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Asthi dhatu is identified by Ayurveda acharyas by its peculiar feature of strength. Acharya Sushruta has beautifully explained the properties, role and importance of Asthi dhatu with example as follows,<blockquote>अभ्यन्तरगतैः सारैर्यथा तिष्ठन्ति भूरुहाः | अस्थिसारैस्तथा देहा ध्रियन्ते देहिनां ध्रुवम्  ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तस्माच्चिरविनष्टेषु त्वङ्मांसेषु शरीरिणाम् | अस्थीनि न विनश्यन्ति साराण्येतानि देहिनाम्  ॥</blockquote><blockquote>मांसान्यत्र निबद्धानि सिराभिः स्नायुभिस्तथा | अस्थीन्यालम्बनं कृत्वा न शीर्यन्ते पतन्ति वा  ॥ (Sush. Samh. 5/21-23)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutra 21-23 )</ref></blockquote><blockquote>abhyantaragataiḥ sārairyathā tiṣṭhanti bhūruhāḥ | asthisāraistathā dehā dhriyante dehināṁ dhruvam ॥</blockquote><blockquote>tasmācciravinaṣṭeṣu tvaṅmāṁseṣu śarīriṇām | asthīni na vinaśyanti sārāṇyetāni dehinām ॥</blockquote><blockquote>māṁsānyatra nibaddhāni sirābhiḥ snāyubhistathā | asthīnyālambanaṁ kr̥tvā na śīryante patanti vā ॥ (Sush. Samh. 5/21-23)</blockquote>Meaning: Physical bodies of the humans are held stable by the strong asthi like the trees are held strong rooted to the ground due to their strong stem (heartwood). Since asthi are like the essence of the body those never decay and get destroyed long after decaying of mansa and twak (Muscular tissue and skin). Various sira (vessels, nerves) and snayu (tendons, ligaments) are attached to asthi and those are held in place because of asthi which themselves never decay or fall.   

Asthi dhatu is identified by Ayurveda acharyas by its peculiar feature of strength. Acharya Sushruta has beautifully explained the properties, role and importance of Asthi dhatu with example as follows,<blockquote>अभ्यन्तरगतैः सारैर्यथा तिष्ठन्ति भूरुहाः | अस्थिसारैस्तथा देहा ध्रियन्ते देहिनां ध्रुवम्  ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तस्माच्चिरविनष्टेषु त्वङ्मांसेषु शरीरिणाम् | अस्थीनि न विनश्यन्ति साराण्येतानि देहिनाम्  ॥</blockquote><blockquote>मांसान्यत्र निबद्धानि सिराभिः स्नायुभिस्तथा | अस्थीन्यालम्बनं कृत्वा न शीर्यन्ते पतन्ति वा  ॥ (Sush. Samh. 5/21-23)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutra 21-23 )</ref></blockquote><blockquote>abhyantaragataiḥ sārairyathā tiṣṭhanti bhūruhāḥ | asthisāraistathā dehā dhriyante dehināṁ dhruvam ॥</blockquote><blockquote>tasmācciravinaṣṭeṣu tvaṅmāṁseṣu śarīriṇām | asthīni na vinaśyanti sārāṇyetāni dehinām ॥</blockquote><blockquote>māṁsānyatra nibaddhāni sirābhiḥ snāyubhistathā | asthīnyālambanaṁ kr̥tvā na śīryante patanti vā ॥ (Sush. Samh. 5/21-23)</blockquote>Meaning: Physical bodies of the humans are held stable by the strong asthi like the trees are held strong rooted to the ground due to their strong stem (heartwood). Since asthi are like the essence of the body those never decay and get destroyed long after decaying of mansa and twak (Muscular tissue and skin). Various sira (vessels, nerves) and snayu (tendons, ligaments) are attached to asthi and those are held in place because of asthi which themselves never decay or fall.   

Thus Asthi dhatu is also termed as the extract (sara) of the body.  

Thus Asthi dhatu is also termed as the extract (सारः | sara) of the body.  

== पांचभौतिकत्वम् ॥ Panchabhautika constitution  ==

== पांचभौतिकत्वम् ॥ Panchabhautika constitution  ==

Asthi dhatu is that tissue which is called as essence or extract of body. It is strong, hard and stable. Therefore it is clear that it has Prithvi mahabhuta dominance in it. At the same time it is also khara (dry and rough) in texture. (Cha chi 15/24,25) This property of Asthi is developed during its generation from meda dhatu by the action of Teja and Vayu along with Pruthvi. Also Asthi is one of the chief sites of vata residence. Thus Along with Pruthvi, Asthi dhatu has dominant vayu and teja mahabhuta as well.

Asthi dhatu is that tissue which is called as essence or extract of body. It is strong, hard and stable. Therefore it is clear that it has Prithvi mahabhuta (पृथ्वी महाभूतम्) dominance in it. At the same time it is also khara (खरः | dry and rough) in texture.<ref name=":1">Charaka Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 24, 25)</ref> This property of Asthi is developed during its generation from meda dhatu by the action of Teja (तेजः) and Vayu (वायुः) along with Pruthvi (पृथ्वी). Also Asthi is one of the chief sites of vata residence. Thus Along with Pruthvi, Asthi dhatu has dominant vayu and teja mahabhuta as well.

== अस्थिधातु उत्पत्तिः॥ Utpatti of Asthi dhatu ==

== अस्थिधातु उत्पत्तिः॥ Utpatti of Asthi dhatu ==

The asthi dhatu is formed from its predecessor meda dhatu. When meda dhatu is subjected to the process of micro-transformation (सूक्ष्मपचनम्), one processed part of it is specifically utilized to provide nourishment to the next dhatu in order i.e. Asthi Dhatu (धातु). This part is responsible for development and nourishment of asthi dhatu in body. Transformation of this fluid and unctuous form of meda dhatu into solid and tough (cha chi 15 24, 30) form of asthi dhatu happens due to action of Pruthvi, Teja and Vayu mahabhutas. In this process, there happens generation of excess dryness in the processed part. Such excess dryness and hardness are the distinguishing features of asthi dhatu from all other dhatus.

The asthi dhatu is formed from its predecessor meda dhatu. When meda dhatu is subjected to the process of micro-transformation (सूक्ष्मपचनम्), one processed part of it is specifically utilized to provide nourishment to the next dhatu in order i.e. Asthi Dhatu (अस्थि धातु). This part is responsible for development and nourishment of asthi dhatu in body. Transformation of this fluid and unctuous form of meda dhatu into solid and tough form of asthi dhatu happens due to action of Pruthvi, Teja and Vayu mahabhutas.<ref name=":1" /> In this process, there happens generation of excess dryness in the processed part. Such excess dryness and hardness are the distinguishing features of asthi dhatu from all other dhatus.

Saushiryam ( Porosity) in bones are due to actions of vayu and akasha mahabhuta. [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/30]

Saushiryam (सौषिर्यम् | Porosity) in bones are due to actions of vayu (वायु) and akasha (आकाश) mahabhuta.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Chikitsasthana Adhyaya 15 Sutram 30)</ref>

== अस्थि उपधातु॥ Upadhatu of Asthi  ==

== अस्थि उपधातु॥ Upadhatu of Asthi  ==

Nakha (nails) and Danta (teeth) are considered to be the Upadhatus (metabolic byproducts) of Asthi Dhatu. Those develop during the process of metabolism and development of asthi dhatu, [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 46/529] [Sha. Sa. Purva khanda chapter 5] Therefore it is observed that those suffering from diseases affecting Asthi dhatu may present with symptoms related to teeth and nails. Changes in the levels of asthi dhatu in body can be easily observed from the overall health of nails and teeth.  

Nakha (नखाः | nails) and Danta (दंताः | teeth) are considered to be the Upadhatus (उपधातु | metabolic byproducts) of Asthi Dhatu. Those develop during the process of metabolism and development of asthi dhatu.<ref>Sushruta Samhtia (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 46 Sutram 529)</ref> <ref>Sharangadhara Samhita (Purvakhanadam Chapter 5)</ref> Therefore it is observed that those suffering from diseases affecting Asthi dhatu may present with symptoms related to teeth and nails. Changes in the levels of asthi dhatu in body can be easily observed from the overall health of nails and teeth.  

== अस्थि मलाः॥ Malas of Asthi ==

== अस्थि मलाः॥ Malas of Asthi ==