According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the term Ayurveda literally means
“knowledge of life.” It encompasses the physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and subtle
dimensions of life, along with the dynamic concepts of well-being, health promotion, and the
prevention and management of diseases. Dhatus are the structural elements of the body. The
metabolic process involves functions such as providing energy, nourishment, binding/covering,
and shaping, allowing for the movement of structures, providing support, replenishing lost tissues,
and facilitating procreation. These structural elements of the body that participate in these
functions are collectively classified as Dhatus.
In short, Dhatu is one of the chief components of Ayurveda, which nourishes, supports, and
sustains the mind and vitality of the living body. Well-nourished Dhatus give strength to the body
and maintain health. To fully understand the role of Dhatus in either strengthening or weakeningthe body's ability, it is necessary to gain a thorough understanding of the process by which Dhatus
are formed, as well as their properties and functions. In this review article, we will discuss all these
aspects.
Keywords: Ayurveda, Dhatu, Saptadhatu, Ahara, Nutrition
Publication date: 01/02/2026
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/February/MS_IJBPAS_2026_9769.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.2.9769
