Dhatus
The Sapta (seven) Dhatus (tissues) elements form the pillars of the body
that form the means of nourishment and growth while providing support to
the body as well as the mind.
Rasa (fluid) Dhatu –Derived from the digested food, it nourishes each
and every tissue and cell of the body and is analogous to the plasma.
Rakta (blood) Dhatu – Regarded as the basic of life, it is analogous to
the circulating blood cells. It not only nourishes the body tissues, but
provides physical strength and color to the body.
Masma Dhatu – The muscle tissue, its main function is to provide
physical strength and support for the meda dhatu.
Meda (fat) Dhatu – Consists of adipose tissue providing support to ashti dhatu. It also lubricates the body.
Ashti Dhatu – Comprising of bone tissues, including cartilages, its
main function is to give support to the majja dhatu and
provide support to the masma dhatu.
Majja Dhatu – Denoting the yellow and red bone marrow tissue, its main
function is to fill up the ashti and to oleate the body.
Shukra Dhatu – The main aim of this reproductive tissue is to help
reproduction and strengthen the body.
Since the dhatus support and derive energy from each other, affecting one can
influence others. For instance, interference in the manufacture of the
plasma affects the quality of the blood, which in turn effects the
muscle. Each tissue type has its own agni, which determines
metabolic changes in the tissues. And forms by-products, which are
either used in the body or excreted. Menstrual periods for example are a
by-product of rasa. The tissues are also governed by the three doshas, and any imbalance in them also causes imbalances in dhatus. Heavy periods therefore can also be caused by the effects of
the excess of Kapha on plasma.
The Malas
Malas are the various waste products of the dhatus produced
during the normal metabolical process. The three primary malas being Purisa (faeces), Mutra (urine) and Sweda (sweat). Ayurveda clearly
states that only a balanced condition of doshas, dhatus and malas is arogya (good
health or disease free condition) and their imbalance is the cause of
ill health or disease.
Purisa is the waste left back after nutrients of digested food have been
absorbed in the small intestine. While water and salt absorbed in the
large intestine, the residue now converted into solid faeces, leaves the
body. The consistency of the faeces depending both on gastrointestinal
mobility and nature of diet.
The tridoshas must be in balance to ensure normal evacuation. Pitta and Kapha help digestion and Vata governs the mobility throughout the process. Any
discrepancy or imbalance between these can lead to various symptoms of
abdominal heaviness or pain, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea. It
may also give rise to diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis,
low-back pain, asthma, bronchitis as well as stomach ulcers and
irritable bowels.
Mutra is derived during the course of biological processes within the human
body. The first stage of urine formation begins in the large intestine
where fluids are absorbed into the system. The entire urinary system
(kidneys, uterus, bladder and urethra) takes part in the formation and
elimination of urine, regulating the fluid balance in our body and also
maintaining blood pressure. Any imbalance of increased or decreased
urine, may result in disorders as kidney stones urinary infections, cystitis, abdominal pain and bladder disorders.
Sweda is the third primary mala, and it occurs as a waste
product during the synthesis of meda dhatu (fatty tissue). Eliminated through skin pores, it controls body
temperature and helps to regulate the electrolytic balance. The channels
responsible for bringing the sweat to skin surface are known as sweda vaha srotas. It is essential that
normal formation and flow of sweat takes place as otherwise it may lead
to skin infections, itching/burning sensation over the body, loss of
fluid balance and reduced body temperature.
Ayurvedic Anatomy and Physiology:
Dhatus.
Dr. Satish
Kulkarni.
We discussed in
the previous article that the three basic constituents of the body (treedoshas i.e. vaat-pitta-kafa) are created by five supreme powers i.e.
Earth (pruthvi), Water (aap), Divine Fire (tej),
Air (vayu) and Universal Space (aakash). Amongst these
powers, Divine Fire (tej) is the precursor of pitta and
body fire (agni) is the successor of pitta.
Agni plays a vital role in the creation and maintenance of body tissues (dhatus).
The human body is made up of seven basic tissues or vital substances
called dhatus. The meaning of the sanskrit word dhatu is
‘that which binds together’. Dhatu is the element which
constructs our body. Dhatu is the base of growth and survival. Dhatus take different forms in our body to maintain life. Different
organs (sharir avayavas) and different body systems (strotasas)
are made out of dhatus. Our nourishment and development is fully
dependent on dhatus.
Ayurveda believes that there are seven dhatus in all. They are: life sap (rasa), blood (rakta), muscles (mansa), fatty tissue (med), bones (asthi), bone marrow and nervous tissue (majja) and
semen and reproductive system (shukra). Each dhatu has its
own agni i.e. dhatu-agni. Our food intake is converted
into life sap by agni of rasa dhatu and rasa dhatu is produced. Likewise, agni of rakta dhatu prepares rakta out of rasa and so on. Every dhatu is a
precursor of the next dhatu. Rasa is transformed into rakta, rakta prepares mansa, mansa is further transformed
into meda, meda is used to make asthi, asthi forms majja and majja produces the ultimate dhatu i.e. shukra.
Ayurveda researchers must have observed that food is the starting point of life.
Food enters the body from the inlet— the mouth and the end products come
out of body through the outlet— the genitalia and anus. The second
important observation must have been that any living creature (including
human beings) survives and grows with food and dies without it. They
must have seen that starvation retards growth of the body and destroys
the body in the end. Thus, this theory of dhatus must have
arrived from these observations.
Dhatus protect our body from external encounters. They are responsible for our
immune mechanism. If there is wasting (kshaya) of dhatus then the body construction collapses and ultimately life ends.
Ayurveda recognises shukra as the most important dhatu. It states
that one needs a hundred drops of blood (rakta) to produce one
drop of semen (shukra). Shukra is the essence of all the
body tissues and is that creation of mother nature which has the
capacity to produce new life. In any case, it should not be wasted
without substantial reason (i.e. reproduction).
Disorder in doshas (vaat-pitta-kafa) affects dhatus. These affected or
defective dhatus hamper the quality of life. Proper diet (ahar)
and proper life style (vihar) help in maintaining the balance of doshas and in producing healthy dhatus.
To summarize, dhatus account for the ayurvedic explanation of the
anatomy and physiology of the human body. Our body processes consumed
food and transforms it into life sap, which in turn creates a chain of
further body tissues i.e. dhatus. Their gain gives quality to our
life and their loss destroys life.
Related Site:
Treatments
Treatments Programs:
|
