Dhathus and Its Functions |

Dr.Franklins Ayurvedic Centre

 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
 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
 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.
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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.