Saptadhatu – The Seven Bodily TissuesIn Sanskrit, Sapta means seven and dhatu means body tissues which bear or support.Ayurveda identifies seven vital tissues that provide nourishment, growth, andstructure to the entire body.These tissues are called dhatus which are in many ways similar to the majortissues identified by modern science.The Sapta(seven) Dhatus (tissues) elements form the pillars of the bodythat form the means of nourishment and growth while providing support to the body as well as the mind.
Rasa (fluid)Dhatu – This dhatu is a transporter of the body-plasma fluids andprovides nourishment to all the other dhatus and is analogous to the plasma.Its made up of water element.Rasa means to move.The Rasa dhatu is supported by the kapha In the Sanskrit vocabulary of Ayurveda, 'dosha' is a key term.When rasa dhatu is depleted skin becomes dry, and hard, person is dull, lean,tired, and intolerant to loud speech and noise.When rasa dhatu is in excess loss of appetite, excessive salivation, nauseaAccording to Ayurveda, feelings of laziness, heaviness, coldness, cough, and excess of sleep can indicate an imbalance of dhatus.Functions:It makes the person cheerful, happy and leaves the skin glowing and nourishesRakta dhatu.
Rakta (blood) Dhatu - It can be compared with formed elements of blood likeRed Blood Cells(RBC), White Blood Cells(WBC), and Platelets etc.Its made upAgni, the fire element, is part of the Ayurvedic system.Functions:It takes care of our complexion, nourishes Mamsa dhatu and is governed bypitta dosha.When rakta dhatu is depleted, the qualities of pitta dosha and fire diminish. Aperson feels cold, the skin loses its luster becoming pale or dusty gray, andcoldness .In the mind, depletion of the rakta dhatu leads to dullness, anddifficulty processing and understanding new information. This often leads toconfusion and misunderstandings.According to Ayurveda, an excess of rakta dhatu or plasma, increases the qualities of pitta dosha and agni, or fire. A person feels warmer.Mamsa Dhatu – The muscle tissue, its main function is to provide physicalstrength and support for the meda dhatu.Its made up of earth element.Functions:Strengthens the body, builds good muscle tissue in neck shoulder and thighIn the Sanskrit term of Ayurvedic medicine, 'area' can refer to the body tissues. Nourishes meda dhatu and is governed by kapha dosha and earth element.When mamsa dhatu is depleted then it causes debility of sense organs,emaciation of cheeks, buttocks, pain in joints.When mamsa dhatu is in excess then produces enlargement of lymph glands,tumors, increase in size of cheeks, thighs, abdomen etc.Meda (fat)Dhatu – This dhatu collects the energies and stores it to providestrength to the body. The adipose tissue also stores fat as a means of bodylubrication and a support to bones.
The Medha dhatu is supported by the kapha doshaFunctions:Well lubricates system, with oily and soft hair, skin and efficient eyes.Nourishes Asthi dhatu and is governed by Kapha.When medas dhatu is depleted then it leads to spleen enlargement, difficult joint movements, emaciation at abdomen, desire to consume fatty food.When medas dhatu is in excess, as per Ayurvedic understanding, a person gets tired, fat increases at abdomen, thighs, neck etc, and there is foul smell in sweat and shortness of breath.Asthi Dhatu – This dhatu includes all the bones and cartilages and gives shapeto the body. It also supports the Mamsa dhatu.
The Asthi dhatu is supported bythe vata dosha.Its made up of air and space elements.Functions:Supports the body. Gives good structure and stability with hard workingcapacity to the body. Nourishes Majja dhatu. Asthi dhatu is governed by vatadosha.When asthi dhatu is depleted then there is pricking pain in bones, falling ofteeth, nail and hairs.Bones become porous, get easily fractured.Increase in asthi dhatu lead to excessive growth of bones. Bones and teeth aredeveloped over one anotherMajja Dhatu– In Ayurvedic terms, this dhatu refers to body tissues found in the bone marrow. Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes the role of Sapta Dhatu, which nourishes the body and supports vital functions.helps maintain its functions. Majja dhatu strengthens the body, fills the bonesand nourishes the Shukra dhatu.
The Majja dhatu is supported by the kaphadoshaFunctions:Imparts sharp, clear mind with good intellect and memory. Strong joints.Govern by kapha dosha.When majja dhatu is depleted then bones get weak, joint pain, vertigo, giddiness occur and shukra dhatu is also depleted.When majja dhatu is in excess then heaviness in eyes, and whole body occurs.Shukra Dhatu – This dhatu nourishes the reproductive strengths of anThe individual's state of health is a focus in Ayurvedic medicine. It includes sperm and ovum.
The Shukra dhatu is supported by thekapha dosha.Functions:Has patience, enjoys life and body strength. Reproductive needs are concern.Govern by kapha dosha.In case of shukra dhatu depletion, according to Ayurveda, there can be abnormal bodily reactions like delayed or bloody ejaculation.occurs, pain in testicles, body is weak and thirst occurs.When there is excess of shukra dhatu desire of excess coitus is there and stoneAccording to Ayurveda, pain may occur in the shukravaha strotas.All the seven dhatus are inter-connected; the malfunctioning of a singleIn Ayurvedic medicine, an imbalance in one dhatu can have an impact on the sapta dhatu, all the other dhatus. The dhatus are composed ofthe five mahabhutas or elements. Thus, the doshas, which are also made up ofThe five elements, or Agni, help maintain the balance of the sapta dhatu, the seven body tissues according to Ayurveda. A system of well-balanced doshas helps balance the dhatus, thus leading to the proper functioning of the entire system of the body.Ojas is the ultimate “essence” of each dhatu. The most effective way toimprove the health of the dhatus is to increase ojas.Improper diet and digestion, on the other hand, will lead to ama formation ineach tissue layer.