Seven Doughs (Dhatular)

The word Dhatu comes from the Sanskrit root dha (= to hold, place, contain). Therefore, Dhatu is a tissue that holds the body and organs together.

Since our tissues are made from the food we consume, the health and quality of our tissues depend on our digestive capacity, the quality of our nutrition, and the proper functioning of the Agni of each tissue.

Healthy Dhatu are entirely composed of properly digested and absorbed food that we consume. Dhatu produce both mature, fully formed tissue and the precursor or immature, raw form of nutrients to be used in the next stage of tissue formation. First, Rasa Dhatu is formed; then comes Rakta Dhatu, etc.

There are three causes of Dhatu disorders: the entry of Doshas into Dhatu, elevation (DhatuVruddhi) or depletion (Dhatu Kshaya) in Dhatu.

When Vata enters a Dhatu, the tissue becomes lighter (deficiency or degeneration/deterioration);

When Kapha enters a Dhatu, the tissue becomes heavy (accumulation or blockage);

When Pitta enters a Dhatu, the tissue overheats and burns (inflammation).