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Dhātu (ayurveda)

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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:

  • Rasa dhatu (Lymph)
  • Rakta dhatu (Blood)
  • Mamsa dhatu (Muscles)
  • Medha dhatu (Fat)
  • Asthi dhatu (Bone)
  • Majja dhatu (marrow (bone and spinal))
  • Shukra dhatu (Semen)[3]

Traditional texts often refer to the above as the Seven Dhātus (Saptadhātus). Ojas is known as the eighth Dhātu, or Mahādhātu (superior, or great dhātu).[4]

See also

Dhātu (disambiguation) - a Buddhist technical term or a stupa, Pāli thūpa.

References

  1. ^ Sanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier-Williams, (c) 1899
  2. ^ Jonas: Mosby's Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (c) 2005, Elsevier.
  3. ^ Seven Dhatus of Ayurveda
  4. ^ Dhātus http://www.ayurveda-recipes.com/dhatus.html