Unifying The Framework of Body Fluid Physiology and Integrative Review of Classical Ayurvedic Literature and Contemporary Biomedical Sciences

Abstract

Background: Body fluid is vital for the good state of health of any human being. They provide the functions of hydration,
transport of nutrients and ensure proper functioning of the cells. Moreover, they allow to maintain the normal body
temperature and homeostasis. Modern medicine managed to explore many aspects of the distribution of these fluids and
regulation of their levels. There were many studies on the physiology of the kidneys and body's physiology in general
conducted by scientists and doctors. However, in contrast to the modern scientific approach, the ancient medical theory of
Ayurveda has another vision on the topic of the regulation of body fluids. This medical practice utilizes such concepts as
Jala Mahabhuta, Udaka, Ambu, Rasa, Lasika, Kleda, Sweda, Mutra and Udakavaha Srotas in order to describe the process
of the regulation of body fluids. These concepts prove the existence of this knowledge in Ayurveda. However, these
concepts were always studied separately from each other. There is no synthesis of this information with the current one.
Objectives: In this paper, the aim is to review the traditional classical understanding of body fluid physiology in Ayurveda
in light of the current biomedicine and put forward an integrative concept, organizing these ideas into a holistic system
framework while keeping epistemology of Ayurveda. Methods: A literature review was done employing both the classical
Ayurveda textbooks like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya and the peer-reviewed literature collected
from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The literature on topics relevant to body fluid physiology,
hydration, homeostasis, systems physiology, lymphatic biology, renal physiology and integrative medicine was critically
analysed. The synthesis of evidence was done in themes, and integration of the concepts was done by comparative
physiological analysis. Results: It seems that there is a significant physiological convergence of the concepts about the
physiological relevance of body fluids for maintaining homeostasis of the body systems. In contrast to the modern
physiology of fluid regulation that includes compartmentalization, neuroendocrine control, membrane transport and
molecular signalling, the classical Ayurveda considers body fluid physiology as an interconnected functional system
including production of fluids, nourishment, transportation, exchange at the tissue level, regulation of metabolism and fluid
elimination. It turns out that the current literature emphasizes the correlations between the individual concepts in Ayurveda
and corresponding physiological structures, without integrating them in a common physiological system. On the basis of
the synthesized evidence, an integrative framework can be suggested where Jala Mahabhuta constitutes the elementary
basis of biological fluids, Udaka is the primary aqueous medium, Rasa is the nutritive fluid, Srotas are responsible for
systemic transportation, Lasika mediates tissue exchange, Kleda maintains tissue moisture, Sweda and Mutra take care of
fluid elimination. Conclusion: The present review proposes an integrative framework that reorganizes dispersed classical
Ayurvedic concepts into a coherent model of body fluid physiology, emphasizing functional interactions rather than direct
anatomical correlations. This systems-oriented interpretation provides a conceptual bridge between Ayurveda and
contemporary physiology while maintaining the theoretical integrity of both disciplines. Although the proposed framework
remains hypothesis-generating and requires experimental validation, it establishes a foundation for future interdisciplinary
research integrating systems physiology, translational medicine, and Ayurvedic science. By advancing a unified
understanding of body fluid regulation, this review contributes a novel perspective that may stimulate further scientific
exploration into human homeostasis and integrative physiological research.