Majja

Majja is a term from Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian medicine. In Ayurvedic anatomy, Majja is one of the seven dhatus, the fundamental tissues that build the body. The Sanskrit word majja translates to marrow or nerve tissue, and in this framework it is closely associated with the nervous system and with the sensory and mental faculties. Majja is described as the tissue that sustains consciousness, perception, and memory, acting as a link between the physical body and the mind.

In classical texts, Majja is treated as a delicate and vital tissue that is nourished through the body’s nourishment channels and is particularly sensitive to imbalances of the doshas. When Majja becomes vitiated, it is said to manifest as nervous system disturbances or sensory and mental symptoms. Commonly noted signs include numbness or tingling, weakness or loss of coordination, altered sensation, and changes in mental clarity, mood, or perception. Because of its association with the nervous system, Majja is often a focus in conditions described as neurological or sensory disorders within Ayurveda.

Treatment concepts in Ayurveda emphasize balancing the doshas and supporting Majja through restorative lifestyle practices, diet, and herbal formulations designed to nourish the nervous tissue and improve vitality. Therapies may aim to reduce stress on the nervous system, enhance nourishment to the tissue, and restore balance in the body’s internal physiology.

Majja also appears in classical texts such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, where it is described as the tissue that interfaces sensory input with mental activity and as an important component of overall vitality. Modern interpretations sometimes relate Majja to elements of bone marrow and neural tissue, though the Ayurvedic framework uses its own diagnostic concepts.