Rakta Dhatu: Ayurveda’s Tissue Layer of the Blood

In Ayurveda, there are seven tissue layers known as the dhatus, which together create our entire physical structure. These seven tissues work interdependently with one another to create an intelligent and interconnected system of overall health.

Understanding the seven dhatus and how to care for each one, can be a powerful tool on your Ayurvedic journey. Last week explored the first tissue layer, Rasa Dhatu and today, we're moving on to take a closer look at Rakta Dhatu, the layer of the blood.

Pulsing and rushing through our veins, the blood is what animates our body—and our life—with passion and color

Rakta Dhatu: The Blood Stream:

Rakta translates to reddening, colored, or impassioned. Rakta dhatu is your vital blood serum, which consists of protein and red blood cells. It is the fuel that governs your blood flow, carrying oxygen and liquid nutrients to the tissues, glands, and organs, helping them stay healthy and functioning well. This flow of blood is responsible for your very existence, including the maintenance of your body systems and how you get oxygen to the brain so you can think and take action in your life.

At the center of this vital stream of life lies the heart. It pumps blood through a network of blood vessels that make up your cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system is dependent on the lymphatic system to provide it with platelet cells and the water volume it needs to keep flowing, as well as the immune functions necessary to keep the blood clean and ensure it has a viscosity that supports a stable heart rate.

Your body is so well designed that the lymphatic river meets the blood stream at the subclavian vein, which resides at the site of the heart chakra. When you feel an energetic shift, your breath changes, as does the rhythm of your heartbeat. These signals provide your body with an understanding of what is being experienced at any given moment. In response, our blood flow changes too, affecting your energy levels and inevitably your blood pressure.

This explains how feelings of occasional fatigue and low blood pressure, as well as stress levels and high blood pressure go hand in hand.

If your blood flow is imbalanced over a long period, it accumulates toxins, called Ama (see blog post on Ama) and begins to pump excess toxins through the blood vessels, veins, and arteries, this is a precursor for illness and disease. For example, if you eat too many solid fats per meal without enough vegetable fiber to break them down, those fats do not get digested completely and the excess fat proteins will enter the bloodstream. Over time, this can eventually clog the arteries. This example helps to explain the importance of having a dinacharya - daily Ayurvedic routine that includes proper breathing, meditation, a dosha-specific diet and regular exercise for your body type.

Keeping the Blood Stream Pulsing:

When the blood is flowing healthy and strong, it supplies you with a sense of vigor, energy, and strength. These gifts go beyond the health of the physical body, gracing you with charisma, enthusiasm, and passion for life, or Prana/Lifeforce as some of you know it.

There are several practical ways to nourish the flow of rakta dhatu. The following tips are great for all doshas equally - Vata, Pitta and Kapha:

• Exercise: Incorporate daily yoga or any other exercise of choice to get your body moving and your blood flowing

• Breathe: Practice pranayama breathing such as Nadi Shodhana, which helps to nourish and oxygenate the blood cells

• Get Your Minerals: A mineral-rich diet is essential for healthy blood. Incorporate things like fresh fruit and vegetables, leafy greens, and a herbal avaleha Chyavanprash (queen of the herbs - see me at the clinic to purchase)

In addition, here are tips for recognising the signs of imbalanced doshas in Rakta Dhatu and how to support a balanced and healthy flow.

Vata in Rakta Dhatu:

Signs:

Cold hands and feet, lightheadedness, occasional numbness, loss of natural color in the skin, occasional fatigue, feelings of fear and anxiousness

Finding Balance:

Exercise: Yoga in a heated room or kundalini yoga Herbs: Tulsi, Pippali, Licorice, Sitopaladi Spices: Basil, Ginger, Asafoetida, Cinnamon Nutrition: Amaranth, Red Lentils, Kidney Beans, Tahini, Dulse, Bone Broth Vegetables: Arugula, Radish, Leeks, Turnips, Beets, Carrots

Pitta in Rakta Dhatu:

Signs:

Tendency to overexert, excess sweating, redness of natural skin color, occasional breakouts, sensitive gums, feelings of anger and resentment

Finding Balance:

Exercise: Yin Yoga or Gentle Yoga, Stretching before exercise Herbs: Shatavari, Rose, Yogaraj Guggulu, Triphala Spices: Cardamon, Coriander, Curry Leaf, Methi Leaf (fenugreek), Dill, Mint,

Coriander

Nutrition: Mung Beans, Basmati Rice, Quinoa, Kelp Seaweed, Pumpkin Seeds Vegetables: Kale, Leafy Greens, Bok Choy, Cucumber, Cauliflower

Kapha in Rakta Dhatu:

Signs:

Shallow or labored breathing, poor circulation, lack of luster in natural skin color, stagnation, feelings of depression and grief.

Finding Balance:

Exercise: Vinyasa yoga or Dance Herbs: Brahmi, Bilva, Tulsi, Pippali Spices: Asafoetida, Cumin, Ginger, Thyme, Rosemary Nutrition: Red Quinoa, Garbanzo Beans, Brown Rice, White Fish, Kombu Vegetables: Raw Salads, Spinach, Kale, Cucumber, Fennel Root

So as you can see, as always, diet and lifestyle is always directly related to the health of the body.

By finding your dosha, eating those foods and doing gentle exercise for the body, mind and Rakta Dhatu and its blood can keep you in optimum health and vitality.

As always, please don't self prescribe medications, always see me prior to the taking of ANY Ayurvedic herbs or medicines.

Until next time, Namaste and Stay Well

Anji x