A DETAILED STUDY ON ARTAVA VAHA SROTAS W.S.R. TO ARTAVA DUSHTI AND ITS MODERN CORRELATION

Abstract

Maharishi Sushruta in Sharir sthan (Dhamani Vyakaran adhyay) described eleven types of srotas among which Artava Vaha Srotas is one. Artava Vaha Srotas are two; their mulas are Garbhashaya (uterus) and Artava Vahi Dhamani (artery carrying menstrual blood and other accessory materials). Injury to these leads to sterility, intolerance of copulation and loss of menstrual flow (amenorrhoea). According to Ayurvedic texts, Artava is also known as Pushpa, and Pushpa is of two types -first, the blood which is discharged from the vaginal tract every month, and second is the ovum which is released every month from the ovary and is called Antah Pushpa. According to Ayurveda, there are eight types of artava dushti vitiated by three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), by Rakta Dosha (Kudapgandhi) separately, by their combination in two (Granthibhut Putipuya Artava- Kshin Artava) or all together (Mutrapurishgandhi). I have selected this topic to establish a correlative bridge between Ayurveda and Modern Medical Science in Artava vaha srotas and Artava dushti.