Article Details

Abstract

Peripheral vascular disorders involve abnormalities
of blood circulation in the limbs and may affect
arteries, veins, or smaller vascular channels.
Clinically, patients can present with limb pain,
swelling, heaviness, altered skin colour, coldness,
sensory changes, visible veins, ulceration, or tissue
damage. If vascular compromise is not recognized at
an early stage, progressive tissue injury, infection,
gangrene, and limb loss may occur.
Ayurvedic texts do not provide a single disease entity
that can be directly equated with modern peripheral
vascular disease. Nevertheless, descriptions
concerning Sira, Dhamani, Raktavaha Srotas,
Siragata Vata, Siraja Granthi, Shopha, and Vrana
offer useful conceptual points for understanding
vascular manifestations. The clinical features
described under Siragata Vata, including pain,
swelling, altered pulsation, sensory changes, and
wasting, may be discussed in relation to some
vascular presentations. Similarly, the appearance of
dilated and tortuous vessels in Siraja Granthi
provides a basis for comparison with varicose veins.
Vol: 1 | Issue: 4 | September - 2026 Contemporary vascular diagnosis depends on clinical
examination supported by investigations such as
ankle-brachial index, duplex ultrasonography, CT
angiography, and MR angiography. Ayurvedic
procedures including Siravedha, Jalaukavacharana,
Lepa, Swedana, Basti, and Vrana Chikitsa may have
supportive applications in selected patients, but their
use should follow proper identification of the
underlying vascular disorder.
The available Ayurvedic evidence is mainly based on
case reports, small clinical studies, and limited
comparative research. Among the parasurgical
approaches, medicinal leech therapy has a more
clearly recognized modern application in selected
postoperative venous congestion, particularly in
reconstructive surgery. Future research should
combine Ayurvedic clinical assessment with
measurable vascular and wound outcomes such as
ABI, duplex findings, ulcer dimensions, healing
duration, recurrence, pain, and quality of life.