Hour 24 Ayurveda – Body Components VII

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• The word ‘Upa’ refers to Subcategory, ‘dhatu’ refers to ‘that which support’. They can be understood as subcategories/subordinates of the main sapta dhatus.
• Upadhatus are considered the secondary building blocks / supporting blocks to the main dhatus of the body.
• Upadhatus are formed as a result of the action of dhatvagni on each dhatus.
• Abnormalities in them indicate disorders related to the dhatus from which they are produced.
• Thus upadhatus are tissues that are inferior to the main dhatu possessing either construction of the body (Shareera Dharana) or nourishment of the body (Shareera Poshana).
• With the exception of Bone (Asthi), Bone marrow (Majja), and Reproductive fluid (Shukra), all the other four dhatus have upadhatu.

DHATU	UPADHATU
RASA DHATU	Sthanya (breast milk) and Artava (Menstrual blood / ovum)
RAKTA DHATU	Sira (blood vessels, veins) and Kandara (tendons)
MAMSA DHATU	Vasa (muscle fat) and twak (skin)
MEDA DHATU	Snayu (ligaments & nerves) and Sandhi (joints)

Upadhatu of Rasa Dhatu

1. Sthanya (Breast Milk)
   • Formation: Sthanya is produced from Rasa Dhatu when the body’s nutritional needs are met. Excess nutrients are converted into breast milk.
   • Function: It nourishes the newborn and strengthens the baby’s immune system with vital nutrients and antibodies.
   • Rasa Dhatu’s Role: Healthy Rasa Dhatu ensures abundant and nutrient-rich breast milk. If Rasa Dhatu is weak or depleted, it leads to low or poor-quality milk production.
2. Menstrual Blood (Artava)
   • Formation: Artava is formed as a byproduct of Rasa Dhatu and is responsible for the menstrual cycle and fertility in women.
   • Function: It regulates the menstrual cycle, supports fertility, and nourishes the uterus.
   • Rasa Dhatu’s Role: Balanced Rasa Dhatu leads to regular and healthy menstrual flow. Imbalances in Rasa Dhatu can result in irregular, heavy, or scanty menstruation.

Role of Rasa Dhatu

• Both Sthanya and Artava depend on the health of Rasa Dhatu.
• Proper digestion and nutrition are essential for the formation of these secondary tissues.
• Agni (digestive fire) is important for processing nutrients to form Rasa Dhatu, which then creates Sthanya and Artava.
• Imbalanced Agni can affect breast milk production and the menstrual cycle.

Upadhatu of Rakta Dhatu

1. Sira (Blood Vessels)
   • Formation: Sira is formed from Rakta Dhatu and is essential for the proper circulation of blood throughout the body.
   • Function: They transport oxygenated blood and nutrients to all tissues and organs, supporting overall health and vitality.
2. Kandara (Tendons)
   • Formation: Kandara is tendons that are also formed as a byproduct of Rakta Dhatu. They provide strength and stability to the muscles and joints.
   • Function: Kandara connects muscles to bones, enabling movement and physical strength.

Upadhatu of Mamsa Dhatu

1. Vasa (Muscle Fat)
   • Formation: Vasa is produced as a secondary tissue when Mamsa Dhatu is well-nourished and healthy.
   • Function: Vasa helps in lubricating and supporting the muscles, providing them with strength and flexibility.
2. Twak (Skin)

• Formation: Twak is also formed from Mamsa dhatu and serves as the body’s outer protective layer.
• Function: Twak protects the body from external elements, regulates temperature, and plays a role in sensation.

Upadhatu of Meda Dhatu

1. Snayu (Ligaments)
   • Formation: Snayu is formed as a byproduct of Meda Dhatu and serves to bind and connect different parts of the body.
   • Function: Snayu provides strength, stability, and flexibility by connecting bones and supporting joint function.
2. Sandhi (Joints)
   • Formation: Sandhi, or joints, are also derived from Meda Dhatu. These structures are crucial for movement and articulation.
   • Function: Sandhi enables the connection between bones, facilitating movement and providing structural stability to the skeletal system.

Importance of Upadhatus in Diagnosis and Overall Dhatu Balance

1. Role in diagnosis :
   • Upadhatus provides key insights into the health of primary Dhatus.
   • Conditions like skin disorders (Twak), joint pain (Sandhi), or menstrual irregularities (Artava) can signal imbalances in their corresponding Dhatus, such as Mamsa Dhatu, Meda Dhatu, or Rasa Dhatu.
   • This allows us to detect deeper tissue imbalances early and plan treatments accordingly.
2. Support for Overall Dhatu Balance :
   • Maintaining healthy Upadhatus helps preserve the balance of the primary Dhatus.
   • For example, strengthening Snayu (ligaments) ensures proper support for Meda Dhatu (fat tissue), while caring for Sira (blood vessels) ensures good circulation, benefiting Rakta Dhatu.
   • By addressing Upadhatu imbalances early, chronic conditions related to the primary Dhatus can be prevented.

Summarization

• Upadhatus are secondary tissues formed from the main Dhatus, playing key roles in body functions. Sthanya (breast milk) and Artava (menstrual blood) – Upadhatu of Rasa Dhatu, vital for nourishment and reproduction.
• Sira (blood vessels) and Kandara (tendons) – Upadhatu of Rakta Dhatu, supporting circulation and movement.
• Twak (skin) and Vasa (muscle fat) – Upadhatu of Mamsa Dhatu, protecting and lubricating the body.
• Snayu (ligaments) and Sandhi (joints) derive from Meda Dhatu, ensuring structural stability.
• Each Upadhatu reflects the health of its corresponding Dhatu and helps maintain overall tissue balance.