ANNAVAHA SHROTA DUSTI

1

ANNA VAHASROTAS – CHANNELS TRANSPORTING FOOD 

According to Sushruta –

AnnavahaSrotas or channels carrying the food are 2 in number and their roots are situated in –

Aamashaya – Stomach (with oesophagus and most part of small intestine)

Annavahinidhamanis – If dhamani is taken in the meaning of tubes or channels, oesophagus and small intestine can be considered as Annavahinidhamani. The blood vessels and nerves supplying the stomach and upper alimentary tract can also be considered as Annavahinidhamanis. 

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SYMPTOMS OF INJURY TO ANNAVAHASROTAS: 

Aadhmaana – flatulence

Shula – colic or pain abdomen

Anna vidwesha – aversion to food or anorexia

Chardi – vomiting

Pipaasaa – thirst

Aandhya – blindness

Maranam – death

According to Charaka –

The root of origin for Annavahasrotas are:

Aamashaya – stomach

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)

SYMPTOMS OF VITIATION OF ANNAVAHA SROTAS –

Anannaabhilasha – aversion towards food (anorexia, loss of interest towards any form of food)

Arochaka – tastelessness

Avipaaka – indigestion

Chardi – vomiting 

3

CAUSES FOR VITIATION OF ANNAVAHA SROTAS – 

Atimaatrasyaakaale – untimely intake of heavy quantity of food

Ahitabhojana – unwholesome food

Vaigunyatpaavakasya – disturbance or vitiation of the belly fire 

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MANAGEMENT OF VITIATION OF ANNAVAHA SROTAS – 

The disorders arising from the vitiation of Annavahasrotas should be treated on the lines of treatment of Amapradosha (i.e. treatment of disorders arising due to the presence of improperly processed food and tissue toxins arising due to sluggish tissue metabolism, in short it should be treated on the lines of treatment of metabolic errors).

Thus Deepana (fire increasing medicines, metabolism increasing medicines and treatments, appetizers) and Pachana (digestants and medicines destroying ama) should be administered.