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2018 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 

 

Ancient and Contemporary Terms for Inflammation 
R.Srinivas1 ,C H.Ashok2 , M.Mohan Dhas3 

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, Chandigarh 

 

 
 

 

ABSTRACT 
Inflammation is a complicated biological reaction involving immune cells, blood vessels, and chemical 

mediators that occurs in response to damaging stimuli [pathogens, injured cells, or irritants]. Inflammation 

helps mend injured tissues by getting rid of dead cells and other debris left behind from the initial insult and 

the inflammation itself. Shotha, Shopha, Svayatu, Utsedha, and Samhata are all terms for inflammation in 

Ayurveda. The intention of this review is to provide readers with some foundational understanding of 

inflammation in Ayurveda that may be used for therapeutic and preventative measures. The following 

literature evaluation draws on sources mentioned in foundational Ayurvedic writings as well as 

contemporary publications that are both relevant and helpful. Consistent inflammation over time is a 

hallmark of every degenerative condition. Ayurveda correctly identifies inflammation and the resulting 

oedema as a pathogenic symptom. Inflammation is seen as a normal part of the body's healing process for 

wounds in contemporary medicine. The three ways that inflammation is seen in Ayurveda—as a symptom, a 

sickness, and a consequence of other diseases—are all distinct. Inflammation is a prevalent pathogenic 

characteristic among degenerative disorders. Sroto Dushti (channel obstruction) by Aama (toxic waste of 

metabolism) causes inflammation-related abnormalities in micro channel circulation. Many chronic 

degenerative diseases may be avoided if Aama production is curbed. The research indicates that an 

appreciation of the idea of inflammation is essential for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of 

medical and surgical problems, particularly those that are chronic and degenerative. 

 

Keywords: Shotha, Sroto Dushti, Inflammation, Chronic Degenerative Diseases, Ayurveda, and Aama 
 
 
 
 

Introduction 

Vranashotha, or inflammation, is described 

at length in both the BrihatTrayeeas and the 

Laghutrayee, the three main and minor 

Ayurvedic treatises. Shotha, Shopha, 

Svayathu, Utsedha, and Samhata are all 

names for it that are used in various 

circumstances. It causes swelling, weight 

gain, and discomfort. Disease, symptom, 

and consequence all have been treated 

approaches to inflammation. Among the five 

indications of inflammation recognized by 

current science are function laesa (loss of 

function), rubor (redness), calor (increased 

heat), tumour (swelling), and dolour (pain). 

Inflammation is a complex network of 

molecular and cellular interactions geared 

toward homeostasis, and it is now widely 

accepted as a healing response of the body 

to cell harm caused to trauma or infection. 

Without proper care, inflammation may 

persist and cause permanent harm to the 

tissues around it. [1] 

Inflammation is an immune cell, blood 

vessel, and molecular mediator-driven 

element of the body's complicated biological 

defensive reaction to infections, injured 

cells, or irritants. Inflammation serves 

primarily to 

tissue repair may begin if the underlying 

source of cell injury has been removed, 

necrotic cells have been removed, and 

inflammation has subsided. As opposed to 

adaptive immunity, which is tailored to each 

individual pathogen, innate immunity relies 

on a more general reaction known as 

inflammation. [2] The inflammatory 

response may be detrimental to an 

organism's existence if it allows the toxic 

stimuli (such as bacteria) to gradually 

destroy tissues. Chronic inflammation, on 

the other hand, has been linked to conditions 

including asthma, allergies, cardiovascular 

disease, and even cancer. Therefore, the 

body generally tightly controls 

inflammation. The inflammatory response 



 

 

involves the local vascular system, the 

immune system, and numerous cells inside 

the wounded tissue, and it spreads and 

evolves via a sequence of biochemical 

reactions. When inflammation persists over 

an extended period of time (known as 

chronic inflammation), the types of cells 

present at the site of inflammation, such as 

mononuclear cells, gradually change. [3] 

Because of its importance, the current 

research aims to compare and contrast the 

Ayurvedic and Western perspectives on 

inflammation. 

Materials & Methods 
The present literary review of basic 

consideration of inflammation has been done 

incorporating important Ayurveda  texts/Samhita  

like  Charaka,  Sushruta  and Ashtanga Samgraha 

for the different aspects associated with 

inflammation and a possible correlation was 

attempted with the subject of inflammation by 

referring Robins and Cotran’s Pathological basis 

of Diseases. [4] Shotha or any other symptoms 

mentioned frequently with degenerative disorders 

were also noted. 

 

Observations 
Chronic inflammation is a cardinal sign of 

chronic degenerative disorders. A low grade 

chronic inflammation is also the symptom of 

most ageing and degenerative diseases. Most of 

the age related diseases such as Arthritis,  

Diabetes,  Osteoporosis,  Atherosclerosis, 

Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are 

underlined by chronic inflammation. 

Unfortunately, chronic inflammation precedes 

most cancers. Rudolf Virchow, the German 

physician in the 19th century suggested a link 

between inflammation and cancer, 

cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other 

chronic diseases. Recently, observations have 

been confirmed and a molecular basis of most 

chronic diseases and the associated 

inflammation has been identified as suggested by 

Virchow. [5] 

 
According to Ayurveda, inflammation can be 

considered as a vascular and cellular reaction. 

Any disturbances or vitiation in the channels 

of microcirculation (Srotodushti) leads to 

 

(a) Excessive functioning 

(b) Obstruction or inadequate activity 

(c) Tumour or new growths and 

(d) Movements in unnatural directions. [6] 

 

The first inflammatory response is usually 

increased activity (vascularity) in the form of 

excessive exudates and protein release into the 

extracellular matrix. Then there is obstruction 

leading to change in the rate of diffusion of 

nutrients, oxygen and wastes. The hampered 

diffusion leads to oedema, tumours. Movement 

in unusual direction may be due to reverse 

osmosis as a result of electrolyte differences. All 

the clogging of the micro-channel has been 

attributed to Aama which is the toxic by-

product of improper digestion. Aama is 

considered as the pre and post inflammatory 

waste and the chief contributor to Srotodushti 
(vitiation of body constitution). [7] It is interesting 

to note that there have been suggestions to 

quantify and qualify Aama according to its 

description in Ayurveda. 

That the Aama status of a person in a very 

personalised form of treatment could actually be 

regarded as a bio- marker for chronic 

inflammation leading to metabolic syndrome and 

cancer will perhaps pave the way for preventive 

oncology and prevention of life style disorders. 

[8] According to Ayurveda, Granthi-Arbuda or 

tumour formation is considered as a form of 

inflammation. [ 9 ] The exact knowledge 

of inflammation can be significantly used in 

surgical practice. 

 

Discussion 
Inflammation can be acute and chronic. It is body’s 

response to trauma or infection. In fact, it is a one 

of the mechanisms of healing process in which 

microbiological interactions are directed to 

facilitate a return to physiological homeostasis and 

tissue repair. The response is composed of both 

local events and a systemic activation mediated by 

Kinin and Cytokines. If tissues health is not restored 

inflammation becomes chronic and continually 

damages host tissue. [10] Chronicity always leads 

many complications like non healing wound, 

excessive fibrosis, callosity, tumours etc. 

 
Ayurveda considers inflammation either as a cause, 

symptom or complication of many degenerative 

conditions. Inflammation is a reply, response or 

answer given by our body to trauma, injury, 

infection or ischemia. Inflammation can be acute, 

subacute and chronic. Also it could be severe or 

mild/low grade. The phenomenon is concerned 

with almost every disease. So it becomes 

mandatory to understand basic understanding of 

inflammation. The description of inflammation in 

the Samhitas gives better idea about the subject. 

 

In most of the Ayurveda texts, inflammation is 



 

 

mentioned as a pathological condition. Also 

inflammation has been described as an independent 

disease. The disease Shotha includes both oedema 

and oedematous inflammation. In Samhitas, there 

are separate chapters covering Shotha/Shopha as a 

disease. 
[11] 

 
 

In Charaka Samhita, Shotha is classified as 

1. Ekanga (localised) 

2. Ardhanga (regional) 

3. Sarvanga (general) 
 

Shotha also has been mentioned as an independent 

disease in Charaka Samhita. Inflammation 

associated with oedema has been treated as an 

independent disease. Shotha as a disease indicates 

oedematous condition with general symptoms of 

heaviness, instability, an elevation of heat, thinning 

of veins and discolouration. [12]Symptoms akin to 

increased vascularity like increase in temperature 

and increased venous pressure have been 

considered as the prodromal symptoms of Shotha. 
[13] The classification of Shotha is based on aetiology 

of two types. 

 

(1) Nija (endogenous-intrinsic factors) and 

(2) Agantuja (exogenous-extrinsic factors) 

 
The description of Shotha is quite complete and 

proves the extent and depth of knowledge of 

this pathological condition in India since ancient 

time. 

 

As Acharya Sushruta considered Rakta (blood) 

as a fourth Dosha (humour) and being from 

Dhanwantari Sampradaya (surgical discipline), he 

has classified Shotha slightly  differently  and  has  

mentions  Raktaja  Shopha\ (inflammation due to 

disorders in blood) and Vranashotha i.e. 

inflammation in wounds.[14] Shotha is also 

described as a complication of diseases- 

Charaka described seven inflammatory swelling 

that arises as complications of uncontrolled 

diabetes where as Sushruta and Vagbhatta listed 

these as ten.[15] Charaka also mentioned 

inflammatory swellings occurring in the absence 

of Diabetes, but with obesity as a triggering 

factor.[16] 

 

Inflammatory swellings such as Sharavika, 
Kacchapika, Jalini, have been explained as 

difficult to treat in obese persons. [17] Prognosis of 

inflammation has been linked to obesity. This 

establishes the awareness of the relationship 

between inflammation and metabolic disorders. 

All the Acharya of Ayurveda have considered 

Vidradhi or abscess as one of the 10 

inflammatory swellings. [18] This could occur 

externally and also internally (in vital organs). 
[19] Inflammation has been understood as a 

symptom of an abscess. [20] Neoplasia (Granthi) 
has been considered as a form of hard elevation 

occurring due to non- resolving of oedematous 

inflammation which is a result of chronic 

inflammation. 

 
All degenera t ive  d isorders  l ike 

Diabetes,  Atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s 

syndrome, Alzheimer disease, osteoarthritis and 

rheumatoid arthritis involves a common 

pathological feature of inflammation [21] 

and a low grade chronic inflammation is seen 

in obesity, ageing and various metabolic 

syndrome. Inflammation also precedes most 

cancers and is considered a hall mark of the 

neoplastic process. [22] There is a common 

consideration of inflammation according to 

Ayurveda and modern science in regards to the 

disturbance in flow of body fluid through 

various systems and their pathways. By toxic 

waste materials of metabolism 

(Aama), there is obstruction of micro channels 

which is responsible for loss of homeostasis, 

inflammation and tissue damage. [23] Ayurveda 

strongly believes in Aama is the root cause of 

metabolic and degenerative disease since it blocks 

Srotas or micro channels that nourish tissues. 

Aama is believed to have antigenic and pro 

inflammatory properties. [24] Hence Panchakarma 

i.e. detoxification or purification procedures can be 

practised for clearing clogged channels which are 

both gross and subtle. 
 

Conclusion 

After detailed study of Shotha, it can be correlated 

it with inflammation. The condition is well 

described in Ayurveda as well as modern medical 

science in similar manner with language and 

technical difference. The basic knowledge of 

Shotha is definitively fruitful to understand 

disease process and to prevent as well as to treat 

the inflammatory conditions. 

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2. Abbas AB, Lichtman AH. In: Basic 
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4. Cotran; Kumar, Collins. Robbins Pathologic 
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5. Heidland A, Klassen A, Rutkowski P, 
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7. M Srinivasulu. Concept of Ama in 
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8. Sukta Das. Prevention of Cancer: Evolution 
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9. Ibidem, harakasamhita (6), Chikista Sthana 
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10. Kumar, Vinay; Fausto, Nelso; Abbas,Abul. 
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11. Ibidem, Robbins & Cotran Pathologic 
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12. Sushrutha,  Susruta Samhita,  edited 

by Ambikadutta Shastri, Chiktsasthana, 
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13. Ibidem, Susruta Samhita (12), Sutrasthana 

14/3-7 

14. Ibidem, The Charakasamhita (6), 
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15. Ibidem, Susruta Samhita (12), Sutrasthana 

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16. Ibidem, Charakasamhita (6), Sutrasthana 

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17. Ibidem, Charakasamhita (6), Sutrasthana 

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18. Ibidem, Charakasamhita (6), Sutrasthana 

17/104 

19. Ibidem, Charakasamhita (6), Sutrasthana 

17/82 

20. Monteiro R, Azevedo I. Chronic 
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Syndrome. Mediators of Inflammation. 
2010; 2010:289645 

21. Coussens, L. M Werb, Z. Inflammation and 
cancer. Nature. 2002; 420 (6917): 860–7 

22. Ibidem, Charakasamhita (6), Sutrasthana 

17/93 

23. Bhoraj Arun Choudhari. Critical Evaluation 
of Aama. IAMJ. 2015; 3 (2): 617-22 

24. Bijita and Khagen. Concept of Ama w.s.r. 

to Free Radicals as a Causative Factor of 

Diseases. Int J Ayu Pharm Chem. 2015; 4 

(1): 1-8 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


