Abstract

TO EVALUATE EFFECT OF ASHWAGANDHA RASAYANA ON MANSAVAHA SROTAS AND ASTHIVAHA SROTAS

Vd Aakash Ashokrao Pawar*, Vd Sahadas A. Aradhye, Vd Bhavin S. Dubal, Vd Tejaswi Balwant Raut

Abstract

A] Srotas are endless channels which supply the nutrients to various tissues of the body. Srotas is defined as “Sravanaat srotansi” according to the Charak.[1] Srotas involves the flow of body substances from one place to another and responsible for the nourishment of different Dhatus.[2] B] Mansavaha Strotus are the channels responsible for formation, nourishment, circulation and maintenance of Mamsa Dhatu (muscle tissue) and its main Mulasthan is Snayu and Twaka[3] as per Sushrut whereas Asthivaha Srotas are the channels responsible for nutrition, growth, maintenance and strengthening of Asthi Dhatu. C] Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an important Rasayana in Ayurveda told by Aacharya Charak in Chikitsasthan first Adhyaya. This conceptual study evaluates its effect on Mamsavaha and Asthivaha Srotas based on classical Ayurveda. The plant is botanically identified as Withania somnifera. It is an important medicinal plant and used in Ayurvedic medicines for the treatment of many diseases and it is also used in other parts of world.[4] In Ayurveda it is known as Rasayana because it promotes health and longevity, arrest aging process, increase capability of individual to resist adverse environmental conditions.[5] W. somnifera commonly known as “Ashwagandha”, “Asgandh” and “Winter Cherry” belongs to family Solanaceae and widely distributed in warmer parts of the world. Genus Withania comprises 23 species including W. somnifera (L.) Dunal and W. coagulans (L.) Dunal having high medicinal value which is used as “Rasayana” in Ayurvedic formulations.[6] Ashwagandha attains the special name because its root smells like horse (“Ashwa”) and believe to provide power like horse when consumed.[7] In Vedas, it is described as herbal tonic and health food and considered as “Indian Ginseng” because of its ginseng like health promoting effects.[8] Evidence suggests Ashwagandha improves Mansa Dhatu(muscle mass), Ashti Dhatu(bone density), and overall tissue nourishment.

Keywords: Srotas, Mansvaha srotas, Asthivaha asrotas, Ashwagandha Rasayana.