Alochaka Pitta of Ayurved and its affiliates in modern perspective

Abstract

In Ayurved, a person is said to be healthy when Dosha, Agni, and Dhatu, all the physiological processes are in a homeostatic state and the soul, sense organ and mind are in a state of total well-being. The theory of tridosha is a unique concept to Ayurveda. In general, Pitta doshas are liquid in nature except pachaka pitta which has devoid of liquidity. Acharya Sushrut has mentioned five types of pitta. Those are Pachaka, Ranjaka, Alochaka, Bhrajaka, and Sadhaka pitta. The seat of Alochaka pitta is drishti and function of Alochaka pitta is vision. Ayurveda is the science-based on functional understandings. Hence, Alochaka pitta can be identified by understanding its physiological functions in relation to contemporary modern medical science. The functions of Alochaka pitta can be recognized as functions of photochemicals (rhodopsins and color pigments) of rod and cone and the neurotransmitter that helps in communication between neurons throughout the visual pathway between the retina and visual cortex. Few works have been mentioned on the conceptual features of Alochaka pitta in relation to modern physiology. In this article, we intended to identify liquid bio-chemicals, helpful in perception of vision, provided no lesion is present in the visual pathway. The physiological functions of these bio-chemicals may have similar physiological functions of Alochaka pitta.