Mamsa Dhatu

Mamsa dhatu is the muscle tissue and the third dhatu in the sequence. The fully processed sthayi mamsa is created from asthayi mamsa, which is formed at the same time as sthayi rakta. The transformation from ahara rasa to sthayi mamsa takes about 15 days. The muscular system accounts for nearly half of the body weight — if a person weighs 120 pounds, nearly 60 pounds belong to mamsa dhatu.

Muscles are derived from Earth and Water molecules, both of which are heavy. Fire molecules are also present to a lesser degree. Ninety percent of mamsa dhatu is Earth and Water elements and 10 percent is the Fire element. Muscle cells are specialized to undergo contraction, converting the chemical energy of blood nutrients into the mechanical energy of muscle movement through the Fire component. The more muscles move, the more blood is required — when we exercise, blood flow increases because muscles need blood, oxygen, and nutrients.

Mamsa dhatu is heavy, elastic, firm, dense, and bulky. It is derived from kapha dosha and gives shape to the body. Key functions include: ambulatory movement and joint movement during walking; creating resistance against movement during emergencies (acting as a brake or control system); coordination of muscle groups for skillful action such as handwriting, dancing, and climbing; generation of heat; and providing power, ambition, and courage.

Mamsa dhatu also serves protective functions — muscles cover delicate organs, plaster the bones and joints, and protect nerves and blood vessels. It is responsible for movement of bodily fluids including urine, sweat, lymph, and blood. Muscles express emotion through facial muscles and are responsible for the personality and appearance of the body. The tissue in the body that best resists gravity is the muscle tissue — anti-gravitation or levitation is the function of mamsa dhatu.

Muscle cells have different shapes — some are spindle-shaped, some are fibers, and some are long, flat fascia. The three basic classifications are:

• Skeletal muscles (striated) — called mamsa, snayu, or kandara in Ayurveda. These are peripheral, striated muscles controlled by the cerebrospinal nerves and under conscious motor control. They include the biceps, triceps, quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus maximus, lingual muscles (tongue), laryngeal muscles (swallowing), and pharyngeal muscles. Controlled by prana vayu, apana vayu, vyana vayu, and tarpaka kapha.
• Smooth muscles (non-striated) — called mrudu mamsa (soft muscles). These are spindle-shaped and predominantly present in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and reproductive system. They include muscles of the womb, vagina, glans penis, gallbladder, urinary bladder, uterus, and diaphragm. Controlled by vyana vayu and kledaka kapha, regulated by the autonomic and central nervous systems.
• Cardiac muscles — called hrud mamsa. These are specialized fibrous muscles with fibers hooked together to create a solid vessel — the heart. They have the capacity to generate an electrical impulse that creates the pulsing action of the heart, functioning like a battery. Controlled by prana vayu, vyana vayu, and avalambaka kapha.

Smooth muscles and cardiac muscles are involuntary and not under conscious control, whereas skeletal muscles are under conscious control. Between two muscles there is a membranous structure called mamsa dhara kala, which holds the muscles together.

The causes of mamsa dhatu disorders span diet, lifestyle, and disease:

• Dietary: Insufficient or excess protein consumption; heavy meats and dairy products; over or under eating; hydrophilous substances such as yogurt, cheese, cucumber, watermelon, and sea salt; incompatible food combining
• Lifestyle: Insufficient or excessive exercise (beyond one's capacity); daytime sleeping; insufficient rest or sleep; physical trauma such as accidents; emotional stress
• Disease-related: Liver disorders; tuberculosis; typhoid

Kapha-provoking foods such as cheese, yogurt, milk, meat, and heavy meals increase mamsa dhatu, while fasting causes mamsa to decrease within eight days as the tissue undergoes cleansing and reduction in size.