Srotas are the base of transformation of nutrients in biological elements , being the metabolic Centre of that particular dhatu, transport of nutrients and waste products.“Srusarati ” means to flow ,to exude, to ooze, to filter, to permeate. Srotasis the functional channel within the living body, concerned with one exclusive vital function.¹Though conceptually srotas are innumerable, certain number are assumed according to their specified function so they are 13 in number according to Acharya Charak²and according to Acharya Sushrut.³

AnnavahaSrotas

AnnaVaha Srotas are those channels in the body which transport the food and liquids. The Srotas or channels which carry ‘Anna’ or food are called Annavaha Srotas. This can be correlated to the alimentary tract or gastrointestinal tract or digestive tract. The movement of food takes place in the channels of the body and these channels leading from mouth to the intestines are called AnnaVaha Srotas. (Anna=Food, Vaha=Carry, Srotas=Channels).

Aim & objective

To review physiological aspects of AnnavahaSrotasin human body.

Review of literature

Origin of Annavaha Srotas

According to Sushruta⁴Annavaha Srotas have their roots in Aamashaya (Stomach) and Annavahini Dhamani’s (The channels which carry the food)When the Annavaha Srotas gets injured or obstructed (blocked) or damaged it causes the below mentioned symptoms:1. Aadhmaana – Distension of abdomen2. Shula – Pain abdomen (Colic)3. Anna Vidwesha – Aversion towards food4. Chardi – Vomiting5. Pipasa – Thirst6. Aandhya – Blindness7. Maranam – Death

Vamaparshwa – left lateral side of the body (oesophagus and stomach can be taken as vamaparshwa, stomach is located in the left lateral side of the abdomen)

According to Charaka

The Annavaha Srotas are two in number.⁵ They are rooted inAamashaya – Stomach and VamaParshva – (left lateral side of the abdomen or belly).When Annavaha Srotas gets vitiated or damaged, it causes the below mentioned symptoms:1. Anannaabhilasha – No interest towards food or aversion towards food2. Arochaka – Anorexia

Causes for vitiation of Annavaha Srotas⁶

Atimaatrasyaakaale – untimely intake of heavy quantity of foodAhitabhojana– unwholesome foodVaigunyatpaavakasya – disturbance or vitiation of the belly fire

Digestion and Annavaha srotas

The number of Srotas is as many as the number of cells, tissues and organs put together. Annavaha Srotas is one of major Srotas present in our body providing nutrition to each cell of body. Appropriate food and digestive fire are most essential in proper functioning of the digestive process. Asthvidha things are laid down relating about food and drink. They are: Prakrti (nature), Karana (transmutation), Samyoga, (combination), Rasi (measure), Desha (place of origin etc), Kala (season and age), Upayoga-Samstha (conditions of use) and Upayoktri. The stomach secretes acidand enzymes that continue the process of breaking the food down and changing it to a consistency of liquid or paste. From there, food moves to the small intestine., from the stomach and ushered through the rest of the intestines to be eliminated.⁷

Food is the natural essential thing for life of all living beings. It serves many significant functions in the body and give energy to the body. Its main function is to shape and nourish the various Dhatus, which support the integrity of the body. It not only nourishes and strengthens the Dhatus, it also helps to maintain the equilibrium of the Dhatus. Food cannot serve its various functions unless it is properly digested. The digestion of food is affected by Agni (fire), which digests it. Physiologically the gastro-intestinal tract is separated into the Amasaya (stomach), where the food taken is received as the Aamashaya is the site for digestion or improperly digested food. Digestive process starts here and the Grahani (small intestines) where the digestion process is completed and the Pakvasaya (the large intestines), where the products of Grahani are dehydrated and afterwards excreted from body.⁸

Thus, Aamashaya should also be applicable to esophagus (food pipe) and most part of small intestine because they too carry food. According Acharya Charak, Annavaha Srotas contains mukh, gala, vamaparshwa (annanalika), amashaya and laghuantra.⁹The distal part of aamashaya, food gets processed by pachak pitta, jatharagni, bhootagni as well samaanvayu and this process of digestion gets continued till the end of small intestine after that it excreted in the form Mala after specific time.¹⁰

According to Ayurveda, the whole body is made up of various Srotas. This explains that every human cell is possibly a Srotas or channels. Food is the most important necessity of human kind as required for life and energy. The body needs to convert it into a form which is suitable to body tissues and to keep up the energy, health, immunity and life process. If the organs of Annavaha srotas like Amashaya (Stomach), Antra (Intenstine), Grahani do not function properly, it leads to indigestion also known as Agnimandya. This condition results in ‘Ama’ production in the human body which causes many systemic illnesses or it also leads to further Agnimandya. In the current days due to fast food intake and many faulty dietary habits first and foremost we need to take care of our stomach and appetite.

1.Williams Sir Monier, Sanskrit English A. Dictionary, published by Bharatiya Granth Niketan, 2713,Kucha Chelan, Daryaganj, New Delhi- 110002, Third edition 2007. p. 1244.

2.Charak Charak Samhita of Agnivesh elaborated by & Dridhabala , with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary, by Chakrapanidatta Jadavji Trikamji, editor. Acharya Vimansthan, 5^th Chapter, 8th verse, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan. Varanasi: Reprinted; 2005. p. 250.

3.Sharirsthana, 9^th Chapter,12^th verse, Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi. Sushrut Samhita of Sushrut with Nibandhsangraha Commentary of Dalhana & Nyayachandrika Panjika of Gayadasa. In: Vaidya Yadavji, editor Trikamji & Narayan ram Acharya Kavyateerth. 2nd ed 2004 P.386.

4.Sushrut Samhita of Sushrut with Nibandhsangraha Commentary of Dalhana & Nyayachandrika Panjika of Gayadasa. In: Vaidya Yadavji, editor Trikamji & Narayan ram Acharya Kavyateerth, Sharirsthana, 9^th chapter, 12^th verse,Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi. 2nd ed; 2004. p. 388.

5.Samhita of Agnivesh elaborated Charak. By Charak & Dridhabala, with Ayurveda Dipika commentary, by Chakrapanidatta. In: Jadavji Trikamji A, editor, Vimansthan, 5^th Chapter, 7^th verse, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprinted 2005. p. 250.

6.Charak. Samhita of Agnivesh elaborated by Charak & Dridhabala, with Ayurveda Dipika commentary, by Chakrapanidatta. In: Jadavji Trikamji A, editor, Vimansthan, 5^th Chapter, 12^th verse. p. 250, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi , Reprinted 2005. P.146.

7.Ross, Wilson, Chapter 12. Anatomy and Physiology in health and illness. 2005 ed. Section 3. p. 293-303.

8.Charak. Samhita of Agnivesh elaborated by Charak & Dridhabala, with Ayurveda Dipika commentary, by Chakrapanidatta [thverse, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprinted 2005]. Vimansthan, 5th Chapter Jadavji Trikamji A, editor. Vol. 11. p. 145.

9.Sharirsthana, 20^th Chapter, 2nd verse, Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi. Sushrut Samhita of Sushrut with Nibandhsangraha Commentary of Dalhana & Nyayachandrika Panjika of Gayadasa. Trikamji & Narayan Ram Acharya Kavyateerth. 2nd ed VaidyaYadavji, editor. Vol. 146; 2004p.

10.Ladvikar Dr. Kalpana. A systematic review on concept of Annavaha Srotas and its clinical aspect. J Ayurveda Integr Sci. 2019;6:115-8.