Dhatus in ayurveda or tissue layers/bodily tissues and Malas or excretion are the most vital parts of the human body. Our overall health depends on their proper functioning.
Dosha Dahtu Mala Mulam He Shariram
Ayurveda
Meaning- Doshas are the biological forces that work throughout the medium of Dhatus and Malas.
Dhatus and Malas are the structural units and doshas are energy forms.
Dhatus in Ayurveda
“Sharira Dharanat Dhatvah”
Ayurveda
Dhatu Meaning- The Sanskrit word Dhatu means “to clasp or hold”. What nourishes the body and supports the body is called Dhatu.
In English, Dhatus can be correlated to the bodily tissues or fundamental tissues or tissue layers in the body. Each Dhatu is made up of Panchmahabhutas (five basic elements).
Dhatu formation takes place from the food we eat. Each Dhatu has its Dhatu-agni (digestive energy present in the tissues) which helps nourish the Dhatu.
There are 7 Dhatus in Ayurveda. Sapta Dhatus are – Rasa→Rakta→Mamsa→Meda→Asthi→Majja→Shukra
Sapta Dhatus in Ayurveda in English – Chyle→Blood→Flesh→Fat→Bones→Bone Marrow→Reproductive tissues
7 Dhatus in Ayurveda (In detail)
1. Rasa Dhatu (Chyle)
- In English, it correlates to the food chyle or body fluids including plasma.
- The Kapha dosha controls it.
- Function–
It circulates nutrients (proteins and hormones) throughout the body. This main Dhatu or body tissue nourishes and develops the body. - Rasa Dhatu mala or waste product-
Mala means excreta or waste material which we will cover in detail further in the article. Rasa Dhatu waste is Phlegm. - Balanced Rasa Dhatu induces physical satisfaction as well as psychological. It directly depends on the quality and quantity of food intake.
2. Rakta Dhatu (Blood)
- In English, it correlates to the blood components except plasma.
- Pitta Dosha controls this Dhatu.
- Function-
Supplies oxygen to all structures in the body. - Rakta Dhatu Mala or Waste Product-
Rakta Dhatu mala is Poshaka pitta. - Balanced and healthy Rakta Dhatu produces a healthy passion for life with abundant energy and drive.
- Unbalanced Rakta Dhatu causes dullness, cold feelings, and constipation. Therefore, the skin loses the luster only to become dusty grey or pale, and rashes or acne develop.
3. Mamsa Dhatu (Flesh)
- In English, it relates to the muscular tissues or flesh in the body.
- It gets its nourishment from Rakta Dhatu. It’s naturally formed less in Vata body types, moderately in Pita Types, and excessively in Kapha body types.
- Kapha Dosha governs the Mamsa Dhatu.
- Function-
This Dhatu provides strength to the body, provides shape to the body parts, and protects internal organs. - Mamsa Dhatu Mala–
a. Netra Mala (eye discharges),
b. Karna Mala (ear-wax),
c. Nasya Mala (mucus or nasal discharges),
d. Asya Mala (Oral-debris), and
e. Roma Kupa Mala (Sebum). - Imbalanced Mamsa Dhatu results in weakness, sunken eyes, and a lack of courage and self-confidence.
- Balanced Mamsa Dhatu or adequate muscles provide courage, fortitude, strength, and self-confidence.
4. Meda Dhatu (Fat)
- It correlates to the Adipose tissue or fat in English. It acts as an insulating layer helping to reduce heat loss through the skin.
- Gets nourishment from Mamsa Dhatu.
- Kapha Dosha governs Meda Dhatu.
- Function-
It provides lubrication and supports major organs. - Meda Dhatu Mala-
Sweda or sweat. - The balanced state of Medha Dhatu results in the overall stabilization of the body, internal lubrication, and regulation of internal body temperature.
- Imbalanced Meda Dhatu induces lethargy, reduced metabolic activities, and sluggish digestion.
5. Asthi Dhatu (Bones)
- It correlates to the bones in the English language. It is the hardest and firmest Dhatu in the body.
- It gets its nourishment from Meda Dhatu.
- Vata Dosha controls Asthi Dhatu.
- Function-
It gives stability or holds the body straight. - Asthi Dhatu Mala-
Roma (hair) and Nakha (nails) - The balanced state produces steadfastness during adversity, strong bones and joints.
- Imbalance causes hair loss or excessive hair, weak nails, stubbornness, over-attachment to things, weak willpower, and shrinking to the background during difficult situations.
6. Majja Dhatu (Bone Marrow)
- It relates to Bone marrow and nervous tissue. Also, it can be compared to all the tissues that fill the bone cavity.
- The Kapha Dosha governs it.
- Function-
It governs metabolic processes in the brain and spinal cord. - Majja Dhatu Mala-
a. Netra Vit (Thick secretions from eyes),
b. Pureesha Sneha (mucus of feces)
c. Charma Sneha (sebaceous secretions) - A sense of fulfillment and completion is the result of balanced Majja Dhatu.
- Imbalanced Majja causes a lack of motivation, emptiness, or stagnation(from being too full).
7. Shukra Dhatu (Reproductive tissues)
- Relates to generative tissue in the body. It can also be compared to the male or female reproductive system and its secretions.
- Kapha Dosha controls it.
- Function-
Responsible for the proper functioning of the reproductive system. The main function is reproduction. - Shukra Dhatu Mala-
No Mala (Arguably some people consider Prajanan mala (Smegma) as its waste product) - Healthy Shukra ensures a zenith of confidence and vitality with skin and eyes radiating bright light. The luster of the person can’t go unnoticed.
- Depletion/Imbalance of Shukra Dhatu results in loss of luster, lack of confidence, irritation, and sporadic behavior.
How Dhatus are Nourished
The food is processed in the stomach and small intestine to extract and absorb the nutritive essence, or Ahara rasa.
In other words, Jathragni or digestive fire acts upon the food to convert it into the essence part i.e. Ahara Rasa.
Dhatu Agnis or the digestive fires of the Dhatus metabolize Ahara rasa to nourish each Dhatu.
Utarottar Dhatu Poshan. It means that Each Dhatu nourishes the next Dhatu. For example- Rasa Dhatu will nourish the Rakta Dhatu→Mamsa Dhatu→ Meda→Asthi→Majja→Shukra.
Importance of Dhatus balance
As per Ayurveda, Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala form the root cause of the body. Dhatus holds the different structures of the body together. The balance of the Dhatus is the base for a healthy body.
Let’s understand this with an example-
When the Kapha is aggravated in the body and gets lodged in the Meda Dhatu, it vitiates the Meda Dhatu. This results in the disease’s symptoms like being overweight, high cholesterol, gallstones, diabetes, and excessive urination.
For the normal function of the Dhatus, three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) should maintain a balanced state. If any of the three doshas is aggravated, it causes an imbalance in the Dhatus, which ultimately is responsible for the disease.
Malas in Ayurveda
Jathragni or digestive fire acts upon the food and divides it into 2 parts: the essence and the waste. The waste part is called the Mala.
Mala meaning– In ayurveda, waste matter that is excreted out of the human body. Each Dhatu or tissue system has its mala or waste as mentioned earlier in the post.
Types of Malas in Ayurveda
Mainly there are two kinds of malas in the body.
A. Ahara Mala
B. Dhatu Mala
A. Ahara Mala
It is a waste produced from the food we eat. It is produced as a result of digestion and metabolism in the gut.
Ahara Mala or food waste is of 3 types of malas. This is also called trimala in ayurveda.
1. Purisha (faeces)
2. Sweda (sweat)
3. Mutra (Urine).
Types of Ahara Mala in detail
1. Purisha (Faeces)
Purisha is an excretory bi-product of the process of digestion of food. It provides support and maintains the tone of the large intestine. If excreted properly, it causes flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, and colic pain.
2. Mutra (Urine)
It is a liquid waste product secreted by kidneys. It expels water and other toxins from the body. Improper elimination can cause bladder pain, kidney stones, fever, thirst, and dehydration.
3. Sweda (Sweat)
It is the fluid that comes out of skin pores. Sweda consists of water and dissolved solids. It carries excess fat out of the body, a means of thermo-regulation for body. It maintains the temperature in the body.
Excess sweating can cause skin diseases like dermatitis, psoriasis, and itching. Whilst reduced sweating can cause dry skin, dandruff, and wrinkles.
Sweat moistens the hair and skin.
B. Dhatu Mala
It is a waste produced from the tissues. It is produced as a result of tissue metabolism.
When the essence part (Ahara rasa) reaches the Rasa Dhatu or body fluids including plasma. Rasa Dhatu agni acts upon it and converts it into the microform which can be used to nourish the tissue.
In the same process, the Ahara Rasa Essence portion is broken into two parts; the essence and the waste, or in this case- Dhatu mala. All the seven Dhatus have their own Malas.
In this manner, the essence part of this Dhatu goes to the next Dhatu i.e. Rakta Dhatu, and again further breaks down into the essence and waste part. It goes on and on until the last Dhatu. In this manner, the Dhatu Malas are formed.
Dhatu Malas includes various secretions- Eye discharge, Ear Wax, nasal discharge, sebum, body hair, nails, and so on.
Dhatu Malas needs to be flushed out regularly. If not, they stay back and damage the tissue and tissue functions.
General points about Malas
1. When the Malas or excreta is eliminated from the body properly, it contributes towards good health. Otherwise, if the Malas are not eliminated properly, they accumulate in the body and cause the formation of Ama, which results in diseases.
2. The stagnated waste or excreta in the body disturbs normal body functions and causes diseases.
3. When tri doshas and, Dhatus are balanced, the human body automatically maintains the proper elimination of the Malas.
