Kantha (कण्ठः)

Kantha literally means throat. It is one among the dashapranayatana (ten seats of prana) which precisely means where prana is located. Thus Kantha is marma (vital point) according to Ayurveda and hence it is given high importance.

परिचयः॥ Introduction

According to Ayurveda anatomy, kantha is a part of urdwajatru bhaga (anatomical structures above shoulders) of the shareera which is one among the shadangas. Kantha is a sadhyapranahara marma, which means it is a vital point in the human body and any kind of injury can cause serious damage and even death.

According to acharya sushruta, kantha is a part of mukha (precisely mouth) which is a part of Urdhwa jatru bhaga which means the structures which are present above shoulders.

कण्ठशारीर॥ Anatomy

The structure which is present in front of greeva is termed as kantha. The structure which is responsible for the production of voice is kantha.

Acharya sushruta mentioned Kantha as a part of mukha while describing mukhagat rogas kantha gata disorders are being mentioned.

Specific types of joints present in kantha region are described. Thus kantha is known as the functioning unit in body since ancient time. Its chief function of producing sound and swallowing have also been mentioned at relevant sites.

कण्ठ-दोषसंबंधः॥ Relation of kantha with Dosha

Among the 5 subtypes of Kapha dosha, Bodhak kapha is known to be situated in Kantha region.

Kantha is stated to be the passage for the physiological flow of the Prana and Udana vayu among the 5 types of Vata dosha

Effect of different rasas on Kantha

Kantha is the organ or a body structure that lies at the beginning of the pathway for food (food-pipe). Therefore any food that a person eats has to pass through it. Food can be of different tastes which are considered as one of the important properties of the food substances as per Ayurveda. Ayurveda described 6 types of basic rasas (tastes) that show different effects on entering the body. Among six types of rasas (tastes) 2 rasas directly impact kantha and show some effects. These are as follows,

Madhura rasa does kantha pralhadana which means the food substances which are sweet in taste are pleasant for the throat. They increase the secretion sin the throat and make it moist. (char.sutr.26.43)

Amla rasa does vidaha which means the food substances which are sour in taste will cause burning sensation in the throat region. Depending upon the level of pitta in one's body the degree of vidaha or buurning will differ. (char.sutr.26.75)

कण्ठगतारोगाः ॥ Kanthagata rogas

Some specific medical conditions that arise in Kantha have been listed by Ayurveda scholars and those are known as Kanthagata rogas i.e. diseases directly and primarily affecting kantha.

कण्ठगतास्तु- रोहिण्यः पञ्च, कण्ठशालूकम्, अधिजिह्वो, बलयो, बलास [१] , एकवृन्दो, वृन्दः, शतघ्नी, गिलायुः, गलविद्रधिः, गलौघः, स्वरघ्नो, मांसतानो, विदारी चेति ||(Sush.Samh.16.46)

(These diseases are isolated concepts of Ayurveda and cannot be surely co related with modern diagnosis or diagnostic methods)

रोहिणी ॥ Rohini

• The vitiated doshas in the kantha or throat region causes localised swelling leading to breathlessness along with other symptoms. Rohini is manifested in five ways depending on the dominance of the doshas which produces related symptoms.
• Vataja Rohini, Pittaja Rohini, kaphaja rohini , tridoshaja, raktaja rohini are the dosha dominant types of the disease.
• General treatment – herbal decoctions, nasya karma (instillation of medicated oil, ghee etc through nostrils), gandoosha (a procedure which requires retention of medicated oil, decoctions etc in the oral cavity for specific time), local application of herbal pastes etc.

कण्ठ्शालूक ॥ Kanthashaluka

Kapha dosha dominant disease characterized with presence of cyst resembling obstruction in the throat leading to pain and discomfort.

अधिजिव्हिका ॥ Adhijivha

It is akapha and raktaja disorder characterized with swelling over the tongue.

वलय ॥ Balaya

Kapha doshaja disorder characterized with round, bulky swelling in the throat leading to obstruction.

बलासः ॥ Balasa

It is akapha and vata doshaja disease characterized with swelling and pain in the throat region.

एकवृंदः ॥ Ekavrinda

It is a raktaja and kapha doshaja disease, characterized with round, hard, non-suppurative cyst resembling swelling which causes pain, itching and burning sensation in the throat.

वृंदः ॥ Vrinda

Vrinda disorder like eka vrinda is characterized with bigger, painful swelling in the throat region along with fever.

शतघ्नी ॥ Shataghni

Vitiated three doshas produce polyp resembling structures in the throat causing pain, burning sensation, fever etc.

गिलायु ॥ Gilayu

Raktaja and kapha doshaja disorder producing hard, painful cyst in the throat.

गलवृद्धी ॥ Galavidradhi

Vitiated three doshas produce abscess along with pain, itching sensation, burning sensation and discomfort.

गलौघः ॥ Galaugh

Vitiated rakta and kapha dosha produce oedema in the throat region along with fever, drowsiness, head heaviness.

स्वरघ्नः ॥ Swaraghna

Vitiated Vata dosha affects voice along with dryness in the throat etc

मांसतान ॥ Mamsa tana

Vitiated three doshas produces cyst resembling structure in the throat which is spreading in nature and causes obstruction.

विदारी ॥ Vidari

Vitiated rakta and pitta dosha a painful growth in the throat which is painful and red in colour.

कण्ठदुष्टिकराः व्याधयः ॥ Other disorders where kantha is affected

• Arshankur (haemorrhoid like structure) in kantha presents as indistinct speech and rasa adynana (loss of taste)
• Sthavar visha vega lakshana(symptoms of a specific type of poison in precise) which presents as kantha ruja(pain in the throat region)
• Visha asadhya lakshana which means the stage of the poison where it cannot be cured presents itself as kanthabhanga  (change of voice) as one of its symptom.
• In Vataja jwara  (fever of vata dosha predominance), kantha shosha is one of the sign.
• In Rajayakshma(precisely tuberculosis), kantha udwansa(swarabheda) which means hoarseness of the voice  is one of the symptom.
• In Vataja gulma (vata dosha dominant tumour),kantha shosha which means dryness of the throat is one of the early symptom
• As one of the Clinical feature of jwara(fever) ,kantha shosha(dryness of the throat) is one of them.
• As Prodromal symptoms of prameha(diabetes) – dryness in mouth, palate and throatis presenta.
• Kantha naadi(trachea) injury leads to mukata(loss of speech), swara vaikriti(hoarseness of the voice), loss of taste.

कण्ठ्यद्रव्याः ॥ Kanthya dravyas

Ayurveda acharyas have described various groups of herbs that are specifically beneficial to promote the health of certain body organ to effective in specific medical condition. Under this list the herbs that are helpful to promote the health of Kantha, quality of voice and to treat the diseases affecting it have also been mentioned. These aregrouped under the name 'Kanthya dravyas' as described below,

सारिवेक्षुमूलमधुकपिप्पलीद्राक्षाविदारीकैटर्यहंसपादीबृहतीकण्टकारिका इति दशेमानि कण्ठ्यानि भवन्ति (९) (char.sutr.4.8(9))

The dravyas which are good for kantha, or throat are called as kanthya dravyas they are as follows- Sariva(Hemidesmus indicus), ikshumula(Saccharum officinarum), madhuka(Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pippali (Piper longum), Draksha, Vidari, KAitarya, Hansapadi, Bruhati, Kantakarika etc