Seventh Dhatu – Shukra Dhatu (male Reproductive tissue)
Shukra Dhatu is the male reproductive tissue, mainly the testes. In Sanskrit the sperm is called Shukra. The word Shukra means white. Ayurveda describes Shukra as liquid, unctuous, jelly like, cool, with the smell of honey. Shukra is similar to ghee (clarified butter) and ghee enhances production of semen.
Purpose: creation
Element: Water
Attributes: Liquid, Heavy, and Dense
Action: continuity, next generation, pleasure sensations
Causes of Shukra Dhatu disorders:
- having intercourse at inappropriate times(midday or midnight, dawn or dusk)
- retention of ejaculation
- over indulgence in sexual activity
- having several ejaculations during one night
- sex under the influence of intoxicants
- sex in wrong position
- physical or surgical trauma to the lower pelvic floor
- gonorrhea, syphilis, or herpes
- following tantric sexual practices without proper guidance
- emotional stress and worry
Signs of decreased Shukra Dhatu:
- low libido
- sterility
- pain during coitus
- fear of sex
- low sperm count
- impotence
- lack of erection
Signs of increased Shukra Dhatu:
- preoccupation with sex
- increased desire for sex
- increased prostatic secretion but low sperm count
- premature ejaculation
- prostatic calculi