Good Food
Seven Constituents
Plasma
Ayurveda
rasaḥdhātuḥ literally means ‘sap’ or ‘juice’. The primary function of ‘rasaḥ’ is to strengthen ‘raktaḥ’ (blood) and provide nourishment. Basically, the tissue fluids consist of lymph and blood plasma. Accessory tissues are the breast milk and the menstrual fluid.
Blood
raktadhātuḥ is said to be constituted from the metabolic refinement of the rasadhātuḥ. The primary function of the raktadhātuḥ is the nourishment of the body. It is also said to be the preserver of life.
Muscle
māṃsadhātuḥ is formed from the rasa and raktadhātuḥ and said to be the basic cover of bone and structure of the body.
medhadhātuḥ is the finer part of the māṃsadhātuḥ which is also known as fatty tissue. It keeps the lubrication between the various body organs going and helps the body in maintaining the right internal temperature.
Fat
Bone
asthidhātuḥ bones are the finer essence of the medhadhātuḥ, which are converted into the most solid form of the dhātuḥ. They give the basic structure to the body.
Marrow
majjadhātuḥ is the finer essence of the asthidhātuḥ. It is basically a semi-solid substance, yellow and red in colour. Its primary function is to fill the bone. It is also found inside the brain and spinal cord.
śukradhātuḥ is produced from the most refined essence of the bone marrow. It is the cause of ojas, which is actually the essence of all the seven dhātavaḥ. śukraḥ is responsible for vitality and energy of the body.