Human tissues

If you are at least in theory familiar with Ayurveda, you may have noticed that this ancient science of healing and the modern-day medicine diverge in opinions on some matters. Today, medicine cannot provide a definitive answer to the question of why certain substances are not eliminated from our bodies. Of course, one could reasonably point out that blood, for example, is not expelled from the human body because it is a part of its tissue. However, urine is not considered tissue; it is regarded as waste and requires elimination. Unlike modern science, Ayurveda describes the human body and the principles underlying its functioning in considerable detail. To this end, Ayurveda employs the theory of "Dosha - Dhatu - Mala". What is this concept? What types of dhatu exist, and what is their purpose? We address these and other questions in our article today.

In essence, the “Dosha-Dhatu-Mala” theory explains the functioning of the human body. If you are somewhat familiar with Ayurveda, you will likely recognise the term “dosha” and its significance. We won’t go into this in much detail here, but it’s worth noting that the three doshas are nonmaterial substances that constitute the physical body. In each individual, these doshas are expressed in different proportions, with one person predominantly exhibiting vata, and another showing a greater presence of kapha. Based on this understanding, an Ayurvedic practitioner is able to design a healing plan and recommend a diet. The physician's role is to balance all three doshas.

The next term in this framework is “dhatu,” which translates from Sanskrit as “tissue.” A corresponding term in conventional medicine is also “tissue”. Allopathic medicine recognises four types of tissue: nervous, epithelial, muscular, and connective. However, in Ayurveda, dhatu is more broadly understood as a substance that serves various functions within the human body. The sage Charaka emphasises the importance of this substance in his work, the “Charaka Samhita”, where he states: “The primary goal of Ayurveda is to sustain the balance of dhatu.”

According to Charaka, dhatu can become imbalanced due to behavioural factors and external influences. A substance qualifies as a dhatu as long as it remains within the body; once expelled, it transforms into waste or “mala.” Waste refers to anything removed from the body that does not assist in maintaining its functions. However, anything that has been a part of the body is not categorised as waste. From the standpoint of Ayurveda, there shouldn’t be too much mala, but its absence can also indicate the need for medical attention. The goal is to sustain mala, as expressed in the “Charaka Samhita”: “Dosha Dhatu Mala Moolam Hi Shareeram” which means “Dosha, dhatu, and mala form the foundational roots of the body.”

This makes it evident that in the aforementioned “bundle” there are no unimportant elements. Each of the three components must be balanced for the body to shield itself from illness.

Ayurvedic sources state that dhatu is not merely the tissues that make up the human body. They are essential for the proper physiological homeostasis of the entire organism. Alongside the previously described dosha and mala, dhatu forms the shareera sheath. Imbalance in dhatu is highly dangerous, as it can lead to illness or even fatal outcomes. A well-known Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad states in his work "Ayurveda for Beginners" that dhatu is a fundamental building block of our body.

Without the balance of dhatu, the proper functioning of vital organs is impossible. It is also responsible for the body's protective functions. A strong immune system is within the realm of responsibilities of dhatu. The development of fetus serves as a great example of the emergence and evolution of dhatu. Blood appears in the embryo, and muscles form — this is considered the initial stage of dhatu formation. Subsequently, reproductive functions develop. All seven types of dhatu fully form over the span of nine months.

From the Ayurvedic perspective, if a baby is born prematurely, their dhatu may not be functioning effectively. Another recognised authority in Ayurveda, Sunil V. Joshi, emphasises in his work on panchakarma that dhatu is responsible for the rejuvenation and renewal of the human organism. A person gains strength through dhatu. Joshi notes that this substance can also exist in liquid form. As follows from this work, blood (rakta) forms muscles (mamsa), which is followed by fat (meda) and bones (asthi), representing the most solid of all dhatu.

Let’s analyse each of the seven dhatu separately.

• Rasa dhatu is responsible for maintaining fluids in our body. It forms within the human body over the period of five days. The dominant element is jala mahabhuta. Despite the fact that rasa is present throughout all of the human body, it is mainly localised in our heart and veins. It is considered that rasa is connected with vata dosha. Going through ranjaka pitta, rasa turns into rakta.
• Rakta dhatu sustains blood and the circulatory system in our body. Rakta is formed in ten days. It is one of the elements that expresses five mahabhutas. Blood runs through every organ in the human body, however, from the Ayurvedic standpoint it is mainly localised in our bone marrow and liver. Blood gives us the gift of life.
• Mamsa dhatu sustains our muscles. It provides for proper functioning of meda dhatu, giving us energy and strength. Muscles form in fifteen days.
• Meda dhatu is connected with fat tissue. Fat forms in the human body in twenty days. Despite some people’s opinion, fat is necessary for our system; it hydrates and insulates our organs. Not a single dhatu can exist without fat, and meda is the source of it.
• Asthi dhatu sustains bone tissue in our body. It is the strongest and the most solid of all dhatu, it is formed in twenty five days. It assures the functioning of majja dhatu.
• Majja dhatu is responsible for the proper work of bone marrow and nervous system. It forms in thirty days. A long and healthy life is impossible without majja as it provides for the functioning of shukra dhatu.
• Shukra dhatu sustains the reproductive functions of our body. It forms only in adults. It gives men their courage and it provides women with their ability to attract men. It is not difficult to guess that its responsibility is to form sperm in men’s body and egg — in women’s. It is believed that shukra dhatu depletes with age.

We already know that all types of dhatu are strongly interconnected. It is also important to remember that they play a huge role in disease diagnostics. They are often used as an alternative diagnostic technique which allows to establish a patient’s prakriti if the general dosha method fails to deliver clear results. Moreover, any imbalanced dosha is a precursor for symptoms of a disease. We can prevent it from happening if we keep all of the above in mind.

One might think that self-diagnosis is possible but this is far from the truth. One might suggest that should the initial self-examination based on doshas bring unclear results, they could resort to dhatu for accurate self-diagnosis. It is highly unadvisable to do so. Diagnostics is and should be the prerogative of competent medical specialists. If you feel unwell or have any symptoms of an illness, we urge you to get professional help. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.