The Seven Dhatus (bodily tissues)

Whilst imbalances in the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) are the cause of disease the dhatus are the sites of disease. Our tissues are produced from the food we eat - the waste material or by-product is expelled as feces and urine. Each tissue develops from the previous one in a progressive cycle from gross to subtle. Thus, from the grossest tissue, rasa (lymph or plasma) the second tissue, rakta (blood), is formed and from rakta, mamsa (muscle) is formed.

From mamsa, meda (fat/adipose tissue) is formed, from meda, asthi (bone) is formed, from asthi, majji (bone marrow or nerve tissue) is formed and from majji, shukra (reproductive tissue) is formed. This process is similar to the production of cream from milk, butter from cream and ghee from butter – the special cooking of one leads to the formation of the other.

Thus, from the basic plasma of the body, rasa (lymph), all the other tissues of the body are produced – each is produced from the proper digestion of the other and problems in any one tissue tend to cause problems in the rest. Also, the more subtle tissues support the grosser tissues and store their concentrated energy. Thus blood is concentrated plasma, muscle is concentrated blood and fat is concentrated muscle.

The grosser tissues (plasma, blood and muscle) are larger in quantity as only a portion of each is converted into the next more subtle tissue, with reproductive tissue being the subtlest and most concentrated and enduring. It takes thirty-five days for the food we eat to work its way through the seven tissues to become reproductive tissue. As reproductive tissue is the essence of our life-energy and upholds all the other tissues we need to be extra careful that this tissue doesn’t become depleted.

· Plasma (rasa): This tissue is composed mainly of water and is that which all the other tissues of the body are suspended. When properly maintained it helps nourish all the other tissues in the body, providing adequate hydration and electrolyte balance. When plasma is deficient, we are more prone to rough skin, cracked, dry lips, dehydration, lethargy, tremors, palpitations, pain and feelings of emptiness. If we maintain plasma in an optimal state, we have a healthy, glowing complexion with soft, smooth skin and luxurious, shining hair. Balanced plasma tissue creates vitality, stamina, compassion, contentment, pleasure and a happy disposition generally.

· Blood (rakta): This tissue is composed of fire and water and provides oxygen to the tissue cells. It is the container for pitta in the body. Excess blood creates skin diseases, abscesses, fevers, inflammation, bleeding disorders, enlarged liver and spleen, hypertension, jaundice, weak digestion and burning or redness in the eyes, skin and urine.

· Muscle (mamsa): This is a heavy, predominately kapha tissue and makes up much of the bulk of the body – it is composed primarily of the earth element and serves to bind it together whilst giving it strength for action. In excess it creates swelling or tumours in the muscles, heaviness and swelling in the glands, obesity, enlarged liver, irritability and anger. It can also impair sexual vitality and cause fibroids and miscarriage in women.

· Fat (meda): This is another kapha tissue which is composed mainly of water but is more refined type than plasma. It serves to lubricate the body (especially the muscles and tendons) and creates a feeling of being protected or ‘cared for’ – obesity is often the result of feeling unloved or uncared for; fat acts as a psychological barrier or protection instead.

· Bone (asthi): This tissue is composed mainly of earth and air. It functions to support and uphold the other tissues – it gives them firmness and a strong foundation. Bone is the container for vata in the body – it resides in the bone spaces.

· Reproductive tissue (shukra): This is again a kapha tissue and is the essential or causal form of water – it has the power to create new life. In excess we are prone to anger and unhealthy sexual desires, semen stones, inflammation of the prostrate and cysts in the ovaries and uterus.