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The Samskrit word 'Rasa' has various meanings like extract/juice, taste, interest and even mercury. However in context of human body the word 'Rasa' used in Ayurveda refers to a body tissue or body component which is the first among 7 [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] described in Ayurveda. Dhatus are building blocks of physical body called as [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|Sharira]]. It is also called as 'Ahara-rasa' i.e. extract of food in liquid state. It performs the function of nourishing the physical body.

The Samskrit word 'Rasa' (रसः) has various meanings like extract/juice, taste, interest and even mercury. However in the context of human body, the word 'Rasa' used in Ayurveda refers to a body tissue or body component which is the first among 7 [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] (धातु) described in Ayurveda. This body tissue is in the fluid form. It is formed after digestion of food as an extract of food and helps to nourish the body. It is also called as 'Ahara-rasa' (आहार-रसः) i.e. extract of food in liquid state. It performs the function of nourishing the physical body.

== Nirukti ==

== निरुक्तिः ॥ Etymology  ==

तत्र ‘रस’ गतौ धातुः, अहरहर्गच्छतीत्यतो रसः ||१३|| (Su su 14/13)

Sushruta Samhita has given nirukti of the word 'rasa' as follows,<blockquote>तत्र ‘रस’ गतौ धातुः, अहरहर्गच्छतीत्यतो रसः ॥ (Sush. Samh. 14.13)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 14 Sutra 13)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''tatra ‘rasa' gatau dhātuḥ, aharahargacchatītyato rasaḥ ॥ (Sush. Samh. 14.13)''</blockquote>Meaning: The term Rasa is derived from the root ‘gatau’ (गतौ) and it means flow or movement. Since this dhatu constantly keeps on circulating day and night in our body to provide nourishment to body tissues, it is known as rasa.

Rasa is derived from the root ‘gatau’ which means moving. As the nutrient fluid is continuously circulated in our body, it is known as rasa.

Rasa dhatu is formed from food. We consume various type of foods which are either chewed, swallowed, drank or licked. Food in any such form undergoes the process of transformation by Agni in the stomach. Agni performs the function of digestion of this food and then that food taken from outside is transformed into a form that is acceptable by the body, so that body can utilize that for replenishment. Body can accept the food to fulfill energy demands, only if this food is available in a specific form. If the extract of the food is not in this specific form, it is called as 'Aama' (आमः) which acts like a foreign body or toxin. It can not be utilized for growth and development rather it initiates the process of development of various diseases. Thus it is highly important that, the food that a person eats, undergoes proper digestion and fluid extract of a specific form is obtained from it. Only such a food extract ultimately reaches body tissues, provides nourishment to them and called as Rasa dhatu according to Ayurveda.  

== Formation of rasa dhatu ==

== रसधातोः पांचभौतिकत्वम् ॥ Panchabhoutik constitution ==

Rasa dhatu is formed from food. We consume various type of foods which are either chewed, swallowed, drank or licked. Food in any such form is digested by Agni in the stomach. Agni performs the function of digestion of this food and its transformation into a form that is acceptable by the body. To make this food bio-available foe all the body tissues a uniform microfine extract of this food is formed by Agni. This food extract which ultimately reaches body tissues, provides nourishment to them is called as Rasa dhatu according to Ayurveda.  

Rasa dhatu is obtained from food which is mostly solid or liquid. After transformation the rasa dhatu that is formed is obtained in a fluid form. Thus Prthvi (पृथ्वी | earth) and Jala (जलम् | water) element are dominant in Rasa dhatu.<ref>Dwarkanath C. Introduction to Kayachikitsa. Chaukhambha Orientalia. Varanasi; 1996. Third edition.pg.320</ref>

== Panchabhoutik constitution ==

== रसधातोः स्थानम् ॥ Location of Rasa dhatu ==

Rasa dhatu is formed from Food and is in liquid form. Thus Prthvi (earth) and Jala (water) element are dominant in Rasa dhatu. (Dwarkanath C. Introduction to Kayachikitsa. Chaukhambha Orientalia. Varanasi; 1996. Third edition.pg.320)

Rasa dhatu circulates through channels and a network system known as Rasavaha srotas (रसवह स्रोतस). However it is mainly located in Hrudayam (हृदयम्)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 14 Sutra 3)</ref> which is also the chief site of [[Manas (मनः)|Manas]] (मनः) and Prana (प्राणः). From this site, Rasa dhatu is distributed all over the body through various dhamanis (धमन्यः | vessels).  

== Location of Rasa dhatu ==

== रसधातोः कार्यम् ॥ Function ==

The location or seat of Rasa dhatu is said to be Hridayam. (Su. Su 14/3) Hridayam is located between nabhi (umbilicus) and neck, the region which is identified as Ura (chest) region. From this site, Rasa dhatu is distributed all over the body through vessels.

Rasa dhatu is formed as as extract of food. And thus, it acts as a food for rest of the body tissues. Nourishment is the main function performed by it. Various function performed by rasa dhatu are listed below,<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 11 Sutra 4)</ref><ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 5)</ref>

# Prinana (प्रीणनम्) / Tarpana (तर्पणम्): Nourishment of the whole body

# Vardhana (वर्धनम्): growth and development of body tissues

The functions attributed to rasa dhatu are:

* Tarpana: nourishment of body at any age.

* Vardhana: growth and development (especially in kids)

# Satiety (तुष्टिः) : Rasa dhatu is responsible for and associated with the feeling of satiety which is physical as well as a psychological aspect of a human being.

# Nourishing Rakta dhatu (रक्तपुष्टिः) : Part of Rasa dhatu undergoes further transformation to generate rakta dhatu and nourish the existing one.

* Dharana / jeevana: stabilizing and maintaining the dhatu (during middle age)

== रसधातोः उपधातवः॥  Upadhatu of Rasa dhatu and their function ==

Rasa dhatu when subjected to the process of micro-transformation (सूक्ष्मपचनम्), it generates 2 more entities which are known as Upadhatus (उपधातु) of Rasa dhatu. Ayurveda Acharya have opined that Raja (रजः) or Artavam (आर्तवम्) equivalent to menstrum and ovum is one upadhatu of rasa dhatu. Stanya (स्तन्यम्) i.e. breast milk of a lactating woman is the second upadhatu of Rasa. <ref>Charaka SAmhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 17)</ref>

* Yapana: preventing the total deterioration of dhatu (during old age)

== रसधातोः मलम् ॥ Mala of Rasa dhatu ==

Other functions like stabilizing the body components(avashtambhana), unction(snehana) are also carried by rasa dhatu.[Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/3]

During the micro-transformation of Rasa dhatu inside body and formation of upadhatus, some fluid secretion is generated as a waste byproduct and it is called as ‘kapha’ (कफः). However, this is waste or unwanted kapha which resembles Kapha dosha. Thus, Kapha dosha is closely associated with rasa dhatu. The clinical features of increase in rasa levels of body are similar to those of kapha dosha increase.  

It is responsible for satiety(tushti), nurturing body(preenana), nourishing rakta dhatu(raktapushti).[Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/5]

Rasa dhatu undergoes metabolic transformation in the network system or channel known as Rasavaha srotas. Mahasrotas (महास्रोतसम् | similar to gastrointestinal tract) and hridayam (हृदयम्) are the 2 chief organs of Rasavaha srotas. Rasa dhatu is formed in Mahasrotas and then reaches upto hrudayam.  

== Upadhatu of Rasa dhatu and their function ==

== रसधातुदुष्टिहेतवः ॥ Vitiating factors ==

 

 

 

 

== Vitiating factors ==

The dietary, lifestyle factors that directly affect rasa dhatu and its function are listed as below. (Cha vi 5/13)

The dietary, lifestyle factors that directly affect rasa dhatu and its function are listed as below. (Cha vi 5/13)

# Repeated intake of heavy to digest food

# Repeated intake of heavy to digest food