Palpation: The act of feeling with the hand; the application of the fingers with light pressure to the surface of the body for the purpose of determining the consistancy of the parts beneath

Panchakrama: The five cleansing (purification) methods to get rid of excess Doshas.

Paneer: Cheese

Papad: Made from dried lentils; eaten fried or roasted

Parkinsonism: A neurologic disorder characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity and slow movements

Parpati: medicinal preperation of sulphur and mercury

Paschimotanasana: head to knee yoga posture

Pavanamuktasana: knee to chest yoga posture

Percussion: The act of striking a bodily part with short, sharp blows as a diagnostic aid that reveals the condition of that area of the body

Peristalsis: Rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle that forces food through the digestive tract

Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the throat

Physiognomy: The study of facial features

Pichila: type of attribute, slimy

Pingala: carries solar energy, right nostril

Pippali: herb / Piper longum

Pitta: the dosha responsible for metabolism (closely identified with agni, the body's vital heat)

Poorvakarma: Procedures done prior

Poultice: A soft moist substance applied hot to the surface of the body for the purpose of supplying heat and moisture

Pradhana: main, prominent

Pragya aparadh: the "mistake of the intellect" (i.e., identifying with the part and losing the whole)

Prajny aparadh: volitional transgression

Prakriti: primal nature, natural state, constitution

Prakriti-nature: referring either to one's individual nature (body type) or to Nature as a whole

Prana: It is vital energy (life-energy) which activates the body and mind. Prana is responsible for the higher cerebral functions, the motor and sensory activities. The prana located in the head is the vital prana, while prana which is present in the cosmic air is nutrient prana. There is a constant exchange of energy between vital prana and nutrient prana through respiration. During inspiration, the nutrient prana enters the system and nourishes the vital prana. During expiration, subtle waste products are expelled.

Pranavaha srotas: respiratory system

Pranayama : respiratory exercise, also called "balanced breathing"

Prapaka: primary stage of digestion

Prashama: alliviation of dosha

Prithvi: element earth

Psoriasis: A disease in which areas of skin turn red and are covered with small dry pieces of skin

Psychosomatic: Pertaining to the mind-body relationship: an illness caused by anxiety and worry

Ptosis: An abnormal condition of one or both upper eyelids in which the eyelid droops.

Purisha: stool, faeces

Purvarupa: predormal symptoms