Meda Dhatu (मेद धातु) - Revision history

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Meda sara (Characteristics of best quality of adipose tissue)

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Meda dhatu is the body component which indicates fat in general and adipose tissue in particular. Its important function is to oleate or lubricate (snehana). (SAT-B.435) In general, obesity or fat in the body is denoted by the word meda.

Functions of Meda Dhatu are-  It lubricates every cell of the body which is important function of Meda Dhatu.  It controls sweat formation.  It provides strength, energy to the body.  It controls dryness of Vata.  Proper nourishment of Meda Dhatu gives proper shape to the body.  It acts as a shock absorber.  It protects body from excess cold or hot climate.  In starvation, energy can be obtained from Meda Dhatu. When Kapha vitiates the Medovaha Srotas and Medodhara Kala, the Meda Agni becomes low and as a result the qualities of earth and water takes into the body are digested slowly, causing a greater amount of fatty tissue formation. When Pitta vitiates the Medovaha Srotas and Meda Dhara Kala, the Meda Agni becomes high, qualities of earth and water burned up quickly leading to little Meda formation

== Panchabhautika constitution and properties ==
Meda dhatu has dominance of prithvi, jala and agni mahabhuta.

It possesses properties like unctuousness (snigdha) and heaviness(guru).

=== Metabolic by-products and waste products (Upadhatu and mala) ===
During the process of metabolism and formation of meda dhatu, ligaments (snayu) are formed as the metabolic byproducts (upadhatu). [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/17]. Sweat and sebum are formed during this process as waste products (mala). [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/18].

=== Characteristics of best quality of adipose tissue (meda sara ) ===
The person endowed with best quality of meda dhatu has significant unctuousness specifically in complexion, voice, eyes, hair, skin hair, nails, teeth, lips, urine and feces. This indicates wealth, power, happiness, enjoyment, charity, simplicity and delicacy in dealings.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/106]

=== Channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu (medovaha srotas) ===
The channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu originate from the kidneys(vrikka) and omentum (vapavahana), [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/8]

Sushruta opines that they originated from pelvic region(kati) and kidneys(vrikka).[Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 9/12].

Vagbhata added mamsa dhatu to the origin with kidneys (vrikka).[A.S.Sharira Sthana 6/26]

Considering the above opinions, the origin of meda dhatu can be considered in pelvic region, omentum and kidneys. The sites of origin are important for knowing the source of nourishment in diagnosis and treatment.

The following structures can be considered as components of the transportation and transformation system of meda dhatu.

== Functions ==
Meda dhatu is responsible for functions of lubrication(sneha), sweating (sweda), stability (dridhatwam), and nourishment of bone tissue(asthipushti). [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/5]

== Importance in diagnosis ==

=== Causes of vitiation ===
The channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu (medovahasrotas) are affected by the sedentary lifestyle including lack of physical exercise, daytime sleep, excessive consumption of fatty food, and alcoholic drinks. [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/16]

== Importance of concept in the preservation of health and prevention ==
Meda dhatu provides unctuousness to all body components. Unctuousness is the essential property of the essence of all seven dhatu (ojas). It is related to vitality and immunity of the body. [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 24/31] The unctuous portion (sneha) carries functions like lubrication, providing moisture, smoothening, unction, fluidity, and ooziness. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 22/11] These are important in various physiological processes and functions of the body.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:27, 26 July 2021
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	== References ==		== References ==
	<references />		<references />
		+	[[Category:Ayurveda]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-According to Ayurveda, Meda dhatu is one of the 7 [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] present in [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|sharira]]. It is that body component which indicates fat or adipose tissue in general. According to Ayurveda the function of oleation and lubrication at all levels in body is performed by a dhatu named meda. Thus Meda dhatu itself is unctuous, heavy, semisolid to solid in nature and present everywhere in the body.
+According to Ayurveda, Meda dhatu is one of the 7 [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] present in [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|sharira]]. It is that body component which indicates fat or adipose tissue in general. According to Ayurveda the function of oleation and lubrication at all levels in the body is performed by meda dhatu. Thus Meda dhatu itself is unctuous, heavy, soft in nature and present everywhere in the body.
 == Meda dhatu utpatti ==
-The meda dhatu is formed from its predecessor mansa dhatu. When mansa 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. Meda Dhatu (धातु). This part is responsible for development and nourishment of meda dhatu in body. Transformation of this solid form of mansa dhatu into fluid (drava cha chi 15 24, 30) form of meda dhatu happens due to action of Teja, jala mahabhutas and generation of excess unctuousness in the processed par. Excess unctuousness and fluidity are thus the distinguishing features of meda dhatu from all other dhatus.
+The meda dhatu is formed from its predecessor mansa dhatu. When mansa 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. Meda Dhatu (धातु). This part is responsible for development and nourishment of meda dhatu in body. Transformation of this solid form of mansa dhatu into fluid <ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita (Chiktisasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutram 24-30)</ref> form of meda dhatu happens due to action of Teja, jala mahabhutas. This process generates excess unctuousness in the processed part. Excess unctuousness and fluidity are therefore the distinguishing features of meda dhatu from all other dhatus.
 == Location of Meda Dhatu ==
-Meda dhatu is present chiefly in abdominal and pelvic region as fat. Thus omentum, misentry, fat pads around organs can be considered as the sites of meda dhatu which could be identified as Vapavahana as per Ayurveda. Can also be present as muscle fat. Also vrukka (body organs equivalent to kidneys) and some small bones are identified as the meda dhatu sites.  [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/8] [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 9/12] [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/13]
+Like all other dhatus Meda is also present everywhere in the body. However, abdomen, buttocks (Sfik), Chest are few sites where it is predominantly present. Vrkka (body organs equivalent to kidneys) , Vapavahanam (body organs equivalent to omentum & misentry) and Kati (low back and loin region) are known as the chief sites of medovaha srotas i.e. channel of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu. Thus at and around these sites, meda is found in abundance. <ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutra 8)</ref> <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 9 Sutra 12)</ref> A specific type of meda dhatu which is present in a compound form along with rakta dhatu is believed to be present in small bones according to Sushruta samhita.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 4 Sutra 13)</ref>
 == Panchabhautika constitution  ==
-Meda dhatu is fluid, unctuous and heavy in nature. Also Meda is the site of location for kapha [[Doshas (दोषाः)|dosha]]. (A.H.Su 12.3) Thus it is clear that it has Jala and Prithvi mahabhuta dominance. Also, considering the process of its generation and transformation considerable amount of Teja maahabhuta is required for its maintenance therefore Prithvi, jala and teja mahabhutas are predominant elements in meda dhatu.
+Meda dhatu is fluid, unctuous and heavy in nature. Also Meda is the site of location for kapha [[Doshas (दोषाः)|dosha]].<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 12 Sutra 3)</ref> Thus it is clear that it has Jala and Prithvi mahabhuta dominance. Also, considering the process of its generation and transformation, considerable amount of Teja maahabhuta is required for its maintenance in fluid state. Therefore Prithvi, jala and teja mahabhutas are predominant elements in meda dhatu.
 == Upadhatus of meda dhatu ==
-During the process of metabolism and formation of meda dhatu, ligaments (snayu) are formed as the metabolic byproducts (upadhatu). [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/17].
+Meda dhatu when subjected to the process of micro-transformation (सूक्ष्मपचनम्), it generates 1 more entity which is known as Upadhatu (उपधातु  Metabolic by-product) of Meda dhatu. Snayu (Equivalent to ligament) is known to be that upadhatu of meda dhatu. <ref>Charaka SAmhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 17)</ref>
 == Malas of meda dhatu ==
-During the process of metabolism and formation of meda dhatu, Sweat and sebum are formed during this process as waste products (mala). [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/18].
+During the micro-transformation of Meda dhatu inside body and formation of upadhatus, one liquid form of substance is generated as a waste byproduct and it is called as ‘Sweda’ ().<ref>Charaka Samhita (chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 18-20)</ref> Sweda is one of the 3 malas of body. It performs the function of balancing the hydration and temperature of body. The excess water in the body which is in the form of waste accumulated inside body is timely excreted out by the sweat.
 == Meda sara (Characteristics of best quality of adipose tissue) ==
 वर्णस्वरनेत्रकेशलोमनखदन्तौष्ठमूत्रपुरीषेषु विशेषतः स्नेहो मेदःसाराणाम्|
-सा सारता वित्तैश्वर्यसुखोपभोगप्रदानान्यार्जवं सुकुमारोपचारतां चा चष्टे||१०६||
+सा सारता वित्तैश्वर्यसुखोपभोगप्रदानान्यार्जवं सुकुमारोपचारतां चा चष्टे॥ (Char. Samh. 8.106)<ref name=":0" />
-The person endowed with best quality of meda dhatu has significant unctuousness specifically in complexion, voice, eyes, hair, skin hair, nails, teeth, lips, urine and feces. This indicates wealth, power, happiness, enjoyment, charity, simplicity and delicacy in dealings.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/106]
+Meaning: The person endowed with best quality of meda dhatu has significant unctuousness (wetness and softness) specifically in complexion, voice, eyes, hair, skin hair, nails, teeth, lips, urine and feces. This indicates wealth, power, happiness, enjoyment, charity, simplicity and delicacy in dealings.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/106]
 == Functions ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:05, 21 July 2021
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−	Meda dhatu is one of the 7 [[Dhatus (धातवः)\|dhatus]] in [[Sharira (शरीरम्)\|sharira]] ~~according to Ayurveda~~. It is that body component which indicates fat or adipose tissue. According to Ayurveda the function of oleation and lubrication at all levels in body is performed by a dhatu named meda. Thus Meda dhatu itself is unctuous, heavy, semisolid to solid in nature and present everywhere in the body.	+	According to Ayurveda, Meda dhatu is one of the 7 [[Dhatus (धातवः)\|dhatus]] present in [[Sharira (शरीरम्)\|sharira]]. It is that body component which indicates fat or adipose tissue in general. According to Ayurveda the function of oleation and lubrication at all levels in body is performed by a dhatu named meda. Thus Meda dhatu itself is unctuous, heavy, semisolid to solid in nature and present everywhere in the body.

	== Meda dhatu utpatti ==		== Meda dhatu utpatti ==

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 == Vitiating factors ==
-Diet and lifestyle related some factors directly and adversely affect meda dhatu.
+Diet and lifestyle related some factors directly and adversely affect meda dhatu. Acharya Charaka explained few such factors as below,
-अव्यायामाद्दिवास्वप्नान्मेद्यानां चातिभक्षणात्|
+अव्यायामाद्दिवास्वप्नान्मेद्यानां चातिभक्षणात्| मेदोवाहीनि दुष्यन्ति वारुण्याश्चातिसेवनात्||१६|| [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/16]
 The channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu (medovahasrotas) are affected by the sedentary lifestyle including lack of physical exercise, daytime sleep, excessive consumption of fatty food, and alcoholic drinks. [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/16]
@@ Line 47: / Line 45: @@
 == Importance of meda dhatu in the preservation of health and well-being ==
-Meda dhatu provides unctuousness to all body components. Unctuousness is the essential property of the essence of all seven dhatu (ojas). It is related to vitality and immunity of the body. [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 24/31] The unctuous portion (sneha) carries functions like lubrication, providing moisture, smoothening, unction, fluidity, and ooziness. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 22/11] These are important in various physiological processes and functions of the body.
+A normal human being performs various activities daily to survive. All these activities can be performed smoothly only when optimum level of moisture, lubrication and unctuousness in present in the body. This helps in protection and preservation of body systems and their efficiency. Thus all this can be achieved when sufficient amount of meda dhatu is present in the body.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 Meda dhatu is present chiefly in abdominal and pelvic region as fat. Thus omentum, misentry, fat pads around organs can be considered as the sites of meda dhatu which could be identified as Vapavahana as per Ayurveda. Can also be present as muscle fat. Also vrukka (body organs equivalent to kidneys) and some small bones are identified as the meda dhatu sites.  [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/8] [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 9/12] [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/13]
-=== Channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu (medovaha srotas) ===
+Medovaha srotas i.e. channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu originate from the kidneys(vrikka) and omentum (vapavahana), pelvic region(kati) and kidneys(vrikka).[Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 9/12]. [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/8]
 == Panchabhautika constitution  ==
@@ Line 22: / Line 13: @@
 == Upadhatus of meda dhatu ==
-During the process of metabolism and formation of meda dhatu, ligaments (snayu) are formed as the metabolic byproducts (upadhatu). [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/17]. Sweat and sebum are formed during this process as waste products (mala). [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/18].
+During the process of metabolism and formation of meda dhatu, ligaments (snayu) are formed as the metabolic byproducts (upadhatu). [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/17].
 == Malas of meda dhatu ==
@@ Line 28: / Line 19: @@
 == Meda sara (Characteristics of best quality of adipose tissue) ==
 The person endowed with best quality of meda dhatu has significant unctuousness specifically in complexion, voice, eyes, hair, skin hair, nails, teeth, lips, urine and feces. This indicates wealth, power, happiness, enjoyment, charity, simplicity and delicacy in dealings.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/106]
@@ Line 40: / Line 35: @@
 * Proper nourishment of Meda Dhatu gives proper shape to the body. If excess meda is formed it accumulates in various body parts and leads to obesity related signs.
-== Importance in diagnosis ==
+== Vitiating factors ==
 The channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu (medovahasrotas) are affected by the sedentary lifestyle including lack of physical exercise, daytime sleep, excessive consumption of fatty food, and alcoholic drinks. [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/16]
-When Kapha vitiates the Medovaha Srotas and Medodhara Kala, the Meda Agni becomes low and as a result the qualities of earth and water takes into the body are digested slowly, causing a greater amount of fatty tissue formation. When Pitta vitiates the Medovaha Srotas and Meda Dhara Kala, the Meda Agni becomes high, qualities of earth and water burned up quickly leading to little Meda formation
+These are also the common causes of obesity known in these days. Therefore one needs to prevent indulging in the habits mentioned above in order to keep meda dhatu healthy and prevent obesity.
-== Importance of concept in the preservation of health and prevention ==
+== Importance of meda dhatu in the preservation of health and well-being ==
 Meda dhatu provides unctuousness to all body components. Unctuousness is the essential property of the essence of all seven dhatu (ojas). It is related to vitality and immunity of the body. [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 24/31] The unctuous portion (sneha) carries functions like lubrication, providing moisture, smoothening, unction, fluidity, and ooziness. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 22/11] These are important in various physiological processes and functions of the body.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Meda dhatu is the body component which indicates fat in general and adipose tissue in particular. Its important function is to oleate or lubricate (snehana). (SAT-B.435) In general, obesity or fat in the body is denoted by the word meda.
+Meda dhatu is one of the 7 [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] in [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|sharira]] according to Ayurveda. It is that body component which indicates fat or adipose tissue. According to Ayurveda the function of oleation and lubrication at all levels in body is performed by a dhatu named meda. Thus Meda dhatu itself is unctuous, heavy, semisolid to solid in nature and present everywhere in the body.
-Functions of Meda Dhatu are-  It lubricates every cell of the body which is important function of Meda Dhatu.  It controls sweat formation.  It provides strength, energy to the body.  It controls dryness of Vata.  Proper nourishment of Meda Dhatu gives proper shape to the body.  It acts as a shock absorber.  It protects body from excess cold or hot climate.  In starvation, energy can be obtained from Meda Dhatu. When Kapha vitiates the Medovaha Srotas and Medodhara Kala, the Meda Agni becomes low and as a result the qualities of earth and water takes into the body are digested slowly, causing a greater amount of fatty tissue formation. When Pitta vitiates the Medovaha Srotas and Meda Dhara Kala, the Meda Agni becomes high, qualities of earth and water burned up quickly leading to little Meda formation
+== Meda dhatu utpatti ==
-== Panchabhautika constitution and properties ==
+== Location of Meda Dhatu ==
-Meda dhatu has dominance of prithvi, jala and agni mahabhuta.
+Meda dhatu is present chiefly in abdominal and pelvic region as fat. Thus omentum, misentry, fat pads around organs can be considered as the sites of meda dhatu which could be identified as Vapavahana as per Ayurveda. Can also be present as muscle fat. Also vrukka (body organs equivalent to kidneys) and some small bones are identified as the meda dhatu sites.  [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/8] [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 9/12] [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/13]
 === Channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu (medovaha srotas) ===
@@ Line 24: / Line 17: @@
 The following structures can be considered as components of the transportation and transformation system of meda dhatu.
 == Functions ==
-Meda dhatu is responsible for functions of lubrication(sneha), sweating (sweda), stability (dridhatwam), and nourishment of bone tissue(asthipushti). [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/5]
+Meda dhatu performs various function in body. It is chiefly responsible for maintaining the lubrication in all systems for their uninhibited smooth functioning and preservation of energy.
 == Importance in diagnosis ==
@@ Line 32: / Line 44: @@
 === Causes of vitiation ===
 The channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu (medovahasrotas) are affected by the sedentary lifestyle including lack of physical exercise, daytime sleep, excessive consumption of fatty food, and alcoholic drinks. [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/16]
 == Importance of concept in the preservation of health and prevention ==
 Meda dhatu provides unctuousness to all body components. Unctuousness is the essential property of the essence of all seven dhatu (ojas). It is related to vitality and immunity of the body. [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 24/31] The unctuous portion (sneha) carries functions like lubrication, providing moisture, smoothening, unction, fluidity, and ooziness. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 22/11] These are important in various physiological processes and functions of the body.