Purīṣavaha Srotas: A Review with Special Reference to Enteric Nervous System and Gut–Brain Axis

Background

In Ayurveda, Purīṣavaha Srotas are the channels involved in transportation and elimination of faeces, with Pakvāśaya (colon) as its primary anatomical seat (Mūla). Pakvāśaya is established in classical texts as the main site of Vāta Doṣa, the force regulating all neuro-regulatory and motor functions. Modern physiology has simultaneously recognised the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) as the “Second Brain” that works autonomously with the Central Nervous System (CNS) to preserve gastrointestinal homeostasis through the bidirectional Gut–Brain Axis (GBA).