Abstract

REVIEW OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT IN THE LIGHT OF ANNAVAHA SROTAS

Aman Agarwal* and Dr. Shaveta Sawhney

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Abstract

Ayurveda has its holistic approach in understanding the living body or „Sharir‟ by different theories or the concepts like Srotas. Srotas is a structural & functional unit of body through which substance flow from one part to another & nourishes it. It is responsible for carrying the Dhatus which are undergoing transformation. Though conceptually Srotas are innumerable, but some Acharyas have explained them to be numerable in number like Pranvaha, Udakvaha, Raktvaha, Mansvaha etc. In this row, Annavaha Srotas is one of the most important and functional Srotas of living being described in all important Samhitas. It is the largest Srotas or channel & can be correlated with gastrointestinal tract or digestive tract. Since it carries „Anna‟ it is called as Annavaha Srotas. According to Acharaya Charak, Annavaha Srotas contain Amashaya and Vamaparshwa. Amashaya refers to Oesophagus (food pipe), stomach & most part of small intestine because these structures carry food which is undigested or partly digested.

Keywords: Srotas, Annavaha Srotas, Amashaya & Vamprashava.