DIPLOMA in Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Nutrition Consultant Course

Transcription

1 DIPLOMA in Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Nutrition Consultant Course Module 4 15 th & 16 th December 2018

2 THE SEVEN DHATUS RASA RAKTA MANSA MEDAS ASTHI MAJJA SUKRA SROTAS (Channels of Circulation) AGNIS (Enzymes) The Seven (sapta) Dhatus Dhatu means: 2

3 that which enters into formation of the basic structure of the body as a whole or which sustains the body Dhatu comes from the root in Sanskrit Dha which means holding and so dhatu means that which holds. The dhatu s therefore are known as the basic tissue-elements. They have also been called the seven bodily constituents. The seven dhatus are composed of all the five mahabhutas (elements), but as in the case of the doshas, one or two mahabhutas are predominant in each dhatu. The dhatus sustain the body. The entire body is composed of the dhatus. Stages of Dhatu All dhatu pass three stages in its life: Stula (gross) Skshama (subtle) Mala (waste) Sloka Dhatu Prennanan jeevanan sheho dheho dharana pourane garba uthpadanan kruthya Sapta Dhatu Rasa moves from one dhatu to the other, commencing from rasa dhatu, and ending with sukra. This takes around thirty to thirty-five days all together. 3

4 Dhatu Nature Function Function (English) Waste Product Rasa Plasma Preenana Nourishment Satisfaction Happiness Kapha (not to be confused with Kapha dosha) Phlegm formed into faeces 4

5 Rakta Blood Jeevana Enduring life Bile is formed into faeces Mansa Muscle Lepa Covering Adhering All excreta (eyes, ears and mouth) Medas Fat Sneha Lubrication Sweat (excreted by the body which is how fat becomes pure) Asthi Bone Dharana Support Hair is waste product Mjja Bone marrow Purana Filling the cavity Glaze of the eyes Sukra Seminal fluid/reproductive element Garba Uthpadana Production of embryo Beard for men, secondary sexual characteristics for women (breasts, pubic hair) Rasa Dhatu Rasa Dhatu refers to the primary waters of the body (or sap, juice or liquid). In the physical body, rasa refers directly to the plasma or non-cellular portion of the blood, the lymph and interstitial fluids. Preenana is the main function of rasa dhatu. It supplies nourishment to the all other dhatus. The term rasa derives from the verbal root ras, meaning moving. It is so called as it is constantly circulating through the whole of the body. 5

6 It is liquid in nature. The essence of well-digested food is rasa and is white in colour, cold in potency, sweet in taste, unctuous and unsteady. Though it moves all over the body, its sthana (seat) is Hrdaya (the heart) since it is held in the heart, having been brought there earlier by samana vata. Rasa then enters and moves through the dhamanis (arteries), nourishing all other dhatus and then remains in the body bestowing its own qualities (coldness, softness, lubrication, unctuousness). Rasa improperly cooked (formed) by poor digestive fire and that is either pungent or sour in taste is called ama or toxins and gives rise to a large number of diseases and also acts like poison. Rakta Dhatu When rasa dhatu reaches the liver it is acted upon by Ranjaka pitta, attains raga (red colour) and paka (processing by heat) and obtains the name Rakta (blood). Rakta is present throughout the body and it is the most important support for life. It is unctuous, heavy, unsteady (moving) sweet in taste and improperly cooked (formed), it will be like pitta dosha (in its qualities). Akma (liver) and pliha (spleen) are its chief seats and residing there, it provides nourishment (strength) to tissues in other places. Mansa Dhatu Rakta cooked by its own agni (fire) and solidified by vata, forms mansa (muscle tissue). When vata dosha combined with usna (heat) enter into the mass of muscle through small srotas (channels/ 6

7 passages), it is divided into pesi (individual muscles) in the human body. There are four hundred present in the sakha (extremities); sixty-six in the trunk and forty-four above the neck (neck and head). In women there are an additional twenty more individual muscles distributed in the garbhasshaya (uterus), gargamarga (vagina) and stana (breasts). Men possess the same number of individual muscles in the penis and scrotum, as women possess in the phala (uterus). Siras (veins), snayu (nerves), asti (bone), parva (bony joints) and sandi (joints) present all over the body are covered or enveloped by muscles, and so are able to grow and become strong. Medas Dhatu. Mansa, after it has been cooked by its own agni, becomes known as medas (fat). It is atiguru (very heavy for digestion) unctuous, bestows strength, and is highly nourishing or brings stoutness to the body. Fat is present in more quantity in the abdomen of all living beings. Thus the abdomen grows in those who have more fat in their body. Asthi Dhatu. Medas itself, cooked by its own agni and dried by vata, obtains the name Asthi (bone). It is sara (hard material) or support for the physique (erects the posture of the body). Just as trees stand upright by the support of the sara (pith) present inside, similarly the body shape is supported and maintained by the asthi. Hence, even though skin, muscles and other tissues of the body undergo deterioration (loss or depletion), bones do not perish. Asthi is the essence of all, forever. In Salya Tantra (surgery) there are said to be 300 bones in the human body. One hundred and twenty bones are present in the extremities, one hundred and seventeen in the flanks, pelvis, chest, back and abdomen, and sixty-three in the parts above the neck (head and neck). 7

8 Of these bones, some are taruna (young and tender, cartilage), some kapala (flat), some rucaka (cartilage), some valayu (curved or irregular shaped) and some nalaka (tubular, hollow). Majja Dhatu. The sara (essence) of the asthi is cooked by its own agni (fire). It becomes thick and separated like the sweat. It is known as majja (marrow). Majja is present in greater quantity within large sized bones. Sukra Dhatu. The last dhatu to be formed after majja is sukra (male and female reproductive tissue). Sukra (semen) is saumya (cold in potency), sita (white), snigda (unctuous) and bestows strength and nourishment to the body. It is the seed for the embryo, the essence of the body and the foremost seat of life. 8

9 The Categories of Srotas (Channels of Circulation) The body contains a large number of channels through which the basic tissue elements or doshas and waste products circulate. These channels are called srotas or srotansi. Thus for instance, the srotas are responsible for carrying products of food from the gastro intestinal tract to the basic tissue element as nourishment. The srotas include all big channels of the body like the gastro intestinal tract, arteries, veins, lymphatics and the genital-urinary tract, as a well as very fine channels like the capillaries. For proper functioning of a healthy body, the srotas must remain unblocked and circulation must proceed in an uninterrupted way. If the circulation in the srotas is impaired or stopped, the circulating substances accumulate in the channels and metabolism of the tissue is affected. This gives rise to ama. Ama, thus produced, may circulate in the body through other channels that are still functioning. Below is a table of groups of srotas, which includes their names and functions, as well as possible causes and signs of their vitiation. Name & Function. Controlling Organ Causes of Vitiation Signs & Symptoms Anna vaha Srotas. (Carrying food which is taken from outside). Stomach. Untimely food, excessively large quantities of food, unwholesome food, Loss of appetite (Anorexia, indigestion, vomiting). 9

10 Prana vaha Srotas. (Carrying vitality & breath). Ambhu vaha Srotas. (Carrying water, fluid part of body). Rasa vaha Srotas. (Carrying chyle, lymph & plasma). Rakta vaha Srotas. (Carrying blood, especially haemoglobin fraction of blood). Mamsa vaha Srotas. (Carrying ingredients of muscle tissue). Medo vaha Srotas. (Carrying ingredients of fat tissue). Asthi vaha Srotas. (Carrying nutrient ingredients for bone tissue). Majja vaha Srotas. (Carrying nutrients ingredients of marrow). Heart & Alimentary tract. Palate, Pancreas. Heart and ten vessels connected with the heart. Liver, spleen. Tendons, ligaments, skin. Kidneys, Omentum, (fat tissue in abdomen). Hipbone. Bones, joints. less power of digestion. Wasting, suppression of natural urges, intake of un-unctuous food, exercise whilst hungry. Exposure to heat, indigestion, excess alcohol, intake of excessively dry food and excessive thirst. Worry, intake of excessively heavy, cold and ununctuous food. Irritant, hot and unctuous food, excessive exposure to sun and fire. Sleeping immediately after meals, frequent intake of heavy and gross food. Lack of exercise, day sleep, (suppresses enzymes & digestion), excessively fatty food, alcohol). Excessive exercise involving friction of bones, intake of vatika type of food (food producing vayu). Contradictory (incompatible) food, injury to bone marrow by crushing, compression etc. Incompatible foods: for instance fish and Long, restricted, shallow & frequent breathing. (Asthma is connected with this). Dryness of palate, lips, tongue and throat. Anorexia, nausea, heaviness, drowsiness, fainting, anaemia, impotency. Obstinate skin diseases, bleeding, abscesses, inflammation in the anus and genital organs. Granuloma, Myoma, Piles, Uvulitis, Goitre, Adenitis, Tonsillitis, many cancer types as well as non- malignant growths. Obstinate urinary disorders, including diabetes. Cracking nails and teeth, pain in bones, change in hair (because hair is excreta of asthi). Pain in joints, giddiness fainting, loss of memory, blackouts, also deep abscesses. 10

11 Sukra vaha Srotas. (Carrying semen and ovum and nutrient ingredients for these. Artava Vaha Srotas (Carrying semen and ovum and nutrient ingredients for these. Rajah Vaha Srotas. (Female reproduction) Stanya Vaha Srotas. (Lactation) Purisha Vaha Srotas. (Faecal circulation) Mutra vaha Srotas. (Carrying urine). Sweda vaha Srotas. (Carrying Sweat). Mano Vaha Srotas (Channel of the mind) Testicles, Ovary. Womb Breast, lacrymal ducts Colon Kidneys, bladder. Fat tissue, hair follicles. Whole body milk or honey in hot drinks. Sex at improper time, unnatural sex, suppression or excess of sex. Sex at improper time, unnatural sex, suppression or excess of sex. Spicy food, alcohol, excessive sex Malnourished, incompatible food, emotions Unnecessary enema, anal sex, dry foods, alcohol, tenismus Food, drinks and sex during urge for micturition, suppression of urge for micturition, especially by those suffering from wasting. Excessive exercise, anger, grief, fear, exposure to heat. Un-processed thoughts, nightmares, head injuries, lack of sleep, emotions Impotency, Infertility, abortion defective pregnancy. Endometriosis, fibroids, excessive menses/bleeding, no menses, infertile Lack of breast milk, mastitis, bad taste/odour of breast milk Constipation, incontinence, piles, anal fissure/fistula Excessive quantities or no urine. Frequency of urination, thick urine. Absence of or excessive perspiration. Roughness of skin. Horripilation (hair erection) burning sensation in skin. Hallucinations, forgetfulness, depression, lack of coordination Srotas root, passage, and opening The doshas of the body - Vata, Pitta and Kapha move from one part of the body to another, via channels called srotamsi (plural). The largest srotas (singular) or channel is the Maha Srotas 11

12 or gastrointestinal tract (Maha large or great). The smallest srotamsi can be found in single cells in the body that under the microscope reveal that they are porous. Through these porous channels or srotamsi, oxygen and nutrients can be absorbed, and waste products like carbon dioxide can be expelled. So, the srotamsi or channels in the body act like paths or roadways transporting blood and sensory information, absorbing nutrients, and expelling waste products from the body. Each srota has a sroto mula (root), a sroto marga (passage) and sroto mukha (mouth or opening). Srotas Mula (root) Marga Mukha (mouth/opening) (passage/channel) Anna Vaha Oesophagus & fundus Gastrointestinal tract Ileocecal valve Prana Vaha Left chamber of heart Respiratory tract & bronchial tree Ambhu Pancreas (Kloma) Gastrointestinal Vaha mucous membrane Rasa Vaha Right Chamber of heart & ten great vessels Venous & lymphatic systems Rakta Vaha Liver & spleen Arteriole circulatory system Mamsa Tendons, skin & Muscle system Vaha embryological mesoderm Nose Kidneys (Vrukkau) Tongue (Jihva) Sweat glands (Roma kupa) Arteriole venous junction in capillaries Arteriole venous junction Pores of the skin Meda Vaha Omentum & adrenals Subcutaneous fat tissue Sweat glands Asthi Vaha Pelvic Girdle & sacrum Skeletal system Nails & hair Majja Vaha Brain, spinal cord, joints & junction between dhatus Central, sympathetic & parasympathetic nervous systems Sukra Vaha Testicles & nipples Vas deferens, epidymis, urethra, prostate & urinogenital tract Artava Vaha Ovaries & aeriole of the nipples Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervical canal & vaginal passage (yoni) Synaptic space Rajah Vaha Ovaries & womb Endometrium, cervical Vagina canal & vaginal passage Stanya Vaha Lactation glands Lactiferous ducts Nipple Urethral opening The labia (yoni oshtha) 12

13 Purisha Vaha Cecum, rectum & sigmoid colon Large intestine Anal orifice Mutra Vaha Kidneys Urethra & bladder Opening of urethra Sweda Vaha Sweat glands Sweat ducts Pores of the skin & sweat glands under the skin Mano Vaha Heart and sensory pathways Whole body Sense organs & marma points Four Types of Sroto Dushti A structural or functional defect of the srotas or channel is called sroto dushti, or obstruction of the srotas or channel. If the srotas are flowing naturally it is in a state of health. Disease begins if the srotas become imbalanced or obstructed. The obstruction of the srotas are classified under four types: Sanga Accumulation/stagnation Cold, constipation Atipravrutti Excessive flow Diarrhoea, haemorrhage Vimarga Gamana Overflow Fistula, pleurisy Sira Granthi Swelling, dilation Tumour, growths, varicose veins The Agnis 13

14 The main task of agnis (enzymes) is to help the digestion and assimilation of food. This process takes place continuously in the body. There are 13 groups of agnis 1. One Jatharaagni (Jathara-agni) which is active in the stomach and in the gastrointestinal tract. This agni helps to break down the food taken from outside, because the food taken from outside has a different mahabhautic content composition than our body. 2. Five Bhutagnis (Pancha bhuta agnis), mainly housed in the liver. They adapt the broken down food into homologous chyle. This group of enzymes takes care that the mahabhautic composition of the broken down food is now made into the same composition as that of the mahabhutas of the body. Diet, after digestion, is thus divided into the five groups to nourish the respective attributes of the body. 3. Seven dhatuagnis (dhatu-agnis), seven groups of enzymes that synthesize the dhatus (tissues) out of the cooked food, according to requirement. When the agnis work on the dhatus, there is a formation of certain waste products. These come out in the form of excretions like earwax, stool (which is not only from food but from blood, waste enzymatic action etc.) and discharges from the nose, eyes, etc. We can thus see that each of the seven dhatus and five mahabhutas has its own agni. Diagram of agnis 14

15 Ama and its Formation If there is a diminution of agni (agni mandya) then ama (toxicity) is formed. Instead of moving correctly, this ama settles down in different parts of the body, for instance lungs, heart or any visera (viscus means any organ enclosed within one of the four main cavities, namely the cranium, thorax, abdomen or pelvis, but especially an organ within the abdominal cavity). Ama mixed with the doshas goes to the site of a manifestation of a disease, then signs and 15

16 symptoms will manifest e.g. bronchial asthma. The first question to ask in such cases is: where was the agni affected? In case of bronchial asthma: is your digestion good? Is there a regular bowel movement? Therefore, the treatment has to start with a light purgative (ama pachana). Amaya means disease, diseases are invariably caused by ama. Because of ama the agnis are affected, and if uncooked food remains, the channels get obstructed. Ama can get into any part of the body. Usually the organ that is stressed and weakened, or the organ that is similar in mahabhutic composition, will accept the ama more easily. If udana-vata is aggravated for instance, the ama will go to the lungs, heart etc. 16