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Sapta Dhatus - Seven Tissues
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Introduction
|
Dhatus
|
Bodily Tissue(s)
|
|
Rasa |
plasma (serum, white blood cells, lymphatic system) |
|
Rakta |
red blood cells |
|
Mamsa |
muscle |
|
Meda |
adipose tissue / fat |
|
Asthi |
bones and cartilage |
|
Majja |
marrow, nerve tissue, connective tissue |
|
Shukra |
male reproductive tissue |
|
Artava |
female reproductive tissue |
Table 12: The Seven Dhatus
(Lad - Textbook, V1 , 2001: p. 104)
Seven Dhatu Topics: Dhatu Intro | Dhatu Nutrition | Dhatu Structure (Dhara Kala) | Dhatu Byproducts (Mala) | Disorders of the Dhatus
“Disease is disequilibrium of the dhatus (7 tissues). Health is
equilibrium of dhatus. Health is known as happiness. Disease is known as
unhappiness.”
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana Summary Section 9#3
(Charaka, 200 B.C. - Verse # above)
"The Sanskrit word dha means
holding, placing, containing,
causing. Dhatu means
tissue, that which holds the
organ together, the
constructing, cementing material of the
body. The body is made up
of atoms. Many atoms gather
together to create molecules, and many molecules come together to create
bodily tissues including": (Lad
- Textbook, V1, 2001: p. 103)
-
blood plasma - lymphatic (rasa dhatu - WBC or leukocytes, plasma cell, haematopoietic stem cell, especially lymph nodes, spleen, thoracic duct, lymphatic tissues, lymph capillariesa> and lymph vessels and major parts of the immune system, plus mammary gland, lactation)
-
blood tissue (rakta dhatu - RBC or eryerythrocytes, circulatory system, hematopoietic_system, especially liver gland
-
muscle tissue - connective tissue (mamsa dhatu - visce- visceral or smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle)
-
fat tissue (adipose tissue - meda dhatu)
-
bone tissue (osseous tissue - asthi dhatu)
-
nervous system tissue (majja dhatu - includes both nerve tissue (nerves, neurons, brain, spinal spinal cord, peripheral nervous system) and bone marrow)
-
reproductive tissue (male shukra dhatu semen
In this Course AYR240 "we will discuss these tissues in terms of structure and function, with particular attention to their precursor states (within metabolic pathways), their mature states and volume, their superior states, their inferior and superior byproducts, and the agni involved in these transformative processes (in science we mean process (science) as biological process, chemical process, and thermodynamic process). There will also be a discussion about disorders, disease, illness syndromes, (imbalance is loss of homeostasis) of the dhatu at the end of each section." (Source: Lad - Textbook, V1: p. 103) We will extensively discuss will the signs (discovered by a physician) and symptoms (reported by the patient) of dhatu dushti (entry of vata, pitta, and/or kapha into the tissues). (Lad - Textbook, V1: p. 103)
Definitions:
1.
Dhatu: “that which
holds the body together,” “that which holds the organs and nourishes the
body.”
This is similar to the modern concept of
“tissue” because similar cells are grouped together as dhatu and
these levels continue to increase in complexity and system until the
organism is reached.
2.
Srotas:
means flow of energy; a channel of energy with specific functions and
made up of certain dhatus. These incorporate much of development.
(Ehrlich, 2001: Fall-2000, p. 77)
The object of therapy: Dhatusamya (equilibrium of sustaining and
nourishing factors) [balanced dhatus].
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana Summary Section 1353
(Charaka, 200 B.C. - Verse # above)
"There are seven dhatus (bodily tissues): rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja, and shukra/artava. Rasa means the juice of life, which is exemplified by plasma or serum." (Source: Lad - Textbook, V1: p. 103)
The 7 tissues, Sapta dhatavah, and their functions {Know
this at midnight}
1. Rasa = prinana, nutrition; is plasma, the juice of life
2. Rakta = jivana, life giving/ carrying; is blood, specifically, RBC because
their O2 maintains life.
3. Mamsa = lepana, plastering; is muscle tissue
4. Meda = snigdha, lubrication; is fat and adipose tissue
5. Asthi = dharana, support; is bone tissue
6. Majja = purana, fills spaces; is nervous tissue and connective tissue
7. Shukra/Artava = prajanana, procreation; is all reproductive tissue
(Ehrlich,
2001: Fall-2000, p. 80)
[Origin] of Doshas in the Body:
(During the process of conversion in the body of food into successive
dhatus) rasa known as the clear essence of food and the excretion known
as the waste products are produced. The excretion nourishes sweat,
urine, feces, V, P and K; as well as other body secretions.
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana Summary Section 28#4
The waste products produced from the digestion of food “nourish”
(generate) sweat, urine, feces as well as the 3 doshas, V, P and K.
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana Summary Section 28#4
(Charaka, 200 B.C. - Verse # above)
“The formation of dhatus takes place in the following order- Rasa,
Rakta, Mamsa, Medas, Asthi, Majja and Sukra. Sukra, from it’s pure
essence, produces fetus.”
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana Treatment Section 15#16
(Charaka, 200 B.C. - Verse # above)
"The body is defined as “that which decays.” What decays is the group of dhatus, the constituent tissues that support life. Table Five summarizes the dhatus, upadhatus and malas. Seven tissues have been delineated and each dhatu represents more than its name indicates. For example, majja means anything that exists within a bone and includes not only the red and yellow bone marrows but also the brain and spinal cord which are encased in bone. Shukra means not only semen but also all the nerve impulses and hormones secreted anywhere in the body that affect the production of seminal fluid. Therefore the dhatus’ functions must be considered as being more important than their mere physical substance." (Svoboda - LL, 1984: p. 27)
As the dhatus (tissues) are further refined, they undergo further
transformation into excretion and essence:
“Further (during the process of metabolism) the dhatus supporting the
body undergo twofold conversion into excretion and essence having been
acted upon by the respective one of the seven agnis.”
[Each of the 7 dhatus has it’s own agni responsible for this
above-mentioned process, relating to it’s own dhatu.]
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana Treatment Section 15#15
Progressive order of transformation of Dhatus:
[Each dhatu nourishes the next dhatu in a linear process.]
"Vata, pitta
and kapha move in the whole
body producing good or ill effects upon the entire system according to
their normal or provoked states.
Their normal state is
prakruti and their abnormal
state is vikruti.
(Car. Sutra. 20-9)
Vata, pitta and kapha move in the blood through the rasa and rakta dhatus." (Lad - Pulse, 1996: p. 29)
Excretions of the G.I. tract and Dhatus:
(Each Dhatu that has an Upadhatu and a Mala or metabolic waste.)
“Excretion of food is feces and urine.
Excretion of rasa is kapha (phlegm).
Excretion of rakta is pitta (bile)
Excretion of mamsa is dirt of the external orifices
Excretion of medas is sweat
Excretion of asthi is hairs in head and body
Excretion of majja is smear in eyes, feces and skin
Thus the fractions of essence and excretion formed during the process of
metabolism support each other and thus maintain the body by mutual
coordination.”
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana Treatment Section 15#18
(Charaka, 200 B.C. - Verse # above)
"Rakta is the color red and is also red blood cells, the liquid tissue, or blood. The Western concept of blood includes plasma, but in Ayurveda blood means the red blood cells, RBC. Mamsa is muscle tissue. Meda is adipose tissue, fat or lipid. Asthi is bones (osseous_tissue) and cartilage. Majja includes bone marrow, nerve tissue, and connective tissue. Shukra is the male reproductive tissue (sperm) and artava the female" reproductive tissue (ovum)." (Source: Lad - Textbook, V1: pp. 103-104)
Summary of
Sapta Dhatus - Tissues
Dhatus=
constructing, cementing element,
hold together, tissues
sara-
healthy tissue, not affected in disease process if healthy
Dhatus
Function
Doshas present
Rasa- plasma,
semen, lymph
prinan- nutrition
K
Rakta- blood,
RBC
jivan- life function,
oxygenation
P
Mamsa- muscle
tissue
lepan- covering,
plastering
K, P
Meda- adipose
tissue, fat
sneha- lubrication
K
Asthi- osseous
tissue, bone, cartilage
dharan- support
V, K
Majja- bone
marrow,
puranam- fill space &
V, K
nervous & connective tissue
bring communion
Shukra- male
reproductive tissue
prajanam- procreation
VPK
Arthava- female
reproductive tissue
prajanam- procreation
VPK
(Durve,
2001: Fall-1997, p. 29)
The Dhatus, in relative brevity:
1.
Rasa Dhatu:
means “juice” because it is the primordial liquid: the plasma, serum and
lymph.
·
We started life in the ocean and this rasa dhatu is the first form of
life and is built into the rest of the body’s tissues and reminds us we
came from the sea. It is the ocean still within us. What is the ameba
(still the simplest form of life), but a sac of rasa?
·
Function = prinana, meaning nutrition; digesting food and
therefore nourishing the other tissues.
·
Present in the body as 9 anjali, contains all 5 elements, 20 gunas and 6
tastes, 3 SRT, and is associated with love, compassion and kapha dosha
(cooling, sweet, health skin, pale in color).
·
Rasa is present in the venous system (switches off with rakta in the
arteries).
2.
Rakta Dhatu:
The pulsating, vibratory dhatu; includes blood, RBC, WBC, platelets and
all corresponding blood chemistry (but really, specifically RBC)
·
Mostly ranjaka pitta, and therefore, has a metallic/sour taste and is
hot in temperature.
·
Function: jivana, life-giving. Moving through prana, together,
they serve the most important function of circulating oxygen and
essentially carrying life to all of the tissues.
·
Assess rakta dhatu health in places blood is predominately expressed
close to body surface: nail beds, cheeks, gums, glans penis, palms of
hands, soles of feet.
·
Psychologically, this is delicate and people high in pitta will look
like a tomato when working in the sun.
It is associated with ambition and aggressiveness.
·
Rakta is mainly present in the arterial system, which is pulsating
connective tissue.
3.
Mamsa Dhatu:
all of the different kinds of muscles go into this category of dhatu.
·
Function: lepana = plastering, as the muscles cover and protect
the entire skeletal system. Also, allows for respiration, & circulation.
Emotional facial expressions are a wonderful coordination of mamsa.
Other important functions include elasticity and contractility, which
enable movement.
·
Mamsa has strength and power. Every muscle has a nerve supply, a point
of insertion, and a definite action.
·
VPK: V = electrical impulse, P = heat/movement, K = the tissues
themselves
·
Psychological influences: confidence and conquering things.
4.
Meda Dhatu:
adipose tissue, fat
·
Has natural round shape and affinity for round shapes, exemplified as
fat tissue.
·
Functions: 1) to cover the body providing shape and softness (around
joints, behind belly button, behind eyes, in omentum); 2) as snigdha-
lubricates joints and tendons and between 2 muscles; 3) insulates the
body and holds heat (because fat is a poor conductor of heat).
·
Psychologically, meda is associated with compassion and loving. It is
related to royalty, richness, and delicacy.
Meda isn’t good for hard and heavy work.
5.
Asthi Dhatu: Bones,
cartilage and all skeletal bones.
·
Bones are long-living tissue and represent strength and health.
·
Function: 1) dharana: support and protection- like the
relationship of skull and brain.
2) Storehouse for toxins. Anything unwanted is packed into the
bones and they then grow spurs, etc. 3) Indirectly maintains electrolyte
balance, through Ca+, K+ etc.
·
Psychologically, asthi dhatu is associated with groundedness, support. A
person feels stable like concrete. Without support, osteoporosis
happens.
6.
Majja Dhatu:
Marrow and Nerve tissue.
·
Represents the inner-most tissues, within the brain, the spinal cord and
the marrow of bones, etc.
·
Function: purana = “to fill the spaces” because neurotransmitters
fill the spaces between synapses.
·
Psychologically associated with clarity, understanding. If blocked,
there is confusion.
7.
Shukra/Artava Dhatu:
Reproductive tissue.
·
Function: procreation, pleasure (orgasm = ego death)
·
Artava: red, hot, sour to the taste
Shukra: sweet, ghee-like.
Dhatus:
Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja, Shukra/Artava
(The Dhatus are the body’s tissues. They are: Rasa- blood plasma;
Rakta-red blood tissue; Mamsa- muscle; Meda- adipose tissue; Asthi-
bone; Majja- marrow and nerve tissue; Shukra- male reproductive tissue;
and Artava- female reproductive tissue.)
Heaviness/ Density of the dhatus: They are heavier in progressive order,
from rasa to shukra.
Process of nourishment from dhatu to dhatu:
Dhatus continue in their normalcy by receiving nutrients form the
preceding dhatu. So Mamsa is nourished by and from Rakta, Meda by Mamsa,
etc. -Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana Summary Section 28#3
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Modified on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 09:04:30 AM -0700