1910112024, 20:22 “Marsa Dhatu: A Closer Look at the Musclas from the Ayurvedic Perspective - California College of Ayurveda
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Mamsa Dhatu: A Closer Look at the Muscles
from the Ayurvedic Perspective
December 22, 2010 by Dr. Marc Halpern
The term “mamsa dhatu” literally means “flesh” or “meat,” but in
Ayurveda it refers to the muscles of the body. In the physical body,
mamsa dhatu refers directly to the muscles and indirectly to the
ligaments and skin, which are upadhatus formed as the unstable form
of rakta dhatu (posaka rakta) is converted to mamsa dhatu.
Mamsa dhatu is more than muscle; it is the provider of strength,
courage, fortitude, and self-confidence. It is also the vehicle through
which we express ourselves. When healthy, our muscles work in a
modest fashion to express the needs and desires of the ego, while also
available to express the creative inspiration of the Divine. In other
words, our flesh (body) is the expressive vehicle of both the jivatman
(that part of our soul that identifies with the ego) and the paramatman
(that part of our soul that identifies with the Divine).
Muscle is built from earth and fire, and is then motivated by air. Earth
provides the substance from which the bulky structure of muscle is
mana and fire innitac tha anaina that dirarte ite facie and artian
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In order to produce healthy mamsa dhatu, adequate earth must be
consumed through the diet. Earth element is found in large amounts
within grains, nuts, meats and legumes. Consumption alone, however,
is not enough to build mamsa dhatu. The earth element must be
properly digested so that its qualities can be reused to build mamsa
dhatu. Thus, jatharagni (main digestive fire) must be healthy, as well as
the mamsagni-the agni which transforms posaka rakta dhatu into
mamsa dhatu. While the function of the mamsagni is partially
dependent upon jatharagni (the health of all secondary agnis depend
on jatharagni), mamsagni itself is affected directly by exercise. The
more a person exercises, the stronger mamsagni becomes.
When mamsagni is too low, and there is adequate earth taken into the
body, muscle and other tissues form but they are of low quality. As
such, they are hard but proportionately weak. These muscles can do
little work relative to their size. When mamsagni is too high, and there
is adequate earth taken into the body, the muscles that form will be
lean and strong but prone to inflammation. When mamsagni is
balanced, the earth that is taken in will be converted to muscle that is
healthy and capable of large amounts of work without injury.
In the event that there is not enough earth element present to generate
mamsa dhatu, then the body tissues that are formed will always be
inadequate regardless of the state of mamsagni. However, if mamsagni
is strong, the body will become very lean, the tissue formed will be
prone to inflammation, and eventually, if there is not enough earth to
sustain the muscles, the agni itself will begin to devour the mamsa
dhatu and there will be muscle wasting.
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with a distracted or ignorant consciousness), the work generated is an
expression of personal will or ego.
Mamsa dhatu, made up of earth and fire, has the following qualities:
hot, heavy, dry, hard, unstable, rough, dense, cloudy, gross, and sharp.
These qualities are similar to a combination of pitta and kapha doshas
and, as such, these doshas play the greatest role in its development
and health. A balanced kapha dosha provides for proper structure and
a balanced pitta dosha for proper metabolic function. Disturbances in
these doshas are responsible for alterations of form and function.
The amount of muscle and the thickness of the skin and ligaments
depend upon a person's constitution. People with a vata prakruti have
minimal amounts of muscle and thin skin and ligaments even when
healthy and balanced. Those with a pitta nature have moderate
muscular formation along with a moderate thickness of the skin and
ligaments. Individuals with a kapha nature have larger muscle mass
with thicker skin and ligaments. Regardless of the dosha, the tissues
are healthy if they are consistent in formation with the doshic balance
of the individual and are tone and supple.
Vitiation of kapha dosha in the mamsavaha srota (channel that carries
posaka rakta dhatu) results in low mamsagni. This results in excessive
mamsa dhatu formation but the tissue formed is hard and inflexible. In
addition, the upadhatus (secondary tissues) are similarly affected.
Thus, the skin and ligaments of the body become thicker, harder, and
tighter. Psychologically, self-confidence is quiet and strong but the
motivation and courage to take action is lacking.
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chances and move forward. Self-confidence is high. This is not
necessarily as good as it sounds. Remember that pitta vitiation is an
imbalance. Thus, the sense of confidence and strength that is present is
driven by the ego. It is the confidence and strength of will that often
results in injury and inflammation within the mamsa dhatu from
pushing too hard.
Vitiation of vata dosha in the mamsavaha srota results in a variable
mamsagni. This also results in minimal tissue formation, and the tissue
formed is weak. In addition, the skin and ligaments become thinner and
prone to injury. Vata vitiation within the mamsa dhatu is responsible for
the greatest number of challenges within the tissues surrounding the
joints of the body. Psychologically, a lack of mamsa dhatu results in a
lack of emotional strength, courage and self-confidence. This creates
timidity, along with physical and emotional fragility.
Summary of the Effects of Dosha Vitiation on the Mamsa
Dhatu
Vata Pitta Kapha
Tissue Minimal Minimal to Moderate Excessive
Muscle form and | Weak and prone to injury Strong, but prone to Hard and inflexible
function inflammation
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In the subtle body, the health of the mamsa dhatu is directly dependent
upon the flow of prana through muladhara, manipura and vishuddha
chakras. Through muladhara chakra, the prana that carries the qualities
of the earth element flows allowing us to feel grounded and anchored
‘to our bodies, and to the body of planet earth. Proper tissue
development is dependent upon a healthy connection to the mother
Earth. The prana that carries the qualities of the fire element flows
through manipura chakra, igniting the metabolic functions of the body
and mind — increasing will and motivation. The role of vishuddha
chakra is less important in mamsa development but quite important as
regards the proper use of the dhatu. Vishuddha chakra is the home site
of udana vayu, the force that inspires the muscles to act and, in doing
so, express ourselves.
Only when the doshas are in a healthy state of balance is it possible to
utilize the mamsa dhatu at the highest level. A healthy body allows for
the complete fulfillment of dharma. Doshic disturbances of the body,
disturbing the mamsa dhatu, interfere with one’s ability to serve.
Healing the mamsa dhatu means restoring the proper quantity and
quality of earth and fire in the body and mind. The proper quantity is
based upon the constitutional tendency of the individual. Those with
more kapha in their constitution will naturally have more mamsa dhatu.
This makes depletion less likely and excess more likely. Those with
more of a vata constitution tend to have a naturally lower amount of
mamsa dhatu, and are the most susceptible to depletion. Those with a
pitta nature tend to have a moderate quantity of mamsa dhatu and are
prone to depletion secondary to excessive fire.
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vitiation within the mamsa dhatu results a low pain threshold and high
pain sensitivity. This tissue surrounding the pain will feel cool to the
touch. Pitta vitiation within the mamsa dhatu produces pain as well but
the tissue surrounding the pain will feel warm and may appear
reddened. Kapha vitiation rarely produces pain, but the muscles will be
taught and motion will be limited. The tissue may feel fluidic or boggy.
The skin should be evaluated for excessive dryness, red rashes, and
fluidity reflecting vata, pitta, and kapha doshas respectively.
Once the mamsa dhatu is vitiated, it is important for treatment to be as
specific as possible. While general lifestyle treatments that pacify the
vitiated dosha are important, the more specific the treatment is, the
more successful the outcome will be.
Proper Treatment of the Mamsa Dhatu
When kapha has entered the mamsa dhatu and mamsavaha srota, the
best treatment is reducing the quantity of heavy foods and increasing
agni in order to enhance muscle metabolism. Heavy foods such as nuts,
grains, meats and legumes should be minimized and lighter foods such
as vegetables and seeds should be increased. The pungent taste is the
best taste, as it reduces mamsa dhatu and increases agni. Thus, foods
should be prepared accordingly, and oral supplementation with hot
spicy herbs such as the trikatu combination is appropriate. Exercise is
the surest way to increase mamsagni and reduce the dhatu, but only if
food intake is minimized. Aerobic exercise is best. If a patient lifts
weights, then light weights should be lifted with many repetitions as
the joints move through their full range of motion. Additional time in
the sun is also supportive. Yoga asana to improve flexibility and heating
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butter, bitter vegetables, wheat, and oats. The best taste for a quick
effect is the bitter taste, as it quickly reduces all agnis. The sweet taste,
however, is better for the long-term management of high agni. Because
it is heavy, its effects are longer lasting. Being moist, the sweet taste
also provides protection against the heat. Thus, muscle or ligament
inflammation responds quickly to bitter herbs such as kutki, gentian,
and barberry. Long-term treatment and prevention of future
inflammation can be better accomplished through the use of licorice
root, shatavari, or slippery elm. These herbs, being rejuvenative, also
help restore the injured tissue. Exercise should be completely avoided
as this increases mamsagni. Once inflammation is resolved, however,
exercise can slowly begin but only in proportion to the amount of earth
element that requires digestion. Excessive time in the sun should be
avoided. Pranayama practices that are cooling should be practiced.
Cooling forms of yoga asana may be practiced as soon as the
inflammation is reduced.
When vata has entered the mamsa dhatu and mamsavaha srota, the
best treatment is to stabilize jatharagni and mamsagni and increase the
intake of the earth element in proportion to the strength of agni
Stabilization is accomplished through the formation of regular daily
routines — particularly those surrounding eating and sleeping habits.
Earth element is increased through the intake of heavier foods such as
grains, meats, nuts, and legumes. In order to support and stabilize agni,
warm spices should be taken, but not those that are very hot. The best.
tastes are sweet and sour as they contain earth element. The sour
taste, containing fire element, is even more beneficial as it has a long-
term stabilizing effect on agni. When the sweet taste is utilized, it
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exercise can be recommended so long as more nourishment is
provided. Pranayama practices that balance agni, such as alternate
nostril breathing, are beneficial. Yoga asana may also be practiced, but
should be restorative to the physical and energetic systems of the
body.
In summary, a healthy mamsa dhatu is necessary to do the work of life.
In order to keep it healthy, it is important to know one’s prakruti and
vikruti and then to take the appropriate actions that are necessary to
restore balance.
Dr. Marc Halpern
Or. Marc Halpern is the founder and President of the California College of Ayurveda and the
author of the popular book, 'Healing Your Life; Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda’. A leader in
the fields of Ayurveda and Yoga, he is the co-founder of the National Ayurvedic Medical
Association (USA) and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. He also sits on the
advisory boards of ‘Light on Ayurveda Journal’ in the United States and the ‘Journal of
Research and Education in Indian Medicine’ in India. Dr. Halpern's contributions to the field
have earned him the highest level of awards in both countries. He has published hundreds
of articles in popular journals and magazines of Ayurveda and Yoga and is a regular speaker
at Ayurvedic and Yoga conferences. A Doctor of Chiropractic, a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist,
a certified Yoga Teacher in the Sivananda tradition, a Specialist in Holistic Medicine, an
author and teacher, Dr. Mare Halpern gives 100% to his passion for healing and removing
the causes of suffering,
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