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Dhatus - Body Tissues (The 7
Dhatus)
Tissue Layers (Dhatus)
The Ayurvedic view of the body is
similar in many ways 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 be
affected.
1. Plasma (rasa) Kapha
2. Blood (rakta) Pitta
3. Muscle (mamsa) Kapha
4. Fat (medas) Kapha
5. Bone (asthi) Vayu
6. Nerves Kapha; fluid/marrow (majja); reproductive (ukra)
Kapha
The cause of a diseased dhatu 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 therapies are used to balance the
system by reducing the excessive element(s) and
increasing the deficient one(s). Therapies include the
use of herbs, natural foods and variations in lifestyle.
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.
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Blood (rakta) - cracks,
loss of luster, emaciation (especially of
buttocks, neck and
abdomen) |
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Muscle (mamsa) - cracking
joints, eye |
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Fat (medas) - lassitude,
overly thin constitution, exhaustion, falling
hair, nails, teeth,
loose joints |
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Bone (asthi) - thinness,
weakness, bone, lightness, Vayu bone diseases
weakness,
and dry mouth |
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Marrow (majja) - pallor,
lassitude |
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Reproductive - exertion,
impotence, non-ejaculation of semen |
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Essence (ukra) |
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