Food (anna vaha srotas)

The food channel (anna vaha srotas) is a channel responsible for transporting food from ingestion to digestion and absorption. Originating from the stomach and left lateral abdomen, it carries nutrient fluids formed by digestive fire (jatharagni).

Proper function ensures nourishment of tissues (dhatus), while vitiation from untimely, excessive, or improper food disrupts digestion, causing indigestion, anorexia, or systemic disorders. These channels support digestive processes and maintain overall metabolic balance.

Signs of imbalance include nausea, loss of taste and vomiting. It is treated with herbs to increase digestive fire and digest toxins or ama — e.g., black pepper (Piper nigrum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and triphala.