The Tissue Layers

The Seven Dhatus

The human body is composed of seven tissue layers called dhatus. These tissues form in sequence from the nutrients we eat, each one nourishing the next. Understanding the dhatus reveals how food becomes body, how imbalance spreads, and why deep nutrition takes time.

What Are the Dhatus?

The Sanskrit word dhatu comes from the root dha, meaning “to support” or “to sustain.” The dhatus are the tissues that sustain and support the body - the structural foundation of physical existence.

The seven dhatus are:

  1. Rasa - Plasma, lymph, chyle
  2. Rakta - Blood (red blood cells)
  3. Mamsa - Muscle tissue
  4. Medas - Fat, adipose tissue
  5. Asthi - Bone tissue
  6. Majja - Marrow, nerve tissue
  7. Shukra - Reproductive tissue

These tissues form in this specific sequence, each one providing the raw material for the next.

The Sequential Nutrition of Dhatus

When food is digested, the nutrients first nourish rasa dhatu. As rasa is fully formed, the excess nutrients and the essence of rasa move to nourish rakta. The excess and essence of rakta nourish mamsa, and so on through the sequence.

This process is sometimes likened to irrigation channels in a field - the first field receives water first, and only when it is saturated does water flow to the next field.

The practical implication is profound: if early dhatus are depleted, later dhatus cannot be properly nourished. You cannot build strong bones (asthi) if the nutrients are being consumed before they reach that level. You cannot nourish the reproductive tissue (shukra) if all the earlier tissues are hungry.

This is why building deep tissue takes time. It is not enough to eat good food for a day. The nutrients must pass through each layer in sequence. Classical texts suggest it takes approximately 35 days for food to complete its transformation into shukra dhatu - five days at each level.

The Seven Dhatus in Detail

Rasa Dhatu (Plasma/Lymph)

Element: Water Location: Throughout the body as plasma and lymph Function: Nourishes all other tissues, maintains hydration, provides satisfaction

Rasa is the first tissue formed from digested food. The word rasa means essence, juice, or taste. It is the liquid medium that carries nutrients to every cell and brings contentment when properly formed.

Signs of healthy rasa: Good skin tone, contentment, proper hydration, vitality

Signs of depleted rasa: Dry skin, fatigue, dissatisfaction, dehydration

Signs of excess rasa: Excessive salivation, swelling, coldness

Upadhatu (secondary tissue): Breast milk, menstrual blood Mala (waste product): Mucus (kapha)

Rakta Dhatu (Blood)

Element: Fire Location: Blood vessels throughout the body Function: Carries oxygen, provides vitality and color, supports life

Rakta is formed from the essence of rasa. It carries prana (life force) through the body and gives the pink color to healthy skin and the red color to blood.

Signs of healthy rakta: Good complexion, warmth, vitality, clear eyes

Signs of depleted rakta: Pallor, coldness, fatigue, anemia

Signs of excess rakta: Redness, inflammation, skin conditions, bleeding disorders

Upadhatu: Blood vessels, tendons Mala: Bile (pitta)

Mamsa Dhatu (Muscle)

Element: Earth Location: Throughout the body as skeletal and smooth muscle Function: Provides strength, movement, and protection for organs

Mamsa is formed from the essence of rakta. It provides the structure and strength that allows movement and protects the vital organs.

Signs of healthy mamsa: Good muscle tone, strength, stability

Signs of depleted mamsa: Weakness, emaciation, muscle wasting

Signs of excess mamsa: Excess weight, tumors, fibrous growths

Upadhatu: Ligaments, skin Mala: Ear wax, navel secretions

Medas Dhatu (Fat)

Element: Water Location: Throughout the body, concentrated in abdomen and around organs Function: Lubrication, cushioning, energy storage, insulation

Medas is formed from the essence of mamsa. It provides the lubrication that allows smooth movement, cushioning for protection, and energy reserves.

Signs of healthy medas: Proper lubrication, appropriate body weight, smooth skin

Signs of depleted medas: Cracking joints, dry skin, fatigue, feeling cold

Signs of excess medas: Obesity, lethargy, excessive sweating, shortness of breath

Upadhatu: Sinews (flat tendons) Mala: Sweat

Asthi Dhatu (Bone)

Element: Earth, Air Location: Skeleton Function: Structure, support, protection of vital organs

Asthi is formed from the essence of medas. It provides the firm framework that holds the body upright and protects the vital organs.

Signs of healthy asthi: Strong bones, good teeth, healthy joints

Signs of depleted asthi: Brittle bones, joint pain, tooth decay, osteoporosis

Signs of excess asthi: Bone spurs, extra teeth, calcifications

Upadhatu: Teeth Mala: Nails, hair

Majja Dhatu (Marrow/Nerve)

Element: Water Location: Inside bones (marrow), nervous system Function: Fills the bones, conducts nerve impulses, provides feeling of fullness

Majja is formed from the essence of asthi. It fills the hollow of the bones and constitutes the nerve tissue that allows sensation and coordination.

Signs of healthy majja: Strong nervous system, good coordination, feeling of fullness and satisfaction

Signs of depleted majja: Weak bones, nerve weakness, empty feeling, anxiety

Signs of excess majja: Heaviness in the eyes and limbs, deep-seated infections

Upadhatu: Hair (scalp hair specifically) Mala: Tears, oily secretions of the eyes

Shukra Dhatu (Reproductive)

Element: Water Location: Reproductive organs Function: Reproduction, vitality, immunity, radiance

Shukra is the final and most refined dhatu, formed from the essence of majja. In men, it manifests as semen; in women, as the ovum and reproductive fluids. But shukra is more than just reproductive material - it provides vitality, immunity, and the radiance that comes from deep nourishment.

Signs of healthy shukra: Fertility, vitality, radiance, strong immunity, inner glow

Signs of depleted shukra: Infertility, low vitality, weak immunity, dullness, lack of luster

Signs of excess shukra: Excessive sexual desire, reproductive stones

Upadhatu: None (shukra is the final dhatu) Mala: Smegma

Ojas: The Supreme Essence

Beyond the seven dhatus is ojas - the supreme essence of all tissue formation. When all dhatus are properly nourished and the transformation is complete, a refined substance called ojas is produced.

Ojas is:

Strong ojas manifests as radiance, contentment, immunity, patience, and subtle energy. Depleted ojas manifests as fear, weakness, worry, and susceptibility to disease.

Ojas is protected through:

Ojas is depleted through:

Practical Implications

Understanding the dhatus has several practical applications:

Deep Nutrition Takes Time: You cannot expect immediate results from dietary changes. Nutrients must pass through all seven layers. Patience is required.

Earlier Tissues Must Be Healthy First: If rasa is depleted, downstream tissues cannot be properly nourished. Treatment may need to start with supporting earlier dhatus before addressing later ones.

Waste Products Must Be Eliminated: Each dhatu produces waste (mala). If waste accumulates, the tissue becomes toxic. Proper elimination at each level is essential.

Secondary Tissues Reflect Primary Tissue Health: The upadhatus provide diagnostic clues. Hair quality reflects majja and asthi; skin quality reflects mamsa and rasa.

Building Tissue Is Progressive Work: Rasayana (rejuvenation) therapy takes time precisely because it must nourish all seven dhatus in sequence. Quick fixes do not build deep tissue.

The dhatus reveal the deep structure of the body and the patient process by which food becomes flesh, flesh becomes vitality, and vitality becomes the radiance of fully nourished life.

← Back to Writing