Abstract

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.