Dhathus and Its Functions

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Dhathus and Its Functions Dr.Franklins
Ayurvedic Centre
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What is Dhathu?

• Body is sustained and maintained by 7 dhathus.
• Dhathus are the basic tissues of the body,
  structures that make up the body.
• Ayurveda distinguishes 7 fundamental tissues
  that provides nourishment, development and
  structure to the whole body

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7 Fundamental Dhathus

• 1) Rasa - Plasma
• 2) Raktha - Blood
• 3) Mamsa - Muscle
• 4) Meda - Fat
• 5) Asthi - Bone
• 6) Majja - Marrow
• 7) Shukra - Reproductive tissues

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Dhathus and Its Functions

• 1) Rasa dhathu means fluids like chile, blood
  plasma, extra cellular and cellular fluid lymph
• Main function is nourishment
• Influenced by kapha dosha.
• 2) Raktha dhathu is blood.
• Main function is revitalization.
• Influenced by pitha dosha.
• 3) Mamsa dhathu is muscle tissue.
• Main function is to hold the skeleton
  together.
• Influenced by kapha dosha.

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Contd

• 4) Medo Dhathu is the fat or adipose tissue.
• Main function is to lubricate cells and
  tissues.
• Influenced by kapha dosha.
• 5) Asthi Dhathu is the bone tissue.
• Main function is to provide support to the
  whole body.
• Influenced by vatha dosha
• 6) Majja Dhathu is the marrow inside the bone,
  brain and spinal cord.
• Main function is to fill the bones and the
  joints.
• Influenced by kapha dosha.

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Contd

• 7) Shukra dhathu is the male and female
  reproductive tissues.
• Main function is to help in reproduction.
• It is influenced by kapha dosha.
• Ojas gives strength and aura to the body.
• Ojas is responsible for the immunity power of
  the body.

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The Dhathu Formation Process

• The formation of 7 dhathu is a cyclic process in
  the body.
• After the digestion of food, rasa dhathu is
  formed first.
• The raktha dhathu develops from it.
• Each dhathu is thus formed respectively.

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Increased Dhathus

• Increase in rasa dhathu leads to the weak
  digestive fire strength, excessive salivation,
  laziness, heaviness, increased coldness, white
  discoloration of skin, debility in organs, cough,
  cold, asthma and increased sleep.
• Increase of raktha dhatu leads to the diseases
  such as herpes, spreading skin diseases, is
  eases of the spleen, abscesses, gout, bleeding
  diseases, abdominal tumors, jaundice, loss of
  digestive strength, fainting, dizziness, red
  discoloration of skin, eyes and urine.
• Increase of mamsa dhathu may cause cervical
  lymphadenitis, tumors, increase in size of the
  cheeks, thighs, abdomen, over growth of muscles
  of the neck and other places of the body.

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• Medo dhathu increase causes fatigue, difficulty
  in breathing even after little work, Drooping of
  the buttocks, breasts and abdomen.
• Asthi dhathu increase may cause overgrowth of the
  bones and the formation of extra teeth.
• Majja dhathu increase may produce heaviness of
  the eyes and the body and increase in the size of
  the body joints. It may cause ulcers which are
  very difficult to cure.
• Shukra dhathu increase may lead to excess sexual
  desire and to the formation of seminal calculi

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Decreased Dhathus 

• Reduction of rasa dhathu causes dehydration,
  malnutrition, nervousness and dislike to loud
  sounds. It may cause narrow-mindedness,
  palpitations, cardiac pain and exhaustion even
  with the slightest exertion.
• Reduction of raktha dhathu causes symptoms of
  anaemia, roughness, cracks, dullness, and skin
  Dryness.
• Reduction of mamsa dhathu directly causes
  weakening of limbs, emaciation of the buttocks,
  neck and abdomen.
• Reduction of medo dhathu causes slimness of the
  body, cracking of the joints, exhaustion, sleepy
  eyes and thinness of the abdomen.

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Contd

• Reduction of asthi dhathu shows symptoms like
  falling of hair of the head, beard, moustaches,
  and also the falling of nails and teeth.
• Reduction of Majja dhathu may causes emptiness of
  bones, slimness, weakness, and lightness of the
  bones.
• Reduction of shukra dhathu causes general body
  weakness, Dryness of mouth, pallor, weariness,
  sleepiness, impotency and non-ejaculation of
  semen or non-ovulation.

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SUMMARY

• The 7 dhatus are the seven tissues of the body.
  These are the structures that make up the body.
• When a dosha enters a dhatu, a proper
  understanding of the dhatu helps the practitioner
  predict the symptoms that will manifest and
  provides clues to the best treatment.

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