Ayur vedic
Terms
Ayur vedic
Terms
What are the guiding principles of Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India, is based on the belief that good health is a state of balance and harmony in the body, mind and spirit. The system uses natural methods such as herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle changes to achieve and maintain this balance, rather than relying heavily on pharmaceutical drugs.
At the core of Ayurveda is the concept of tridosha, which posits that the human body is made up of three fundamental energies or doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. These doshas govern different bodily functions and are thought to be responsible for maintaining balance and harmony in the body. Imbalances in any of the doshas can lead to illness.
Another key principle of Ayurveda is the concept of agni, or the digestive fire. A strong and healthy agni is crucial for maintaining good health, as it is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste products from the body. The concept of ama, which refers to toxins that can accumulate in the body when the body's digestion, absorption, and elimination processes are out of balance, is also important.
Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony in all areas of life, including diet, lifestyle, and other self-care practices. The system also stresses the importance of individualized treatment, taking into account a person's unique body constitution, or dosha, as well as their individual needs and circumstances when making treatment recommendations.
In Ayurveda, self-care is also a very important aspect. it encourages people to take an active role in their own health and well-being.
It's important to note that Ayurveda is an holistic system and it's principles are interrelated and interconnected, so when one principle is balanced, it will positively impact other principles, and thus maintaining overall balance and well-being.
What illnesses can Ayurveda help to prevent?
Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, aims to prevent illness by promoting balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. This is achieved through a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, massage, and yoga. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that good health is achieved by maintaining a balance between the three doshas, or bodily humors, which are vata, pitta, and kapha. They also believe in the importance of regular detoxification and rejuvenation methods, such as panchakarma.
Common
Terminology
A – Z
A
abhiyanga –
Ayurveda
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
abhiyanga –
Ayurveda
A
abhiyanga –
Ayurveda
abhiyanga
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
agni
A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.
A
A
abhiyanga –
Ayurveda
A
abhyanga –
Ayurveda
A
abhiyanga –
Ayurveda
abhyanga
Full body Ayurvedic oil massage; self-massage is an important component of an Ayurvedic daily routine, but trained professionals also give abhyanga treatments—either as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a deeper cleanse, such as panchakarma.
agni
The third of five elements recognized in Ayurveda: the fire element; the principle of transformation; the digestive fire, which is responsible for digestion, absorption and assimilation; that which transforms food into tissues, energy, and consciousness.
ahara
Diet or food (as in ahara chikitsa—food-based therapy).
ahara rasa
The end result of digested food, yielded within about twelve hours of eating; this “food juice” is the asthayi (raw, unprocessed) form of rasa dhatu (the plasma and lymph) and the nutritive precursor of all seven dhatus (bodily tissues).
ajna chakra
The sixth of seven chakras, which is located at the third eye and is responsible for balancing the higher self with the lower self; this chakra is also associated with intuition—our ability to trust our deepest inner knowing—and is symbolized by a two-petaled lotus flower, the color indigo, the bija mantra (seed syllable) “Aum,” and it is often linked to the pineal gland.
alochaka pitta
One of the five subtypes of pitta; that aspect of pitta that resides primarily in the eyes and governs visual perception; functionally, it is responsible for the luster, color, and translucence of the eye, the maintenance of an appropriate eye temperature, as well as the perception of color and light.
ama
Raw, undigested; a toxic, disease-causing substance that can accumulate in the body when foods, herbs, emotions or experiences are not fully processed, digested, or assimilated.
B
basti –
brmhana
A
abhiyanga –
Ayurveda
basti
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
bhastrika pranayama
A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.
A
abhiyanga –
Ayurveda
A
abhiyanga –
Ayurveda
basti
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
bhastrika pranayama
A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.
B
basti –
brmhana
B
basti –
brmhana
basti
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
bhastrika pranayama
A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.
C
catabolic –
churna
C
basti –
brmhana
basti
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
bhastrika pranayama
A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.
D
D
basti –
brmhana
basti
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
bhastrika pranayama
A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.
basti –
brmhana
D
D
basti –
brmhana
basti
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
bhastrika pranayama
A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.
basti –
brmhana
E–F
E–F
G
basti –
brmhana
G
basti –
brmhana
basti
A therapeutic enema using herbal tea or oil (best practiced under the guidance of a qualified practitioner); an important means of eliminating excess vata from the body via the colon; one of the five cleansing actions involved in panchakarma.
bhastrika pranayama
A yogic breathing practice also known as the “bellows breath,” which consists of a deep and active inhalation and a forceful exhalation that causes a slightly exaggerated expansion and contraction of the abdomen—much like a bellows; this breath is heating, kindles the digestive fire, increases circulation, and refreshes the deep tissues.