Role of Shleshaka Kapha in Joint Lubrication and Cartilage Health: An Integrative Ayurvedic and Modern Review

  • Unique Paper ID: 191112
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 8
  • PageNo: 6146-6152
  • Abstract:
  • Shleshaka Kapha is one of the five functional subtypes of Kapha Dosha described in Ayurveda and is primarily located in the Sandhi (joints). It plays a vital role in maintaining joint integrity, lubrication, stability, and smooth movement. Classical Ayurvedic texts attribute functions such as Sandhi Shleshana (joint lubrication), Sthairya (stability), and Balaprada (strength) to Shleshaka Kapha. From a modern perspective, these functions closely resemble the role of synovial fluid and cartilage matrix components in reducing friction, nourishing articular cartilage, and absorbing mechanical stress. Depletion or vitiation of Shleshaka Kapha leads to joint dryness, crepitus, pain, restricted movement, and degenerative changes, which can be correlated with conditions such as osteoarthritis. Understanding the role of Shleshaka Kapha provides an integrative framework linking Ayurvedic physiology with contemporary concepts of joint biomechanics and cartilage health. This insight supports the Ayurvedic approach of Snehana, Basti, and Rasayana therapies in the prevention and management of degenerative joint disorders.

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Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{191112,
        author = {Dr Ganesh Patil and Dr Tejashree Patil},
        title = {Role of Shleshaka Kapha in Joint Lubrication and Cartilage Health: An Integrative Ayurvedic and Modern Review},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {6146-6152},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=191112},
        abstract = {Shleshaka Kapha is one of the five functional subtypes of Kapha Dosha described in Ayurveda and is primarily located in the Sandhi (joints). It plays a vital role in maintaining joint integrity, lubrication, stability, and smooth movement. Classical Ayurvedic texts attribute functions such as Sandhi Shleshana (joint lubrication), Sthairya (stability), and Balaprada (strength) to Shleshaka Kapha. From a modern perspective, these functions closely resemble the role of synovial fluid and cartilage matrix components in reducing friction, nourishing articular cartilage, and absorbing mechanical stress. Depletion or vitiation of Shleshaka Kapha leads to joint dryness, crepitus, pain, restricted movement, and degenerative changes, which can be correlated with conditions such as osteoarthritis. Understanding the role of Shleshaka Kapha provides an integrative framework linking Ayurvedic physiology with contemporary concepts of joint biomechanics and cartilage health. This insight supports the Ayurvedic approach of Snehana, Basti, and Rasayana therapies in the prevention and management of degenerative joint disorders.},
        keywords = {Shleshaka Kapha, Joint lubrication, Cartilage health, Synovial fluid, Sandhi, Osteoarthritis, Ayurveda},
        month = {January},
        }

Cite This Article

  • ISSN: 2349-6002
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 8
  • PageNo: 6146-6152

Role of Shleshaka Kapha in Joint Lubrication and Cartilage Health: An Integrative Ayurvedic and Modern Review

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