Q 01/05

Ashwagandha's Sanskrit name describes the strong odour of its root as resembling which animal?

A) Goat

B) Horse

C) Dog

D) Cow

Answer · why

B) Horse

Horse: ashva means horse and gandha means smell, a reference to the root's horsey reek. Its Latin species name, somnifera, means 'sleep-inducing', and...

Q 02/05

Formal Ayurveda study at Indian public institutions leads to a BAMS degree; the final S stands for what?

A) Science

B) Studies

C) Surgery

D) Siddha

Answer · why

C) Surgery

Surgery: the degree is the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, a reminder that two of the tradition's classical branches are surgical. Its leg...

Q 03/05

In Ayurvedic legend, Dhanvantari rose from the churned Ocean of Milk carrying a pot of what?

A) Amrita

B) Honey

C) Ghee

D) Soma

Answer · why

A) Amrita

Amrita, the nectar of immortality, was the prize of the Samudra Manthana, churned with Mount Mandara as the rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope. Th...

Q 04/05

In southern India, chewed twigs of which tree, a mahogany relative, serve as a disposable toothbrush?

A) Banyan

B) Teak

C) Sandalwood

D) Neem

Answer · why

D) Neem

Neem twigs double as a teeth-cleaning stick in southern India and the Middle East. At the Karnataka new year, Ugadi, its bitter leaves are mixed with ...

Q 05/05

Which rhizome, 'Indian saffron' to medieval Europe, is smeared on bride and groom before many Hindu weddings?

A) Ginger

B) Turmeric

C) Cumin

D) Cardamom

Answer · why

B) Turmeric

Turmeric paste is applied to bride and groom at the haldi, Bengal's 'yellow on the body' rite. A ginger-family rhizome, it was found at Farmana in the...