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| Panchakarma [pan-cha-KAR-ma] |
Purification treatments used in the practice of ayurvedic medicine
to remove toxins from the body. |
| Paralysis |
loss of nervous function to a part of the body. |
| Pathogenic Agent |
Any entity of external or internal origin that obstructs or interferes
with normal function and that itself can create secondary pathologic
changes. |
| Pattern of Disharmony |
The integrated interpretation and identification of an individual’s
array of symptoms and signs in terms of the categories of Yin-Yang,
Five Phases, Body Constituents, Eight Principles, Adverse Climates,
and pathogenic accumulations; thus, a typical pattern of disharmony
of the Spleen includes deficiency of Qi, an accumulation
of Dampness, and stagnation of Qi of the Stomach. |
| Pericardium |
One of the six Yin channels whose function is subsumed within
the Heart Organ Network. The Pericardium, along with
the Triple-Burner, is not associated with an anatomical entity.
It corresponds with the active function of the Heart in perfusing
the body with Blood (arterial circulation) and with the passive
function of harboring the Spirit (maintaining awareness). |
| Peripheral Circulation |
Blood Supply To Limbs, Skin, And Muscles (Including Heart Muscle). |
| Periosteum |
the membrane which covers a bone. |
| Peritonitis |
inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane which lines the abdominal
and pelvic cavities. |
| Pertussis |
see Whooping cough. |
| Pharynx |
the cavity at the back of the mouth. |
| Phenomenological or Phenomenology |
In philosophy, the attempt to describe both internal and external
events that constitute our reality or existence without seeking to
understand or identify their ultimate or original causes. Chinese
traditional medical thinking tends to be phenomenological rather than
causal, in contradistinction to modern Western medical thinking. |
| Phlegm |
In Modern Western Medicine Similar To Mucus Or Sputum; Galenical
(Q.V.) Humor (Q.V.) Associated With The Water Element
And Considered Cold And Damp; Kapha (Q.V.); Associated With
Spleen Deficiency In Traditional Chinese Medicine. The secretion of
mucous expectoration from the lungs. Mucus, a by-product of dense,
congealed Dampness, which can cause obstructions, nodules,
lumps, or tumors. |
| Phlegmatic |
Galenical (Q.V.) State Related To Phlegm (Q.V.). |
| Photophobia |
inability to expose the eyes to light. |
| Physiomedicalism |
System Of Herbal Medicine Developed In The United States In The
19th Century. |
| Pitta [pit-tuh] |
One of the three doshas described in ayurvedic medicine. Refers
to metabolism and digestion. Pitta personality types are usually assertive,
passionate, impatient, strong, fair-skinned and have good concentration.
Pitta-dominant types are uncomfortable in the heat. Ayurvedic (Q.V.)
Humor (Q.V.) Associated With Fire Or Bile. |
| Placebo |
An inactive substance given to a participant in a research study
as part of a test of the effects of another substance or treatment.
Scientists often compare the effects of active and inactive substances
to learn more about how the active substance affects participants. |
| Polarity Theory |
The right side of the body is positive and the left side negative.
The front of the body is positive, and the back is negative. Currents
move between positive and negative points, and the therapist utilizes
the predictable pathways between poles to restore current flow within
the client’s body. |
| Polarity Therapy |
Developed by Dr. Randolph Stone and based on the idea that matter
is ordered by its energetic behavior, it draws from Eastern and Western
healing arts. |
| Potency |
the strength of the homeopathic remedy; the degree to which the
homeopathic remedy has been diluted and succussed. |
| Pranayama |
Yoga term for breathing exercises. |
| Preclinical studies |
Tests performed after a treatment has been shown in laboratory
studies to have a desirable effect. Preclinical studies provide information
about a treatment's harmful side effects and safety at different doses
in animals. |
| Prostaglandins |
Hormone-Like Substances That Have A Wide Range of Functions, Including
Acting As Chemical Messengers And Causing Uterine Contractions. |
| Prostatitis |
inflammation of the prostate gland. |
| Proving |
the process of testing a medicinal substance on healthy people in
order to discover the symptoms it can elicit. |
| Pruritis vulva |
the condition of itching of the vulva, the external female genitalia. |
| Psyche (Shen) |
A Greek word for "soul," meaning that which is not of
the body or matter. In the context of Chinese medicine it refers to
all of the mental and psychological processes and immaterial aspects
of the organism. |
| Puncture wound |
a penetrating wound made by a sharp, pointed instrument. |
| Purgative |
Drastic Laxative. |
| Purge |
Eliminate, evict, eradicate, remove: to purge is to rid the body
of pathogenic agents or Adverse Climates such as Wind, Heat,
Cold, Dryness, and Dampness or phlegm; or to eliminate
the undesirable congestion of Qi, Moisture, and Blood. Herbs
that purge oust unwanted conditions by strongly stimulating the eliminative
function of the skin, lungs, intestines, and bladder as well as the
metabolic and temperature regulating mechanisms of the vegetative
nervous system. |
| Pus |
a liquid formed in certain infections containing bacteria and white
blood cells. |