agni—a Sanskrit term for fire. In Ayurvedic medicine, it refers to the metabolic and digestive fire concentrated in the stomach, which is essential to the well-being of the body.
agasthya rasayana—an ancient rejuvenation jam.
ajwan—a Sanskrit term for wild celery seeds that are most useful as a digestive aid.
ama—a Sanskrit term for toxins often caused by poor digestive fire and emotional imbalances.
antispasmodics—herbs, such as asafetida, that relieve spasms, for example in the bronchial tubes and uterine muscles.
anupana—the adjunct given with an herb to determine it effectiveness for a particular condition.
anu thailam—Ayurvedic nasal drops.
aphrodisiacs (vajikarana)—substances such as urad dal that rejuvenate the sexual organs.
asana—a term referring to yoga postures.
ashwagandadhi lehyam—a fortifying jam containing winter cherry.
astringents—herbs, such as turmeric, that have a drying effect on the body, especially helpful in stemming the flow of blood from a wound or stopping diarrhea.
bael—a fruit, known in Sanskrit as bilwa, which is used to alleviate digestive disorders.
bala—the Sanskrit term for Indian country mallow, which is used as a tonic and a rejuvenative for vata disorders, such as nervous system conditions.
bamboo manna—known in Sanskrit as vamsha rochana, a milky substance from the bark of the bamboo plant. It is useful for healing lung disorders.
bhasmas—Ayurvedic tinctures made from gems that have been burnt into ash.
bhringaraja—the Sanskrit term for a herb known for its excellent properties for the hair.
bibhitaki—a rejuvenative herb, also known as Beleric Myrobalan, which helps alleviate mucus congestions.
Cassia fistula—a type of senna.
chakras—energy centers that run through the middle of the body, from the base of the spine to the top of the head.
chelidonium—a Western liver herb.
chitraka—a Sanskrit term for the root and seeds of Plumbago zeylanica used to alleviate gas, rheumatism, colitis and joint pains.
churna—a Sanskrit word for Ayurvedic herbal powders. These powders are useful in the preparation of certain Ayurvedic combinations that require a number of different herbs, such as triphala (see page 159).
chyavanaprasham—a Sanskrit term for one of the best rejuvenating jams in Ayurvedic medicine, containing gooseberry and ghee.
Cissus quadrangularis—a tendril climber plant also known as “bone setter.”
dasamoola—a combination of ten roots given to debilitated patients.
decoction (kashayam)—a method of preparing herbs, which involves boiling them for hours until the liquid is reduced to a quarter of its original amount.
diuretics—herbs, such as Tribulus terrestris, that are useful to remove excess fluids from the body by increasing urination.
doshas—a Sanskrit term for the three major constitutions—vata, pitta and kapha. Each dosha has its own physical, emotional and intellectual characteristics. The three doshas are collectively called tridoshas (see tridoshic below).
emollients—herbs, such as marshmallow, that soothe the skin.
Epsom salts—otherwise known as hydrated magnesium sulphate, are often used in baths for drawing out toxins through the skin.
ether—one of the five elements that make up the world according to Ayurvedic principles. Ether is basically the space between matter, from the space between the atoms to the space between planets.
euphorbia hirta—a plant, also known as Queensland asthma weed, which is an effective bronchodilator for respiratory conditions.
expectorants (kasa-svasahara)—herbs, such as licorice, that help the body to expel mucus from the nasal passages, throat and lungs.
extract—a method of preparing herbs by using solvents or evaporation to extract the healing qualities of the herb from the leaves, roots or stems of the herb.
false unicorn root—a tonic that helps regulate menstruation and alleviate female reproductive disorders.
ghee—clarified butter, which is prepared from unsalted butter. Ghee is believed to be of enormous therapeutic benefit, able to enhance ojas (see page 158).
ghrithams—a Sanskrit term referring to herbal ghee preparations.
gokshura—a Sanskrit term for an oriental herb useful for urinary tract infections. It is also known in Latin as Tribulus terrestris.
gotu kola—a herb, also known in Latin as Centella asiatica, that has similar properties to Bacopa Monniera (Brahmi).
guduchi—a plant, whose roots and stems are used to treat immune diseases.
gulikas—a Sanskrit term referring to Ayurvedic herbal tablets.
Gymnema sylvestre—a Latin name for a plant, whose roots and leaves are used for aiding in the treatment of diabetes. Known as sarpa-darushtrika in Sanskrit.
haritaki—an important Ayurvedic herb for improving the mind, stabilizing the nerves and aiding digestion.
Infusion (hot—phanta; cold—sheeta kashaya)—a hot infusion is a method of heating herbs in water over a low flame until the water reaches boiling point; a cold infusion is a method of steeping the herbs in cold water for over an hour.
kapha—a Sanskrit term referring to one of the three doshas, which is a combination of the elements of water and earth.
kashaya/kashayams—a Sanskrit term referring to Ayurvedic decoctions (see above).
khadira—an astringent herb with the Latin name Acacia catechu.
kushmanda rasayana—a rejuvenative jam for the respiratory system.
kushta—a Sanskrit term for Costus, the root of which is used for the treatment of asthma, skin diseases and rheumatism.
kutaja—a Sanskrit term for a herb that is given for diarrhea and parasites. Its Latin name is Holorrhena antidysenterica.
laxatives—herbs, such as fennel seeds, that encourage the bowels to move, which is useful in such conditions as constipation.
mahanarayana—an Ayurvedic herbal oil combination.
manjishta—the Sanskrit term for Indian madder, the root of which is used to purify the blood.
musta—a Sanskrit term for a plant also known as nutgrass, which is used to alleviate menstrual pain and stimulate liver function.
nasya—a Sanskrit term referring to the Ayurvedic practice of taking certain medicine through the nose.
nervines—herbs, such as valerian, that either stimulate or calm the nervous system.
neuralgia—the pain associated with a nerve that has been pinched or irritated.
ojas—a Sanskrit term for the subtle essence that results from the creation of seven types of body tissues, and is the source of the body's immunity and fertility.
palm sugar—unrefined sugar extracted from palm tree trunks.
panchakarma—a Sanskrit word referring to a series of five powerful Ayurvedic treatments to purify the body. Some of its treatments include nasya (see above), oil enemas and supervised vomiting.
phanta—a Sanskrit term referring to hot infusions (see also infusion).
picrorrhiza—a shortened Latin term (Picrorrhiza kurroa benth) for a herb known in Sanskrit as katuki which is used to treat liver disorders, skin diseases and constipation.
pitta—a Sanskrit term referring to one of the three doshas, which is a combination of the elements of fire and water.
prakriti (or prakruti)—Sanskrit terms that can be used interchangeably to refer to the inherent nature of an individual's dosha or the general nature of the universe.
punarnavadi (or punarnava)—a cooling, diuretic herb, also know in Latin as Boerhavia diffusa, which is an excellent liver tonic.
purgatives—strong laxative herbs, such as castor oil, which are taken orally to help move the bowels.
rasayana—a Sanskrit term referring to a series of rejuvenating treatments to promote longevity and rejuvenate the body.
rasnadi—an expectorant herbal powder used externally or inhaled for respiratory conditions.
rock sugar—an unrefined form of sugar which is also known as rock candy.
sama—a Sanskrit term for ama.
Sanskrit—the ancient literary language of India.
saptasaram—a combination of seven herbs used to restore the flow of air and ether in the body's channels.
saraswatam—a herbal combination to stimulate cerebro vascular circulation and to restore mental functions.
shankhpushpi—a plant, known in Latin as Clitoria ternatea, which is used in the treatment of reproductive imbalances, epilepsy, memory problems and nervous disorders.
sheeta kashaya—a Sanskrit word referring to cold infusions (see also infusion).
sheetali—a cooling yogic breathe that involves inhaling through a cooled tongue
shirisha—an astringent herb, known in Latin as Albizzia lebbek, which is used for diarrhea and allergic reactions.
Shiva—supreme yogi
sitopaladi churna—one of the traditional Ayurvedic herbal powders used for treatment of colds and flus.
Solanum xanthocarpum—a Latin term for a herb, known in Sanskrit as kantakari, which is used to treat asthma, kidney problems and constipation.
soma—a Sanskrit term that corresponds with the element of water and governs the nerves and mind.
squaw vine—a reproductive tonic herb used extensively by the American Indians.
stimulants—herbs, such as ginger and pepper, which improve circulation and strengthen the metabolism.
svarasa—a Sanskrit term referring to a method of preparing herbs as a fresh juice.
thailam—a Sanskrit term for Ayurvedic herbal oils.
toners—herbs, such as aloe vera, that help to tighten and revitalize the skin.
tonics (rejuvenative—rasayana karma)—herbs, such as winter cherry, that aid the general condition of the body by renewing the body and mind.
tridoshic—a Sanskrit term that refers to herbs, foods, attitudes and mental states that are beneficial for all doshas.
trikatu—a Sanskrit term referring to a combination of long pepper, black pepper and dried ginger.
triphala—a Sanskrit term referring to a combination of gooseberry, bibhitaki and haritaki.
urad dal—a high protein legume.
vasa—a plant, also known as Malabar Nut and in Latin as Adhatoda vasica, which is useful for respiratory and circulatory conditions.
vata—a Sanskrit term referring to one of the three doshas, which is a combination of the elements of air and ether.
vati—a Sanskrit term referring to Ayurvedic herbal tablets.
vidanga—a herb used for the elimination of parasites as well as the treatment of indigestion.
Vishnu (Lord)—the Hindu God responsible for sustaining the universe. Lord Dhanvantari, the Celestial Physician who is the divine origin of Ayurveda, is believed to be a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.