Abhishyandi · अभिष्यन्दी

A food or medicine that increases secretions and tends to block the body's channels. Curd is the classic example.

Anupana · अनुपान

The vehicle a medicine is taken with, such as warm water, honey or milk. Shown on formulation pages only after medical review.

AUC

Area under the curve: the total amount of a drug that reaches the blood over time. A higher AUC means more drug exposure.

Churna · चूर्ण

A fine powder made from dried herbs, sometimes with minerals or sugar.

Evidence grade

How strong a finding is, from strongest to weakest: systematic review, randomised trial, controlled trial, observational study, case report, animal, in vitro, theoretical by mechanism, classical text only.

INR

International normalised ratio. A blood test showing how long blood takes to clot, used to monitor warfarin.

Pending medical review

A page that is published and sourced, but not yet checked by our vaidya. It shows evidence of risk only, never a dose or an all-clear.

Rasayana · रसायन

A class of Ayurvedic preparations and routines meant to support long-term strength and healthy ageing.

Sandhigata vata · सन्धिगत वात

Vata lodged in the joints. The classical description closest to osteoarthritis.

TSH

Thyroid-stimulating hormone. A high TSH usually means the thyroid is underactive; a low TSH can mean too much thyroid hormone.