Dhātu (Ayurveda)

Dhātus (dhä·tōōs), n.pl. ( from Sanskrit धातु dhātu - layer, stratum, constituent part, ingredient, element, primitive matter[1] ) in Ayurveda, the seven fundamental principles (elements) that support the basic structure (and functioning) of the body.[2]

They consist of:[3]

  • Rasa dhatu (lymph)[3] the substratum formed just after the digestion of food. The main function of this Dhatu is nourishment.
  • Rakta dhatu (blood)[3] This is the second Dhatu formed after the food digestion. This is formed from the former Dhatu, Rasa Dhatu
  • Mamsa dhatu (muscles)[3] This is the third Dhatu. This is formed from the former Dhatu, Rakta Dhatu. The main function of covering the bones.
  • Medus dhatu (fat)[3]
  • Asthi dhatu (bone)[3]
  • Majja dhatu (marrow (bone and spinal))[3]
  • Shukra dhatu (semen)[3]

Traditional texts often refer to these as the Seven Dhātus (Saptadhātus). Ojas, meaning vigour or vitality, is known as the eighth Dhātu, or Mahādhātu (superior, or great dhātu).[4]

See also

Dhātu (disambiguation) - a Buddhist technical term or a stupa, Pāli thūpa.

References
  1. Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier-Williams, (c) 1899
  2. Jonas: Mosby's Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (c) 2005, Elsevier.
  3. Seven Dhatus of Ayurveda
  4. Dhātus http://www.ayurveda-recipes.com/dhatus.html Archived 2018-12-25 at the Wayback Machine
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