Dhathus and Its Functions | Dr.Franklin’s Ayurvedic Centre

1. Dhathus and Its Functions |Dr.Franklin’s Ayurvedic Centre

2. What is Dhathu? • Body is sustained and maintained by 7 dhathus. • Dhathus are the basic tissues of the body, structures that make up the body. • Ayurveda distinguishes 7 fundamental tissues that provides nourishment, development and structure to the whole body

3. 7 Fundamental Dhathus 1) Rasa - Plasma 2) Raktha- Blood 3) Mamsa- Muscle 4) Meda - Fat 5) Asthi - Bone 6) Majja - Marrow 7) Shukra - Reproductive tissues

4. Dhathus and Its Functions 1) Rasa dhathumeans fluids like chile, blood plasma, extra cellular and cellular fluid lymph ~ Main function is nourishment Influenced by kaphadosha. 2) Rakthadhathuis blood. ~ Main function is revitalization. Influenced by pithadosha. 3) Mamsadhathuis muscle tissue. ~ Main function is to hold the skeleton together. Influenced by kaphadosha.

5. Contd… 4) MedoDhathuis the fat or adipose tissue. ~ Main function is to lubricate cells and tissues. Influenced by kaphadosha. 5) AsthiDhathuis the bone tissue. ~Main function is to provide support to the whole body. Influenced by vathadosha 6) MajjaDhathuis the marrow inside the bone, brain and spinal cord. ~Main function is to fill the bones and the joints. Influenced by kaphadosha.

6. Contd… 7) Shukradhathuis the male and female reproductive tissues. ~Main function is to help in reproduction. It is influenced by kaphadosha. Ojas gives strength and aura to the body. Ojas is responsible for the immunity power of the body.

7. The Dhathu Formation Process • The formation of 7 dhathuis a cyclic process in the body. • After the digestion of food, rasa dhathu is formed first. • The rakthadhathu develops from it. • Each dhathu is thus formed respectively.

8. Increased Dhathus • Increase in rasa dhathuleads to the weak digestive fire strength, excessive salivation, laziness, heaviness, increased coldness, white discoloration of skin, debility in organs, cough, cold, asthma and increased sleep. • Increase of rakthadhatuleads to the diseases such as herpes, spreading skin diseases, is eases of the spleen, abscesses, gout, bleeding diseases, abdominal tumors, jaundice, loss of digestive strength, fainting, dizziness, red discoloration of skin, eyes and urine. • Increase of mamsadhathumay cause cervical lymphadenitis, tumors, increase in size of the cheeks, thighs, abdomen, over growth of muscles of the neck and other places of the body.

9. Medodhathu increase causes fatigue, difficulty in breathing even after little work, Drooping of the buttocks, breasts and abdomen. • Asthidhathu increase may cause overgrowth of the bones and the formation of extra teeth. • Majjadhathuincrease may produce heaviness of the eyes and the body and increase in the size of the body joints. It may cause ulcers which are very difficult to cure. • Shukradhathu increase may lead to excess sexual desire and to the formation of seminal calculi

10. Decreased Dhathus • Reduction of rasa dhathucauses dehydration, malnutrition, nervousness and dislike to loud sounds. It may cause narrow-mindedness, palpitations, cardiac pain and exhaustion even with the slightest exertion. • Reduction of rakthadhathucauses symptoms of anaemia, roughness, cracks, dullness, and skin Dryness. • Reduction of mamsadhathudirectly causes weakening of limbs, emaciation of the buttocks, neck and abdomen. • Reduction of medodhathucauses slimness of the body, cracking of the joints, exhaustion, sleepy eyes and thinness of the abdomen.

11. Contd… • Reduction of asthidhathushows symptoms like falling of hair of the head, beard, moustaches, and also the falling of nails and teeth. • Reduction of Majjadhathumay causes emptiness of bones, slimness, weakness, and lightness of the bones. • Reduction of shukradhathucauses general body weakness, Dryness of mouth, pallor, weariness, sleepiness, impotency and non-ejaculation of semen or non-ovulation.

12. SUMMARY • The 7 dhatus are the seven tissues of the body. These are the structures that make up the body. • When a dosha enters a dhatu, a proper understanding of the dhatu helps the practitioner predict the symptoms that will manifest and provides clues to the best treatment.