Author: Dr. Vandana Verma Assistant Professor Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU, Varanasi, India

1. Understanding of Physiology of Respiration in Ayurveda
Dr. Vandana Verma
Assistant Professor
Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU,
Varanasi, India

2. Shvashan prakriya:
 The act of respiration is the physiological function (initiation and regulation of
ventilation) of Prana vata and Udana vata.
 Thus the word Pranavaha srotas means a channel or path through which the
external air (prana vayu) enters into the body to sustain life.
 Pranavaha srotas understood as respiratory system in context to Sthula srotas ,
since it take in the Prana vayu (air) as nutrient from external atmosphere
through respiratory tract and its main functional contribution in body is to
provide oxygen.

3. FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
 Upper respiratory tract - from nose
to pharynx
Mouth cavity (mukhavivara)
Nose (nasika)
Throat (kantha)
Pharynx (grasanika)
Larynx (swaryantra)
 Lower respiratory tract-
from pharynx to lungs
Trachea (klomanadi)
Bronchi (apasthambh)
Lungs (phupphus)
Anilayana ( bronchial tree branching
as well as alveoli)

4. FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Conducting Zone-Rigid
conduits for air to reach
site of gas exchange
-nose
-nasal cavity
-pharynx
-larynx
-trachea
-bronchi

5. FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
 -Respiratory
Zone- site of gas
exchange
-respiratory
bronchioles

6. SHVASHAN PRAKRIYA :
UkfHkLFk%izk.kiou%Li`’V~okg`RdeykUrjaA
d.Bkr~cfgZfofuZ;kfr ikrqafo’.kqinke`re~A
ihRokpkEcjih;w’kaiqujk;kfrosxr%A
izh.k;Unsgef[kyatho;¥~tBjkuyaA ( Sha.Pu.5/48-49)
 In this verse of Sharngadhara explains many important steps of respiratory
system physiology, systematically, as follows:
 External respiration
 Internal respiration

8. Ventilatory Mechanism-(external respiration)
 The word nabhi (umbilical region) in
relation to ventilatory mechanism could be
understood as the participation of
diaphragm and abdominal muscles in the
process of ventilation.
 The direction of expiration from abdomen is
in the upward direction, through chest and
throat region.

9. Ventilatory Mechanism-(external
respiration)
 Nabhisthapranapavanh could be understood for supply of nutrients
and oxygen from maternal circulation to foetus through umbilical
cord in intrauterine life.

10.  Inspiration -
Prana vayu situated in murdha (head,
respiratory centres’) gives stimulation
to all the muscles of respiration, for
expansion. It also stimulates diaphragm
and abdominal muscles. Due to its
activity the chest cavity broadens and
inspiration occurs (A.H.Su.12/5).
 Expiration-
Udana vayu is responsible for the
process of expiration (S.Ni. 1/14)

11. Regulation of ventilation-
 The activity of Inspiration is
regulated by Prana vata
 Main dwelling Site of Prana vata is
Murdha (head)
 Inspiratory and expiratory group
of neurons are situated in Medulla
and Pons.

12.  Regulation of
ventilation-
 The activity of Prana and
Udana vata refers to
nervous regulation of
ventilation.

13.  Gaseous exchange-
‘Spristvahritakamalantaram’ word indicates the
gaseous exchange at the alveoli, after that the
impure air comes outside through the kanta
(throat, nasophrynx). Here word
‘Hritakamalantar’ could be synonymous for
lungs as amberpiyush word is used for oxygen.
 In Sadyovrana prakaran Srikantadutta has
considered phupphusa as raktadhara ( M.Ni.
43/5).
 Udanavayuaadhrah Phuphusah ( Sha.Pu. 5/43)

14. Transportation of gases-
In Pranavaha srotas , external prana dravya ( vayu/oxygen) is taken into blood by the lungs
and then it is transported with Rasa-Rakta throughout the body via heart by the action of
Vyana vata.
‘Pranha shonitam hi anuvartatae’(C.Su. 24/4).
 f”kjk /keU;ks ukfHkLFkk% lokZ O;kI; fLFkrkLruqe~A iq’.kfUr pkfu”ka ok;ks% la;ksxkRloZ/kkrqfHk%
AA (Sha.pu.5/47)
”kjhjizk.k;ksjso la;ksxknk;q#Pprs(Sha.pu.5/54)
Sharngadhara explains dhatu-poshana or tissue nourishment through Vayu. Sira and
dhamni (veins and arteries) arise from nabhi (heart) spread throughout the body and
supply air to dhatus constantly and because of combination of vayu(air) and sharira
(body) ayu (life) is existing.

15. Transportation of gases-
 /keU;ks jlokfgH;ks /kefUrioua rukSA (Sha.pu.5/39).
Dhamanis (arteries) carry rasa dhatu all over the body
and fill it with air .
All the above explanations suggest about the transportation
of gases through circulation of blood and supply of oxygen
to tissues.

16. Kshut(sneezing reflex)
 Kshut (sneezing) is the sound produced in the nose by upward
movement of prana and udana vayu and kapha in the head (
Sha.Pu. 6/27-28).
 This description could be understood as sneezing reflex for
clearance of upper respiratory tract.

17. Measures to establish breathing ( Pranapratyagaman):
Prana – breath
Pratyagaman- establishment
 In Sharirsthan Charak has given various measures for resuscitation of just new born
baby for establishment of respiration like -
- striking of stones near the ears of child,
- sprinkling of hot and cold water on face,
- if does not gain vitality then the child should be fanned with a fan prepared
with straps of bamboo (C. Sha. 8/42)40.
 All these measures indicate the description of artificial respiration.

18. THANKS