Dhatus also have three states – sama (Balanced state), vrddhi and ksaya (same as doshas). Aggravated doshas weaken dhatus, so in the disease process dhatu ksaya signs are addressed. Only in few diseases vrddhi signs are mentioned.
Signs of Dhatu and Mala Ksaya and Vrddhi
Causes of Dhatu Ksaya
Ksaya means Depletion
- Excessive exercise
- Excessive fasting (e.g. anorexia, bulimia)
- Worry
- Grief
- Excess heat
- Insomnia
- Excess diarrhea
- Excessive diuretics
Causes of Dhatu Vrddhi
Vrddhi mean Increase
- Blockage
- Weak agni
Dhatu/Mala: Rasa
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Dryness/dehydration of the body (rauksya)
- Fatigue on even slight exertion (śrama)
- Emaciation (śosa)
- Lack of enthusiasm (glāni)
- Intolerance to sound (śabdāsahatva)
- Palpitation
- Tightness in the chest and pain in the chest
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Increased rasa shows signs and symptoms like the increase of kapha
- Nausea
- Excess salivation
- Lymphatic congestion
- Lack of taste sensation, anorexia
- Lethargy
- Swelling
- Anemia
- Candida, yeast infections
- Leucorrhea, cystic ovaries
Dhatu/Mala: Rakta
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Longing for cold and acidic (sour) food and drinks
- Flabbiness of veins
- Dryness and dehydration
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Weakness
- Breathlessness
- Darkness in front eyes
- Cold hands and feet
- Loss of complexion
- Death
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Erysipelas
- Enlargement of spleen
- Abscess
- Skin diseases
- A group of diseases affecting joints and skin such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and
neurodermatitis - Bleeding diseases
- Bleeding gums and gingivitis
- Jaundice
- Diseases of liver and spleen
- Functional swellings in the abdomen, abdominal tumors
- Black discoloration on the face
- Red color of skin (Hyperemia)
- Redness of eyes
- Blood in urine
- Weakness of physiological fire
Dhatu/Mala: Mamsa
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Wasting of buttock muscles (gluteal muscles)
- Wasting of cheek muscles
- Weakness of sensory organs and reduction of their acuity
- Pain in joints (arthralgia) and muscles
- Loss of muscles on the body
- Debility
- Dry skin (Upadhātu of Māṃsa)
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)
- Cervical lymphadenitis
- Malignant tumor
- Tumors, benign growth
- Enlargement of the cheeks
- Enlargement of thigh
- Excessive muscularity of neck etc.
- Diseases of palate, tongue, throat
Dhatu/Mala: Meda
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Numbness in the lumbar region
- Enlargement of spleen
- Emaciation
- Roughness in the body
- Exhaustion
- Thinness of abdomen
Vrddhi (Increase)
- All the symptoms of an increase of Māṃsa
- Diabetes, and clammy skin
- Obesity
- Excessive thirst & sweating
- Protrusion and hanging of buttocks
- Protrusion and hanging of breasts
- Protrusion and hanging of abdomen
- Fatigue even on slight exertion
- Increase of the abdomen and flanks
- Unctuousness of the body
Dhatu/Mala: Asthi
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Pricking pain in the bones
- Early falling of teeth
- Falling of hair of the scalp
- Falling of nails
- Weak & brittle bones
- Lack of stamina and fractures
- Breaking of teeth and nails
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Increased calcification of soft tissues
- Increase protruded bones
- Additional teeth
- Bone tumors
- Spurs
Dhatu/Mala: Majja
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Emptiness and porosis of bones
- Giddiness (dizziness/vertigo)
- Blackouts (feeling of entering darkness)
- Pain in joints
- Weakness and lightness in bones
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Feeling of the heaviness of the eyes
- Feeling of heaviness to the body
- Formation of large carbuncles in joint
- Tumors of the nerves and brain
- Swelling in joints
Dhatu/Mala: Sukra (Sperm)
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Delay of ejaculation/ejaculation of blood
- Pricking pain of the testes
- Fuming or burning sensation of the penis
- Impotence
- Pain in scrotum
- Exertion
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Increased libido
- Benign enlargement of prostate/Prostatic calculi (śukrāśmari)
Dhatu/Mala: Artava (Ovum)
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Amenorrhea (absence of period)
- Oligomenorrhea (less bleeding)
- Menstrual cramps
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Menorrhagia
- Endometriosis
Dhatu/Mala: Mutra (Urine)
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Reduction in urine
- Painful urination
- Discoloration of urine (due to over concentration)
- Blood in urine
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Pricking pain in the bladder
- A feeling that urine is not voided even after voiding it
- Excessive urination/diabetes
Dhatu/Mala: Purisa (feces)
Ksaya (Depletion)
- Building up of gas in intestine
- Pain in the epigastrium
- Pain in flanks
Vrddhi (Increase)
- Distention of abdomen
- Gurgling sounds in the abdomen
- Heaviness of abdomen
- Pain in the abdomen
