Sweda
The term sweda means sweat or perspiration. It is one among three metabolic excretory products (mala) like urine (mutra) and stools (purisha). These are also known as dushya (which get vitiated). [A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 1/13][1] Excretory products (mala) are important in human physiology. They are formed in routine physiological and metabolic activities in the body. It is important to cleanse or purify body by removing the wastes. If accumulated, the mala have ability to pollute dosha and dhatu of the body.
Perspiration or sweating (sweda) is important for removing wastes formed in skin and maintain body temperature i.e. thermoregulation. Sweda is basically the end product of meda dhatu metabolism. This article describes concept and applications of sweda in Ayurveda and contemporary sciences.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts & Practices / Sweda |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bhojani M.K.1, Durga Rani1, Jogalekar A.A.2 |
| Reviewers | Basisht G.3, Khandel S.K.4 |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.5 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Kriya Sharira, A.I.I.A., New Delhi, India 2Department of Samhita-Siddhanta, A.I.I.A., New Delhi, India 3 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 4Arogyalaxmi Ayurveda Consultancy, Jaipur, India 5 Department of Kayachikitsa, G.J.Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabhvidya Nagar, Anand, Gujarat, India |
| Correspondence email | meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
| Date of first publication: | July 31, 2022 |
| DOI | In process |
Derivation & definition
Literal meaning of sweda is to cook or to steam. It is the perspiration produced due to exercise or heat. The word sweda is derived from the verb ‘svid’ meaning exudate or perspiration from the body parts as a result of gharma or heat. [Vachaspatyam][2] The terms like sweating, sweat, perspiration, warmth, vapor, steam etc. [Monniere Williams dictionary][3]
Sweda is a part of water or watery exudate within the entire body excreted through the hair pockets (lomakupa).[Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana7/15), [Arunadatta on [A.Hr.Sharira Sthana 3/36][1]
It is closely regulated by heat in the body (ushma). Sweda is formed during the metabolism of meda dhatu and as part of water/fluid component (udaka) in the body. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/18-19]
In contemporary medical dictionaries, the literal meaning of the word ‘sweat’ is perspire or exudation or moisture from the sweat pores.[4]
Synonyms
Gharma (Shabdakalpadruma)[5] , nidagha, seka, medomala [Hemadri on A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 1/13][1]
Panchabhautika constitution
Sweda has dominance of jala and teja mahabhuta. Some scholars consider it as jala mahabhuta dominant.[Chakrapani on Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 15/7)[6] It is listed among the watery components in body. [Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 7/16] [A.Hr.Sharira Sthana 3/4][1]
Physiology of formation and excretion
Sweda is produced as byproduct in metabolism of meda dhatu [Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/18], in channels of transformation and transportation of meda dhatu (medovaha srotasa).(Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 28/4] Sweda bestows moistness and softness of the skin. It is a part of waste part (kitta bhaga) of the metabolized food. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 28/4]
Sweda or sweat is basically the fluid element excreted through sweat pores due to heat or activity along with dissolved minerals and solids. Its formation is regulated by means of external temperature, fomentation or heat treatments. The main seat of channels of formation and transportation of sweat (swedavaha srotas) are meda dhatu and the small pores on the skin (romakoopa). It depends on excess heat in body. [Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 7/14]
Quantity of sweda (sweda anjali pramana)
The average amount of sweda in the entire body is ten anjali. [Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 7/15] [A.Hr.Sharira Sthana 3/80][1] It varies according to heat and humidity level in the surrounding atmosphere. However, due to individual variability, the amount may be variable and cannot be determined.[Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 15/17][6]
Physical properties
It is watery, slightly unctuous and has a yellowish tinge and odor. Sometimes, it may be in vapors state.
Regulation of sweat secretion:
Vyana vayu helps in the excretion of sweat from the body. Conduction of sweat from the root of the hair, opening of the skin pores and help in the excretion of sweat, all these functions belong to vyana vayu. [A.Sa.Sutra Sthana 20/6][7]
Functions of sweda
Sweda controls body temperature by way of expelling excess water and toxins, cools the body, moistens skin & hair and carries excess fat from the body and purification of the blood. Maintaining moisture (kledavidhruti) is the main function. [A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 11/4][1] Proper functioning of hair follicles (kesha vidhruti or roma-avlambana) is added. [Arunadatta on A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 11/4)[1]. Moistness of skin (kleda or kledana) and softness of skin (twak saukumarya) are the main functions of sweda. [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 15/4][6]
- It keeps the skin and hair moist, delicate, smooth & maintain the integrity of skin.
- It helps to maintain water balance in the body.
- It helps in maintenance of body temperature
- It prevents different vatika disorders
- It also excretes the various kind of toxins from the body
Swedavaha srotas
The sites of origin of channels carrying sweda (swedavaha strotas) are adipose tissue (meda dhatu) and hair follicles (romakoopa). This is reflected in the characteristics of vitiation of medavaha srotasa like absence of perspiration, excessive perspiration, roughness or excessive smoothness of the body, generalized burning sensation, and horripilation.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 5/8] Sweda is carried and excreted through eight obliquely spread vessels (tiryakadhamani).[Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana 9/8][6]
Causes of vitiation (swedavahasrotodushtinidana):
These channels get vitiated due to excessive exercise, exposure to excess heat, indulgence in heat and cold things without following the prescribed order, anger, grief and fear.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 5/22]
Symptoms of excessive sweating (swedavriddhilakshana/atiswedalakshana):
- Foul smell or excessive body odour (daurgandhya)
- Itching (kandu)
- Excess sweating (atisweda)
[Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana.15/15][6] [A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 11/14][1]
Symptoms of reduced sweating (swedakshayalakshana):
- Contracted sweat gland and ducts, stiffness and obstruction of hair follicles (stabdharomakoopta)
- Dryness of skin, cracking of skin (twak paripatana) and skin disorders (twak dosha)
- Altered tactile sensation (sparshavaigunya)
- Lack of sweat or absent sweat (swedanasha)
- Scaling of skin (twaksphootana)
- Falling of body hair (romachyuti)
[A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 11/22][1], [Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 15/15][6], [A.Sa.Sutra Sthana 19/11][7]
Treatment:
In the above conditions, oil bath and oil massage (abhyanga) and fomentation (swedana) are the methods of treatment.
Sweda and pitta prakriti:
Excess sweating (swedaadhikya)is a characteristic of pitta prakriti individual. [Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana 4/68]
Sweda and pitta dosha relationship:
There is a close or concomitant relation between pitta dosha and sweda. [A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 11/26-29][1] This indicates the anatomical and physiological relation between two components. These possess similar causes of vitiation, similar line of management, similar pattern of disease affliction. Thus, the line of management of pitta ailments is in concordance with the management of sweda related disorders. As both the entities i.e. sweda and pitta are related with the component of heat in the body (ushma), these are related closely like pitta dosha takes abode of sweda (ashraya- ashrayisambandha).
Physiology of sweat
Sweat is a clear, watery and salty liquid produced by the sweat glands present in the skin. Sweat is mainly produced in noticeable amounts under the arm, feet and palms. When it comes in contact with the bacteria on skin, it can cause a smell. Regular bathing and use of antiperspirants or deodorant can help to control odor. In extreme conditions or during heavy exercise, large quantities of sweat is produced. It proves to be a great method of thermoregulation as long as humidity in surrounding atmosphere is relatively low. Stimulation of anterior hypothalamus-preoptic area is responsible for the action of sweating. The impulses from this area are transmitted in the autonomic pathways to the cord and then through the sympathetic outflow to the skin and elsewhere in the body. The volume of sweat produced and expelled every day is generally about 100ml/day and may vary from person to person. The water loss through sweat may increase upto 1-2 L/hour in case of exercise or extremely hot weather.[8]
page under construction..
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam. Edited by Harishastri Paradkar Vaidya. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.
- ↑ VCP Cologne Scan [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jun 30]. Available from: https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=vcp&page=5393
- ↑ MW Cologne Scan [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jun 30]. Available from: https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=mw&page=1285
- ↑ “Sweat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweat. Accessed 28 Jun. 2022.
- ↑ SKD Cologne Scan [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jun 30]. Available from: https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=skd&page=5-495
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Vridha Vagbhata, Ashtanga Sangraha. Edited by Shivaprasad Sharma. 3rd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba sanskrit series office;2012.
- ↑ Baker LB. Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health. Temperature (Austin). 2019 Jul 17;6(3):211–59.