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Concept of Sapta Dhatu in Ayurveda

Abstract

According to the Ancient Ayurvedic texts- to maintain Swasthya i.e. health our Sharira (body) needs to have maintained compatibility between Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala. Basically, harmony among these components is essential to maintain health. ‘Sapta Dhatu’(The seven bodily tissues) as the name itself says – ‘Sapta’ means seven and ‘Dhatu’ is that which supports or better to say holds the body. Let’s discuss it in detail!

Introduction

According to Texts and Samhitas of Ayurveda, these Dhatus provide

Nourishment & growth to the entire body. Here the 7 dhatus consist of

Rasa (Plasma, WBC, lymph)
Rakta (RBCs & platelets)
Mamsa (Muscle tissues)
Meda (Adipose/fat tissue)
Asthi (Bones/Skeletal tissues)
Majja (Bone marrow)
Shukra (Reproductive tissue)

These are responsible for prime functions of the body. Rasa which is first

among all the dhatus provides nourishment to the other 6 dhatus. Rasa indicates Ahara rasa (Chyle) which is absorbed from Ahara is the diet we consume. Dhatu refers to the 7 structural components of the body, Acharya Sushruta in (S.Su.14/10) says that Rasa dhatu provides nourishment to rakta dhatu, rakta dhatu to mamsa dhatu, mamsa dhatu to meda dhatu, meda dhatu to asthi dhatu and so on.

समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातु मलःक्रियाः।

प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनः स्वस्थइतिअभिधीयते॥ (S.Su 14/41)

Acharya Sushruta says that the sense of well being of Atma (soul), Mana (mind) and Indriyas (sense organs) is attained by a state of equilibrium between dosha, dhatu and mala. And alteration in them causes diseases.
So, Ayurveda believes that all the dhatus are nourished by the food we eat. If vitiation of dosha takes place in any dhatu then it will affect all the next dhatus.
When dhatus are at the state of equilibrium, it prevents diseases,elements of tissues develop properly hence it slows down ageing. Each of these seven dhatus have their own updhatus (Produced by dhatus during metabolism), particular pramanas (normal values) in Anjali pramana (its a unit of measurement of liquid in Ayurveda) & predominance of different
Mahabhutas (According to Ayurveda all living and nonliving things are made of 5 mahabhuta – Prithvi, Agni, Vayu, Jala & Akash are called Panchmahabhutas).
According to Acharya, Sushruta dosha gets severity (mahatwa) and stability (sthiratwa) when it invades the Dhatus of the body. It becomes even more difficult to manage, when they have invaded the deeper dhatu and say this should be treated as soon as possible to avoid severity.

Rasa Dhatu

Rasa dhatu has a predominance of Jala Mahabhuta. So this predominance keeps rasa dhatu in liquid form. Rasa basically means something that is mobile, hence this dhatu provides mobility. Dhatu which is circulated continuously in the body is the Rasa dhatu. This dhatu is formed from previously digested food.The important karma/function of Rasa dhatu is Prerana that means satisfaction or feeling of freshness. Acharya Sushruta in S.Su15/51 says that Rasa dhatu by supplying fluid & minerals to every cell of the body keeps the body and mind fresh.

Predominant Mahabhuta – Jala
Updhatu of Rasa Dhatu- Stanya (breast milk), rajas (menstrual fluid)
Pramana – 9 Anjali

Physiological Functions of Rasa Dhatu Includes

When the rasa dhatu is in sam awastha that is neither increased or decreased the person feels cheerful, happy and as it nourishes the skin so the skin too looks nourished moisturised and also it nourishes the next dhatu that is rakta dhatu.

When the rasa dhatu depletes it makes one’s skin dry and hard, the person is pale, lean, fatigued, the person can’t tolerate loud noises or voices, the person experiences exhaustion, thirst, feeling of fear, pain in chest.

When the rasa dhatu elevates the person loses appetite , saliva secretion increases, nausea, vomiting, feels heavy, feels cold and sleeps a lot more than usual and bad taste in mouth is felt.

Rakta Dhatu

The physiological function of rakta dhatu that can be correlated to blood (RBC,WBC & Platelets) in modern Science.

Updhatu of Rakta Dhatu – Kandara (tendons) & sira (blood vessels)
Predominant mahabhuta – Agni & Jala
Pramana – 8 anjali

The main function of rakta dhatu is to nourish mamsa dhatu. The rakta dhatu is inseparable from the Pitta dosha. So when rakta dhatu decreases from its usual pramana it diminishes the pitta dhatu and that makes the person feel cold.Even the lustre of skin loses and becomes dull and dusty.

Elevation of Rakta dhatu increases the guna (properties) of Pitta dosha and that makes the person feel warmer than usual. The built up heat in the body, tries to release it along with the malas of the body.this ultimately increases bowel movements of the body even the stools can be loose too. This also increases the frequency of urine.

Mamsa Dhatu

The physiological function of Mamsa dhatu is to strengthen the body, to build tissues of muscle in various regions of the body like in the neck, shoulders and thighs. Also the Mamsa dhatu provides nourishment to Meda dhatu.

Updhatu of Mamsa Dhatu includes Vasa (fatty material), Shat twacha (seven layers of skin).
Predominant Mahabhuta – Prithvi
Pramana – Male – 500 & Female – 520 in nos.
Depletion of mamsa dhatu causes debility to the sense organs,it emaciates the cheeks and buttocks,or collapse of blood vessels may also take place, and a person can also experience joint pain.
Elevation of the Rakta dhatu can cause obesity, breathing disorders, increase of the abdomen and flanks, fatigue, bad smell from one’s body etc.

Meda Dhatu

Meda dhatu which can be correlated to Adipose Tissue in modern, The General function of meda dhatu is Snehan (that which provides lubrication). Its function consists of nourishment of asthi dhatu.

The Updhatus – sweda(sweat) Snayu (ligament), sandhi (joints).
Predominant mahabhutas are Prithvi & Jala.
Pramana – 2 anjali

If Meda dhatu depletes it can cause enlargement of spleen and also difficulty in movement of joints. Its depletion also increases the urge to eat fatty food.

When Meda dhatu increases than its usual amount the person feels tired and fatigued, fat in regions like abdomen, neck, thighs etc. the person has a foul smell in his/her sweat and experiences breathlessness.

Asthi Dhatu

Asthi dhatu can be correlated with the skeletal tissues or the bones. Dharana can be considered as the general function of Asthi dhatu.

Its updhatu includes Danta (teeth).
Predominant mahabhuta are Prithvi & Vayu.
Pramana – 360 in nos.

So as per qualities of vayu mahabhuta, Asthi is dry & rough and as like prithvi mahabhuta it is strong & heavy. Physiological functions of Asthi dhatu are that it gives good stability and structure to the body along with a hard working capacity. It nourishes the majja dhatu.

When the amount of Asthi dhatu decreases that its required amount there will be pain in bones (pricking type of pain) & the bones become porous which makes the bone prone to fractures even with a mild trauma. Depletion of this dhatu also leads to hair fall, fragile nails or even falling of teeth.

Similarly, increase in the dhatu leads to unusual growth of bones, teeth can be developed one over the other.

Majja Dhatu

This dhatu is located deep inside the asthi dhatu and are formed when during the formation of asthi dhatu a cavity is left in them, it is formed by nourishing tissues of fat. The Majja dhatu strengthens the bone and also makes the bone flexible. It also balances the dryness of asthi dhatu.

Its updhatu is Kesha (hair).
Predominant mahabhuta – Jala
Pramana – 1 anjali

So, depletion in the levels of Majja dhatu weakens the bones which eventually causes pain in the joints, giddiness and also the depletion of this dhatu causes depletion of Shukra dhatu too.

Elevations in the level of this dhatu leads to heaviness of the whole body especially eyes.

Shukra Dhatu

Shukra is the seventh and the final dhatu in the dhatu formation cycle. Ayurveda considers shukra as the male semen and the female egg. Hence a person with healthy shukra has a brightness of confidence in his/her eyes, and also has a brighter skin.

Predominant mahabhuta is Jala (water)
Its updhatu is Ojas (immunity)
Pramana – ½ anjali

In case of depletion of Shukra dhatu ejaculation is delayed or even semen mixed with blood can ejaculate, which ultimately causes pain in the testicles. The person will also be weak and an increase in thirst can also be seen. Exhaustion, dryness in mouth, general body aches, impotency can also be seen.

Elevation in Shukra dhatu may lead to a person’s increased desire towards

coitus, development of stone in the seminal tract can take place.

Conclusion

The above article concludes that the elevation or depletion of any particular dhatu leads to disease. That’s why all the dhatu should be nourished well for their proper functioning and to attain good immunity in order to stabilise the body. A proper harmony between the doshas and dhatus should also be maintained in order to attain a healthy life.

Chikitsa Sutra and Management of Vridhi and Kshaya of Doshas

ABSTRACT

Our healthy state of mind and living depends on our healthy lifestyle, diet and equilibrium of Dosha , Dhatu and Mala.But today due to sedentary lifestyle changes , it also affects on our triad of Dosha-Dhatu-Mala which leads to severe diseases.(SU. UT.66/6-7). Daily intake of processed food, burgers, pizza ,oats, unhealthy snacks and not following the regimens i.e, dinacharya,ritucharya etc which causes vitation of doshas and leads to asadhya rogas.

According to modern science , an increase in levels of toxins in the body causes diseases but as the same in Ayurveda, vitiation of tridosha , interrupts the triad of our healthy living and causes rogas.This report aims to summarise and review Ayurvedic scholars’ accounts of the hypo and hyper functional states of Tridosha (Dosha Kshaya-Vriddhi), as well as propose some objective criteria to determine Tridoshas functional condition.

tridoshas

INTRODUCTION

Healthy and unhealthy state of a human being depends on normal and abnormal functional state of Tridosha i.e. Vata , Pitta, Kapha which plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the body.Acco to Ayurveda “Dosha Dhatu mala Moolam Hi Shariram”. Means the whole body is created by Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Imbalance in between these tridoshas, mal, dhatu causes various disorders. Tridosha remains in three state i.e Sama awstha (balanced state), Kshaya (hypo functional state), Vriddhi (hyper functional state).Tridosha are main entities formed from Panchmahabhuta(Ch.SU.26/11), responsible for regulation of all body functions.Excess of everything in body causes various disorders same as in ayurveda vitiation of doshas causes Kshaya ,Vriddhi in the body which leads to moderate and severe diseases. When tridosha are in prakruit avastha ,they maintain a healthy state and are called as Dhatu. When these doshas are in kshaya vriddhi state it vitiates the Mala in body and vitiates the whole dhatus and uppdhatu’s.

	VATA	PITTA	KAPHA
KSHAYA	Reasons- dried ans lesser food intake, intake of only one type of Rasa, overfasting, concentrated alcohol intake, senile degeneration, excessive exercise etc. Symptoms– Physical and mental illness,weakness,low appetite,lethargy ,loss of interest to talking to people (As.Hridya. 11/15)	Symptoms- decreased body heat and digestive fire, loss of complexion,feeling of cold etc.	Symptoms– Dryness, burning sensation inside the body, emptiness of kapha sites,looseness of joints, thirst,loss of sleep, vertigo and heart palpitation.(As.Hridya. 11/16)
VRIDDHI	Reasons- Dry,cold,light food intake, Night awakeness,day time sleeping,distressed, depressed, hyper aggressive, fasting, holding the urge, weakness, margavaran through ama, kapha etc.(ch.chi.28/15-18)Symptoms-hoarseness of voice,blackish discoloration of skin,tremors, desire of hot things, sleeplessness,, constipation, lack of strength,loss of sensory organs, delirium, vertigo.(As.Harid.11/5-6)	Symptoms- yellow tone of skin, increased body temperature, unconsciousness, loss of strength, weakness of sense organs, yellow discoloration of stool,urine and eyes, excessive hunger and thirst, burning sensations in the body. (As.Harid.11)	Symptoms– white tone of skin, feeling of cold, stability, heaviness, depression, stupor,excessive sleep, flabbiness of bone joint, suppression of digestive fire, nausea, laziness,dyspnoea and cough (As.Harid.11/7)

PATHOGENESIS

In decreased dosha, if there is kashaya of one dosha then simultaneously increase of other dosha with opposite properties to that of dosha. Eg. when Kapha decreases, vata increases their actions. Increased doshas do not always produce diseases,they might be cause some disturbances in the body. After following causative factors, the doshas initially undergo increase and accumulate in their dominant sites (Sanchaya- accumulation of doshas)

When not unfollowing causative factors which causes disturbances in body and sanchaya of doshas , then doshas gradually and slowly increases and get aggravated on their own sanchaya site (Prakopa- stage of vitiation of Doshas. Sanchaya and prakopa of doshas takes place normally until an impact of season not comes and shows different lakshana of dominant doshas

When ritucharya regimen are properly followed ,the doshas get settled down in next season or when causative factors are avoided (Shamana). When ritucharya regimen is not properly followed or continuously following causative factors , the doshas proceed through other stages of pathogenesis (Kriya kala )

MANAGEMENT

Dosha pareeksha by evaluation of different Lakshana in body which generate due to kshaya vriddhi of doshas.if doshas are in samaya awastha they do their functions properly but in abnormal stage of doshas their functions become improper and show different kshaya vriddhi lakshana.To examine Dosha , normal functions of doshas , kshaya vriddhi of doshas must be known.

Always follow Nidana Privarjana- means avoidance of causative factors

Follows 3D rules which are- Diet, Drugs, Disease.

Intake of that healthy diet which helps your doshas to remain in samaya stage -less intake of sugar ,salt etc.
SAY NO TO DRUGS which causes our triad of doshas which leads to further diseases such as obesity, diabetes,fatty liver Hep B etc.

Shodhana and Shamana chikitsa

Treatment of vitiated doshas should be carried by shodhana -expulsion of doshas through Panchakarma which mainly deals with vrddhi of doshas. In Shaman chikitsa – use of pacificatory medicines, balanced and nutritious diet,healthy lifestyle should be taken to prevent recurrence of diseases and to enhance immunity (by taking rasayans-zinc, shilajit, abhrak etc)

Samanya Siddhanta Chikitsa

1. Tridosha Kshaya chikitsa

In vata kshaya – intake of vata vardhak ahara vihara
Katu-tikata, kshaya rasa pradhan( pungent-astringent taste like)
Dry,minute,cold properties.
Intake of vata vardhak ahar until getting samaya stage.
In Pitta kshaya – intake of Agni mahabhoot pradhan food.
In kapha kashaya – intake of fatty substances
Prithvi and jala mahabhuta pradhan food.

2. Tridosha vriddhi chikits

Vata dosha vriddhi -oil massaging + fomentation –> purification of body
nirahua or anuvasana basti
Nasal insufflation
Intake of sweet,sour,salty Rasa +hot and delicious food.
Pitta dosha vriddhi-purgation or blood letting procedures with cold herbal paste for massaging sweet,bitter,astringent taste like food, milk or ghee can be used
Pitta shamak medicines can be used- chandana, mukta, praval etc

3. Kapha dosha vriddhi

Fomentation, emesis and by nasal administration of medicines to remove doshas from head
Fast acting purgation
Akash, vayu,or agni mahabhuta dominant medicines
Pungent,bitter,astringent taste food
Do exercise, dry massaging
Use of panchakola, Triphala, vallipanchmoola ingredients.

All with that you have to enhance your immunity or immune cells to easily cope up from diseases.Always follow Sadvritta behaviour( Code conduct for healthy life).

CONCLUSION

In the end we concluded that when doshas are in normal stages they do their functions properly. But in dosha vaishmayata (increased or decreased doshas) their functions become improper and show various lakshanas. Acc to Kriya kala if diseases properly not managed at proper stage causes chronic or asadhya rogas.so treatment and diagnosis of increased doshas should be carried out in an initial stage which gives better results.