Ayurveda Definition and Functions of Rasa Dhatu or Lymph

Also Read Ayurveda Description of 7 Tissues or Sapta Dhatu
Rasa dhatu is formed when Agni digests food. When food is completely digested with the help of normally secreted digestive juices, the nutritive part of the digested food is called rasa. This nutritive juice nourishes all cells and tissues of the body. It is analogous to extracellular and intracellular fluids. Rasa dhatu has water element or jala (one of panchamahabhuta ) as the dominant constituent.
Importance of rasa:
"Rasajam purusham vidyaat rasam rakshet prayatnatah
annath paanathcha mathimaan aahaaraatch apyathandritah"
Rasa dhatu contains all the nutrients required to nourish the body. Hence Ayurveda acharyas mention the human body as a product of rasa. As rasa dhatu nourishes the body and helps to keep it healthy, we should always put effort to protect rasa dhatu. This can be done by consuming healthy food, plenty of liquid like water, milk, etc and practicing a healthy lifestyle. Indigestion impairs the quality of rasa dhatu. This dhatu nourishes its successive dhatu or tissue Rakta or blood.
What happens when rasa dhatu decreases? or rasa dhatu kshaya
"Rase roukshyam shramassoshoglani shabdaasahishnutha"
When rasa dhatu decreases the following symptoms appear.
Dry skin ( twak rukshata)
tiredness (shrama)
Dehydration ( Shosha)
Malaise (glani)
Intolerance to sound (shabdaasahishnuta)
Rasa dhatu depletion occurs during diseases, pregnancy, lactation, fasting and after heavy exercises. To replenish this one can consume lukewarm water, fruit juices, coconut water, water obtained by boiling rice, barley, etc.
What happens when rasa dhatu increases?
"Rasopi sleshmavat sleshmaagni sadana praseka
aalasygouravam shwaitya shaitya sladhangatvam shwaasa kaasaati nidrata"
When rasa dhatu increases the following symptoms appear
Indigestion (agnimandya)
Excess salivation (praseka)
Lethargy (Aalasya)
Pallor (shweta varna)
Weakness (shaithilya)
Gasping for breath (shwasa)
Cough (kaasa)
Increased sleep (atinidrata)
Symptoms of improperly formed rasa dhatu
Inactiveness
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Heaviness of body
Increased salivation
Feeling of tiredness
Fever
Body pain
Inability to perform sex or temporary erectile dysfunction
Emaciation
Premature hair loss and premature graying.
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Author: Dr.Savitha Suri , Consultant Ayurvedic Physician