Our bodily
tissues, dhatu, ''element which
constructs'', are continuously formed, destroyed and reformed in the body,
using materials derived from the food and drinks we take in (see part 1 here).When all the
stages of digestion are functioning properly, and our digestive fire is
balanced, we are able to build the tissues that make up the structure of our
body and which support and maintain us. The last dhatu metabolized, shukradhatu,
nourishes 'ojas', that is, 'immunity' 'strength' and 'stamina'. It forms no
waste products and can be considered distilled and concentrated nourishment.
The texts
state that seven major tissues form sequentially, each one building on the
layer that came before it, although each dhatu
is also able to take what it needs from circulating rasadhatu.
Kedari Kulya Nyaya First Law of Fields 50% (irrigation)
This
law states that when rasadhatu is
filled up, then nutrition overflows to rakhtadhatu,
then to the other dhatu respectively
in a process of irrigation. We have already seen that it takes far less time to
form plasma and blood, than to form bone marrow or healthy reproductive tissue.
Khale Kapot Nyaya Field
Bird Law 50%
(selection)
This law states that the
circulating rasadhatu allows the dhatu to operate like birds in a field
of grain, where each takes what it needs directly from the rasa circulating in the body.
Modern
concepts of nutrition suggest that our bodies instinctively perform a kind of triage when resources are scarce,
supporting the First law of Fields. (The term triage comes from the French verb trier, meaning to separate,
sift or select and is a recognized concept in hospital or emergency settings,
when resources are in short supply) For
example the body prioritises immediate needs over long term survival and may
shut down reproductive functions if it recognizes that conditions are unlikely
to result in a successful pregnancy. (However this depends on the saar and prakriti of the individual, as even in the worse conditions a
minority of women with strong constitutions will still manage to become
pregnant and give birth to healthy babies.)
Here
is a table that outlines the main purpose of each dhatu, the element that
dominates it and the dosha which governs it. We can see at a glance why
aggravated Vata causes such havoc in the areas of skin dryness, weak muscles,
weak, porous or cracking bones, underweight, problems in conceiving or bringing
to term a pregnancy, as well causing as a general lack of juice, confidence or
physical solidity or wellbeing.
dhatu
purpose bhoota
dosha
Rasa
to circulate nourishment jal
kapha
Rakhta to oxygenate blood tejas pitta
Mansa to clothe bones prithvi kapha
Meda
to
lubricate jal
& prithvi kapha
Asthi
to
sustain/support body prithvi
& vayu vata
Majja
to transport impulses/fill bones jal kapha
Shukra
to
reproduce jal
& tejas kapha
Rasa include all non-blood fluids: plasma, lymph,
breast milk and white blood cells (some texts also say menstrual flow) Its
function is to circulate nutrition, provide nourishment, moisture and
satisfaction. Optimal rasa would
provide a glowing complexion, healthy hair, and a happy, cheerful and content
mood. Excess rasa leads to heaviness
in the body, cough, excess phlegm. Deficient rasa leads to dryness in the body, nervous tremors, exhaustion,
dizziness and general weakness.
Rakta includes red
blood cells, blood vessels and tendons. Its function is to transport nutrients
to every cell in the body, providing energy and vitality. Well formed rakta gives good colour to hands, cheeks
and lips, the skin is warm to the touch and the person feels vital and
invigorated. Excess rakta can be seen
in skin diseases, allergies, jaundice, excess bleeding, any kind of blood
disorders, heart disease, high blood pressure or emotions of anger or jealousy.
Deficiency can be seen in low blood pressure, dry cracked skin, lack of energy,
weak metabolism, lack of colour and luster in the skin, and coldness in the
body generally.
Mamsa includes muscle tissue, ligaments and skin.
The function of mamsadhatu is to
clothe the bones, provide physical strength and protect vital organs. Good
muscle tone and development, strength, stamina, and courageous are evidence of
optimal formation. In excess, mamsa may lead to tumors, enlargement of the glands in general,
obesity, and fibroids. A deficiency will show itself in emaciation, fatigue,
lack of coordination, weakness in the body, painful joints, sunken cheeks, and
a lack of energy, courage, and endurance.
Medas – fat in the
body. The function of medas is lubrication throughout the body, protection, energy
reserve, insulation, providing moisture and contentment of body and mind.
In its optimal state it provides adequate body fat under the
skin, good energy reserves, healthy cholesterol levels, softness and moisture in
the body, healthy metabolism, the ability to love and be loved, affection, and
humour. Too much
medas leads to sluggish thyroid, tumors/growths,
spleen/liver/gall bladder disorders, obesity, lipomas, heaviness, fatigue,
diabetes, heavy sweating. A deficiency leads to emaciation, cracking joints,
brittle hair, nails and teeth, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism.
Asthi includes bone tissue and
cartilage, teeth. The fiunction of asthi is structural support for all tissues in body; it provides
shape to the body; protects the delicate organs of the brain, heart and lungs
and removes heavy metal waste through hair and nails When
optimal we see healthy and strong bones and teeth, healthy shiny hair; thick
nails; strong joints; stamina and groundedness. Too much leads to bone
spurs, bone cancer, extra teeth. A deficiency
results in weak bones, osteoporosis, cracking joints, osteoarthritis, joint
pain, spontaneous fractures, brittle hair, teeth or nails, hair loss, and
insomnia and worry.
Majja includes bone
marrow and nerve tissue, eye sclera. Its function
is to fill the spaces in the body, it also transports incoming sensory message
to the brain and outgoing motor functions from the brain to the body. When I optimal
amounts it keeps the mind sharp, the memory good, the eyes clear, allows pain
tolerance, and promotes compassion and open mindedness. An
excess of majja may result in a
feeling of heaviness in the eyes, eye infections, non-healing of sores, bone
marrow cancers (leukemia), nerve growths and tumours, fluid in the brain. A
deficiency results in lightness of bones, osteoporosis, anemia, arthritis,
neurological problems (Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, attention
deficit disorder), nerve pain, numbness, sciatic pain, sacral pain, dizziness,
darkness around the eyes, sexual debility, and feelings of fear and emptiness.
Shukra is basically reproductive fluid and tissue (ova
in females, sperm in males) Its function is procreation,
love, creativity, enjoyment, strength, pleasure, vitality, joy. When
shukradhatu is well supplied we see lustrous
hair and eyes, attractive body, charm, love, empathy, compassion. Too much
shukra may cause an excessive interest in sex, dysmenorrhea (painful
menstruation), prostate inflammation and cancer, ovarian cysts. A
deficiency in shukradhatu leads to a
lack of vigor, loss of sexual desire, sterility, impotence, delayed
ejaculation, lower back pain, amenorrhea and infertility. Brahmacharya (sexual continence) is advised particularly for men in
Ayurveda as excessive ejaculation depletes masculine energy, vigour and
virility, ie ojus.
If each of
these tissues forms properly, then ojas
is produced. Ojas, which is
sometimes considered the 8th tissue, is the subtle energy that
provides us with vitality, immunity, stability, stamina and strength. It
is considered the end-product of perfect digestion. Without sufficient ojas we become tired, weak and
susceptible to a range of physical and mental disorders.
When our body
properly digests the correct food and drink, our tissues are maintained in a
state of equilibrium. When our body is unable to process what we take in, the
disease process starts.
