Ayurveda Initiative for Global Health

Essential Ayurvedic Terms and Their Meanings.

Ayurveda: The Eternal Science of Life and WellnessNourish Life, Nurture Health – Embrace Ayurveda and Meditation The Wisdom of Ayurveda and MeditationAyurveda, meaning “knowledge of life,” is the ancient holistic healing system promoting balance among body, mind, and spirit. Meditation deepens this balance by calming the mind and expanding awareness. Together they foster vibrant health, mental clarity, and long-lasting peace.Essential Ayurvedic Terms and Their Meanings

1. Abhyanga – Ayurvedic oil massage that cleanses and balances doshas 2. Agni – Digestive fire that controls metabolism 3. Ama – Toxic undigested waste causing imbalance 4. Dosha – Biological energies: Vata, Pitta, Kapha 5. Vata – Movement and nerve energy 6. Pitta – Metabolism and transformation energy 7. Kapha – Structure and lubrication energy 8. Prakriti – Individual constitution or natural body-mind type 9. Ojas – Vital energy supporting immunity and vitality 10. Dhatu – Body tissues like blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow, reproductive tissue 11. Srotas – Channels for nourishment and waste elimination 12. Panchakarma – Five cleansing therapies for detoxification 13. Nasya – Nasal therapy for sinus and mind cleansing 14. Rasayana – Rejuvenation therapies and herbs 15. Sattva – Purity and harmony state of mind 16. Rajas – Activity and passion quality of mind 17. Tamas – Inertia and heaviness quality of mind 18. Dinacharya – Daily lifestyle routine for health 19. Ritucharya – Seasonal regimen adapting to environmental changes 20. Yoga – Union of body, mind, spirit through practice 21. Meditation – Focused mindfulness practice for calm and healing 22. Agada Tantra – Ayurvedic toxicology 23. Bala – Strength and vigor 24. Kapha – Dosha associated with earth and water elements 25. Pitta – Fire element dosha controlling digestion 26. Vata – Air and ether element dosha tied to movement 27. Kaphaja Vikara – Diseases caused by Kapha imbalance 28. Pittaja Vikara – Diseases caused by Pitta imbalance 29. Vataja Vikara – Diseases caused by Vata imbalance 30. Swedana – Herbal steam therapy 31. Virechana – Purgation therapy 32. Vasti – Herbal enema therapy 33. Nadi Pariksha – Pulse diagnosis 34. Hridaya – Heart and emotional center 35. Mano – Mind 36. Satmya – Habitual suitability or compatibility 37. Nidana – Cause of disease 38. Shodhana – Purification therapies 39. Shamana – Palliative therapies 40. Anupana – Medicine vehicle like water or honey 41. Sleshma – Mucus or Kapha 42. Prana – Life force 43. Atma – Soul or spirit 44. Asana – Physical posture in yoga 45. Chakras – Energy centers 46. Ras – Plasma or nutrient fluid 47. Meda – Fat tissue 48. Asthi – Bone tissue 49. Majja – Marrow and nervous tissue 50. Shukra – Reproductive tissue 51. Ama Visha – Toxic metabolic poisons 52. Vata Dosha – Movement disorders 53. Pitta Dosha – Inflammation disorders 54. Kapha Dosha – Congestion disorders 55. Marma – Vital energy points 56. Sneha – Oil or oleation therapy 57. Kashaya – Astringent taste 58. Lavana – Salty taste 59. Tikta – Bitter taste 60. Madhura – Sweet taste 61. Katu – Pungent taste 62. Amla – Sour taste 63. Rasayana – Longevity therapy 64. Dukha – Pain or discomfort 65. Ojas – Essence of vitality 66. Upaskara – Therapeutic treatments 67. Nidra – Sleep and rest 68. Swasthya – Health 69. Vyadhi – Disease 70. Ahar – Diet and nutrition 71. Vihara – Lifestyle 72. Satva Guna – Goodness nature 73. Rajas Guna – Passionate nature 74. Tamas Guna – Ignorance or inertia nature 75. Kriya – Action or function 76. Vata Vriddhi – Increase in Vata 77. Pitta Vriddhi – Increase in Pitta 78. Kapha Vriddhi – Increase in Kapha 79. Shamana Chikitsa – Pacification therapy 80. Shodhana Chikitsa – Cleansing therapy 81. Ras – Nutrient essence 82. Maha Vata – Large scale Vata 83. Abhyara – Supportive therapy 84. Bhakti – Devotion 85. Manas – Mind 86. Prakriti Vijnana – Knowledge of constitution 87. Kriya Sharira – Physiology 88. Sharira Rachana – Anatomy 89. Upachaya – Growth or healing 90. Vrudhi – Increase 91. Kshaya – Decrease or wasting 92. Agada – Poisons 93. Ushna – Hot quality 94. Sara – Essence or best part 95. Srotodushti – Channel obstruction 96. Vamana – Therapeutic vomiting 97. Rakta Moksha – Bloodletting 98. Bala Vidya – Knowledge of strength 99. Ayurveda Darshana – Ayurvedic philosophy 100. Yoga Darshana – Yoga philosophyMeditation and Ayurveda: The Twin Pillars of True Health Meditation quiets the mind and sharpens focus, while Ayurveda balances the unique energies within each person. Their combined power improves digestion, immunity, mental clarity, emotional resilience, and physical vitality.Health Is Wealth: The Ayurvedic Truth Ayurveda teaches that health is the greatest wealth. Meditation cultivates inner calm and strength, helping us meet life’s challenges with grace. Together, they offer a sustainable path to lifelong wellness and happiness.Consult an Ayurvedic Doctor: Your Partner in Wellness Personalized Ayurvedic guidance can tailor therapies and meditative practices to individual needs, optimizing therapeutic outcomes and holistic healing.Embrace the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and meditation. Let balance, vitality, and peace blossom in every aspect of your life.