Srotas, or Shrotas -- in Ayurveda

Ayurveda

Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...

, the 13 types of channels used to convey dhatus and malas

Malas (Ayurveda)

Malas in Ayurveda, the waste products of the body, which include urine, stool, and sweat. Effective elimination of malas is said to be important for maintaining good health.- Links :*...

. Any injury to the shrotas leads to poor circulation, thus resulting in disease.

Srotas are innumerable but grossly there are 16 srotas in the body as follows :

These are mainly classified into 2 types: 1) Internal 2) External.

Internal are total 13 types & external are 3 types .

Internal srotas are as follows :

1. Prana vaha srotas - carries the breath to all parts of the body.
2. Anna vaha srotas - transport solid & liquid foods.
3. Udaka vaha srotas - transports water.
4. Rasa vaha srotas - carries plasma & lymph.
5. Rakta vaha srotas - carries blood cells specially haemoglobin.
6. Mamsa vaha srotas - carries muscle nutrients & wastes.
7. Meda vaha srotas - supplies adipose tissue.
8. Asthi vaha srotas - carries nutrients to bone & transports waste.
9. Majja vaha srotas - supplies bone marrow & nerves including wastes.
10. Shukra vaha srotas - carries sperm & ova & supply nutrient to them.
11. Purisha vaha srotas - carries faeces.
12. Mutra vaha srotas - carries urine.
13. Sweda vaha srotas - carries sweat.

External srotas are as follows :

1. Artava vaha srotas - carries the menstrum.
2. Stanya vaha srotas - carries breast milk during lactation.
3. .Mano vaha srotas - carries thoughts,ideas,emotions & impression.