Doṣa–Dhātu–Mala–Mūlam: An Elaborated Conceptual and Clinical Review of the Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda conceptualises the human body as a dynamically balanced system governed by Doṣa, Dhātu, and Mala. These three entities constitute the fundamental basis of physiological regulation, tissue nourishment, and metabolic waste elimination. The classical dictum “Doṣa–Dhātu–Mala–Mūlam Hi Śarīram” emphasises that equilibrium among these components maintains health, whereas their disequilibrium initiates disease processes. This review critically elaborates the conceptual framework, interrelationship, clinical relevance, and modern scientific correlations of Doṣa, Dhātu, and Mala based on classical Ayurvedic texts and contemporary research literature.