After the Tri Doshas come the tissues, channels and Mala

Dr M. Lalithambika.D.A.M

The term Dhatu or tissue means something that enters into the formation of the basic structure of the body as a whole. There are seven in number: Rasa (Plasma), Raktha (Blood), Mamsa (Muscle), Medas (Fat), Asthi (Bone), Majja (Bone marrow) and Sukra (Reproductive, sperm in male and ovum in female).

Ayurveda describes various channels, which carry nutrients to the tissues and transports substances into and out of the body. When the flow of the proper substance through each channel is unimpeded, there is a state of health. When the flow through any of these channels is disturbed in some way (excessive, deficient, blocked), disease may result. There are 13 channels in general with extra two for the women according to Ayurvedic texts. The 13 channels are as follows: Channels carrying the vital air from out side to the blood stream, channels carrying water including serum and lymph, channels carrying food and drinks, channels carrying plasma, channels carrying haemoglobin of blood, channels carrying nutrients for muscles, channels carrying nutrients for fat, channels carrying nutrients for bone, channels carrying nutrients for bone marrow, channels carrying nutrients for sperm and ovum, channels carrying urine, channels carrying faeces and channels carrying sweat. In addition to these, women require two additional conducting systems, channels that govern menstruation and ducts carrying breast milk.

Stool, urine and sweat are the three important Malas. They are the waste products of the body and their proper elimination is essential for the maintenance of the health of the individual. As is commonly believed, stool is not only the refuse of the food taken by the individual, but it also contains substances, which are eliminated from the tissue cells of the body. Proper evacuation of stool is therefore essential for maintaining the tissue cells in their state of excellent health. Taking necessary precautions to ensure proper evacuation of stool is essential before starting any Ayurvedic treatment. Urine is another waste product through which many body wastes are thrown out. Even though excessive passage of urine is considered as a disease, in Ayurveda, it is always advised that the person should take enough water, both in summer and winter so as to pass minimum six times of urine during the day time. Sweating is essential for the maintenance of health of the skin.

Fire, within us is what kindles all the biological process of life. Everything in us depends on it: our intelligence, understanding, awareness, health, energy, appearance, life force, body temperature, auto-immune system, digestion, in short life it self. One of the main functions of fire is to serve as the digestive fire and transform the food we eat into assimilable forms. Fire is classified into four categories: sharp, mild, irregular and regular. Sharp is usually seen in pitta individuals. Appetite is strong, as is the circulation and digestion, but impurities tend to accumulate in plasma and blood tissues. Mild is usually seen in Kapha types, who exhibit sluggish digestion, poor appetite, and yet a tendency towards excess body weight. Irregular is usually seen in vata people, who often display periods of intense hunger, which then change to periods of almost complete loss of appetite and regular fire, can be seen in a well-balanced state.

Ojas or vital energy is the essential energy of the body. It literally means 'vigor'. It is the subtle essence of the reproductive system and all of the vital secretions. When it is deficient, there is disease. In modern terms, we could say it is something like the essential energy of the immune system. Ojas pervades the entire body, giving stability and support. It is decreased by factors such as anger, hunger, worry, sorrow, and overwork. Other factors that decrease Ojas include excessive sexual activity, and use of drugs and stimulants as well as stress, anxiety, devitalised food, unnatural environment and lifestyle. Ojas is produced through regular meditation, sexual moderation and avoidance of excessive stimulation of the senses.

(The author is the Medical Director, MEDICUS AyurBay and can be contacted on info@ayurbay.com).