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DHATUS

According to Ayurveda, there are seven tissue systems (Dhatus) which are responsible for the functioning of the systems and organs, and the structure of the body. They work on the development and nourishment of the body. Each of the Dhatus is built on the previous one and they start with the nourishment that comes from the digestive system.

The seven Dhatus are:-

Rasa, means sap or juice. Its function is nourishment. These are tissue fluids which include lymph and blood plasma. Accessory tissues are breast milk and menstrual blood. Its waste product is mucus.
Rakta means the hemoglobin fraction of the blood. Its function is invigoration. Accessory tissues are blood vessels and tendons. Its waste product is bile.
Mamsa means the muscle tissue. Accessory tissues are ligaments and skin. Wastes are those that accumulate in the body’s orifices such as snot, navel lint and ear wax. Flesh covers the internal organs and the skeleton, so they are protected from the outside. Healthy blood nourishes the Flesh.
Medas means fat tissues in body. Waste is sweat. Its function is Sneha (lubrication). Fat provides heat to the body and fat and its waste product, sweat, helps keep the body’s temperature proper. Fat insulates the body and holds heat in, and sweat reduces the body’s temperature.
Asthi means bone tissue. Accessories are teeth. Wastes are body hair, facial hair and nails. The bones give the body Dharana (support).
Majja means bone marrow. Marrow is what is inside the bones, the brain and spinal cord, and it is totally encased by the bones. Accessory tissues are head hair. Its wastes are lachrymal secretions.
Shukra means Sexual fluids (both male and female). Accessory products are production of Ojas, the fluid that controls immunity and the Aura. It has no accessory tissues or waste product.