Changes

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 ==

== 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 ==

== 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>

 

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  ==

== 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 ==

== 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 ==

== 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) ==

== Meda sara (Characteristics of best quality of adipose tissue) ==

वर्णस्वरनेत्रकेशलोमनखदन्तौष्ठमूत्रपुरीषेषु विशेषतः स्नेहो मेदःसाराणाम्|

वर्णस्वरनेत्रकेशलोमनखदन्तौष्ठमूत्रपुरीषेषु विशेषतः स्नेहो मेदःसाराणाम्|

सा सारता वित्तैश्वर्यसुखोपभोगप्रदानान्यार्जवं सुकुमारोपचारतां चा चष्टे||१०६||

सा सारता वित्तैश्वर्यसुखोपभोगप्रदानान्यार्जवं सुकुमारोपचारतां चा चष्टे॥ (Char. Samh. 8.106)<ref name=":0" />

 

''varṇasvaranetrakeśalomanakhadantauṣṭhamūtrapurīṣeṣu viśeṣataḥ sneho medaḥsārāṇām|''

 

''sā sāratā vittaiśvaryasukhopabhogapradānānyārjavaṁ sukumāropacāratāṁ cā caṣṭe||106||''

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 ==

== Functions ==