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.
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
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
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.