Ayurveda - Traditional Indian Medicine Quiz

Answer: Science of life

Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words "âyus" (life) and "veda" (science). Its essential concept is that individuals can maintain body and mind in harmonious equilibrium through attention to all aspects of their life, including diet, lifestyle, physical health and mental wellbeing.

Answer: Dhanvantari

An avatar of Vishnu, Dhanvantari is the physician of the Hindu gods. His medical practices (including the use of herbs and spices, and basic surgical techniques) are credited with forming the basis of Ayurveda.

Hindu writings state that Dhanvantari emerged from the cosmic ocean of milk during the great churning. Among others to appear in similar fashion were Kamadhenu (the sacred wish- fulfilling cow), Airavata (the white elephant), and Shri Laxmi (the Goddess of Wealth).

Answer: Rig Veda

The Rig Veda is one of the oldest surviving books of any Indo-European language, and most authorities date it back to around 3000 BC. While fundamentally a spiritual text, it includes verses that discuss the principles of disease and health, including treatments such as the use of herbs, that form the basis of Ayurveda.

Answer: Space

Hindus believe that their God used "space" or ether (akasha) to create the other four traditional elements.

Anyone puzzled by the option "Leeloo" is directed to Luc Besson's film "The Fifth Element", in particular the character played by Milla Jovovich.

Answer: Vindaloo

Vata is the cool, dry dosha, and is a combination of space and air. Pitta is hot, sharp and liquid, combined of fire and water. Kapha is slow and heavy, and made of a combination of water and earth. These are combined in every human being in different proportions, giving a dosha that is as particular to each person as a fingerprint.

Vindaloo is hot and spicy, but it is a style of curry rather than a dosha.

Answer: Oil

A steady stream of warm medicinal oil poured over the forehead is the key feature of this relaxing Ayurvedic treatment. Traditionally, Shirodhara (from the Sanskrit "shiras" (head) and "dhara" (flow)) is used to calm and restore the nerves, while purifying the mind. Devotees of Ayurveda consider it to be an important tool in pursuing higher states of consciousness. Occasionally, other liquids may be used, but oil is the most common.

Answer: Head

Shirobhyanga, also known in the West as the Indian Head Massage, is intended to relax the head, neck and shoulders, while releasing muscular tension and stress. It is also sometimes claimed that it nourishes the scalp and encourages hair growth.

Answer: Himalayan Balsam

The name Ashwagandha translates as odour or sweat of horse - because of the smell of its roots. Its leaves also look like a pig's ear - hence that alternative name. The third alternative name is because its medical uses are similar to the Chinese herb Ginseng. Himalayan Balsam has no particular medicinal uses, but is common in the UK as a naturalised (and not always desirable) riverside plant, introduced from India in 1839.

Answer: King of Bitters

The name "King of Bitters" refers to its extremely bitter taste. Andrographis has a wide range of applications in Ayurveda, and is believed to be effective in the treatment of digestive disorders (including both constipation and diarrhoea), diabetes, conditions of the blood, and general debility, to name but a few.

NB - description of a medical remedy in this quiz should not be taken as a recommendation for its use. Please see a qualified medical practitioner.

Answer: Yoga

In its secular form, Yoga is a form of exercise that reduces stress while improving co-ordination, flexibility and relaxation. Some practitioners make claims for it as a means of healing a range of illnesses, while others emphasize its spiritual origins in Eastern religion. The other options are all forms of Ayurvedic massage.