Changes

== Function ==

== Function ==

Covering and protection (Lepana) is the main function of mamsa dhatu. Providing strength to the body and nourishment to its successor adipose tissue (meda dhatu) are additional functions. [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/5]. It provides support for various movements and protection to the inner organs too.

The chief function of mansa dhatu is to provide covering and protection of inner organs from external and environmental factors. This function is referred as lepanam by Acharya Vagbhata.

Mamsa dhatu is also inevitably involved in sustaining the strength of the body (bala) due to which there is inculcation of potential to perform physical activities.

 

 

 

 

Mamsa dhatu is also inevitably involved in sustaining the strength of the body (bala)  

== Upadhatu of mansa dhatu ==

== Upadhatu of mansa dhatu ==

During the process of metabolism and development of mamsa dhatu, muscle fat (vasa) and six layers of skin (tvacha) are formed as the metabolic byproducts (upadhatu). [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/17]

Vasa ( muscle fat ) and Tvacha ( skin) are known to be the metabolic byproducts of Mansa dhatu metabolism. Thus, these are known as upadhatus of mansa dhatu.<ref>Charaka SAmhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 17)</ref>

== Mala of Mansa dhatu ==

== Mala of Mansa dhatu ==

Various secretions accumulated as wastes in external openings of ear and nostrils are waste products of metabolism of mamsa dhatu. [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/18]

According to Ayurveda, there are some external orifices in the body which regulate the exchange of substances between body and outer environment. Nasal cavity, oral cavity are some of them. In all such external orifices various secretions are accumulated. These secretions which in optimum amount perform the function of protecting the inner skin of these orifices are believed to be the waste by-products of mansa dhatu metabolism. These are known as kha-malas (kha-cavity, malas-wastes). Kha-malas are thus malas of mansa dhatu.<ref>Charaka Samhita (chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 18-20)</ref>

== Mansa sara ==

== Mansa sara ==

The persons having essence of mamsa dhatu have their temples (shankha), forehead (lalata), nape (krikatika), eyes (akshi), cheek (ganda), jaws (hanu), neck (griva), shoulder (skandha), abdomen (udara), axillae (kaksha), chest (vaksha), hands (pani), feet (pada)and joints (sandhi) well developed with firm, heavy and good looking muscles. This essence indicates forbearance, restraint, and lack of greed, wealth, knowledge, happiness, simplicity, health, strength and longevity.[Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/105]

 

 

The persons having essence of mamsa dhatu have their temples (shankha), forehead (lalata), nape (krikatika), eyes (akshi), cheek (ganda), jaws (hanu), neck (griva), shoulder (skandha), abdomen (udara), axillae (kaksha), chest (vaksha), hands (pani), feet (pada) and joints (sandhi) well developed with firm, heavy and good looking muscles. This essence indicates forbearance, restraint, and lack of greed, wealth, knowledge, happiness, simplicity, health, strength and longevity. [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/105]

== Vitiating factors ==

== Vitiating factors ==

== Importance of Mansa dhatu in health and wellbeing ==

== Importance of Mansa dhatu in health and wellbeing ==

* Proper musculature (samhanana) is one of the assessment parameters of health. Physical strength directly depends upon musculature.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/116]

* Proper musculature (samshanana) is one of the assessment parameters of health. Physical strength directly depends upon musculature.[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/116]

* A person with a balanced proportion of muscles and compactness of the body and firmness in sense organs is not affected by diseases. Such people can tolerate hunger, thirst, the heat of the sun, cold and physical exercise. Their digestion, assimilation of food, and muscle metabolism are in a state of equilibrium. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/19].

* A person with a balanced proportion of muscles and compactness of the body and firmness in sense organs is not affected by diseases. Such people can tolerate hunger, thirst, the heat of the sun, cold and physical exercise. Their digestion, assimilation of food, and muscle metabolism are in a state of equilibrium. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/19].