UNDERSTANDING OF TWAK – A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW ARTICLE

Dr. Jeevan Kumar Giri*, Dr. Pratikshya Majagaiyan, Dr. Santosh K. Singrapu and Dr. Uma B. Gopal

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Background of study: Ayurveda has mentioned body as DoshaDhatuMalaMoolaHeeShareeram. Twak is Upadhatu of Mamas Dhatu which forms the outer covering of the body and protects body from external factors such as heat, cold etc. It is an important organ of the integumentary system envelops underlying tissues and organs. Ayurveda mention the Twak as Sparshanaindrya. The layers of the Twak has been mentioned as 6 or 7 respectively by different Acharyas, but the understanding of the each layer is not so much clear with respect to the layer mentioned in the contemporary science. Acharya explained the thickness of the Twak layers in compared with the Vreehi grain and each layer has different thickness. Regarding the formation of Twak, it was correlated with simile of formation of casein over milk. There is a need to understand the different layer of Twak and skin, their structural, functional & developmental interpretation to correlate in between them. Aims & Objectives: To analysis the Twak Sthara with layers of skin. To analysis the classical concept regarding formation of Twak. Materials and methods: Literature review regarding the Twak (structural, development and applied aspect related) was done through various authorized text books, journals and published articles, and then the critical analysis was done to correlate the possible layer of skin and its formation with the layer of the Twak and its formation process on the basis of classical information. Results: The layer of the Twak corresponds with the layer of skin in the functional and structural aspect. The skin layers are formed gradually throughout the antenatal period; as explained by our Acharya in the form of Sapta Twacha formation in similar order as scum formed over the boiling milk.

Keywords: Twak, Skin, Sapta Twacha, Integuments, Twak Utpatti, etc.