Dravyaguna backbone of clinical practice in ayurveda- a review

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Dravyaguna backbone of clinical practice in ayurveda- a review”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Rasa (Rasha):
Rasas are the tastes in Ayurveda, each with unique effects on the body. Understanding Rasas is vital for tailoring dietary and treatment practices to influence health and balance doshas.

2) Guna:
Gunas refer to the specific qualities or properties of substances (Dravya) in Ayurveda. There are 41 Gunas, each influencing the therapeutic effects of substances differently. Practitioners use this classification to determine the appropriate actions of drugs in relation to individual health needs.

3) Drug:
Drugs in Ayurveda are specific preparations derived from natural substances designed to induce therapeutic effects. They are categorized based on their origins, properties, and actions on the body. Understanding the diversity and effects of various drugs is critical for effective Ayurvedic treatments.

4) Substance:
Substances refer to the various materials available in nature, including herbs, minerals, and compounds used in Ayurvedic medicine. Each substance has distinct properties (Guna) that can affect the body differently, and they are fundamental in formulating treatment strategies in Ayurveda.

5) Dravya:
Dravya is a term used in Ayurveda that encompasses substances utilized in medicine, including drugs and dietary items. It forms the foundational basis for understanding the therapeutic efficacy of treatments, where each Dravya is evaluated based on its properties (Guna) and effects on the body.

6) Dravyaguna (Dravya-guna):
Dravyaguna is the Ayurvedic science that studies the properties (Guna) and actions of drugs (Dravya). It combines principles of pharmacology with the unique qualities of substances to discern their therapeutic potential, guiding clinicians in choosing appropriate treatments for specific health issues.

7) Dosha (Dosa):
Dosha refers to the three fundamental biological energies (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) that govern physiological and psychological functions in the body. Each Dosha comprises specific qualities (Guna), and their balance is essential for health. Ayurvedic treatments aim to restore this balance using various substances.

8) Virya:
Virya denotes the potency or strength of a substance in Ayurveda, reflecting its ability to cause certain effects. It plays a significant role in drug action, influencing how a substance interacts with doshas and contributes to both therapeutic and adverse outcomes.

9) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that emphasizes balance in bodily systems through diet, herbal treatment, and yogic practices. It seeks to maintain or restore health by understanding and manipulating the properties (Guna) and actions of various substances (Dravya).

10) Gupta:
Gupta is the surname of the author, Dr. Romi Gupta, associated with the research and writings on the principles of Dravyaguna and its applications in Ayurveda. His work contributes to the comprehension of Ayurvedic pharmacology and its clinical practice.

11) Medicine:
Medicines in Ayurveda represent a diverse range of healing substances utilized to maintain or restore health. The understanding of their properties, effects, and proper applications is crucial for ensuring effective treatment outcomes.

12) Tikshna (Tiksna):
Tikshna is a specific quality (Guna) in Ayurveda that describes sharpness or intensity. It influences physiological actions and can provoke heat or stimulation in the body, typically affecting Pitta dosha. Understanding Tikshna helps in creating balanced treatments for various conditions.

13) Ushna (Usna):
Ushna refers to the hot property (Guna) of substances in Ayurveda, indicating their warming effect on the body. Substances with Ushna qualities are used to stimulate digestion and metabolism, making them particularly beneficial for individuals with cold or stagnated conditions.

14) Sukshma (Suksma, Shukshma):
Sukshma translates to minute or subtle. In Ayurveda, it refers to the qualities of substances or diseases that may be difficult to perceive but are crucial in assessing their impact on the body, especially when dealing with delicate imbalances in the doshas.

15) Snigdha:
Snigdha refers to the unctuous or oily property of substances in Ayurveda. This quality is essential for understanding how substances can lubricate tissues, influence digestion, and balance Kapha dosha, making it vital in selecting remedies for a variety of conditions.

16) Quality:
The quality in Ayurveda refers to the intrinsic properties (Gunas) of substances. It shapes their interactions with the body, significantly influencing the outcomes of treatments and therapeutic processes across various health conditions.

17) Ruksha (Ruksa):
Ruksha is a property (Guna) in Ayurveda characterized as rough or dry. It is associated with qualities that can absorb moisture and is typically related to Vata dosha. Knowledge of Ruksha helps in selecting appropriate treatments for balancing excess dryness or Vata-related disorders.

18) Vipaka:
Vipaka refers to the final transformation or metabolite of substances in Ayurveda, indicating the post-digestive effect they have on the body. Understanding Vipaka is crucial for predicting how a substance will act once metabolized, influencing treatment strategies.

19) Pitta:
Pitta is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, characterized by qualities of heat, transformation, and metabolism. It governs digestion and energy production in the body. Balancing Pitta is crucial for maintaining health, and various treatments aim to regulate its effects.

20) Laghu:
Laghu refers to the light quality (Guna) of substances in Ayurveda. It influences digestion and mobility, typically associated with beneficial effects for conditions characterized by heaviness. Understanding Laghu aids in selecting treatments that promote lightness and balance within the body.

21) Guru:
Guru denotes the heavy quality (Guna) of substances in Ayurveda. It affects digestion and overall metabolism, often making it useful for conditions that require nourishment or grounding. Recognizing Guru qualities helps in crafting suitable therapeutic approaches to manage health.

22) Prabhava:
Prabhava signifies the specific potency or unique action of a substance in Ayurveda that cannot be explained by its other qualities (Guna). It is essential for understanding how certain substances exert effects beyond their conventional properties, influencing treatment choices.

23) Madhura:
Madhura refers to the sweet taste (Rasa) in Ayurveda. It represents qualities that nourish, rejuvenate, and pacify Pitta dosha. Recognizing Madhura's effects on the body is essential for using sweet substances therapeutically, especially for digestive and restorative purposes.

24) Kathina:
Kathina describes the hard quality (Guna) of substances in Ayurveda. This quality can influence digestion and bodily absorption. Recognizing Kathina aids practitioners in selecting appropriate treatments, especially for conditions where hardness denotes resilience or strength.

25) Visada (Vishada, Visha-da):
Vishada is a term indicating the quality of non-sliminess in Ayurveda. It helps identify properties within substances that have a dry, clean, or purifying effect. Understanding Vishada contributes to determining the therapeutic use of specific substances in treatment.

26) Lavana:
Lavana refers to the salty taste (Rasa) in Ayurveda, which aids digestion, enhances flavor, and balances bodily fluids. Salty substances help stimulate appetite and promote digestive juices, making them essential in formulating meals and remedies in Ayurveda.

27) Tikta:
Tikta represents the bitter taste (Rasa) in Ayurveda associated with detoxification and reduction of excess Kapha. Recognizing Tikta qualities in substances informs their usage in treatments focused on digestion, cleansing, and addressing various health issues.

28) Mridu (Mrdu):
Mridu denotes the soft quality (Guna) of substances in Ayurveda. It indicates gentleness and a soothing action on tissues. Understanding Mridu qualities aids practitioners in selecting remedies that promote comfort and healing for various health conditions.

29) Sita (Shita):
Shita refers to the cold quality (Guna) present in substances in Ayurveda. It has a soothing effect on Pitta and is often used in managing conditions associated with heat. Understanding Shita helps in treatment selection for patients with overheating or inflammatory issues.

30) Agni:
Agni is the concept of digestive fire in Ayurveda that governs metabolism and transformation of food into energy. A balanced Agni is crucial for health and well-being; practices aim to enhance, regulate, or restore Agni to prevent diseases and support vitality.

31) Amla:
Amla denotes the sour taste (Rasa) in Ayurveda, recognized for its digestive properties and health benefits, including improving appetite and detoxification. It is commonly used in remedies targeting Pitta imbalances and digestive disorders, emphasizing its therapeutic significance.

32) Vata:
Vata is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, characterized by qualities of dryness, lightness, and movement. An imbalance in Vata can lead to various health issues, thus understanding its properties is vital for developing effective treatments.

33) Madhurarasa (Madhura-rasa):
Madhura-rasa refers specifically to the sweet taste, which nurtures and nourishes bodily tissues, positively affecting health. It plays a significant role in balancing Pitta dosha and is fundamental in constructing dietary and therapeutic approaches in Ayurveda.

34) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology, in the Ayurvedic context, involves studying drug properties (Guna) and their effects on biological systems. It helps practitioners understand the interactions of various substances with the body, guiding effective treatment strategies and advancing Ayurvedic medicinal practices.

35) Pittadosha (Pittadosa, Pitta-dosha):
Pitta-dosha, in Ayurveda, represents the biological element governing heat, metabolism, and digestion. Understanding Pitta-dosha's characteristics is essential for balancing treatments, as imbalances lead to conditions like inflammation or digestive issues, requiring specific therapeutic interventions.

36) Lavanarasa (Lavana-rasa):
Lavana-rasa indicates the salty taste in Ayurveda, which not only enhances flavors but also plays a vital role in digestion and maintaining hydration. Recognizing Lavana-rasa's role helps in crafting effective dietary approaches and treatments for various health conditions.

37) Prithaktva (Prthaktva):
Prithaktva refers to separateness or distinctness in Ayurveda, which aids in recognizing and aligning therapeutic actions for individual conditions. This concept assists practitioners in understanding interactions between substances and the body during treatment applications.

38) Prabuddha:
Prabuddha refers to awareness or enlightenment. In Ayurveda, it may relate to the understanding and application of knowledge in medicinal practices, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in treatment strategies and health maintenance.

39) Amlarasa (Amla-rasa):
Amla-rasa denotes the sour taste that helps stimulate digestion, improve appetite, and detoxify the body. Recognizing Amla's effects informs its usage in Ayurvedic treatments aimed at addressing Pitta imbalances and supporting overall digestive health.

40) Samskara:
Samskara refers to processing or refinement of substances in Ayurveda, crucial for enhancing their therapeutic effects. This concept involves preparing drugs through specific methods to maximize their potential, ensuring they provide optimal benefits in treatment approaches.

41) Aparatva:
Aparatva signifies unwholesomeness or bad quality within Ayurvedic diagnosis. Recognizing Aparatva facilitates understanding detrimental properties in substances, guiding practitioners in selecting appropriate interventions and avoiding harmful actions in treatment applications.

42) Disease:
Disease in Ayurveda represents imbalances within the body's systems, where doshas, dhatus, or Agni are disrupted. The Ayurvedic approach aims to treat diseases by restoring balance, employing various substances with therapeutic properties.

43) Samhita:
Samhita refers to classical texts that compile Ayurvedic knowledge, including principles, practices, and treatments. These texts serve as authoritative resources for practitioners, providing essential guidelines for understanding substances and their applications in health and disease.

44) Paratva:
Paratva indicates wholesomeness or good quality in Ayurveda, essential for identifying beneficial properties in substances. Recognizing Paratva helps practitioners select appropriate treatments that promote health and restore balance within the body.

45) Samyoga:
Samyoga refers to non-eternal combinations of factors in Ayurveda, crucial for understanding how various substances can work together synergistically. This concept aids practitioners in formulating holistic treatment plans that support overall health.

46) Abhyasa (Abhyasha):
Abhyasa signifies the constant use or practice of principles in Ayurveda. It emphasizes the importance of consistent application of therapeutic methods and dietary practices to achieve lasting health improvements and balance.

47) Vibhaga:
Vibhaga generalizes the concept of division or disjunction within substances and treatments in Ayurveda. Understanding Vibhaga assists practitioners in analyzing how various properties behave and how to apply them effectively in health strategies.

48) Samkhya (Sankhya, Shankhya):
Sankhya relates to accurate marking or quantification of qualities in Ayurveda. It aids practitioners in assessing and measuring therapeutic inputs, ensuring precise formulations tailored to individual health conditions.

49) Lucknow:
Lucknow is a city in India where the author, Dr. Romi Gupta, is associated with Ayurvedic practice and education. It represents the location of the Ayurvedic Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, contributing to the propagation of Ayurvedic knowledge.

50) Kashaya (Kasaya):
Kashaya refers to the astringent taste (Rasa) in Ayurveda known for its effectiveness in treating diarrhea and bleeding disorders. Recognizing Kashaya's properties helps practitioners utilize it effectively in addressing specific health issues.

51) Sandra (Samdra):
Sandra describes the solid quality (Guna) of substances in Ayurveda, influencing stability and density. Understanding Sandra aids practitioners in recognizing the impact of solid substances in formulations and their effects on body processes.

52) Kapha:
Kapha is one of the tri-doshas in Ayurveda, characterized by qualities of stability, heaviness, and moisture. Imbalances in Kapha can lead to conditions such as obesity and respiratory issues; thus, understanding Kapha is essential for effective treatment strategies.

53) Ahara:
Ahara refers to diet and nutritional intake in Ayurveda that plays a critical role in maintaining health. The quality and properties of Ahara directly influence the doshas, Agni, and overall well-being, making mindful dietary choices central to Ayurvedic practices.

54) Yukti:
Yukti signifies the rational and effective combination of various factors in Ayurveda. This principle helps practitioners discern the appropriate applications of substances and treatment strategies based on individualized health assessments.

55) Dhatu:
Dhatus are the seven foundational tissues in Ayurveda that support bodily structure and function. Understanding Dhatus is essential for evaluating health, diagnosing conditions, and formulating effective treatments.

56) Manda (Mamda):
Manda denotes the dull quality (Guna) of substances in Ayurveda, affecting stimulation and responsiveness. Recognizing Manda assists practitioners in discerning how certain substances may calm or reduce activity within the body.

57) Khera:
Khera serves as a geographic reference related to the author, Dr. Romi Gupta, highlighting his affiliation with specific Ayurvedic practices within the region. It contributes to locating Ayurvedic developments and knowledge dissemination within India.

58) Katu:
Katu represents the spicy or pungent taste (Rasa) in Ayurveda, known for its stimulating and digestive properties. Recognizing Katu learning aids practitioners in employing spicy substances effectively for energizing the digestive system.

59) Paradiguna (Paradi-guna):
Paradi-guna relates to specific properties of substances that include their therapeutic implications in Ayurveda. This concept helps practitioners understand how various qualities affect medical practices and therapeutic strategies.

60) Sushruta-samhita (Susruta-samhita):
Sushruta-samhita is an ancient Ayurvedic text that outlines surgical techniques and medicinal practices. It serves as a foundational resource for understanding Ayurvedic approaches to treatment, particularly in the realm of surgery and pathology.

61) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Transformation in Ayurveda refers to the changes that substances undergo during digestion and metabolism (Vipaka). Understanding this process is vital for predicting how substances interact with the body and their eventual therapeutic outcomes.

62) Kaphadosha (Kaphadosa, Kapha-dosha):
Kapha-dosha signifies the biological aspect of Ayurveda characterized by moisture, stability, and structure. Knowledge of Kapha-dosha is crucial for ensuring balanced treatments, particularly for conditions involving heaviness or stagnation.

63) Measurement:
Measurement in Ayurveda refers to the quantification of qualities (Sankhya) and effects of various substances. Accurate measurement is critical for formulating effective treatments and ensuring consistency in therapeutic practices.

64) Vatadosha (Vatadosa, Vata-dosha):
Vata-dosha is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, characterized by qualities of movement, dryness, and cold. Understanding Vata-dosha enables practitioners to assess and remedy related health issues by promoting balance in bodily functions.

65) Shlakshna (Slaksna):
Shlakshna signifies the smooth quality (Guna) associated with substances in Ayurveda, often affecting digestion and absorption. Recognizing Shlakshna helps in selecting appropriate treatments aimed at enhancing the smoothness of bodily functions and processes.

66) Stambhana:
Stambhana refers to the action of stopping or controlling excessive bodily functions or outputs in Ayurveda, particularly in the context of bleeding or diarrhea. This understanding aids practitioners in determining appropriate interventions for managing such conditions.

67) Katurasa (Katu-rasa):
Katu-rasa denotes the pungent taste associated with certain herbs and spices in Ayurveda. Recognizing its properties allows practitioners to utilize Katu effectively, especially in enhancing digestion and stimulating Agni.

68) Tridosha (Tridosa, Tri-dosha):
Tridosha refers to the three primary biological energies (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) in Ayurveda that govern bodily functions. Understanding the balance and interactions of Tridosha is essential for preventive health measures and effective treatment protocols.

69) Prayatna:
Prayatna refers to the will or effort exerted in Ayurvedic practices to achieve health goals. Understanding this concept encourages practitioners to employ conscious, focused effort in diagnosing and treating health conditions for optimal results.

70) Prithivi (Prthivi):
Prithivi denotes the earth element within the five great elements (Pancha Mahabhuta) in Ayurveda. Representing stability and solidity, Prithivi plays a vital role in forming the structural aspects of the body and balancing related doshas.

71) Vikshepa (Viksepa):
Vikshepa refers to the dispersive or distracting qualities of a specific dosha in Ayurveda, often related to Vata. Understanding Vikshepa is essential for assessing when to apply calming treatments to restore focus and balance.

72) Parimana:
Parimana indicates measurement or estimation in Ayurveda, essential for determining dosages or effects of various substances. Accurate Parimana is vital for ensuring the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines and treatments.

73) Vomiting:
Vomiting is a physiological response often treated within Ayurvedic practice. Understanding its relationship with doshas enables practitioners to develop effective interventions that restore balance and address underlying causes efficiently.

74) Commerce:
Commerce refers to the trade or exchange of Ayurvedic knowledge, substances, and medications. Understanding the importance of commerce is critical for disseminating Ayurvedic practices and enhancing accessibility to effective treatments.

75) Bleeding:
Bleeding is a medical condition addressed in Ayurveda through specific interventions. Recognizing its causes and dosha imbalances allows practitioners to select effective treatments aimed at restoring equilibrium and promoting healing.

[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 116]