The word ‘srota’ has been used frequently in the preceding pages related to the channel systems of the body. Many of the srota systems are equivalent to the physiological systems of the body like the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems. It should be clear by now that a clean and healthy srota with the proper flow of energy is necessary for a healthy body. Srota systems are as important as the dosas, malas and dhatus. Srotas and their functions are briefly described in Table 10.
All body parts that are hollow (dominated by the space element), which carry water, food, mala, dhatu, sound and nerve impulses are called ‘srota. ‘They also transport essential materials like the dhatus from one part of the body to another. Since they circulate various substances throughout the body, they are termed ‘srotas’ or the channels’2*. These hollow body parts have different shapes and sizes. Some are tubes, others are long, thin and wide and others have a complex system of branches, much like creepers. Some srotas are visible to the naked eye, while many others are not. They are usually of the same color as the substances that they carry.
| Table 10: Srotas – Causes of Vitiation, Symptoms and Treatment
| |||||
| S.No.
| Name and Function
| Controlling Organs
| Cause of vitiation
| Symptoms
| Treatment
|
| L
| Pranavahu xrota (carries breath and life -force)
| Heart and alimentary canal
| Wasting, suppression of natural urges, eating dry foods in excess, exercising while hungry.
| Obstructed, shallow or rapid breathing. Bronchial asthma also relates to it.
| Treatment for respiratory problems such as bronchial asthma.
|
| 2.
| Udakavaha srota (carries water and other liquids like juices of liver and pancreas)
| Palate, pancreas
| Exposure Lo heat, heat stroke, indigestion, excessive intoxication, eating extremely dry foods and remaining thirsty.
| Dry lips, tongue, palate and throat.
| Treatment for excessive thirst.
|
| 3.
| Annavaha srota (carries food ingested from the mouth)
| Stomach, left portion
| Irregular eating habits, over-eating, eating unhealthy food and low digestive power.
| Loss of appetite, anorexia, vomiting, indigestion.
| Remedies for ama doxa and indigestion work well.
|
| 4.
| Rasavaha srota (carries chyle, lymph, plasma)
| Heart and the blood vessels connected with heart
| Worry, diet comprising of excessively heavy, cold and greasy foods.
| Anorexia, nausea, heaviness, drowsiness, syncope, anemia, impotency.
| Fasting
|
| 5.
| Raktavarui srnta (carries blood, especially hemoglobin)
| Liver, spleen
| Pungent, hot and oily food, exposure to excessive sun and heat.
| Chronic skin diseases, intrinsic hemorrhage (bleeding), abscesses, inflammation in anus and genital organs.
| Blood-letting in diseased parts.
|
| 6.
| Mamsavaha srota (carries ingredients of muscular tissues)
| Tendons, ligaments and skin
| Sleeping immediately after meals, frequent intake of heavy and gross foods in bulk.
| Severe skin diseases, palate inflamation, g ran u lorn a, myoma, piles, goiter, adenitis, tonsilitis, cancers and non-malignant growths.
| Surgery, heal therapy and ksara therapy (local application of alkalis). Pranayama to strengthen the life force, which can even cure cancer and other malignant growths.
|
| 7.
| Medovaha srata (carries ingredients of adipose tissues)
| Kidney, adipose (fat) tissue in the abdomen
| Sleeping during the daytime, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol and oil- rich diet.
| Severe urinary disorders, diabetes.
| Weight reduction remedies or anti-obesity treatment, lightning therapy, fasting, yoga and exercise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| 8
| Axthivaha am la (carries nutrients that nourish bones)
| bone and tissues
| Excessive exercise involving friction of bones, intake of food that causes Vattt.
| Cracking or distortion of nails and teeth, pain in bones, bones cancer, change in hair texture (because hair is the waste product of bone).
| Pancakarma foasti (enema) using bitter herbal medicines processed with milk and clarified butter.
|
| 9. | Majjavahu srota (carries nutrients of bones, joints and bone marrow) | Bones and joints
| Incompatible food (fish and milk, honey and hot foods), injury to bone marrow by crushing, compression
| Pain in joints, giddiness, fainting, loss of memory, blackouts, deep abscesses.
| Using sweet and bitter substances, sexual activity, exercise, elimination of dosa on time and in right amount.
|
| 10.
| Sukravaha srotu | Sex at improper
| Impotence,
| Virility and
| |
|
| (carries sperm,
| time, unnatural
| infertility, abortion,
| dhatu restorative
| |
|
| ovum and their
| sex, suppression or
| defective pregnancy.
| treatment. Use of
| |
|
| nutrients)
| excess of sex.
|
| aphrodisiacs.
| |
| 11.
| Mtttravaha srota
| Food, drinks and
| Excessive or no
| Same treatment as
| |
|
| (carries urine)
| sex during urge
| urination. Frequent
| for dysuria (difficult
| |
|
|
| for urination,
| urination, viscous
| urination).
| |
|
|
| suppression of the
| urine.
|
| |
|
|
| urge for urination.
|
|
| |
|
|
| specially by those
|
|
| |
|
|
| suffering from
|
|
| |
|
|
| tuberculosis.
|
|
| |
| 12.
| Purisavaha srota
| Suppression of urge
| I, ess or excessive
| Treatment similar
| |
|
| (carries fecal matter)
| to defecate, intake of
| excretion of fecal
| to the one given
| |
|
|
| food before digestion
| matter, hard stool.
| in diarrhea, using
| |
|
|
| of previous meal,
|
| laxatives and
| |
|
|
| weak digestion.
|
| purgatives, balanced diet and yogasanas.
| |
| 13.
| Svedavaha srota
| Excessive exercise,
| Absence of
| Treatment as for
| |
|
| (carries sweat)
| anger, grief, fear.
| or excessive
| fever, balanced
| |
|
|
| exposure to heat.
| perspiration, dryness
| exercise, balanced
| |
|
|
|
| of skin. Horripilation
| diet and drinks. In
| |
|
|
|
| (Hair erection).
| excess perspiration
| |
|
|
|
| Burning sensation
| drink juice of
| |
|
|
|
| on the skin.
| tinospora (giloya),
| |
|
|
|
|
| leaves of Bengal
| |
|
|
|
|
| quince (hilva) and
| |
|
|
|
|
| Indian rosewood
| |
|
|
|
|
| tree (xisama).
|
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