A review on Dhatu Poshan Nyaya: with the principles of stem cell theory

Abstract

The concept of Dhatus in Ayurveda refers to the physiology of basic nutritional and structural factor of the body. The Ahara Rasa is the source of for nourishing the Dhatus and Dhatu nutrients are nourished one after another from Ahara Rasa to Shukra. Acharya used Nyaya to elaborate the concept. Dhatu Poshan Nyaya gives us a clear view about how the Dhatus formed and how the conversion of Ahara Rasa takes place in Saptdhatus. Rakta Dhatu is the primary source of longevity and survival in human beings. Its formation is a continues process that sustains life. To understand tissue formation, it is essential to understand the Ayurvedic principles that explain the transformation of Ahara Rasa into Dhatus. Ahara has to undergo digestion by Pachakagni, Dhatvagni, along with Bhutagni. Dhatu gets nourished by Dhatu and nourishes another Dhatu. Theories of Dhatu Poshan Nyaya are not different all together, connected to a sequential process where one step follows another in a linked manner, as the step-by-step transformation of nutrients into body tissue (Dhatus) or the sequential differentiation of stem cells into specialized cells. Modern science explains the formation of blood cells during the embryonic stage with the involvement of mesenchymal cells and later hematopoietic cells. Acharyas postulated theories of tissue nutrition and transformation of tissue nutrients into body elements through Dhatu Poshan Nyaya as Khseera Dadhi Nyaya (law of transformation), Kedari Kulya Nyaya (Law of Transportation), Khale Kapot Nyaya (Law of selectivity), Ek Kala Dhatu Poshan Nyaya (Simultaneous supply of nutrients to whole body).