NAMC BAMS key terms

The three functional principles of Ayurveda-Vata, Pitta, and Kapha-that govern movement, transformation, and structure in the body. Health is understood as their balanced state; disease arises when they become vitiated.

The dosha associated with air and ether, controlling all movement, nerve conduction, breathing, and elimination. Its qualities are dry, light, cold, mobile, and subtle; imbalance produces pain, dryness, constipation, and anxiety.

The dosha of fire and water, governing digestion, metabolism, and transformation. Its qualities are hot, sharp, liquid, and penetrating; excess manifests as burning sensation, acidity, inflammation, and irritability.

The dosha of earth and water, providing structure, lubrication, immunity, and stability. Its qualities are heavy, cold, moist, and static; imbalance leads to congestion, obesity, lethargy, and edema.

A person's innate constitutional type, fixed at conception by the parental dosha states. Prakriti guides individualized diet, lifestyle, and treatment choices and remains constant through life.

The current, changeable state of the doshas in a patient, reflecting the present imbalance rather than the fixed constitution. Diagnosis compares vikriti with prakriti to identify deviation from health.

The state of vitiated or imbalanced doshas that constitutes the root of disease. Treatment aims to restore equilibrium through opposing qualities, purification, and lifestyle correction.

The balanced, healthful equilibrium of the three doshas. This state is a defining characteristic of health in Ayurvedic texts, alongside balanced agni, tissues, and excretions.

The biological fire governing digestion and metabolism. Its strength determines tissue nourishment and immunity; weak agni produces ama, while excessive agni consumes the body's tissues.

Undigested, toxic metabolic residue formed when agni is weak. Ama is considered the root of many diseases; it obstructs channels and combines with doshas to produce specific pathologies.

The principal digestive fire located in the stomach and small intestine. Its balance is central to health; Ayurvedic treatment often begins by correcting jatharagni before addressing other disorders.

The seven body tissues-rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja, and shukra-that are progressively nourished by digested food. Each dhatu has its own metabolic fire and waste products.

The metabolic fire present in each of the seven tissues, converting one tissue into the next. Impaired dhatu agni leads to tissue-level disorders and accumulation of metabolic waste.

The subtle essence of all tissues, responsible for vitality, immunity, and radiance. Its depletion causes weakness and fear; its preservation is a goal of rasayana therapy.

The channels or ducts of the body through which nutrients, wastes, and doshas flow. Their obstruction by ama or dosha excess is a key mechanism of disease.

Obstruction of body channels, typically by ama or aggravated doshas. This blockage disrupts tissue nourishment and is a central concept in the pathogenesis of many disorders.

The three principal excretions-purisha (feces), mutra (urine), and sweda (sweat). Proper elimination of malas is one of the signs of health; their suppression causes disease.

The deliberate suppression of natural urges such as urination, defecation, sneezing, or hunger. Ayurveda holds that regularly suppressing these urges displaces doshas and causes disease.

The state of complete health, defined in classical texts as balanced doshas, agni, tissues, malas, and a serene mind and senses. It is the therapeutic goal of Ayurveda.

The recommended daily routine of cleansing, oiling, exercise, and meals timed to the dosha cycle. Regular dinacharya is a preventive measure that stabilizes doshas and supports digestion.

Seasonal regimen that adjusts diet, behavior, and therapies to the changing dosha dominance of each season. It prevents seasonal imbalances and prepares the body for the next climate.

The five classical purification procedures-vamana, virechana, basti, nasya, and raktamokshana-used to eliminate aggravated doshas. Panchakarma is preceded by oleation and sudation.

Oleation therapy using medicated oils or ghee, applied internally or externally. It loosens and mobilizes doshas toward the gastrointestinal tract before purification.

Sudation therapy using steam or heat to dilate channels and liquefy doshas after oleation. It relieves stiffness and prepares the body for the elimination procedures of panchakarma.

Therapeutic emesis induced with herbal decoctions to expel aggravated Kapha and accumulated ama from the stomach. It is a principal panchakarma procedure for Kapha disorders.

Therapeutic purgation that eliminates aggravated Pitta and toxins through the lower gastrointestinal tract. It is indicated in Pitta-dominant conditions and skin disorders.

Medicated enema, chiefly of oil or decoction, considered the most important panchakarma therapy. It pacifies Vata, nourishes tissues, and is used for many neurological and musculoskeletal disorders.

Administration of medicated oil or powder through the nostrils to treat disorders of the head and neck. It clears channels above the clavicle and is used for sinusitis, headache, and Vata disorders.

Rejuvenation therapy that restores tissue vitality, immunity, and longevity. Rasayana is prescribed for the healthy as a preventive measure and for the depleted as a restorative treatment.

The branch of Ayurveda concerned with sexual health, fertility, and vitality. It includes aphrodisiac and spermatogenic formulations alongside lifestyle guidance.

Purification therapy that removes vitiated doshas from the body, as opposed to pacification. Panchakarma procedures are the principal shodhana methods and are considered more definitive than shamana.

Palliative therapy that pacifies aggravated doshas without eliminating them, using diet, herbs, and lifestyle. It suits patients too weak for purification and requires continued management.

The causative factors of disease, including diet, lifestyle, seasonal influences, and trauma. Accurate nidana assessment allows removal of the cause, which is central to Ayurvedic management.

The complete pathogenesis of a disease-how doshas interact with tissues and channels to produce symptoms. Understanding samprapti distinguishes disease stages and guides treatment selection.

The interaction between vitiated doshas and susceptible tissues that initiates disease. The site and nature of this union determine the disease's signs, symptoms, and prognosis.

The eight-fold examination of a patient-pulse, tongue, urine, stool, voice, skin, eyes, and general appearance-used to assess dosha states and plan treatment.

Three-fold diagnostic approach comprising inspection, palpation, and interrogation. It is a classical framework for gathering clinical information before arriving at a dosha-based diagnosis.

Taste, of which six types are recognized: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Each rasa has specific elemental qualities and predictable effects on the doshas.

The potency of a substance, usually classified as heating or cooling. Virya explains a drug's effect on doshas and is a key factor in Ayurvedic pharmacology.

The post-digestive effect of a substance, classified as sweet, sour, or pungent. It determines the long-term impact of a drug or food on the doshas and tissues.