Human physiology depends on balanced state of dosha, dhatu, malas.Doshas are the three main bio energies which control all physiogical activities. Dhatus are the building blocks of the body while malas are excretory products formed during metabolic activities of the body.
Dhatu and mala according to modern physiology-
- Dhatu can be compared with connective tissue.
- Malas are waste products but they also carry out important functions in the body.
Body constituents which supports body are called as dhatu. Rasa,Rakta,Mamsa, Meda,Asthi, Majja,Shukra are seven Dhatus which helps to nourish body and help it grow.
Seven Dhatu of Body are ,
- Rasa Dhatu – plasma & body fluids
- Rakta Dhatu – Blood Tissue
- Mamsa Dhatu – Muscle Tissue
- Meda Dhatu – Adipose tissue
- Asthi -Skeletal tissue
- Majja dhatu – Nervous tissue
- Shukra Dhatu – Reproductive tissue
- General Function s of Dhatu :
- Rasa – To supply nutrients
- Rakta – oxygenation to tissue
- Mamsa Dhatu – to cover body parts
- Meda – lubrication
- Asthi – to maintain body postures
- Majja – to fill up the cavities
- Shukra- reproduction
Characteristics of Dhatu :-
- Dhatu are structural units of human body .
(Mamsa, Meda,Asthi dhatu give specific shape to human body.)
2. Dhatus are functional units of human body .
(Rasa and Rakta dhatu provides nutrients and oxygen to all organs .
Muscolulo-skeleton tissue is required for locomotion of body.)
- Functions of tridosha are carried bout by dhatu,. Without dhatu, dosha are unable to exhibit their functions .
- All Dhatus get developed from Panchamahabhuta during embryonic life.
- During intrauterine life all organs develop from different combinations of dosha and dhatu.(Heart developed from Kapha dosha and Rakta dhatu.)
- Dhatus develop in intrauterine life and these dhatu grow after birth till the age of twenty years.
- Shukra dhatu is the only dhatu which is expressed out of body at the time of sexual intercourse and carry out functions of reproduction.
- Loss of dhatu can result in death.(death due to hemorrhage)
- Every Dhatu needs nutritious food for proper growth dhatu attain maximum growth at the age of 18 years.
In males length of bones can be increased by the age of 18 to 20 years.
Process of dhatu begins after age of thirty-five
E.g. Ageing of muscle tissue begins at age of 35
Age of skeleton tissue depends on health of dhatu.
- Note – of dhatu depends on balanced state of tridosha.
Now we will understand each dhatu individually
Oneself should know following five points while Reading…
- Location of dhatu.
- Qualities of dhatu.
- Functions volume of dhatu.
- Physiological volume of that dhatu.
- Disorders of dhatu i.e. applied physiology.
Rasa Dhatu
-Heart and blood vessels carrying Rasa are the the roots of raktavaha strotas.
-Qualities of rasa dhatu are similar to Kapha dosha such as liquid, unctuous dull, cold.
nourishment of Rakta dhatu, to supply fluids and nutrients to every cell body and to keep the body as well as mind fresh and active is the function of rasa dhatu.
Rasa dhatu continuously supplies nutrients to sensory organs so that sensory organs can receive their sensory inputs and analyze them.
Normal Volume of rasa dhatu is 9 Anjali. Proper functioning of rasa dhatu , absence of symptoms of disorders of rasa dhatu indicate normal volume of rasa.
Disorders of rasa dhatu :_
- Manifestation of Rasa vriddhi (Qualitative and quantitative increase)
Causes :- Over drink of cold ,heavy, oily, sweet food increases rasa dhatu.
Symptoms of rasa vriddhi:-
Nausea, Ptylism ,Indigestion lethargy, excess, sleep dyspnoea.
- Manifestation of Rasa kshaya(Quantitative and qualitative decrease)
Causes :- Excess fasting starvation, diarrhea, commuting, overindulgence of dry , bitter, and spicy food reduce qualities and quantity of rasa dhatu.
Symptoms :- Dryness of hair, nails, skin, Exceptional fatigue, dryness of mouth, Intolerance of speech .
Rakta Dhatu
- Rakta – red colour fluid flowing in blood vessels.
- Roots of raktavaha strotas – Liver, spleen, blood vessels,
- Predominant mahabhuta – Fire + water .
- Qualities – warm, liquid, unctuous, viscous, non coagulating.
- Taste of Rakta – sweet and slightly salty.
- On the 5th day Rakta dhatu is formed from Aahara rasa .
- Functions of Rakta dhatu – life, circulation of oxygen, color of skin and perception of touch.
- Rakta vridhhi:- increased state of Rakta dhatu
Causes:-
Excess intake of hot and pungent food exposure to hot climate, are the main of Rakta vriddhi.
Symptoms:-
Skin rashes, redness of eyes, and engorged blood vessels, are the features of Rakta Vriddhi.
Rakta kshaya (Decreased state of Rakta dhatu )
Cravings for sour and cold food .
blood vessels leads to vata vriddhi which results dryness of skin, hair , nail.
Mamsa dhatu
Body constituent which gives special shape to the body is called mamsa dhatu.
Mansa dhatu exists in the body in the form of muscle belly.Wall of soff organs are made up of Mamsa dhatu .
Following are the three factory which contributes in the synthesis of Mansa dhatu
- Nutritious food
- Balance state of Agni
- Balanced state mamsadhara Agni.
- Functions of Mamsa dhatu
- To support the body
- To cover
- Strength to the body and nourishes medo dhatu.
Give fitness maintain body pictures Mamsa dhatu of of pelvic flour supports weight of visceral organs and protects them from injury.
- Manifestation of Mansa vriddhi:-
Causes
- . Excessive intake of heavy and unctuous food .
- Lack of exercise.
- Daytime sleep.
Symptoms
Enlargement and flakiness of buttocks , chicks, lips, genital, thigh , arms, calf , genital, thigh, due to hypertrophy of mamsa dhatu, Heaviness in the body.
- Manifestation of Meda kshaya:-
Fatigue of sensory organs due to general debility .
Atrophy of cheeks and buttocks due to malnutrition of mamsa dhatu .
Arthralgia is also symptoms of mamsa kshaya.
Meda dhatu
The fourth tissue which lubricates the body and makes the body flexible is called medo dhatu .It also acts as shock absorber and protects the body from trauma.
Yellowish fat globules which are found under the skin and around almost every organ is nothing but the Meda dhatu.one of main function is to lubricate the body parts.
One can see this medo dhatu at time of dissection of body.In medo dhatu is distributed through the body .
- Functions of Meda dhatu:-
- To lubricate the body parts, process of formation of body parts .
- Stability
- Nourishment of Asthi dhatu
- .Protects body from excess cold or hot climate.
- Quantity of mesa dhatu is 2 Anjali.
- Sweat is waste product of medo dhatu.
- Manifestation of medo vridhhi:-.
Causes
Over intake of sweet, heavy and oily food ,sedentary
lifestyle..
Symptoms
Fatigue and dyspnoesa due to exertion .
Pendulous growth of f buttock breast and abdomen due to excess fat deposition. Negligence Towards health may lead to diseases such as coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetic mellitus.
- Manifestation of Meda kshaya:-
Excess fasting , excess physical exercise, physical mental chronic diseases.
Splenomegaly,
Lightness of joints, dryness,
Asthi dhatu
Asthi dhatu or bones are the hardest dhatu in the body which is located side the mamsa dhatu.
- Functions of Asthi dhatu
- Skeleton of Asthi dhatu supports the body.
- Skull bones protect the brain and. Carry out functions of dharana
- Asthi dhatu encloses Majja dhatu and control quantity of Majja dhatu.
- Trains or disorder of Asthi invariably effect majja dhatu
- Manifestation of Asthi vriddhi
Extra pointed bone growth over is called as Adhyasthi.Adhyasathi also can be. Learned as calcification process in which calcium salt veg deposited in soft tissue
Growth of extra teeth is called as Asthisanghat. It also can termed as Hypersomnia in modern medicine.
- Manifestation of Asthi Kshaya :
Joint pain(Arthralgia)and bone pain due to to fast degeneration of Asthi dhatu .
.Nails becomes very soft and brittle and break off. ..
Teeth becomes weak and loose and easily fall .
Hair on scalp, skin or face are waste products .
Exertions fatigue,
Diseases
osteoporosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis lumbago, cervical spondylosis
Majja dhatu
The Six dhatu nourished after Asthi dhatu is majja dhatu . It is deep imbedded inside the bones .It is difficult to see or examine.
- physiological importance of majja dhatu.
Majja dhatu is located in the cavity of Asthi dhatu.Anagomically three constituents are found inside the cavity of different bones.
- Yellow and red bone marrow inside marrow cavity of long bones should be learned as majja dhatu.
- Cerebrum and other parts of brain located inside cranium.
- Spinal cord which traverses within vertebral column is also majja dhatu
- Functions
To fill the space or gaps or cavities
Lubricates all bones strong and flexible
Enhances endurance power of all joints of body
- Manifestation majja vriddhi
- 1. Heaviness of eyes
- Heaviness of body
- Modular growth on the joints of bones having ulcerations on its surface .
- Manifestation of majja kshaya
Quantitative loss of majja dhatu creates more cavity or space inside the bone leading to vata vriddhi causes for majja kshaya .
It also leads for cause of Fainting ,blackouts .
Shukra dhatu
The last dhatu formed from Aahara rasa is Shukra dhatu. Shukra dhatu is localized in every part of body .
- Path of excretion of Shukra dhatu:-
Due to sexual urge ,Shukra dhatu is formed in testes is carried to the lower parts of bladder and poured in urethra of man and ejaculated out from penis.
- properties of Shukra Dhatu :-
Smells like a honey, colour of freshly booked with Shukra dhatu .
Consistency of freshly voice Shukra is liquid. Reproduction is the most important function of shukra dhatu . Anjali Praman of shukra is half Anjali.
- Manifestation of shukra vriddhi .:-
Access libido , seminar calculator
- Manifestation of shukra Kshaya :-
Pain in penis ,testis, early or late ejaculation of semen with blood .Weakness, dryness of mouth related with ejaculation.
Contributor- Medico Hrishikesh Gawali
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