Asthi Vaha Srotas

The channel carrying nutrition for the bone tissue is called asthi vaha srotas. Its mula (root) is the pelvic girdle and sacrum. The marga (passage) is the skeletal system. The mukha (opening or mouth) is the nails and hair. This srotas is connected to the bones and joints.

In examining asthi vaha srotas, one should examine the nails and the hair, because they are waste products of the bones and the mukha of this srotas. If bones become brittle, the nails become brittle. If bones become fragile, the hair and nails become fragile and the person loses hair. The doshic subtypes corresponding to this srotas include kledaka kapha, avalambaka kapha, shleshaka kapha, prana vayu, apana vayu, and ranjaka pitta.

Asthi vaha srotas is affected by not enough exercise or by excessive exercise such as heavy weight lifting and intense, irregular, and improper physical activities. Vata-provoking food such as black beans, pinto beans, adzuki beans, and raw vegetables, in addition to leftover food, will also affect this srotas. Menopause can also contribute to its imbalance. On an emotional level, loneliness, lack of support, and insecurity will affect asthi vaha srotas. Because bones are porous and need the pull of gravity, astronauts in space lose bone tissue. Bones contain Earth and Air elements—Earth helps build bone and being in space makes the bones fragile.