Dhatu are basically the body tissues which are
responsible for the functioning of the systems and organs and the structure of
the body. Each of the Dhatus is built out of a previous one and they develop on
the nourishment that comes from the digestive system. They are basically the
result of the action of catalysts that convert one tissue to another.
The sole purpose of metabolism is to assemble
proper ‘Dhatus’ together in synchronization with which they carry out their
role as the field of physiological activity.Dhatus which are of seven different
types work in coordination with one another. 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). It works in
such a way that one tissue or dhatu transforms to the next from the nourishment
they get from the digestive sysytem.There are seven dhatus in all rasa, rakta,
mansa, med, asthi, majja and shukra.So from rasa (life sap) the body develops
rakta (blood), from rakta it develops mansa (muscles), from mansa is developed
med (fat), from med is developed asthi (bones), from asthi the body develops
majja (nervous system) and from majja is generated shukra (semen).Thus
according to ayurveda the seven dhatus are responsible for the immune system.
The best thing about Ayurveda is that they follow a very specific method of
treatment for diseases related to different dhatus.The growth and survival of
the human body depends on these dhatus or the tissues. These seven dhatus are
in turn made of five mahabhutas.When there is a slight disturbance or imbalance
in the equilibrium of these dhatus it will result in ailments or diseases of
the human body.
Rasa(Plasma)
According to ayurveda rasa is the first dhatu which
is the primary constitution of human body is otherwise known as sap or juice.
It basically represents the fluids of the extra cellular and intracellular
portions of the body and it mainly nourishes and strengthens the blood. Once
the food gets digested it is converted into a liquid called as chyle or rasa
which is further transformed into blood.
Rakta
(Blood)
When the rasa dhatu gets refined then it is called
as rakta dhatu which mainly nourishes the body by circulating to all cells and
tissues of the body through the blood vessels.Rakta Dhatu is said to be
constituted from the metabolic refinement of the Rasa Dhatu. The primary
function of the Rakta Dhatu is the nourishment of the body. It is also said to
be the preserver of life. It also aids in gaseous exchange.
Mamsa
(Muscles)
Mamsa is the muscle which makes up the internal
organs of the body and is derived from the rasa and rakta dhatu.They
constitutes the basic cover of bone and structure of body. These muscles are of
different types and they are
- Hridya kandara: Cardiac muscle.
- Vartul kandara: Smooth muscle.
- Asti kandara: Skeletal muscle.
Meda
(Fat)
These are the adipose tissue commonly known as the
fatty tissue. They are the refined part of the muscle dhatu which mainly helps
in lubrication of the body organs. Apart from forming the basis of the adipose
tissues the meda dhatu also constitutes the brain, spinal cord and nervous
tissue. It also helps in maintaining right internal body temperature.
Asthi
(Bone)
The Asthi dhatu are the main tissues responsible
for the basic structure to the body. All the bones in human body are composed
of a tissue termed as osseous tissue. All such tissue is termed as Asthi dhatu
in Ayurveda. Asthi dhatu also include all cartilaginous structure in the body.
They are the most solid form among all the other dhatus.
Majja
(Bone marrow)
The Majja tissues are otherwise referred as myeloid
tissue which is semisolid in nature and takes the colour of yellow or red.
These tissues are supposed to be within the cavity of the bone and also said to
be found inside the brain and spinal cord. It is the finer essence of the asthi
dhatu.
Shukra
(Reproductive fluid or Semen)
This is the dhatu which is highly responsible for
the reproductive elements of the body.It are the most refined product or
essence of all the seven dhatus. It is referred by two different names wherein
in male it is known as Sukra and includes the sperm and in female it is known
as Sronita and is responsible for ovum.
TISSUE
NUTRITION IN AYURVEDA
The mechanism involved in the maintenance of nutrition to these 7 structural elements is explained in a concept; known as " Dhatuparinama Vada".
As per this concept, the ingested food is digested in digestive tract and nutrient and waste parts are segregated. This kind of digestion is carried out primarily, by Pachaka Pitta-which is the digestive moiety of Pitta.
Samana Vata and Kledaka Kapha, which are the functional moieties of Vata and Kapha respectively, located in digestive system, support Pachaka Pitta in this process. In view of its fire like role, Pachaka Pittais referred to as "Pachakagni".
This process can be explained very simply, with an analogy of "Cooking". We need the help of air, fire and water to cook food properly, in our day today practice. In our body, functions of air, fire and water are played by Samana Vata, Pachaka Pitta and Kledaka Kapha respectively. A right degree of cooking is possible when the air, fire and water are just, at optimal level.
After digestion, the nutrients and wastes from ingested food are segregated. The digested food, termed as " Ahar Ras" is a blend nutrients needed for all 7 dhatus.
Nutritional demands of different dhatus are variable and each dhatu derives its selective nutrients, as this "Ahar Ras" is circulated through out the body through circulatng channels. The selective nutrient, picked-up by each Dhatu, undergoes further metabolism in respective tissues.
Such metabolism, within a Dhatu is carried out with the help of specific moieties of Pitta located in respective dhatus. The Pitta element, working within a particular dhatu, is called as Dhatwagni.
The mechanism involved in the maintenance of nutrition to these 7 structural elements is explained in a concept; known as " Dhatuparinama Vada".
As per this concept, the ingested food is digested in digestive tract and nutrient and waste parts are segregated. This kind of digestion is carried out primarily, by Pachaka Pitta-which is the digestive moiety of Pitta.
Samana Vata and Kledaka Kapha, which are the functional moieties of Vata and Kapha respectively, located in digestive system, support Pachaka Pitta in this process. In view of its fire like role, Pachaka Pittais referred to as "Pachakagni".
This process can be explained very simply, with an analogy of "Cooking". We need the help of air, fire and water to cook food properly, in our day today practice. In our body, functions of air, fire and water are played by Samana Vata, Pachaka Pitta and Kledaka Kapha respectively. A right degree of cooking is possible when the air, fire and water are just, at optimal level.
After digestion, the nutrients and wastes from ingested food are segregated. The digested food, termed as " Ahar Ras" is a blend nutrients needed for all 7 dhatus.
Nutritional demands of different dhatus are variable and each dhatu derives its selective nutrients, as this "Ahar Ras" is circulated through out the body through circulatng channels. The selective nutrient, picked-up by each Dhatu, undergoes further metabolism in respective tissues.
Such metabolism, within a Dhatu is carried out with the help of specific moieties of Pitta located in respective dhatus. The Pitta element, working within a particular dhatu, is called as Dhatwagni.
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