Tissues

The seven main elements that constitute our body are referred to as saptadhatus (the seven fundamental tissues). The term ‘dhatu’ in Sanskrit directly translates to constructing element.

The seven main elements that constitute our body are referred to as saptadhatus (the seven fundamental tissues). They support the formation of basic body structure and play an important role in development, nourishment and sustenance of the body. They are also a part of the biological protective mechanism, that is, they are responsible for the immune mechanism of the body.

Process of formation of the dhatus:

Food is acted upon by our digestive fire (jatharagni) and is broken down into two parts -

1. Sara (The nourishing essence)
2. Kitta (The waste material)

Sara is then carried to different parts of the body by vyana vayu. Then it nourishes the saptadhatu in a specific order, that is:

Rasa - Rakta - Mamsa - Meda - Asthi - Majja - Sukra

After digestion of food, ahara rasa (nutrient plasma) is transformed using dhatuagni (a type of heat) into these elements. 

The amount of dhatus usually remains constant but can be vitiated by the doshas. When doshas increase, they tend to overflow into dhatus, creating an imbalance in the dhatus and resulting illnesses. 

The level of dhatus is governed by the agnis in the body. If dhatuagni becomes too active, then dhatus decrease and vice-versa. Keeping dhatuagnis balanced is the key to balancing the dhatus.

Each dhatu is acted upon by respective dhatuagni and results in -

1. Nourishment of the same dhatu already existing in the body
2. Formation of the next dhatu
3. Formation of sub dhatus (upadhatus)
4. Creation of some waste in the process