CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF RAKTAVAHA SROTAS AND VATARAKTA W.S.R. GOUTY ARTHRITIS.
Dr. Parag M. Salvi* and Dr. Ravindra P. Bhurke
ABSTRACT
Ayurveda is an ancient healing science with number of fundamental
principles which are important in view of treatment. The concept of
srotas has laid down a unique peculiarity in the treatment system.
Srotas are the channels or systems in the body through which nutritive
elements or poshya bhavas are transported to the Dhatus. Each srotas
represents a dhatu in the body. As ‘dhatu-samya’ is the primary aim of
our science, each srotas should function properly for maintaining
health. The srotas concerned with Raktadhatu is Raktavaha srotas. Any
disturbance in the normal functioning of raktavaha srotas leads to
various diseases. Vatarakta is one of the disease of Raktavaha srotas
vikruti which is usually correlated with Gouty arthritis. Vatarakta is caused due to vitiated
Vata and Rakta by their own causes. Though the manifestation of Vatarakta takes place in
Sandhi Sthana, the main causative factor is Raktavikruti in the pathology. Gouty arthritis is
due to raised uric acid levels which is usually the outcome of pitta vikruti. According to
Ayurveda, blood-letting therapies and other internal raktaprasadan medicines are useful in
treatment of Raktavaha Srotas dushti. Hence, even though the presentation of Gout is in the
musculoskeletal system, treatment of Raktavaha srotas is beneficial in this disease.
Keywords: Raktavaha Srotas, Vatarakta, Gouty Arthritis.
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