Abstract

UNDERSTANDING OF THIRST MECHANISM IN AYURVEDA

Monika Gupta*, Rashmi Pujar and Gopikrishna S.

ABSTRACT

Water is an essential component of human body and excessive fluid loss causes dehydration which manifests with symptom of thirst. Thirst means a need for something to drink. Thirst is felt by hypothalamus which stimulates ADH hormone and aldosterone for the absorption of water and makes plasma to return to its normal state in order to maintain homeostasis. Trishna is one of integrated aspect of Udakavaha Srotas and is derived from the word ‘Trish’ which means thirst. In Ayurveda absorption of body fluids depends upon Vata and Agni. On Nidana Sevana when Vata and Pitta gets exacerbated it brings vitiation in Udakavaha Srotas, Mutravaha Srotas and in due course it does Dusti of Rasavaha Srotas. It causes depletion of Rasa and Udaka in the body and presented with Mukhashosha as premonitory symptom of Trishna Roga. Sarvadha Ambukamitavam is presented as cardinal feature of Trishna Roga. Trishna also manifests as complication in severe diseases like Jwara, Prameha, Kshaya, Shosha and Swasa. Concept of Trishna is interchangeably used in Ayurveda as pathological and physiological process which manifests in order to maintain fluid imbalance in the body. In the present article an attempt has been made to put forth the understanding of Thirst mechanism in Ayurveda enunciated in Samhita and modern science.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Thirst mechanism, Trishna, Udakavaha Srotas, Mutravaha Srotas, Homeostasis.