeline

The sequential timeline of tissue formation from ahara rasa through all seven dhatus, taking approximately 35 days to complete.

Tissue Membrane

The membranous structure between two dhatus that separates one tissue from another and houses the dhatu agni, ojas, tejas, and prana.

Tissue Nutrition

The nutrition of bodily tissues, governed by the laws of irrigation, selectivity and transformation

Tissue Nutrition

The Ayurvedic concept of how nutrition reaches and nourishes the seven bodily tissues, governed by three laws.

Tridoshic

A property describing something that affects or balances all three doshas, beneficially or detrimentally

Trigunas

Sattva, rajas, and tamas — the three fundamental qualities pervading all creation, arising from the pulsation of cosmic prana breaking up Consciousness.

Turbid

The cloudy quality; one of the twenty gunas. Increases kapha while decreasing pitta and vata.

Twenty Attributes

The twenty basic attributes organized into ten pairs of opposites that describe the qualities of all substances, thoughts, and actions in Ayurveda.

Types of Obesity

Ayurvedic classification of obesity into central, truncated, and peripheral types based on fat displacement patterns

Udana Vayu

The upward-moving subtype of Vata dosha located in the diaphragm, governing speech, expression, memory, and exhalation.

Udaraka Tejas

The tejas present in the stomach's jathara agni (gastric fire) that breaks down food for cellular use.

Universal Mind

The common ground of existence or Ground Mind that is non-judgmental and unconditional, which the particular mind becomes when it drops its measurement and judgment.

Upachaya

Improvement, nutrition, good muscle tone, and cheerfulness; a sign of healthy ojas and normal tejas

Upadhatu

The superior by-product that results from the formation of a bodily tissue (dhatu)

Upadhatus

Subsidiary tissues such as breast milk, menstrual blood, tendons, and skin that arise as byproducts of the main seven dhatus.

Ushna

One of the twenty Ayurvedic attributes; the hot quality stimulates gastric fire, improves circulation, digestion, absorption, assimilation, and promotes cleansing.

Vaigunya

Defective state, impairment, or lack of good qualities in tissues or channels; a precursor to disease

Vaisheshika

One of the six philosophical schools of Shad Darshan that specifies the important aspects of concrete reality, including the atomic theory of existence and nine causative substances.

Varna

Color and complexion of the skin; one of the qualities indicating healthy agni and tejas

Vata Constitution

Vata Dosha

The principle of mobility derived from the Sanskrit verb 'vah' (to carry or move), governing all activity in the body from thoughts to digestion.

Vata Management

Vati

Vayu (Air

The second of the five great elements, the principle of movement that keeps the body in constant motion and manifests as electrical energy.

Verbal Testimony

The fourth pramana — verbal testimony from authentic and truthful authority (apta), including sacred texts and objective diagnostic observations.

Vessels for Herbal Preparation

Vikriti

The present state of the three doshas which may differ from one's prakruti due to diet, lifestyle, emotions, age, and environment

Vipaka

The final taste a substance assumes after complete digestion, classified as sweet, sour, or pungent, which governs its long-term effect on the doshas and tissues.

Vipaka

Post-digestive effect of taste on body, mind and consciousness. Sweet and salty tastes have sweet vipak, sour has sour vipak, pungent/bitter/astringent have pungent vipak.

Virya

The heating or cooling potent energy of a food or herb that acts through jathara agni and influences all dhatu agnis.

Vishuddha Chakra

The fifth chakra related to communication and will, connected to vijnanamaya kosha and the thyroid and parathyroid.

Vulneraries

Vyana Vayu

The circulatory subtype of Vata dosha present in the heart, governing cardiac activity, blood circulation, lymphatic flow, and reflex actions throughout the body.

Vyana Vayu Vitiation

Qualitative disturbance of vyana vayu, the circulatory subtype of vata dosha

Waste Channel

Another name for the purisha vaha srotas, the channel carrying feces.

Waste Product

The non-essential, inferior by-product of ingested food that is excreted from the body, including feces.

Water Channel

The channel that carries water into the body, also called ambu vaha srotas, one of the three channels that receive energy from outside.

Water Channels

Channel governing body temperature, lubrication, electrolyte balance; rooted in pancreas, soft palate, and choroid plexus.

Water Element

The fourth element, manifesting as digestive juices, mucous membranes, plasma, and cytoplasm; vital for all body systems.

Wisdom Sheath

The sheath of the intellect (buddhi) located approximately three feet from the physical body, often termed the causal body.

Yantra

A mystical or astronomical diagram used as the seat of a deity for worship and meditation

Yellow

Yellow color stimulates understanding and intelligence, connected with the crown chakra and the complete death of the ego in spiritual terms.

Yellow-Green

Yellow-green color combines properties of both yellow and green, with a calming effect upon the mind.

Yoga Darshana

Philosophy of union between the lower self and higher Self, systematized by Patanjali through the Yoga Sutras as a practical discipline for self-realization.

Yoga Posture

The third limb of Patanjali's eight-limbed yoga: physical postures and mudras that bring stability and ease to support meditation

Yogavahi