The word dhatu comes from the root word dha means basis or foundation. In Ayurvedic medicine, the dhatus (tissues) are the structural component nourishes the body. There are seven primary sapta dhatus: rasa (plasma tissue, lymph), rakta (blood, red blood cells), mamsa (muscle), meda (adipose tissue, fat), asthi (bone & cartilage), majja (nerve, marrow, connective tissue), and shukra/artava (male & female reproductive system).