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)
page under construction..
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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
- ↑ Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.