The 16 Srotas
The channel systems of the body through which nutrients, waste, and vital forces flow — the foundation of Ayurvedic physiology.
The srotas are the channels through which nutrients, energy, waste, and information flow throughout the body. In Ayurveda, disease begins when a srotas becomes blocked, excessive, or misdirected — making channel health central to both prevention and treatment.
Nutrient Channels
Pranavaha Srotas
The heart (hridaya) and the mahasrotas (the great channel of the gastrointestinal tract)
Annavaha Srotas
The stomach (amashaya) and the left side of the body (vama parshva)
Ambuvaha Srotas
The palate (talu) and the kloma (a debated anatomical structure that likely corresponds to the pancreas or, in some interpretations, the lungs or the area associated with thirst regulation)
Rasavaha Srotas
The heart (hridaya) and the ten great vessels (dasha dhamani) that emerge from it
Raktavaha Srotas
The liver (yakrit) and the spleen (pliha)
Mamsavaha Srotas
The tendons and ligaments (snayu) and the skin (tvacha)
Medovaha Srotas
The kidneys (vrikka) and the omentum (vapavahana -- the fatty apron of tissue hanging from the stomach and covering the intestines)
Asthivaha Srotas
The hip bones (jaghana) and the fat tissue (meda/vasa)
Majjavaha Srotas
The bones (asthi) and the joints (sandhi)
Shukravaha Srotas
The testes (vrishana) in males and the uterus (garbhashaya) in females
Waste Channels
Specialized Channels
Artavavaha Srotas
The uterus (garbhashaya) and the artavavahi dhamani (the vessels carrying artava, likely corresponding to the uterine and ovarian arteries and veins)
Stanyavaha Srotas
The breasts (stana) and the uterus (garbhashaya)
Manovaha Srotas
The heart (hridaya) and the ten great vessels (dasha dhamani)