The Seven Dhatus or Tissues

According to Ayurveda, the human body is composed of seven Dhatus (from the root dha meaning “to support”) or tissue layers. This parallels the universe as a whole, which has seven planes of existence.

While the Doshas are the causative factors in disease, the tissues are the sites of the disease.

1. PLASMA (rasa); sometimes called skin (tvak)

2. BLOOD (rakta); specifically the hemoglobin part of it

3. MUSCLE (mamsa)

4. FAT or adipose tissue (medas)

5. BONE (asthi)

6. MARROW and nerve tissue (majja)

7. REPRODUCTIVE TISSUE, both male and female (shukra)

Tissues & Doshas

• Kapha (water) is responsible for all the tissues generally and specifically for five of the seven tissues, as it is the basic substance of the body. These are plasma, muscle, fat, marrow, and reproductive fluid.

• Pitta and Vata each serve to create one tissue. Pitta (fire) creates blood and Vata (air) creates bone. Hence the Doshas also create the tissues

The Tissues

Plasma

The action of plasma is to give nourishment. Plasma provides nutrition to all the tissues. It is responsible for hydration of the tissues and for maintaining the electrolyte balance. Plasma pervades the entire body but its main sites are the heart, blood vessels, lymphatic system, skin and mucous membranes.

In Excess

When in excess, plasma creates accumulation of saliva and phlegm, blocking of the channels, loss of appetite and nausea. Kapha throughout the body tends to be increased with congestion and possible formation of cysts and tumors (benign).

Deficient

When deficient, plasma creates roughness of the skin, dryness of the lips, dehydration, weariness, intolerance of sound, as well as tremors, palpitations, pain and sense of emptiness in the heart and exhaustion after slight exertion. Nutrition to the body as a whole is impaired.

Optimal

The optimal state of plasma is revealed by good complexion, by soft, smooth, oily and glowing skin and hair, by good stamina, compassion and happy disposition.

How to Build

Plasma is built up by adequate water and liquids, with fruit juices, particularly sour juices, lemon or lime, with a little salt. It is also built up by taking dairy products, particularly milk. Proper intake of vitamins and minerals is important.

Blood

Blood’s function is vitalisation. On a physical level, this is its capacity to oxygenate the cells, many diseases like cancer occur when the cells lack in oxygen.When our blood is sufficient, our life energy is abounding. Blood is parallel to Pitta in its qualities and functions.

In Excess

When in excess, blood creates skin diseases, abscesses, enlargement of the liver and spleen, hypertension, tumors, jaundice, weakness of digestion, delirium, burning sensation and redness or bleeding in the skin, eyes and urine. It can give rise to many Pitta problems (fevers, inflammation and bleeding disorders).

Deficient

When deficient, blood creates pallor, low blood pressure, shock, desire for sour and cold food, looseness and dryness of the head, loss of skin lustre, collapse of the blood vessels, dryness, roughness and cracks in the skin.

Optimal

The optimal state of blood is revealed by good color in the hands and feet, the cheeks, the lips and tongue, the conjunctiva of the eyes and the ear pinna, by warm skin, by good vitality, by sensitivity to sun and heat, by good vitality and much passion in life.

How to build

Blood is built up by iron-containing foods and preparations, like molasses or black grapes, or vegetables with vitamin A, like carrots and beets, and also by red meat.

Muscle

The function of muscle tissue is plastering or binding. The muscles, like a gelatinous covering, serve to cover and give strength to our basic bodily frame. They give us capacity for work and action. When our muscle tissue is deficient, we lack cohesion and integration of our structure. When it is sufficient, we have courage, confidence and strength, along with the capacity for openness, forgiveness and happiness.

In Excess

When in excess, muscle creates swelling or tumors in the muscles, heaviness and swelling of the glands, obesity, enlargement of the liver, irritability and aggression. In women, fibroid conditions or miscarriage may occur. Often sexual vitality is impaired.

Deficient

When deficient, MUSCLE creates emaciation, particularly of the hips, abdomen and back of the neck, fatigue and looseness of the limbs, lack of coordination, fear, insecurity and unhappiness.

Optimal

The optimal state of muscle is revealed by good physical strength, capacity for exercise, adaptability in movement and good development of muscles in the neck, shoulders and thighs. The character will be strong with much courage, fortitude and integrity.

How to build

Muscle is built up by grains like wheat and oats, by beans, nuts and other protein containing foods, as well as by meat.

Fat

 The function of fat or adipose tissue is lubrication, mainly of the muscles and tendons but also of other tissues. For example, it helps lubricate the throat. Fat gives us a sense of smoothness, ease, and, on a psychological level, being cared for.

In Excess

When in excess, fat creates obesity, fatigue, lack of mobility, asthma, sexual debility, thirst, hypertension, diabetes, poor longevity and sagging of the thighs, breast and belly. Emotionally there will be fear and attachment. These are mainly Kapha problems.

Deficient

When deficient, fat creates tiredness, cracking of the joints, weariness of the eyes, enlargement of the spleen, emaciation of the limbs and thinness of the abdomen, along with brittleness or weakness of hair, nails, teeth and bones.

Optimal

The optimal state of fat is revealed by adequate but not excessive fat in the body, by good lubrication of tissues, with oiliness of the hair, eyes and feces, by a melodious voice, and emotionally much love, affection, joy and humor.

How to Build

Fat is built up by vegetable fats like sesame oil, by butter and ghee, or by cheese and dairy products generally, as well as animal fats.

Bone

The function of bone is support. The bones serve to uphold all the tissues and gives them firmness and a strong foundation. Bone holds the Vata in the body. Vata resides in the bone spaces.

In Excess

When in excess, BONE creates extra bones, bone spurs and extra teeth, excessively large frame, pain in the joints, as well as fear, anxiety and poor stamina. Such individuals tend towards arthritis. In extreme cases, bone cancer or gigantism can occur.

Deficient

When deficient, bone creates weariness, pain or looseness in the joints and falling of the teeth, hair and nails. Bone and teeth formation tends to be poor. Dwarfism occurs in extreme cases.

Optimal

The optimal state of bone is revealed by a tall frame, large joints, and prominent and straight bones with flexibility in movement. The teeth will be white, large and strong and the feet will tend to be long. Psychologically, there is much patience, consistency, stability and capacity for hard work.

How to Build

Bone is built up by mineral supplements like calcium, iron and zinc or mineral-containing food, as well as by bone.

Marrow

Marrow serves to fill the empty spaces in the body, as in the nerve channels, the bones and the brain cavity. It provides for the secretion of synovial fluid and aids in the lubrication of the eyes, stool and skin. It is of two types, the spinal cord and the bone marrow, the latter which also produces red blood cells.

In Excess

When in excess, marrow and nerve tissue creates heaviness in the eyes, the limbs, and in the origins of the joints, deep non‑healing sores, and turbidity or infections in the eyes.

Deficient

When deficient, marrow and nerve creates weakness or porosity of the bones, pain in the small joints, dizziness and the seeing of spots before the eyes, darkness around the eyes, as well as sexual debility and feelings of emptiness and fear. Vata diseases always tend to result in deficiency of the nerve tissue.

Optimal

The optimal state of marrow and nerve tissue is indicated by large clear eyes, by strong joints, by good sensory acuity, by good powers of speech and by the capacity to withstand pain. The mind will be sharp, clear, sensitive and responsive, with a good memory, and the feeling nature will be open, receptive and compassionate.

How to Build

Marrow and nerve tissue is built up by butter and ghee (clarified butter), by seeds and nuts containing oils, particularly almonds, as well as by animal fat and marrow.

Reproductive Fluid

The function is reproduction. When insufficient, it causes a general lack of creativity in life and specifically impotence or infertility. It provides strength, energy and stamina for the entire body and upholds the immune function.

In Excess

When in excess, reproductive tissue creates excessive sexual desire, leading to anger, excess quantity of reproductive fluid, stones in the semen and swelling of the prostate in men, ovarian and uterine cysts in women.

Deficient

When deficient, reproductive tissue creates lack of vigor, lack of sexual desire, sterility, impotence, dryness of the mouth, lassitude, weariness, lower back pain, difficulty and slowness in ejaculation, blood in the semen for men, and lack of lubricating fluids during sexual activity for women. Emotionally there will be fear, anxiety and lack of love.

Optimal

The optimal state of reproductive tissue is revealed by lustre in the eyes, good growth of hair, by well formed sexual organs (like the scrotum or the breasts), by attractive body, by charm of personality and capacity for love, empathy and compassion.

How to Build

Reproductive tissue is built up by milk, raw sugars, and ghee and by seeds and nuts like almonds, sesame seeds, lotus seeds, and eggs of various types.

The Tissues and the Disease Process

Diseases of the Doshas are usually reflected in the tissues they govern. Kapha diseases usually involve plasma, Pitta diseases involve the blood, and Vata diseases the bones.

 However, any of the Doshas can enter into any of the tissues and cause various diseases. Diseases are classified not only according to the Doshas, but also according to which of the tissues the Doshas have entered into.

In this way, a severe muscle infection can be called “Pitta in the muscles” (mamsagata Pitta). Osteoarthritis can be called “Vata in the bones” (asthigata Vata). More will be said of this kind of classification when we discuss diseases.

The waste materials of the body

There are three primary waste materials of the body:

 1. Feces (purisha)

2. Urine (mutra)

3. Sweat (sveda)

The function of the feces is to give support (avasthamabhana), particularly to maintain the tone of the colon and keep the digestive and lower abdominal organs (like the uterus also) from prolapse. In addition, it maintains the temperature of the colon and its mucous membranes. The function of urine is to carry away waste water (kleda vahanam); that of sweat is to separate out the waste water (kleda vidhruti). Both serve to cleanse waste water from the system.

Feces

In Excess

Excess of Feces causes abdominal pain and distention, constipation, feeling of heaviness and pain on excretion. It brings too much earth into the body and increases toxins, as indicated by bad breath and body odor. It causes indigestion, headaches, dullness and impairment of movement.

Deficient

Deficiency of Feces causes gas and dryness in the intestines, abdominal distention, abnormal and painful movements of Vata upwards and to the side. It brings about a deficiency of earth in the body that causes low energy, ungroundedness, nervousness and wrong movement of nerve impulses (wind) in the body, pain, palpitations, lower back ache, as well as prolapse of the organs (mainly Vata disorders).

Damaging Factors

The Feces is damaged by excess use of purgatives or colonics, by food that is too heavy or too light, by bad food combinations, by excess travel, by sleeping late, by coffee and drugs, by antibiotics, by dysentery, by inadequate exercise and by emotional factors such as worry and fear. Any low energy condition can manifest as a weakening of the colon (the support site of Prana, the life-force).

Increase / Decrease

Feces can be increased by bulk laxatives, bran, grains like barley, most beans, root vegetables like potatoes and most leafy vegetables. Meat will also increase it. It is decreased by fasting, use of purgatives and laxatives, eating light food and drinking fruit juices.

Urine

In Excess

Excess of Urine causes pain in the bladder and a feeling of needing to urinate even after having just finished urination. It usually involves excess water and water retention, frequent urination and thirst.

Deficient

Deficiency of Urine causes difficult urination, discoloration of urine or blood in the urine and thirst. It is related to deficiency of water in the body, Pitta and Vata disorders, including fever and dehydration.

Damaging Factors

The Urine is damaged by use of diuretic drugs, herbs or foods, by drinking too much or drinking too little, by alcohol, by excess sex, and by emotional factors like trauma and fright.

Increase / Decrease

Urine can be increased by drinking more water, by drinking sugar water, by fruit juices and by other liquids. It is decreased by fasting from water, by taking light or dry food and by exposure to heat.

Sweat

In Excess

Excess of Sweat causes profuse sweating, unpleasant body odor and oozing type skin diseases. Often excess fire or Pitta is involved with skin diseases like urticaria, eczema, boils, and fungus infections. Eventually, however, too much sweating, particularly in thin or Vata constitution individuals, can cause dehydration, fatigue and convulsions. This, Vata type sweating can occur even when the body is generally dry.

Deficient

Deficiency of Sweat causes absence of sweating, stiffness of the hairs along the skin and fissures in the skin. It causes dry skin, wrinkles, dandruff, skin diseases and susceptibility to colds, flu and other surface conditions and generally Vata disorders. It indicates poor peripheral circulation.

Damaging Factors

Sweat is damaged by too much use of diaphoretic substances or sweating methods (saunas, hot tubs, sweat lodges etc)., by food that is too dry, by lack of salt in the diet and by under or over exercise.

Increase / Decrease

Sweat can be increased by taking sour fruit juices with salt (like the factors that increase plasma or rasa) and by exposure to heat. It is decreased by fasting from water, by dry food or by exposure to cold.

Channel Systems

Ayurveda views the human body as composed of innumerable channels. These supply the various tissues of the body. They are called “Srotas” in Sanskrit from the root “sru” meaning to flow. The body is like a system of canals or rivers. These serve to nourish the different tissues and organs of the body. They also serve to keep them clean.

Dietary Factors that can block the channel systems:

The channels are generally blocked by food that is too heavy or sticky in nature. Such food is slow in movement and can inhibit flow through the channels. This is mainly food that increases Kapha and Ama (the products of indigestion).

These foods include dairy products, particularly cheese, yogurt, butter and ice cream; heavy and fatty meats like pork, greasy oils like lard and most animal fats; sticky and sweet breads, pastries and candies, even an excess of bananas. Such foods will aggravate most channel blockage conditions like arthritis or gout. They should be generally avoided in large quantities or in too regular usage by anyone. Any overeating, particularly of heavy, sweet or salty food, tends to block the channels, particularly if combined with sedentary lifestyle.

On the other hand, a light diet and many spices serve to keep the channels clear (but may not properly nourish the heavier tissues like muscle). These include most common spices like ginger, cinnamon, peppermint or sage and specifically turmeric, cardamom, calamus, camphor (internally in small amounts). These spices help antidote the channel blocking affect of heavy foods.

Other factors that keep the channels clear include breathing practices (pranayama), proper exercise, fresh air and water, creative mental activity and meditational exercises for clearing the mind. Sweating therapy (svedana), including the use of saunas and steam baths, is helpful.

Flow of the channel systems

Respiratory System

Excess - Rapid breathing, hyperventilation

Deficient - Slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath

Blockage - Difficult breathing (dyspnea), cough, wheezing, asthma, hiatal hernia

Flow from system - Perforation of the lungs

Digestive System

Excess - Excess appetite, hyperacidity (excess digestive secretions), diarrhea

Deficient - Deficient appetite, hypoacidity (deficient digestive secretions), anorexia, constipation

Blockage - Intestinal obstruction, tumors

Flow from system - Vomiting, perforation of the stomach or intestines (perforated ulcer)

Water Intake system

Excess - Excess thirst, sharp sense of taste, hyperglycemia

Deficient - Nausea, lack of taste, hypoglycemia

Blockage - Diabetes, pancreatic cancer

Flow from system - Vomiting (watery type), anorexia

Lymphatic System

Excess - Edema (excessive hydration of tissues), swollen glands and lymphatics

Deficient - Dehydration, emaciation

Blockage - Severely swollen glands, lymphatic obstruction, lymphatic cancer

Flow from system - Bleeding, coughing of blood

Circulatory System

Excess - Rapid pulse, palpitations, hypertension

Deficient - Slow pulse, hypotension, varicose veins

Blockage - Arrhythmia (irregular heart beat, heart skipping a beat), enlargement of liver and spleen, blood clots (as in phlebitis), tumors, heart attacks

Flow from system - Bleeding disorders generally

Muscular System

Excess - Muscular hyperactivity, tremors

Deficient - Muscular hypoactivity, spasms, lack of muscle tone

Blockage - Muscle tumors, chronic inflammation of muscle tissue

Flow from system - Tearing of muscle tissue

Adipose System 

Excess - Edema, obesity

Deficient - Emaciation, dry skin

Blockage - Fat tumors (usually subcutaneous and benign)

Flow from system - Tearing of adipose tissue

Skeletal System

Excess - Excess bone tissue

Deficient - Weak bones, deficient bone tissue, osteoporosis

Blockage - Calcification of bones, bone spurs, bone cancer

Flow from system - Occurs with breaking of bones

Nervous System

Excess - Hypersensitivity, pain, insomnia, tremors, overly sharp perception

Deficient - Hyposensitivity, numbness, dullness, cloudy perception

Blockage - Convulsions, coma, M.S.

Flow from system - Damage to nerve tissue

Reproductive System

Excess - Spermatorrhea, nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, leucorrhea

Deficient - Delayed ejaculation, lack of lubrication

Blockage - Inability to ejaculate, swelling of the testes, stones in the prostate, uterine tumors

Flow fom system - Discharge of sperm into the bladder

Sebaceous System

Excess - Excess or oily sweating

Deficient - Deficient sweating, stopping of sweating (temporarily)

Blockage - Inability to sweat

Flow from system - Discharge of sweat into the plasma

 Excretory System

Excess - Diarrhea

Deficient - Constipation

Blockage - Intestinal obstruction, diverticulitis, tumors in the colon

Flow from system - Perforation of the large intestine

Urinary System

 Excess - Excess or frequent urination

Deficient - Scanty urination

Blockage - Difficult or painful urination, urinary obstruction, stones

Flow from system - Bursting of the bladder

Mind

Excess - Hyperactivity of senses, worry, gossip, anger

Deficient - Dullness of senses, depression, grief

Blockage - Blocked emotions

Flow from system - Delirium, schizophrenia

Menstrual System

Excess - Excess menstruation (menorrhagia)

Deficient - Scanty or delayed menstruation

Blockage - Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), chlorosis, tumors

Flow from system - Discharge of the menses into the urine or stool

Lactation System

Excess - Excess flow of breast milk

Deficinet - Deficient flow of breast milk

Blockage - Inability to discharge breast milk, pain and swelling of breasts, mastitis, breast cysts, tumors and cancer

Flow from system - Injury to the breast

Organs & the Doshas

VATA - Large intestine, urinary bladder, kidney, brain

PITTA - Small intestine, liver, gall bladder, spleen, heart, uterus

KAPHA - Stomach, lungs, pancreas, testes