Ayurveda Glossary: 50 Key Terms Explained Simply

How to Use This Glossary

Ayurveda has its own rich vocabulary, drawn from Sanskrit — one of the world's oldest languages. While these terms can feel intimidating at first, each one encapsulates a concept that often has no direct English equivalent.

This glossary is organised alphabetically and covers the 50 terms you are most likely to encounter as you explore Ayurvedic practice. Each definition is kept deliberately simple and practical.

A

1. Abhyanga

Self-massage with warm oil. One of the most recommended daily practices in Ayurveda. Sesame oil for Vata, coconut oil for Pitta, and dry brushing or light mustard oil for Kapha. Traditionally performed before bathing to nourish the skin, calm the nervous system, and support circulation.

2. Agni

Digestive fire. The metabolic force that transforms food into nutrients and waste. Agni is considered the foundation of health in Ayurveda — when strong, digestion is efficient and immunity is robust. When weak, Ama (toxins) accumulate.

3. Ahara

Food and diet. One of the three pillars of health in Ayurveda (alongside sleep and lifestyle). Ahara encompasses not just what you eat, but how, when, and in what state of mind.

4. Ama

Metabolic waste or toxins. The sticky, heavy residue produced when Agni fails to fully digest food. Ama is considered the root cause of most disease in Ayurveda. Signs include a coated tongue, sluggish digestion, body odour, and brain fog.

5. Ashtanga Hridayam

One of the three major classical Ayurvedic texts. Written by Vagbhata, it is considered a concise yet comprehensive summary of Ayurvedic knowledge. Literally means "the heart of eight-limbed (medicine)."

B-C

6. Bala

Strength or vitality. Refers to physical, mental, and immune strength. Bala is influenced by constitution, age, season, and lifestyle practices.

7. Bhrajaka Pitta

The sub-dosha of Pitta that governs the skin. Responsible for complexion, skin lustre, and the processing of topically applied substances. Understanding Bhrajaka Pitta is key to Ayurvedic skincare.

8. Charaka Samhita

The oldest and most authoritative Ayurvedic text. Attributed to the sage Charaka, it covers all aspects of Ayurvedic medicine, from theory to practice. Written over 2,000 years ago, it remains the primary reference for Ayurvedic practitioners.

D

9. Dhatu

Tissue. Ayurveda describes seven tissue layers (Sapta Dhatu) that are nourished sequentially: Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (marrow/nerve), and Shukra (reproductive tissue).

10. Dinacharya

Daily routine. The Ayurvedic daily regimen that includes practices like waking early, tongue scraping, oil pulling, self-massage, exercise, meditation, and regular mealtimes. Considered one of the most powerful tools for maintaining health.

11. Dosha

Bio-energy or body type. The three fundamental energies — Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — that govern all physical and mental processes. Everyone has all three, but most people have one or two that dominate.

12. Dravyaguna

Ayurvedic pharmacology. The study of the properties (guna), tastes (rasa), and effects (vipaka, virya) of medicinal substances — herbs, foods, and minerals.

G-K

13. Gandusha

Oil pulling. Swishing warm sesame or coconut oil in the mouth for 5-15 minutes to support oral health, strengthen gums, and reduce Ama. A traditional component of Dinacharya.

14. Garshana

Dry brushing. Vigorous massage with raw silk gloves or a dry brush. Particularly recommended for Kapha types to stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage.

15. Ghee

Clarified butter. Considered one of the most valuable substances in Ayurveda. Ghee strengthens Agni, builds Ojas, nourishes tissues, and serves as a carrier for herbal medicines. It is suitable for all body types in moderate quantities.

16. Guna

Quality or attribute. Ayurveda describes 20 fundamental qualities (10 pairs of opposites) such as hot/cold, heavy/light, oily/dry, sharp/dull. These gunas are used to understand substances, body types, and disease.

17. Kapha

The dosha of Earth and Water. Governs structure, stability, lubrication, and immunity. Kapha types tend to be sturdy, calm, and nurturing. When imbalanced: lethargy, congestion, and attachment.

18. Kitchari

A simple dish of rice and mung dal. The staple of Ayurvedic cleansing and the default food when digestion needs rest. Tridoshic (suitable for all types), easy to digest, and nutritionally complete.

M-O

19. Mala

Waste products. The three primary malas are urine, faeces, and sweat. Proper elimination of waste is considered essential to health. Monitoring your malas is a key self-assessment practice.

20. Manas

Mind. Ayurveda gives equal importance to mental and physical health. The mind has its own qualities (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) and its own form of digestion.

21. Marma

Vital energy points. 107 points on the body where physical structure and Prana intersect. Similar in concept to acupressure points, marma therapy involves gentle stimulation of these points for healing.

22. Nasya

Nasal administration of oil or herbs. One of the five Panchakarma therapies. Daily nasya with a few drops of sesame oil or specialised herbal oils may support sinus health and mental clarity.

23. Nidra

Sleep. One of the three pillars of health. Ayurveda provides detailed guidance on sleep timing, position, and pre-sleep routines based on body type.

24. Ojas

Vital essence. The finest product of digestion — the subtle energy of immunity, vitality, and resilience. When Ojas is strong, you feel radiant, energetic, and resistant to illness. When depleted, vulnerability increases.

P

25. Panchakarma

The five cleansing therapies. The most intensive Ayurvedic detoxification system, including therapeutic vomiting, purgation, enema, nasal cleansing, and bloodletting. Always performed under practitioner supervision.

26. Pitta

The dosha of Fire and Water. Governs transformation, metabolism, and digestion. Pitta types tend to be focused, driven, and sharp. When imbalanced: irritability, inflammation, and burnout.

27. Prakriti

Birth constitution. Your unique, unchanging dosha combination determined at conception. Prakriti is the baseline against which current imbalances are assessed.

28. Prana

Life force or vital breath. The subtle energy that animates all living beings. Prana is directed through pranayama (breathing practices) and enters the body primarily through breath, food, and sensory impressions.

29. Pranayama

Breath control practices. Techniques for consciously directing the breath and, through it, Prana. Examples include Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, and Bhramari.

R

30. Rajas

One of the three mental qualities. Rajas represents activity, passion, restlessness, and desire. In balance, it drives healthy ambition. In excess, it creates agitation and attachment.

31. Rasa

Two meanings: (1) Taste — Ayurveda recognises six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. (2) Plasma tissue — the first dhatu, nourished directly by digested food.

32. Rasayana

Rejuvenation therapy. Herbs, foods, and practices designed to rebuild vitality, strengthen immunity, and promote longevity. Classic Rasayana herbs include ashwagandha, amalaki, and shatavari.

33. Ritucharya

Seasonal routine. The Ayurvedic practice of adjusting diet, lifestyle, and daily routine according to the seasons to maintain balance throughout the year.

34. Roga

Disease. Ayurveda defines disease as a state of imbalance in the doshas. The progression from health to disease follows a six-stage pathway (Shat Kriya Kala).

S

35. Samhita

A compiled text or collection. The major Ayurvedic Samhitas are Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridayam.

36. Sattva

One of the three mental qualities. Sattva represents clarity, harmony, balance, and purity. Ayurvedic practices aim to increase Sattva in the mind through diet, meditation, and lifestyle.

37. Shad Rasa

The six tastes. Sweet (Madhura), Sour (Amla), Salty (Lavana), Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta), and Astringent (Kashaya). Including all six in each meal promotes balanced nutrition and satisfaction.

38. Srotas

Channels. The body's transport systems — for nutrients, waste, energy, and information. There are 13 major channel systems. Disease often begins with channel blockage or malfunction.

39. Sushruta Samhita

One of the three major Ayurvedic texts. Attributed to the sage Sushruta, this text is particularly renowned for its detailed descriptions of surgical techniques. Sushruta is often called the "father of surgery."

40. Swasthya

Health. Literally means "established in the self." Ayurvedic health is defined not merely as the absence of disease but as a state of balanced doshas, strong Agni, proper tissue nourishment, effective waste elimination, and a happy mind and senses.

T

41. Tamas

One of the three mental qualities. Tamas represents inertia, darkness, ignorance, and heaviness. Some Tamas (as in deep sleep) is necessary, but excess causes lethargy, depression, and resistance to change.

42. Tikta

Bitter taste. One of the six tastes, bitter is cooling, cleansing, and detoxifying. Found in leafy greens, turmeric, and neem. Particularly balancing for Pitta and Kapha.

43. Tridosha

All three doshas together. A "tridoshic" substance (like kitchari) is suitable for all body types. A tridoshic person has roughly equal proportions of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — considered rare.

44. Triphala

Three fruits. A classical Ayurvedic formula combining Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. Used for digestive health, gentle detoxification, and as a general Rasayana. One of the most widely recommended Ayurvedic preparations.

V

45. Vata

The dosha of Air and Ether. Governs all movement — circulation, breathing, nerve impulses, thoughts. Vata types tend to be creative, quick, and enthusiastic. When imbalanced: anxiety, dryness, and scattered thinking.

46. Veerya

Potency. The heating or cooling energy of a substance. Heating substances (like ginger) increase Pitta. Cooling substances (like coriander) pacify it.

47. Vikriti

Current state of imbalance. Your dosha balance as it is right now — influenced by diet, lifestyle, stress, and season. Ayurvedic treatment aims to bring Vikriti back in line with your Prakriti.

48. Vipaka

Post-digestive effect. The final taste that emerges after complete digestion of a substance. Sweet and salty foods have a sweet Vipaka; sour has a sour Vipaka; pungent, bitter, and astringent have a pungent Vipaka.

49. Vyayama

Exercise. Ayurveda recommends exercise appropriate to your constitution, season, and current state. The guideline is to exercise to 50% capacity — when light sweat appears on the forehead and breathing becomes slightly heavy.

50. Vyadhikshamatva

Immunity or disease resistance. The Ayurvedic concept closest to the modern immune system. Built through strong Ojas, balanced Agni, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and daily routine.

Your Learning Journey

This glossary is a reference point, not a final destination. As you deepen your Ayurvedic practice, these terms will shift from unfamiliar words to lived understanding. Start with the concepts most relevant to your current practice — perhaps Agni, Dosha, and Dinacharya — and let your vocabulary grow organically alongside your experience.