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
editDhātu (disambiguation) - a Buddhist technical term or a stupa, Pāli thūpa.
References
edit- ^ Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier-Williams, (c) 1899
- ^ Jonas: Mosby's Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (c) 2005, Elsevier.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Seven Dhatus of Ayurveda
- ^ Dhātus http://www.ayurveda-recipes.com/dhatus.html Archived 2018-12-25 at the Wayback Machine
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