Abhyanga
An ayurvedic oil massage in which massage is done so that warm oil reach into the tissues of the entire body. This helps to facilitate the removal of accumulated ama (toxins) and the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) from the body.

Acara
Good conduct, an established rule of behavior.

Agada tantra
Toxicology, a branch of Ayurveda that deals with poisons and their treatment.

Ahamkara
Conception of one's individuality, egoism, pride. 

Ajasrika
Activities that enhances and leads to good health.

Ajirna
Indigestion, poor digestion.

Akasa
Ether, sky or the atmosphere.

Akriti
Physical appearance or external structure or shape.

Alabu  
A container that made with dried gourd.

Alocaka (Pitta)
A type of Pitta governing vision.

Amala (Amalaki)
A well known Ayurvedic herb which is also known as Emblica officinalis (Emblica myrobalan)

Amavata
A disease caused by ama (toxins) and vata, similar to the arthritis in modern medicine.

Amla
Sour or bitter taste.

Anjana
Also called Kajala it is a black pigment applied in eyes and eyelashes to enhance their beauty.

Anna-vaha srotas
The channels that transports food in the body, the digestive system.

Anupana
A fluid that transports medicine or a drink taken with or after medicine. 

Anurasa
A secondary or subordinate flavor, like a little sweetness in sour fruit.

Anuvasana (Basti)
Enema given with an oily stuff.

Apa
The water element or water.

Apana
One of the five types of vata, that moves downward and is accountable for expulsion of faces, flatus, urine, menstrual blood etc.

Aparadha
Offence, sin, wrong or punitive action or guilt.

Apara-ojas
One of the two types of vital fluid (ojas) present in the body that is considered inferior or less important.

Ardhavabhedaka
A kind of migraine that affects and causes pain to half of the head or skull.

Arsha
Saintly, religious, virtuous and sacred.

Asana
Posture, position or small sitting mat.

Asatmendriyartha samyoga
Improper contact of senses with their objects.

Asatmya
Unwholesome or improper.

Astanga Hrdya
An ancient Ayurvedic text written by well known ancient scholar Vagabhatta.

Adaptogens
A branch of herbs that improve body's adaptability to stress, including infection, mental stresses and fatigue. It supports the adrenal glands and the pituitary glands and improves the resistance power of the body.

Agni
Agni is the synonym of fire and heat. In Ayurveda it is considered the basis of the digestive system and the process of release of energy. The term includes the body heat, body temperature, sight, the digestive fire; its function include transformation, absorption, elimination and discrimination.

Ahara rasa
A nutrient substance produced in the digestive tract by the enzymes known as the bile juice.

Alochaka
It is one of the five varieties of pitta that helps in grabbing an image of external objects.

Ama
The toxins that enter the blood stream and are circulated in the entire body. These are produced in the body by the raw, undigested food products that become fetid.Almost every disease is a result of toxicity ormits crisis. Toxins are vital for prana (vital life energy), ojas (immunity), and tejas (cell metabolic energy). The state of retention of toxins in the blood results in toxemia. 

Anodynes
Herbs that reduce the sensitivity of the nerves and act as that of the analgesics.

Antihydrotics
Herbs that reduce sweating.

Anthelminthics
Herb that destroys or wipe out the parasitic worms from the digestive system.

Anticoagulant
Herbs that resist the coagulation in the affected area and helps in massage also.

Anti-inflammatory
It restrains inflammation and neutralizes its effects.

Antioxidants
The medicines that absorb or attach themselves to the oxygen free radicals that are highly receptive to compounds that attack the cell membranes, enzymes etc.

Antispasmodic
The medicines that helps preventing and relieving spasm or contraction.

Aphrodisiac
It acts as a stimulant and heightens senses and stimulates sexual drive when consumes.

Appetizer
Herbs or medicines that stimulate and increase appetite. 

Artha
It relates to meaning, or the essence of every thought.

Asthi
It is one of the seven components and the bone tissues that supports the body and provide it protection, shape, nourishment and endurance.

Astringent
A medicine that has a binding effect as it checks hemorrhages and secretions.

Atman
Atman means the true self, the cause of consciousness and all functions of the mind.

Atreya
Atreya, the author of Charaka Samhita.

Aum
Also said as OM, the god's name has in itself the sounds for all omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence. The letters A, U, M, represent the outer, the inner, and the super conscious stages of consciousness, waking, dream, and the state of extreme sleep.

Avalambaka
It is located in the heart and the sacrum and has the essential function of nourishing, lubricating and protecting the heart and support the sacrum.

Avyakta
It refers to indistinct, not evident or expressed and inarticulate.

Ayurveda
Formed with a combination of two words, Ayur means life and Veda means knowledge, Ayurveda refers to the knowledge of life. The roots of Ayurveda rest in the ancient Indian culture. Ayurveda includes or describes the secrets of association of man with nature and why we need to cooperate with Nature completely in order to insure our well being.