Ayurveda Glossary: Key Terms in Plain Language
Plain-language meanings of common Ayurveda terms such as dosha, agni, ama, dhatu and panchakarma, each described as a traditional idea with links to the full guides.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
How to use this glossary
Ayurveda has its own vocabulary, mostly in Sanskrit. This page explains the terms you are most likely to meet in plain language. Each entry describes what the tradition means by the word. These are traditional frameworks, not medical diagnoses, and not measured body parts. Nothing here is a way to work out your own "type" or to choose remedies. If you are worried about a symptom, see a licensed clinician.Many spellings exist for the same word (for example Charaka, Caraka, Charak). We use simple English spellings without accent marks.
The overall system
| Term | Plain meaning | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Ayurveda | A Sanskrit word meaning "science of life" or "knowledge of life"; a traditional medical system of India [1] | More about Ayurveda → |
| Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita | The two best-known classical texts; the first is described as covering all aspects of Ayurvedic medicine, the second as the science of surgery [2] | More about Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita → |
| Ashtanga Ayurveda | The eight traditional disciplines, including internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, toxicology and rasayana [2] | More about Ashtanga Ayurveda → |
| AYUSH | India's Ministry of AYUSH, responsible for education, research and promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy [1] | More about AYUSH → |
Body and balance ideas
| Term | Plain meaning | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Dosha (tridosha) | Vata, pitta and kapha, the three "humors" that tradition says control basic body functions [2] | More about Dosha (tridosha) → |
| Prakriti | The idea that each person has a unique constitution that shapes responses to medicines, surroundings and food [2] | More about Prakriti → |
| Vikriti | The current state, as compared with the constitution (see the prakriti page for how this is used) | More about Vikriti → |
| Panchamahabhuta | The five elements (air, water, space, earth, fire) said to combine into the doshas [2] | More about Panchamahabhuta → |
| Dhatu | The seven body tissues of the tradition, such as rasa (tissue fluid), rakta (blood), mamsa (muscle) and asthi (bone) [2] | More about Dhatu → |
| Mala | The three waste products of the body: feces, urine and sweat [2] | More about Mala → |
| Agni | "Digestive fire," described as supporting metabolism and mental clarity [3] | More about Agni → |
| Ama | A traditional idea of "toxin" that builds up when agni is disturbed [3] Not a laboratory-measured substance. | More about Ama → |
The same word can have more than one use. For example, rasa is a tissue in the list above but is also the word used for tastes, covered on the six tastes page.
Daily life and treatments
| Term | Plain meaning | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Dinacharya | Daily routine, described as aligned with natural rhythms [3] | More about Dinacharya → |
| Abhyanga | Oil massage, sometimes called self-massage [3] | More about Abhyanga → |
| Shirodhara | A treatment using oil, described in one review as "oil therapy" [3] | More about Shirodhara → |
| Panchakarma | A set of treatments in three stages: preparation (purvakarma), main procedures (pradhana karma) and after-care (paschat karma) [2] | More about Panchakarma → |
| Vamana and virechana | Therapeutic vomiting and purging within panchakarma [2] Supervised in the tradition and carry real risks. | Vamana, virechana |
| Basti | A medicated enema, one of the panchakarma procedures [2] | More about Basti → |
Herbs, medicines and products
| Term | Plain meaning | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Rasayana | One of the eight disciplines, described in the source as the study of geriatrics, often glossed as rejuvenation [2] | More about Rasayana → |
| Rasa shastra | The practice of combining herbs with metals, minerals and gems [4] | More about Rasa shastra → |
| Bhasma | A type of herbo-mineral preparation; see the safety page for risks | More about Bhasma → |
| Churna, vati, kwatha, taila, arishta | Powders, tablets, decoctions, oils and fermented preparations | More about Churna, vati, kwatha, taila, arishta → |
More help with names
For how Sanskrit names are built and why one plant can have many names, see the Sanskrit names guide. For the herbs themselves, use the herb index.Frequently asked questions
Is this glossary medical advice?
No. It explains traditional vocabulary. Terms such as dosha and ama are traditional ideas: the review we read states what "Ayurveda believes" about the body's tissues and humors. [2] For symptoms or treatment decisions, talk with a licensed clinician.
Are dosha, agni and ama proven by research?
They are traditional concepts. Clinical trials test specific treatments, not the whole vocabulary. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says few well-designed trials suggest Ayurvedic approaches are effective. [5]
Can I find my dosha from this page?
No. This site does not offer dosha quizzes or tell readers which remedies suit a "type." See why online dosha quizzes are unreliable.
Why do spellings differ between websites?
Sanskrit is written in its own script and then transliterated into English letters in several ways. One review notes that classical literature holds more than 12,000 distinct Sanskrit plant names with overlaps across texts. [6]
Is it safe to try an Ayurvedic product because it is "natural"?
Not automatically. In a study of 193 Ayurvedic medicines bought online, about one in five contained detectable lead, mercury or arsenic. [4] Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, and see the safety quick reference.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Why safety words matter
References
- US Food and Drug Administration, India Office. FDA India Office Addresses Herbal and Ayurvedic Products. Read 2026-10-22.
- Jaiswal YS, Williams LL. A glimpse of Ayurveda: the forgotten history and principles of Indian traditional medicine. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 2017 (full text read via Europe PMC, PMC5198827). Read 2026-10-22.
- Swaroop A. Ayurvedic stress management: balancing mind and body in men and women. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine 2025 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- Saper RB et al. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet. JAMA 2008 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, US). Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth. Last updated January 2019. Read 2026-10-22.
- Thomas V et al. Controversial identities of medicinal plants in classical literature of Ayurveda. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 2020 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.