Mansa Dhatu (मांस धातु)
Mansa dhatu (मांस धातु) is the 3rd dhatu in order of 7 dhatus described in Ayurveda. It is that structural unit or body tissue which performs the important function of covering and protection of body. The word 'Mansa' means flesh or meat. Thus, Mansa dhatu is fleshy body tissue which makes it equivalent to muscle tissue identified by western medicine.
Etymology
The word is derived from Sanskrit root called “Mans” meaning flesh or meat. Mamsa dhatu is the component which enhances body mass, covers body parts, takes part in movements of joints and various parts of body.
Synonyms
Pishita: Found to be separated in single fibers (Vibhakta in Peshi svaroopa) Kravya: Looks aggressive, fearful just be seeing it (Kuyate anena iti kravyam) Palala: Wrapped throughout body and having functional potential. (Kriya samarthyavaan) Amisha :
Formation of Mansa Dhatu
The mamsa dhatu is formed from its predecessor blood (rakta dhatu). The nourishing portion of blood (rakta dhatu) and constituents of nutrient fluid (ahara rasa) are transformed into mamsa dhatu by action of factors responsible for its metabolism (mamsa dhatvagni),vayu, jala and tejas mahabhuta. [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/29]
Location of mansa dhatu
Mansavaha srotas.
Panchabhoutik constitution
Vayu, jala and agni mahabhuta play major role in the formation of "mamsa". [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/29] After formation, it has predominance of prithvi mahabhuta.
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.
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.
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]
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]
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]
Vitiating factors
The following are causative factors for the vitiation of channels for transport and transformation of mamsa dhatu (mamsavaha srotasa). [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/15]
Dietary causes
- Excessive consumption of food that increases secretions and causes obstruction (abhishyandi), bulkiness, heaviness after digestion
Lifestyle causes
- Day time sleep
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]
- 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].
- The qualitative and quantitative decrease in mamsa dhatu is directly related to diminution of strength (bala kshaya) [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 28/20] and vitality (oja kshaya)[Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/24]. Thus, the nutrition of mamsa dhatu is related to strength and immunity of a person.