Pranavaha srota

Pranavaha srota refers to the channels responsible for carrying Pranaya Vayu, that is the vital air force.

Pranavaha srota refers to the channels responsible for carrying Pranaya Vayu, that is the vital air force. In modern medicine, pranavaha srota can be loosely translated to the respiratory passage and the nervous system.

Functions: Carries breath and life-force

Controlling Organs: 

• Heart
• Alimentary canal

Causes of vitiation:

• Wasting
• Suppression of natural urges
• Exercising while hungry
• Food and lifestyle mistakes, such as consuming foods which lead to vitiation of doshas
• One of the most common food and lifestyle mistake linked with issues in pranavaha srota is consumption of drying foods.

Symptoms of srota vitiation:

• Obstructed breathing
• Shallow or rapid breathing
• Wheezing while breathing
• Bronchial asthma
• Sleep apnea
• Rhinitis, Sinusitis
• Pharyngitis, Laryngitis
• Cough, hiccups
• Deviated nasal septum
• Nasal polyps
• Inflammation of lungs
• Tuberculosis
• Diphtheria

Link with Doshas: 

Even though the vitiation in pranavaha srota can occur because of imbalance in any of the doshas but in case of vitiation of Vata, the manifestation of symptoms of the strota vitiation is likely to occur faster.

Treatment: 

• Treatments done for respiratory issues
• Balanced diet - correcting food and lifestyle according to one's body type
• Panchkarma cleaning depending on the type of imbalance

References:

Primary Reference: School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes