Abstract

BASICS OF MEDOVAHA SROTAS AND CHILDHOOD OBESITY – AN AYURVEDIC REVIEW

*Dr. Vaishnavi Baban Waje and Mayuri Nagre

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Abstract

The concept of srotas is unique contribution in the understanding of Anatomy of human body. Ayurvedic classics described micro and macro channels for transportation, transfusion, secretion (Sravanam), etc is called srotas (channel), these srotas carry dhatu (tissue elements or their constituent) undergoing transformation to their destination. Briefly srotas are the channels which are dominated by AakashMahabhut, through which PoshakDhatu pass to form SthayiDhatu. One of them is the Medovahasrotas which is related to Medodhatu formation and Poshan. Mulasthana is the area from which Srotas evolves or arises. Vrikka, Kati, Vapavahan and Mansa are described as the Mool of Medovahasrotas. AacharyaSushruta mentioned ViddhaLakshanas of MedovahaSrotasas e.g. Pipasa, Sthaulya, Shopha, Snigdhata etc. If Medovahasrotas is vitiated it will cause MedoDushti which may be expressed as either Prameha or Sthaulya and in the present era they are compared with the Diabetes and Obesity respectively. Obesity is one of the “Medoroga” excess fat accumulates in body. Obesity (Sthaulya) may leads various adverse effects such as; Swedadhikya, Mandotsaham, Madhumeha. It is serious medical condition that occurs when a child is having more weight for his/her age and height. Medical Science and WHO considered child obese if body mass index is 30 kg/m2 or more. Childhood obesity is also a very common problem among children in current scenario. In present era both parents are working, to earn the luxuries and amusements, so the kids are left with the food packets at home with idiot boxes to see some “de-shaped” cartoons resulting in the reduction of healthy nutrition and reducing their body activity. Environmental factors, genetic factors, disturbed lifestyle & presence of other diseases increasing prevalence of childhood obesity world widely. In this Meda&MansaDhatu are involve. Ayurveda suggested that conduction of Ahar-Vihar, use of drugs, Yoga and Panchakarma therapy can effectively manage child’s obesity and break the samprapti.

Keywords: Ayurveda, MedovahaSrotas, Sthaulya, Childhood Obesity, Medoroga.