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Integrative Herbalism Module 2 > Ayurveda > Flashcards

Ayurveda Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Ayurveda?

A

A fully developed system originating from ancient spiritual wisdom and refined knowledge of herbal medicine

Ayurveda emphasizes the integration of spiritual and psychological approaches in healing.

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2
Q

Why do Ayurvedic Herbalists incorporate a spiritual and psychological approach in healing?

A

Because physical sickness often follows emotional imbalances.

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3
Q

What do Ayurvedic physicians believe about consciousness?

A

Consciousness exists in all forms of life.

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4
Q

How is the nervous system related to a tree in Ayurveda?

A

Our nervous system is a tree whose plant-essence is human.

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5
Q

What is the role of life forms according to Ayurveda?

A

Life forms are stations for the reception and transmission of energy.

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6
Q

How does the Earth function in Ayurveda?

A

The Earth acts like a giant receptor that inhales and exhales cosmic energy.

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7
Q

What energy do plants bring us?

A

The nourishing energy of the sun.

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8
Q

What is the purpose of plants in Ayurveda?

A

Plants exist to transmute light into life.

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9
Q

Define Purusha or Atman.

A

The central sun or source of life within our inner world, also known as our true self.

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10
Q

What completes the circuit of light and life in Ayurveda?

A

Establishing a proper link between the outer plant and inner plant.

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11
Q

What is the significance of plants in relation to our perception?

A

Plants can revitalize our nervous system and invigorate our perception.

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12
Q

What are the two fundamental principles behind existence in Ayurveda?

A

Purusha and Prakruti.

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13
Q

What is mahat?

A

Cosmic intelligence containing the seeds of all manifestation.

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14
Q

What does buddhi refer to?

A

The intelligence in the individual, our capacity for perception and potential for enlightenment.

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15
Q

What is ahamkara?

A

The ego, the sense of separateness.

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16
Q

Define manas.

A

Our conditioned mind or conditioned consciousness.

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17
Q

What is chitta?

A

The collective unconscious, the storehouse of thoughts.

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18
Q

What is vikruti and what does it arise from?

A

Vikruti is disease, arising from psychological imbalances.

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19
Q

What are the three gunas?

A

Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas.

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20
Q

Describe Sattva.

A

The principle of light, perception, intelligence, and harmony.

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21
Q

Describe Rajas.

A

The principle of energy, activity, emotion, and turbulence.

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22
Q

Describe Tamas.

A

The principle of inertia, dullness, darkness, and resistance.

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23
Q

What are the Five Elements?

A

Ether, air, fire, water, earth.

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24
Q

What are the three doshas?

A

Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

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25
Where does Vata primarily accumulate?
In the colon, hips, thighs, ears, bones, and sense of touch.
26
Where does Pitta primarily accumulate?
In the small intestine, stomach, sweat, sebum, blood, and plasma.
27
Where does Kapha primarily accumulate?
In the chest, throat, head, pancreas, ribs, and stomach.
28
How would you describe a vata plant?
Sparse leaves, dry bark, long and spindly, crooked branches.
29
What is ojas?
The essence of the body supporting the immune system.
30
Where is Prana centered in the body?
In the brain.
31
What is agni?
The biological fire governing metabolism.
32
Define rasa.
The essence of taste, indicating the properties of a herb.
33
What are the six main tastes in Ayurveda?
* Sweet * Sour * Salty * Pungent * Bitter * Astringent
34
What is virya?
The energy, potency, or power of herbs.
35
What effect can heating herbs have?
They can increase digestion, Pitta, but decrease Vata and Kapha.
36
What effects can cooling herbs have?
They calm Pitta and the blood, but increase Kapha and Vata.
37
What are the two groups of flavors in Ayurveda?
1. Causing heat vs. causing cooling 2. Causing dryness vs. causing moisture 3. Increasing heaviness or lightness.
38
What is vipaka?
The post-digestive effect where six tastes are reduced to three.
39
What are the three categories of vipaka?
* Sweet Vipaka * Sour Vipaka * Pungent Vipaka
40
What effect does vipaka have on doshas?
Herbs can aggravate the dosha whose vipaka they possess.
41
What is prabhava?
The special potency of the herb, its unique qualities.
42
Which tastes stimulate which emotions?
* Bitter - grief * Astringent - fear * Sour - envy * Pungent - anger * Sweet - desire * Salty - greed
43
How can increasing a dosha help treat a dosha imbalance?
Herbs that increase a dosha might help eliminate excess from the body.
44
How is Kapha dosha managed?
With dry, hot, light, and stimulating therapy, using tastes like pungent, bitter, and astringent.
45
What are the tastes that are effective in reducing Kapha?
Bitter, astringent, and pungent ## Footnote These tastes help in weight reduction and dispelling water from the body.
46
What are some therapies to reduce Kapha?
* Fasting or a light diet * Diuretics * Diaphoretics * Expectorants * Emetics (administered by knowledgeable individuals) * Herbs promoting digestion ## Footnote These therapies aim to reduce the earth element in the body.
47
What tastes are used to manage Pitta dosha?
Sweet, astringent, and bitter ## Footnote Bitter is the strongest taste for Pitta management.
48
What therapies are effective for reducing Pitta?
* Diaphoretics * Alterative herbs * Bitter tonics * Purgative herbs (under supervision) ## Footnote These therapies focus on cooling and treating heat in the blood.
49
What tastes decrease Vata?
Sweet, sour, and salty ## Footnote Some pungent taste is also beneficial, but not in excess.
50
What therapies are recommended for managing Vata?
* Tonic therapy with sweet, nutritive herbs * Pungent herbs for obstructive Vata * Warming diaphoretics * Carminative herbs * Moistening laxatives * Stimulant therapies ## Footnote These therapies promote warmth, moisture, and weight.
51
How does blocked Vata contribute to Ama accumulation?
Vata can accumulate as gas in the large intestine, blocking the power of digestion.
52
How does Kapha contribute to Ama accumulation?
Kapha can accumulate in the stomach as mucus, spreading to the small intestine and blocking Agni.
53
How does Pitta contribute to Ama accumulation?
Pitta can accumulate as bile in the small intestine, blocking Agni due to its oiliness or liquidity.
54
What is the main attribute of Ama and how is it treated?
Heaviness; treated primarily with bitter or pungent herbs.
55
What is the difference between Sama and Nirmana?
Sama means 'with Ama'; Nirmana means 'without Ama'. ## Footnote This distinction affects the manifestation of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha conditions.
56
What are alterative herbs?
Herbs that cleanse and purify the blood ## Footnote They remove toxins and help heal various ailments.
57
List the six functions of alterative herbs.
* Purify blood * Heal sores, boils, tumors * Cool blood and resolve fevers * External use on wounds * Kill worms and parasites * Work in infections and contagious diseases
58
What are some examples of typical alterative herbs?
* Aloe Vera (cooling) * Cayenne (hot, pungent) ## Footnote Different alterative herbs serve different purposes.
59
What do astringent herbs do?
Exert a firming, compacting action; stop excessive discharges ## Footnote They heal skin and mucus membranes.
60
What is a bitter tonic?
A tonic that is air/ether, used in high Pitta conditions; cold, drying, and depletive.
61
What is an anti-pyretic herb?
Herb that dispels heat and reduces fevers.
62
What are carminative herbs?
Herbs that relieve intestinal gas and promote digestion.
63
What do diaphoretic herbs do?
Induce perspiration, restore circulation, dispel fever ## Footnote They can be warming or cooling.
64
What do diuretic herbs do?
Increase urination and promote kidney and bladder function.
65
What are emmenagogues?
Herbs that promote and regulate menstruation.
66
What are the two types of expectorants?
* Drying expectorants * Moistening expectorants
67
What do nervine herbs do?
Strengthen the nervous system; can be stimulants or sedatives.
68
What do stimulant and digestive herbs do?
Stimulate digestion and increase appetite.
69
What are nutritive tonics?
Substances that nourish the dhatus of the body.
70
What does the term Rasayana mean?
The science of rejuvenation.
71
What do aphrodisiacs do?
Increase sexual vitality or direct sexual energy inward.
72
What are the five main methods of herbal preparation?
* Fresh juice * Herbal paste * Decoction * Hot infusion * Cold infusion
73
What type of pot is best for reducing Kapha?
Copper pot.
74
What type of pot is best for Pitta conditions?
Brass or silver pot.
75
What type of pot is best for Vata conditions?
Iron pot.
76
What is the method for preparing a cold infusion for herbs?
Herbs should be soaked in cold water for a minimum of one hour, preferably overnight.
77
What is the best vessel for preparing herbs to reduce Kapha?
Copper pot
78
What type of pot is recommended for Pitta conditions?
Brass or silver pot
79
What is the recommended vessel for Vata conditions?
Iron pot
80
Why should aluminum vessels be avoided?
Aluminum is absorbed in the body.
81
What is guggul?
Guggul is a tree resin similar to myrrh, used to make special Ayurvedic pills.
82
What are medicated oils?
Oils made by preparing herbs in various oils, mainly for external use and occasionally taken internally.
83
What are the benefits of medicated ghee?
* Enhances Ojas * Increases Agni * Promotes Jatharagni * Promotes bhutagnis * Nourishes majja-dhatu * Feeds the brain * Rejuvenative tonic for the mind, brain, and nervous system * Good for Vata and Pitta
84
Is there a place for smoke inhaling in Ayurveda?
Yes, herbs are often smoked for detoxification therapy and can help stop smoking.
85
What is the effect of taking herbs before meals?
They tend to work on the colon and lower part of the body, affecting the apana vayu.
86
What do herbs taken during meals affect?
They work on the stomach and small intestine, influencing the samana vayu.
87
What is the effect of herbs taken after meals?
They work on the lungs and upper part of the body, affecting prana vayu.
88
When should rejuvenatives be taken according to Ayurveda?
In the morning
89
When are purgatives recommended to be taken?
Early in the morning or at night, if you work early.
90
When should herbs for insomnia be taken?
Before bed
91
When should herbs to increase metabolism be taken?
Between meals
92
What is a mantra?
A special seed syllable like Om that transmits the cosmic creative vibration.
93
What is a yantra?
A mystic diagram or geometric design that manifests cosmic law.
94
What does meditation (dhyana) mean?
Receptivity and passive awareness, where there is unity between the seer and the seen.

Integrative Herbalism Module 2 (1 decks)

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