A comparative literature review of Blood tissue (Rakta / Dam) as mentioned in Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicines.

Abstract

This comparative literature review explores the concept of blood—Rakta in Ayurveda and Dam in Unani medicine—highlighting their origins, characteristics, and physiological functions within each traditional system. Both Ayurveda and Unani recognize blood as a vital life-sustaining entity, central to nourishment, thermoregulation, complexion, and vitality. In Unani medicine, blood is one of the four humours, formed primarily in the liver through the transformation of ingested food into chyle, then into humours, with blood being predominant. In Ayurveda, Rakta Dhatu arises from the transformation of Rasa Dhatu under the influence of Ranjaka Pitta in the liver and spleen, following the sequential nourishment of Dhatus as explained by classical analogies such as Ksheera-Dadhi Nyaya. Both systems emphasize the qualitative purity of blood for optimal health, though descriptions differ—Unani explains structural components (akhl?t lat?fah and akhl?t kath?fah), while Ayurveda focuses on sensory qualities, temperature, and purity attributes. Functional parallels include sustaining life, nourishing tissues, enhancing complexion, and distributing vital energy (Har?rat Ghar?z? in Unani, Prana in Ayurveda). The review shows that, even though the terms, metaphors and diagnostic views are different, the basic ideas are very similar. This suggests there is good potential for combining knowledge and creating dialogue between both systems.