Asthi soushiryam (AH Nid.25/12-13) is one of the symptoms of VataKopa. The Vata is a combination of Vayu and Aksha bhutas – wherever there is a space available that becomes the abode of Vayu. This is its natural state. Vayu and all the Doshas are considered as DRAVYAS (substance which occupies a space) in Ayurveda. That is why GUNA and KARMA are attributed to Doshas. Vata being a dravya, can get vitiated or perturbed by dravya which has same qualities and action (Samana Guna Karma).
Thus, in Anuloma kshaya, the vitiated vata becomes the cause for pain in the subject and Dhatu kshaya becomes the cause for ASTHI soushirya. The Samprathi can be in the reverse order also; where the Vata gets vitiated by Sheeta, Ruksha and Laghu, qualities of Ahara & Vihara and it inturns vitiates the Ashti dhatu. Thus the Soumya bhavas of the Asthi gets depleted and gives rise to Asthi soushirya. The modern understanding of Asthi Soushirya, i.e. lack of absorption of Calcium in the bone tissues also can be explained in this way.Here calcium absorption by the bone tissues is getting affected even after making available enough calcium in a bio available form, and thus bone tissues gets depleted off Calcium. Here the disintegration of Calcium from Bone tissues (dhatu) due to metabolic derangement is the cause, where the ionic exchange systems gets altered. This is what exactly happens when the vata gets vitiated and affects the Asthi dhatu.
It is heartening to note that the treatment as prescribed in Ayurveda is also works in two different ways.
- By making available sufficient calcium in a bio-available form ( Gandha thailam).
- By consoling the Vata by the process of oral medical unctuation by Gandha thailam and by Anuvasana basthi.
This two pronged process brings in the equilibrium so as to harmonize the intracellular exchange of Ca++ ions which stabilizes the calcium absorption mechanism of the body. Osteoporosis is a degenerative condition, which is the hall mark of vata. As also the age factor, which is above 45 in female and more common after menopause is an indication of vata involvement. This fact translated into modern physiology can be explained as the altered ion exchange mechanism between the bone tissues and blood tissues.
There are two layers of Calcium absorption in the body. One form the digested food to the blood stream and blood stream to the respective bone tissues. To happen this in an appropriate way the Calcium absorbed has to go through the seven layers of digestion, from Rasa to Majja. It is in this process the mineral Calcium gets converted into bio-assimilable and Ca++ ions which can be absorbed by the bone tissues and can make it part of the bhutas. So it explains clearly the concept of Pachakagni at GIT where a partial conversion of Calcium into biologically active calcium and subsequently through the action of Bhutagni, the Ca ++ Ions are formed to be assimilated by Bone tissues.
For this to happen paleation of Vata and availability of Asthi thammatrras (Ca) are essential. Both these possible by Gandha thilam, Thiktaka gritham and Anu vasana Basthi.