E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Dhatu

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 3 MARCH
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

The clinical aspect of Dhatu

Yadav MK1*, Bhardwaj V2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.3.48

1* Mukesh Kumar Yadav, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Kriya Sharia, Govt NPA Ayurvedic College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

2 Vinay Bhardwaj, Reader, Department of Kriya Sharia, Govt NPA Ayurvedic College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

The main components of human body are - Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Dhatus facilitate movement, nourish the blood, and provide muscle cover for overall strength, flexibility, and smooth functioning of the body. Ayurveda has considered Jara or Vardhakya as a natural and inevitable process as well as a Swabhavajavyadhi (Natural disease). The study of the difficulties of animal ageing, particularly human ageing and old age, is referred to as geriatric (Gerontology) and geriatric (Geriatrics). Every substance in the world, both inanimate and alive, is ancient and ageing. Proper diet, exercise and lifestyle can create a balance among these three subtle essences, ensuring long life. In Ayurveda there are so many diet and regimen which can stabilized the condition of aging. By adopting some healthy lifestyle we can balance the state of Dhatus in the aging. As there are 7 Dhatus in the body, we can give different therapeutic procedure to enhance the Dhatus.

Keywords: Jara, Geriatric, lifestyle, diet

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Mukesh Kumar Yadav, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Kriya Sharia, Govt NPA Ayurvedic College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Email: 		Yadav MK, Bhardwaj V, The clinical aspect of Dhatu. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(3):321-325.
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Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-02-12 2025-02-27 2025-03-07 2025-03-17 2025-03-27
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© 2025by Yadav MK, Bhardwaj V and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Mukesh KY et al. The clinical aspect of Dhatu

Introduction

Human physiology depends on balanced state of Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Dhatus can be called as the stabilizing pillars of the body. Tissues are referred to as Dhatus in Ayurveda, and there are seven varieties of Dhatus They are nourished by the food we eat and play a number of tasks in the body. Dhatus impart Ojas, or vigour, vitality, and emotional stability to the body, allowing it to do normal tasks. They are the result of the digestion and metabolism of food.

Formation of new Dhatus & destruction of old one is a continuous process. During childhood rate of tissue formation is rapid while in old age rate of tissue destruction is more. Tissues are replenished by food, air and water. Ingested food undergoes transformation. The process of transformation of food is called as Pachan. Dhatus receives Aahar Rasa, which is pumped and propelled from heart to various channels. Nutrients of each Dhatus undergo further transformation. For formation of each Dhatus a separate Dhatuagni is required. There are 7 Dhatwagni for seven Dhatus.

Main functions of Dhatu

  • Gratification
  • Maintenance of life
  • To cover various organs
  • Lubrication
  • To support
  • To fill the bony cavity
  • Reproduction

Rasa Dhatu

Prinana and Raktapushti are the main function of Rasa Dhatus. Prinana means to provide enough Fluids to all the cells in the body.

Functions of Rasa

Tarpana, Dharana, Yapana, Snehana, Avasthambhana, Tushti of Dosha, Dhatus Updhatu, Avayavas and Malas. As per modern aspect, Rasa can corelate with ICF & ECF.

Rasa Kshaya Lakshanas

Dhatuapachaya, Hrudakampa, Hrudadrava, Hrudashola, Shoonyata, Trishna, Karshya etc.

They are seen in old age persons. So, for betterment of Rasa Dhatukhaya we should advise many things.

Improving Rasa Dhatu means improving the body nutrition and nourishment this can be achieved by-

  • High quality foods: Shadarasatmaka Ahara, food having right mix of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats, salt, water, prepared fresh and hot.
  • Good digestive strength: not all people who take nourishing foods have good quality of Rasa Dhatu, but they should have good digestive power too, which is called Agni in Ayurveda.
  • Disciplined lifestyle: good sleep, not intake of food or drink without hunger and thirst, meditation etc.

Rakta Dhatu

Raktadhatu is support of life. Without Rakta there is no life.

Functions of Raktadhatu

During the contraction of Mamsadhatu, it needs more and more Prana, which Raktadhatu provides to it. Hence, disorder to Raktadhatu can also affect nourishment and function of Mamsa Dhatu.

Ojo Vriddhikar is one of the Karma of Rakta Dhatu. It increases Oja in the body and protects it from different diseases. (Arunadatta)

Raktakshaya Lakshana

Parushta (roughness), Shputita (crackes), Mlana (dullness), Twakarushta (roughness of skin) and Skin related diseases, looseness of the veins (emptiness of blood vessels) and at last Mrityu (death) lack of blood tissue can causes anemia too.

To improve blood tissues, we can advise Goat milk (Ajaksheera), Sarsaparilla, Kashmiri fruits as in which have white teak, Guduchi, etc. in daily diet and avoid Pitta Vardhaka Ahara

Mamsa Dhatu

Normal functions of Mamsa Dhatu are assessed by examination of different muscle actions such as - flexion (Akunchana), extension (Prasarana), abduction (Utkshepana), adduction (Apakshepana) and circumduction (Chakra gati) Mamsadhatu is known for its pure quality of stability (Sthirata).


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Function of Mamsadhatu

Skin is Updhatu of Mamsa which covers whole body and protect the body from infection.

Mamsa Kshaya Lakshana

Decrease in circumference and skinfold thickness of hips, neck and belly due to loss of the Muscle mass, wasting of buttocks, cheeks, penis, thighs, chest, axillae, calves, Dryness, Pricking Pain, Debility, Fatigue, Decreased tone of blood vessels especially in the arterial walls. [Cha.Su.17/65] It is not only about external muscles, but in Jaravastha, internal muscles also become weak. Thus, incontinence of urine, rectal prolepsis, vaginal prolepsis, varicose veins etc. are seen.

For improving Mamsadhatu, diet and regimen homologues to Mamsadhatu is advised, for Example, wheat, meat, fish etc.

Daytime sleep is advised. Specific physical exercise is intended towards bringing stability (in body) and an increase in strength. It can decrease the morbidities and improve the functions of Agni.[Cha.su.7/31]

Current researches recognized exercise as a primary strategy to control hyperglycemic disorders, Also it induces a coordinated immune-neuro-endocrine response that acutely modulates Cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscle functions and the immune response to exercise are widely dependent on the intensity and volume. Massage with Mahanarayantaila, Dhanvantartaila, Mahamashataila is advised.

Medo Dhatu

Meda is unctuous like ghee. The person endowed with best quality of Meda Dhatu has significant unctuousness specifically in Complexion, voice, eyes, hair, skin hair, nails, teeth, lips, urine and feces. This indicates wealth, Power, happiness, enjoyment, charity, simplicity and delicacy in dealings. (Cha.Vi.8/106)

Medodhatu is affected by the sedentary lifestyle including lack of physical exercise, daytime sleep, excessive consumption of fatty food, and alcoholic drinks.

Function of Medodhatu

It gives shape to the body, provides energy, keeps the viscera in position, etc.

Medo Kshaya Lakshana

Loss of sensation in waist region, enlargement of spleen, emaciation of body, etc. Cracking sound in the joints, lassitude in eyes, exhaustion, decreased abdominal girth or thinning, Splenomegaly, feeling of emptiness in joints. Dryness and craving for fatty food and meat. (Cha.Su.17/66)

Nourishing therapy (Brimhana) and olation therapy (Snehana) are indicated in conditions of decrease of Medodhatu.

Substances homologues to Medodhatu i.e., Guru, Snigdha, Madhura Rasatmaka Aahara can be given.

Asthi Dhatu

Asthi is a body component which stays for a longer time and which takes part in movements with muscles. It is also termed as the Sara of the body which remains even after the destruction of all other body components. (Su.Sha.5/21-22)

Functions of Asthidhatu

The important function of Asthidhatu is providing structure, and support to the body. It also nourishes the Majjadhatu.

Other functions of Asthidhatu are-

Protection: It protects internal organs

Movement: facilitate movement

Hearing: Facilitate hearing through sound transduction

Asthidhatu is having Ashrayashryi Sambhandh with Vatadosha and Jaravstha is also the Kaala of Vatadosha. So, it is obvious that Vatavyadhi are more in Vardhakyavastha.

Lakshana of Asthikshaya

Loss of scalp and body-hair, beard, nails and teeth, Fatigue, loose joints, pain in bones, Dryness, Breaking of teeth and nails. These are the common [Cha.Su17/67] In old age, fractures, osteoporosis, arthritis, breaking of nails, cavity or loss of teeths, loss of hair or baldness etc. are commonly seen.

For management or prevention of these-

Asthidhatu The disorders of are treated with Panchakarma, especially enema prepared with bitter Drugs, milk, and ghee (Tiktaksheerabasti). [Cha.Su.28/27]


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The one having Asthikshya, should be treated with olation (Snehana), fomentation (Swedana) and then the bones should be tied with bandage (Bandha) tightly or squeezed hard. [Su.Su.26/12]

The qualitative and quantitative decrease in bone tissue is managed by the supplements having similar properties. E.g. the calcinated powder of eggshell (Kukkutandatwak Bhasma), calcinated powder of goat bones (Ajasthi Bhasma), coral (Pravala Bhasma).

Majja Dhatu

The word Majja means seated within, which denotes the marrow of bones and flesh.

Vagbhattacharya describes Mastulunga (liquid present inside the skull) as a Majjadhatu, which appears like solid Ghrita.

Functions of Majjadhatu

It lubricates the body, fills cavity inside the bone, controls Vatadosha, nourishment of Shukra Dhatu.

Lakshana of Majjakshaya

Atrophy of bone tissues, weakness/giddiness, lightness of bones (porosity of bones or decreased Bone density), depletion of semen formation, pain in joints, cutting pain in bones, constant dull Pain and emptiness of bones, dimness of vision. [Cha.Su.17/68], [Su.Su. 15/9], [A.H.Su.11/19]

To prevent the loss of Majjadhatu, food and medicines having sweet and bitter taste can administered, Exercise and body purification treatments like Asthapana and Anuvasanabasti according to conditions in proper dose and time are also indicated. [Cha.Chi.3/317]

Medicated ghee, oil, muscle fat, and bone marrow obtained from animal bones are also applicable. This is done either by oral administration or by external applications like massage or Enema.

Shukra Dhatu

The term is used to denote any clear liquid, juice, the essence of anything or all Dhatu, semen, Seed of animals (male and female), and sperm.

Shukradhatu occupies the whole body. In Jaravastha there is no such role or less role of Shukradhatu. But Acharyas have explained Oja as Mala and Updhatu of Shukradhatu.

Lakshana of Shukrakshaya

Male: Debility, Dryness of mouth, Pallor, Fatigue/giddiness, Impotency, Pain in penis and testes, Delayed ejaculation, absence of ejaculation, Scanty semen, Semen mixed with blood, Burning sensation in penis.

Females: Absence of menstrual cycle

Foods that are highest in Ojas building qualities include dates, almonds, ghee, saffron, raw cow’s milk, honey, wholegrains such as Basmati rice. If feeling weak, debilitate, fatigue or recovering from disease these foods can be taken in abundance.

Discussion

While there are various theories of aging, the traditional knowledge remains important both In understanding the process and effective management.

With the support of Dosas and Malas, Dhatus are responsible for maintaining a condition of equilibrium. is a characteristic of old age. They primarily serve two purposes: (a) Dharana & (b) Posana .

The initial Rasa is not formed properly in old age due to Vikritavata, Visamagni, and Kseenakapha, and its function as Preenana to the rest of the Dhatus is not completed, Resulting in sequential weakening of all the Dhatus i.e., Dhatukshaya. As a result of this malformed Rasa, a chain of malformed Upadhdtus and Dhatumalas occurs.

For betterment of these Lakshanas, one should advise healthy food and regimen.

Old age is the condition where Vatadosha has dominancy. Thus, to slow down Vardhakyavastha we can advise all diet and regimen which subsides the Vata.

Diet: Snigdha, Guru, Pichchila, Madhur Rasatmaka Aahara.

Regimen: Pranayama, Yoga, Dhyana, mild exercises.

Conclusion

Jaravastha is not a diseased condition, it is the phase of life with the symptoms of Dhatukshaya (mostly).


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One can slow down this condition by follow proper lifestyle. One should follow this to prevent Dhatu Kshayajanya Vikara and have diseases less life.

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