AIAPGET Ayurveda flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Tridosha

Three functional principles: Vata (movement, Vayu-Akasha), Pitta (transformation, Agni-Jala), Kapha (structure/lubrication, Jala-Prithvi). Health is their equilibrium; disease is their imbalance.

Sapta Dhatu

Seven body tissues in sequence: Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (marrow/nerve), Shukra (reproductive). Each nourishes the next via its own dhatvagni.

Jatharagni

The digestive fire in the stomach/duodenum. Four states: samagni (balanced), vishamagni (irregular, vata), tikshnagni (sharp, pitta), mandagni (weak, kapha). Mandagni produces ama.

Ama

Undigested, immature metabolic residue formed when agni is weak. It obstructs srotas and combines with doshas to cause amavata, amlapitta and other diseases. Key marker: coated tongue, heaviness, lethargy.

Shad Rasa

Six tastes: Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent). First three pacify Vata, last three pacify Kapha; Amla/Lavana/Katu aggravate Pitta.

Srotas

Channels of the body through which dhatus and doshas move. Srotodushti has four forms: atipravritti (excess flow), sanga (obstruction), sira granthi (dilation/nodule), vimargagamana (diversion).

Trividha Roga Marga

Three disease pathways: Bahya (external, e.g. skin), Abhyantara (internal, e.g. GI tract), and Madhyama (vital organs: heart, brain, kidneys). Madhyama roga marga is most serious.

Nidana Panchaka

Five diagnostic tools: Nidana (causes), Purvarupa (prodrome), Rupa (signs), Upashaya (therapeutic trial), Samprapti (pathogenesis). Used to fully characterise a disease before treatment.

Shat Kriyakala

Six stages of pathogenesis: Sanchaya (accumulation), Prakopa (aggravation), Prasara (spread), Sthana Samshraya (localisation), Vyaktavastha (manifestation), Bhedavastha (complications/differentiation).

Ashtasthana Pariksha

Eight examination sites: Nadi (pulse), Mutra (urine), Mala (stool), Jihva (tongue), Shabda (voice), Sparsha (touch), Drika (eyes), Akriti (body build). Core bedside assessment in Ayurveda.

Panchakarma

Five purification procedures: Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation), Basti (medicated enema), Nasya (nasal therapy), Raktamokshana (bloodletting). Each is preceded by Purvakarma (snehana and swedana).

Snehana

Oleation therapy using ghrita, taila, vasa or majja, given internally or externally. It liquefies ama and doshas, moving them toward the GI tract for elimination. Prerequisite for Panchakarma.

Swedana

Sudation therapy using steam, poultices or hot baths. It opens srotas, relieves stiffness and pain, and mobilises doshas after snehana. Contraindicated in severe pitta states, pregnancy and cardiac disease.

Vamana

Therapeutic emesis mainly for Kapha disorders. Indicated in kaphaja diseases, obesity, asthma and chronic rhinitis. Uses madanaphala, yashtimadhu and vacha with kanji or milk as vehicles.

Virechana

Therapeutic purgation primarily for Pitta disorders. Indicated in pitta diseases, skin disorders, jaundice and diabetes. Common drugs: trivrit, avipattikara churna, and erand sneha in suitable cases.

Basti

Medicated enema, called ardha chikitsa (half of all treatment) because it is the main therapy for Vata. Types: niruha (decoction) and anuvasana (oil-based); matra basti can be given daily.

Nasya

Nasal instillation of medicated oils, ghrita or powders to treat diseases above the clavicle (Urdhwajatru). Types: virechana, snehana, shamana, dhmapana, and avapeeda nasya.

Raktamokshana

Bloodletting for raktaja and pitta-predominant conditions such as abscess, cellulitis and non-healing ulcers. Methods include jalaukavacharana (leech), siravyadha (venepuncture) and prachhana (scraping).

Abhyanga

Therapeutic full-body oil massage, usually with taila suited to dosha. It improves circulation, reduces vata, promotes sleep and nourishes dhatus. Contraindicated in ama and acute fever.

Shodhana vs Shamana

Shodhana removes the dosha from the body (Panchakarma); shamana palliates the dosha without eliminating it (herbs, diet, lifestyle). Shodhana is preferred when doshas are strongly aggravated.

Rasayana

Rejuvenation therapy that improves dhatu quality, immunity and longevity. Examples: ashwagandha, amalaki, shatavari, guduchi. Indicated after shodhana, in chronic disease, and in old age.

Vajikarana

Aphrodisiac and fertility therapy aimed at improving shukra dhatu and reproductive function. Includes ashwagandha, shatavari, kapikacchu and vrishya diets. Paired with rasayana in classical texts.

Pathya and Apathya

Pathya is diet and behaviour that supports health and treatment; apathya is what aggravates the disease or dosha. Every Ayurvedic prescription includes both drug therapy and pathya-apathya guidance.

Dinacharya

Daily regimen: waking at brahma muhurta, oral hygiene, abhyanga, exercise, bathing and timely meals. It aligns bodily rhythms with nature and prevents dosha accumulation.

Ritucharya

Seasonal regimen adjusting diet and lifestyle to the dosha dominant in each season. Vata accumulates in Grishma, Pitta in Varsha, Kapha in Shishira; each is managed by opposite qualities.

Prakriti

An individual's inborn constitution determined by dosha dominance at conception: Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, or dual/tridoshic. It guides diet, drug selection, prognosis and preventive advice.

Vikriti

The current state of dosha imbalance, contrasted with prakriti (constitution). Assessment of vikriti determines treatment, while prakriti determines susceptibility and baseline response.

Ojas

The subtle essence of all dhatus, responsible for immunity, vitality and radiance. Depletion (ojakshaya) causes weakness, fear and loss of lustre; severe loss is a poor prognostic sign.

Dhatu Poshan Nyaya

Two theories of tissue nourishment: ksheera-dadhi nyaya (sequential, milk-to-curd) and kedari-kulya nyaya (simultaneous, canal irrigation). Also khale-kapota nyaya and kala nyaya in some texts.

Agni and Ama Relation

Agni is digestive and metabolic fire; when it weakens, food is incompletely transformed and ama forms. Ama then blocks srotas and combines with doshas, producing diseases such as amavata.

Arishta Lakshana

Signs of impending death or poor prognosis described in classical texts, including changes in complexion, voice, smell, behaviour and dreams. Used to decide whether treatment will succeed.

Trayopastambha

Three pillars of health: Ahara (diet), Nidra (sleep), and Brahmacharya (regulated sexual conduct). Excess or deficiency of any pillar disrupts dosha balance and dhatu formation.