Glossary of Ayurvedic Terms - K

Kala

Time period, season.

Kalka;

Paste The herbs to be used for medicinal purposes are taken and are kneaded along with juice or herbal waters to convert into lumps. This form is called kalka.

Kamya

Desirable, amiable, performed for desiring an object.

Kama

It is a sexual desire apart from the other two i.e. the dharma and artha which are mostly desired by men and are the three things from which a yogi, the saint must keep himself away from besides greed, fear, sleep and wrath.

Kanthya

It is the natural substances that improve the hoarseness of voice and are good for throat, speech and voice.

Kapha

It is one of the three doshas i.e. the water humor, the intracellular fluid and the extra cellular fluid that plays significant role in the nutrition and existence of body cells and tissues.

Karma

Action; work; a complex concept, the word originally denoted a religious act or rite and gradually assumed other shades of meaning, as in, action, work, past actions as producing good or evil results; the accumulated effect of deeds in lives, past and present.

Kama

It refers to the healthy and spiritual use of senses. In ayurveda it is believed that the remedy of the disease is to be found in the the cause itself so the senses have a vital role to play in curing the ailment.

Karna

It is a Sanskrit word meaning ear.

Keshyam

These are the natural herbs and substances that strengthen hair and the hair root.

Khumbhaka

In yoga it is a breathing exercise in which the breath is retained in a state of suspense when the mind is relaxed. This exercise re vitalizes the nervous system.

Kichadi

It is meal that is prepared with basmati rice and split mungdal. Sometimes few other legumes and vegetables are also used.

Kledaka [kapha]

It is one of the five subtypes of kapha. It has the vital function of moistening the food and liquefying the digested contents in the stomach.

Kosha

It refers to the subtle bodies, the sheaths. Human body has five sheaths in all, namely the sheath of knowledge, the sheath of bliss, the sheath of prana, the sheath of mind and the sheath of food.

Kundalini

Meaning the spiritual life force, Shakti kundalini is the residue that remains after material consciousness is dissolved.

Karana

Doing, making, effecting, causing.

Karanja

Indian beech, Latin name: Pongamia pinnata.

Karavira

Indian oleander, Latin name: Nerium indicum.

Karmendriya

An organ of action, the working sense.

Kashaya

Astringent taste or flavor.

Kathina

Hard, firm, stiff, harsh, inflexible, cruel.

Katu

Pungent taste or flavor.

Katuka

An herb, Latin name: Picrorhiza kurroa.

Kaumarabhrtya

The branch of Ayurveda that deals with child- care ( pediatrics ).

Kaya

Body, habitation.

Kay-cikitsa

Treatment of body diseases, Internal Medicine.

Kedari kulya nyaya

Irrigation canal analogy, a theory described in Ayurveda to explain the formation of tissues.

Khale kapota nyaya

The grain pigeon analogy, a theory described in Ayurveda to explain the formation of tissues.

Kledaka

Wet, moist or phlegm in stomach.

Ksharas;

alkali preparations Their properties depend mainly on the herbs from which they are made. In general they are sharp, hot, light, unctuous, softening and stimulative. For e.g. tavak-kshara.

Kriya

Action, practice, applying a remedy.

Kriyakala

Duration of an action.

Ksira Dadhi nyaya

A theory described in Ayurveda to explain the formation of tissues.

Kubera

The God of riches and treasure.

Kuti

Cottage or hut.

Kutipravesika rasayana

Entering or living in a cottage for the purpose of rejuvenation (Rasayana chikitsa).