Dhatus: Body Tissues (The 7 Dhatus)


Tissue Layers (Dhatus) :

In Ayurveda, the view of the body is very similar to modem beliefs. There are seven tissue systems (dhatus) in the body. Each tissue is primarily governed by one of the three elements. Each dhatu is developed or transformed out of the previous tissue layer, beginning with rasa (plasma). If the plasma is not healthy, then all the other layers are affected.
  • Plasma (rasa) Kapha
  • Blood (rakta) Pitta

  • Muscle (mamsa) Kapha
  • Fat (medas) Kapha
  • Bone (asthi) Vayu
  • Nerves (majja) Kapha
The cause of a diseased dhatu (which causes illness) can be accurately determined. For example, if a person has cancer in the blood, we know that excess Pitta (heat, toxins) exists in the blood. If a person has osteoporosis, then too much Vayu is present in the bones. Muscular dystrophy is an example of a muscular or Kapha problem.

Once the elemental cause of the illness is known, various ayurvedic therapies can be used to balance the imbalanced dhatus(the problematic body system) by reducing the excessive dhatus (elements) and increasing the deficient one(s). Therapies include the use of herbs, natural foods and variations inlifestyle.

Signs and Symptoms of vitiated tissues (Dhatus)

Restlessness, palpitation, cardiac pain, exhaustion without cause, irritation by loud noises, haemoglobin deficiency, roughness and dryness of skin.
  • Muscle (mamsa) - cracking joints, eye
  • Fat (medas) - lassitude, overly thin constitution, exhaustion, falling hair, nails, teeth, loose joints
  • Bone (asthi) - thinness, weakness, bone, lightness, Vayu bone diseases weakness, and dry mouth
  • Marrow (majja) - pallor, lassitude
  • Reproductive - exertion, impotence, non-ejaculation of semen
  • Essence (ukra)
Sapta (Seven) Dhatus and their functions:
  • Rasa (fluid) Dhatu -Derived from the digested food, it nourishes each and every tissue and cell of the body and is analogous to the plasma.
  • Rakta (blood) Dhatu - Regarded as the basic of life, it is analogous to the circulating blood cells. It not only nourishes the body tissues, but provides physical strength and colour to the body.
  • Masma Dhatu - The muscle tissue, its main function is to provide physical strength and support for the meda dhatu.
  • Meda (fat) Dhatu - Consists of adipose tissue providing support to ashti dhatu. It also lubricates the body.
  • Ashti Dhatu - Comprising of bone tissues, including cartilages, its main function is to give support to the majja dhatu and provide support to the masma dhatu.
  • Majja Dhatu - Denoting the yellow and red bone marrow tissue, its main function is to fill up the ashti and to oleate the body.
  • Shukra Dhatu - The main aim of this reproductive tissue is to help reproduction and strengthen the body.
  • Blood (rakta) - cracks, loss of luster, emaciation (especially of buttocks, neck and abdomen)



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