Abstract

*Dr. Shalini Chauhan

ABSTRACT

According to Ayurveda, health of a female starts in the fetal stage itself which describes the measures to yield a good female child. The distinctive anatomical and physiological features of women in each age group were well studied by the ancient sages of Ayurveda. Just as the river is cleansed by its flow the women are purified by the menstrual flow. That is the reason for the non-susceptibility of women to many diseases. The regimens to be followed during menstrual and post-menstrual periods are well advocated in Ayurveda.[3] Disregard to these regimens is the leading cause for many of the gynecological and systemic diseases in women. In addition to the systemic diseases, 20 gynecological diseases are described, which are explained in the classics under the entity of Yonivyapad and all the Yoni Roga are the disease of anatomical components of Artavavaha Srotas (Reproductive system). Srotas (body channels) is considered as an important entity of the body and is responsible for the vahana (transferring) of dosha, dhatu etc.Whole body is considered as srotomaya (made of srotas).[5] Among the types of Srotas, artavavaha srotas is given prime importance which is present only in females. The root of artavavaha srotas is considered as garbhashaya (uterus) and artavavahi dhamani (vessels carrying Artava). Injury to artavavaha srotas leads to infertility, dysperunia, and amenorrhea. As per context Artava can be considered as ovum and menstrual bleeding i.e. Beejarupi artava and drustaratva respectively. The Beejarupi artava released from ovary reaches the garbhashaya and unites with shukra (sperm) to form garbha (fetus). Artava which is accumulated in a month is drawn towards the vaginal orifice by vata through the dhamanis and this is called drustartava. Considering two dimensions of the word artava (beejarupi, drustartava) and garbha formation, mula of artavavaha srotas is being mentioned as garbhashaya and artavavahi dhamani. The release of Beejarupi artava will be fruitful when it reaches the garbhashaya and unites with shukra and forms garbha, hence garbhashaya is considered as one of the mula of artavavaha srotas. For a fruitful coitus (for formation of garbha) rajasrava kala plays an important role which is due to vahana of artava through artavavahi dhamani, hence artavavahi dhamani is considered as the mula of artavavaha srotas.Similarly srotomula of each and every srotas should be analyzed along with its mula and there is a need of further study in the field of srotas and srotomula.[7]