Decrease Of Tissues – Dhatu Kshaya – Reasoning, Symptoms
There are seven types of tissues in our body as per Ayurveda. These are called as Sapta Dhatus. Decrease or depletion of body tissues is termed as Dhatu Kshaya. In learning about disease process, having a clear knowledge of Dhatu and Dhatu kshaya is as important as understanding Tridosha.
We already have learnt about What are Dhatus and what are its types in detail.
Table of Contents
Dhatu types, functions, related doshas
Depletion of body tissues is explained in 17th chapter of Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana
Rasa Dhatu Kshaya
Rasa Dhatu Kshaya – depletion of Rasa
Rasa is the first tissue that is formed as a result of food digestion. After food is digested, the essence part of the food is called as Rasa dhatu. Some compare this with blood plasma.
Rasa dhatu and Kapha dosha are directly connected. Increase or decrease of Kapha dosha directly causes the same in Rasa Dhatu.
Decrease of Rasa dhatu indicates dehydration, and lack of nutrients.
The symptoms are –
Ghattate -patient becomes restless,
Sahate Shabdam Na – he does not stand loud sounds, becomes intolerant;
Hrudrava – palpitation,
Hrudayam Tamyati Alpa Cheshtasya Api – cardiac pain, exhaustion even with the slightest exertion.
All these symptoms can be correlated with the symptoms of dehydration / lack of nutrition.
Rakta Dhatu Kshaya
Rakta Dhatu Kshaya – depletion of Rakta (blood) –
Blood tissue gets its nourishment from Rasa Dhatu. Rakta and Pitta are directly related. Increase / decrease of Pitta dosha directly causes the same with blood tissue.
Depletion of blood tissue causes symptoms of anemia, which are explained as –
Parusha – Roughness,
Sphutita – cracks,
Mlana- dullness,
Tvak Rukshata – skin dryness.
Mamsa Dhatu kshaya
Mamsa Dhatu Kshaya – depletion of muscle tissue –
Muscle tissue gets its nutrition by Rakta Dhatu.
Depletion of muscle tissue directly causes weakening of limbs and causes –
Sphik, Greeva Udara Shushkata – emaciation of the buttocks, neck and abdomen.
Medo Dhatu kshaya
Medo Dhatu Kshaya – depletion of fat tissue –
Fat tissue gets nourishment by Mamsa Dhatu. Depletion of this causes thinness of the body.
Sandhi sphutana – cracking of the joints,
Glani – Lassitude,
Akshno Ayasa – tired eyes,
Udara tanutva – thinness of the abdomen.
Asthi Dhatu kshaya
Asthi Dhatu Kshaya – depletion of bone tissue –
As per Ayurveda, bone tissue gets nourishment by fat tissue. This is why, oral administration of oil, ghee etc are advised during osteoporosis, osteo arthritis etc.
Bone tissue is inversely related with Vata Dosha. This means that, increase of Vata dosha causes depletion of bone tissue and vice versa.
Ayurveda explains that teeth, nail, mustache are also related with bone tissue. Hence, depletion of bone tissue exhibits the following symptoms. –
Kesha, Loma, Nakha, Shmashru, Dvija prapatana – falling of hair, nails hair of the beard including mustaches and teeth,
Shrama – tiredness,
Sandhi shaithilya – looseness of joints.
Majja Dhatu Kshaya
Majja Dhatu Kshaya – depletion of bone marrow –
As per Ayurveda, marrow gets its nourishment by Asthi dhatu.
depletion of Majja dhatu causes –
Asthi Sheeryata – emptiness of bones,
Durbala, Laghu Asthi – thinness,weakness, and lightness of the bones,
Vata Roga – frequent affliction with Vata imbalance disorders.
Shukra Dhatu Kshaya
Shukra Dhatu Kshaya – depletion of semen / female reproductive tissues –
As per Ayurveda, Shukra dhatu comprises of male and female reproductive system. It gets its nourishment by Majja Dhatu.
Its depletion causes –
Daurbalya – weakness,
Mukha Shosha – dryness of mouth,
Pandutva – pallor,
Sadana – lassitude,
Shrama – tiredness,
Klaibya – impotency and
Shukra Avisarga – non-ejaculation of semen, non-ovulation.
Understanding body depletion symptoms helps in better understanding of disease process and this article is a small step in that direction.
13 comments on “Decrease Of Tissues – Dhatu Kshaya – Reasoning, Symptoms”
chinmaya
1) What about Ojas?
2) Does depletion of female reproductive tissues mean decrease of ovum during menstrual cycle?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
This topic was not about ojas, hence I did not cover it here.
However, I have written about Ojas here – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2013/01/11/what-is-ojas-how-to-increase-ojas-during-health-and-disease-ayurveda/
Depletion of female reproductive tissues mean depletion of nourishment to ovaries and uterus, leading to pcos, lack of endometrial thickness, decreased menstrual flow etc.
Piroja
Sir, what is the treatment of Mamsa Dhatu Kshaya?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Brimhana chikitsa – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2014/10/17/brimhana-therapy-nourishing-ayurvedic-treatment-principle/
Mahesh
This is again excellent. Simple language and very useful education/knowledge. Many thanks.
Sriharsha Aswathanarayana
Dr.Hebbar, How does Jaundice associated with liver infection correlate with Dhatu Kshaya?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, this is a broad topic, probably would take up during discussion about Jaundice.
One angle to look at it is, if jaundice / liver infection causes low hemoglobin levels, it can be correlated with Mandagni (low digestion, metabolism), with Rasa and Rakta Dhatu Kshaya.
Sriharsha Aswathanarayana
Thank you for the response, Doctor.
Looking forward to your article on Liver infection.
megha
Thank you Sir for this nice article !
I have a question : How to improve on rasa dhatu ?
thanks
Megha
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
As per Ayurveda, Kapha Dosha increase leads to increase in Rasa Dhatu. In short, taking nutrition rich food, avoiding excess spices, avoiding fasting, having food rich in sweet, salt and sour tastes are a few ways to increase Rasa Dhatu.
Django
What is the treatment for medha kshaya?
Django
Actually i meant medo dhatu, as in fat tissue.
Could you tell hof often you eat a day, on a typical day?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, meals time as per Ayurveda is twice or thrice per day.
One should take food when one is fully hungry.
For improving Meda dhatu, regular consumption of a teaspoon of ghee per day, with meals, is the best remedy.