Dhātu (ayurveda)

Dhātus (dhä·tōōs), n.pl. ( from Sanskrit धातु dhātu - layer, stratum, constituent part, ingredient, element, primitive matterSanskrit-English Dictionary by Monier-Williams, (c) 1899 ) in Ayurveda, the seven fundamental principles (elements) that support the basic structure (and functioning) of the body.Jonas: Mosby's Dictionary of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (c) 2005, Elsevier.

They consist of:

• Rasa dhatu (lymph) the substratum formed just after the digestion of food. The main function of this Dhatu is nourishment.
• Rakta dhatu (blood)This is the second Dhatu formed after the food digestion. This is formed from the former Dhatu, Rasa Dhatu
• Mamsa dhatu (muscles) This is the third Dhatu. This is formed from the former Dhatu, Rakta Dhatu. The main function of covering the bones.
• Medus dhatu (fat)
• Asthi dhatu (bone)
• Majja dhatu (marrow (bone and spinal))
• Shukra dhatu (semen){{cn|date=January 2025}}

Traditional texts often refer to these as the Seven Dhātus (Saptadhātus). Ojas, meaning vigour or vitality, is known as the eighth Dhātu, or Mahādhātu (superior, or great dhātu).{{cn|date=December 2024}}