Srotas

Srotas, or Shrotas ( /ˈʃroʊtɑːs/;[1] n.pl., from Sanskrit स्रोतस् srótas - the current, stream, torrent, channel, course[2] ) -- in Ayurveda, the 13 types of channels used to convey dhatus and malas. Any injury to the shrotas leads to poor circulation, thus resulting in disease.[3]

Srotas are innumerable but grossly there are 16 srotas in the body as follows :

These are mainly classified into 2 types: 1) Internal 2) External.

Internal are total 13 types & external are 3 types .

Internal srotas are as follows :

  1. Prana vaha srotas - carries the breath to all parts of the body.
  2. Anna vaha srotas - transport solid & liquid foods.
  3. Udaka vaha srotas - transports water.
  4. Rasa vaha srotas - carries plasma & lymph.
  5. Rakta vaha srotas - carries blood cells specially haemoglobin.
  6. Mamsa vaha srotas - carries muscle nutrients & wastes.
  7. Meda vaha srotas - supplies adipose tissue.
  8. Asthi vaha srotas - carries nutrients to bone & transports waste.
  9. Majja vaha srotas - supplies bone marrow & nerves including wastes.
  10. Shukra vaha srotas - carries sperm & ova & supply nutrient to them.
  11. Purisha vaha srotas - carries faeces.
  12. Mutra vaha srotas - carries urine.
  13. Sweda vaha srotas - carries sweat.

External srotas are as follows :

  1. Artava vaha srotas - carries the menstrum.
  2. Stanya vaha srotas - carries breast milk during lactation.
  3. .Mano vaha srotas - carries thoughts,ideas,emotions & impression.

References

  1. ^ US dict: shrō′·tâs
  2. ^ Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier-Williams, (c) 1899
  3. ^ Jonas: Mosby's Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (c) 2005, Elsevier.