Meda Dhatu (मेद धातु)

According to Ayurveda, Meda dhatu is one of the 7 dhatus present in 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 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

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. 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.

Panchabhautika constitution

Meda dhatu is fluid, unctuous and heavy in nature. Also Meda is the site of location for kapha dosha. 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

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.

Malas of meda dhatu

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’ (). 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)

Those who have supreme quality of meda dhatu in a body are identified by some characteristic features. These features are called as meda-sarata features (सारता लक्षणानि). Most of these features are manifested on various external body parts. Thus one can identify the quality of meda dhatu by assessing presence or absence of following signs in person.

वर्णस्वरनेत्रकेशलोमनखदन्तौष्ठमूत्रपुरीषेषु विशेषतः स्नेहो मेदःसाराणाम्|

सा सारता वित्तैश्वर्यसुखोपभोगप्रदानान्यार्जवं सुकुमारोपचारतां चा चष्टे॥ (Char. Samh. 8.106)

varṇasvaranetrakeśalomanakhadantauṣṭhamūtrapurīṣeṣu viśeṣataḥ sneho medaḥsārāṇām|

sā sāratā vittaiśvaryasukhopabhogapradānānyārjavaṁ sukumāropacāratāṁ cā caṣṭe||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

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.

The various function of meda dhatu are listed below

• lubrication(sneha) - Maintains hydration, softness and oil balance in the body
• sweating (sweda)- It controls sweat formation and thus indirectly participate in temperature control of the body
• stability (dridhatwam)- It protects body from excess cold or hot climate and at the same time provides strength support to other body organs to work smoothly by preventing friction and heat generation.
• nourishment of bone tissue(asthipushti) [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/5]
• 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.

Vitiating factors

Diet and lifestyle related some factors directly and adversely affect meda dhatu. Acharya Charaka explained few such factors as below,

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]

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 meda dhatu in the preservation of health and well-being

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.

A human body maintains a specific temperature inside the body in order to carry out all vital functions optimally. If this temperature is disturbed, attempts are made to normalise and stabilise the previous normal temperature which is usually achieved by sweating as seen in the cases of fever. Normally sweat performs the function of hydration of skin and adjacent tissues and whenever required participate in the process of temperature control. Thus maintaining the texture of skin and temperature control are few other important functions governed by Meda making it one of the important component for preserving health and well-being.