Diseases of the Kidneys

Diseases of the kidney as well as metabolic conditions marked by polyuria, or excess urine excretion, largely come under the heading of prameha in Ayurveda.  Prameha is a term that refers to the kidneys and their failure to properly preserve vital nutrients in the blood, allowing their excretion into the urine.  It is diagnosed on the qualities of these substances found in the urine, and are broadly classified into three basic categories: Kaphaja, Pittaja and Vataja.  The primary causes of prameha are foods that are too sweet, heavy and oily in nature (which aggravate Kapha), poor digestion, lack of exercise and excessive sleep.  Various toxins can also be causative.

Kaphaja Prameha

img_0261Urinary diseases related to the aggravated function of the renal artery system are identified as Kaphaja in origin, promoting renal edema, catarrhal states, and by-products in the urine that excess the imbalanced qualities of Kapha.  Ayurveda divides kidney diseases with the character of Kapha into ten subcategories: Udakameha, Ikshumeha, Sandrameha, Surameha, Pistameha, Sukrameha, Sikatameha, Shitameha, Shanairmeha and Lalameha.  They can all be treated with the basic treatments and diet for Kapha along with specific remedies.

Udakameha (Polyuria)

Udakameha or simple polyuria is concerned with the aggravated function of the renal artery system with symptoms of excess watery urine, without a typical urine odor.  It is treated with the regular Kapha treatments and diet along with specific remedies against polyuria.  It is easy to cure.

Some specific remedies against polyuria are:

  1. Parijata bark decoction (Erythrinia variegata), 1-2 cups of a weak decoction
  2. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  3. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  4. Shilajita , 2-3 pills twice daily

Iksumeha (Diabetes insipidus)

Iksumeha can be correlated with diabetes insipidus, and is defined as an aggravation of the function of the renal artery system that causes an increase of blood sugar in the urine, resembling canesugar juice (ikshu) in sweetness.  It is treated with the general Kapha treatments and diet along with specific remedies against diabetes insipidus.  It is easy to cure.   Some useful medicines for ikshumeha include:

  1. Shilajita , 2-3 pills several times daily
  2. Decoction of equal parts Khadira extract (catechu / Acacia catechu, white) and Puga nut (betel / Areca catechu), 60-90 mL twice daily
  3. Decoction of two parts Triphala (Phyllanthus emblica / Terminalia belerica / Terminalia chebula) and one part Gokshura fruit (Tribulus terrestris), 60-90 mL twice daily
  4. Vaijayanti Kasaya, 60-90 mL twice daily
  5. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  6. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  7. Chaturdasanga churna, 2 grams twice daily

Surameha (Phosphaturia)

Surameha refers to urine that is frothy like beer (sura), and can be correlated with phosphaturia.  It is treated with the regular Kapha treatments and diet along with specific remedies.  It is easy to cure.  Some specific remedies against surameha include:

  1. Nimbakasaya 30-90 mL twice daily, depending on strength of patient
  2. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  3. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  4. Shilajita , 2-3 pills twice daily

Pistameha (Chyluria)

Pistameha is correlated with chyluria, caused by an aggravation of renal artery system that allows chyle in the urine, giving it a dirty-white colored urine.  It is treated with the regular Kapha treatments and diet along with specific remedies.  It is easy to cure.  Some specific remedies include:

  1. Haridra Daruharidra Kasaya, 30-60 mL twice daily
  2. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  3. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  4. Shilajita , 2-3 pills twice daily

Shukrameha (Spermatorrhea)

Shukrameha refers to the presence of sperm (shukra) in the urine.  It is treated with the regular Kapha treatments and diet along with specific remedies against spermatorrhea.  It is easy to cure.  Some specific remedies include:

  1. Kakubha Chandana Kasaya, 60-90 mL twice daily
  2. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  3. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  4. Shilajita , 2-3 pills twice daily

Sikatameha (Urate, Calcium oxalate etc in the urine)

img_0124Sikatameha refers to the presence of urates or other solids in the urine caused by the aggravation of the renal artery system.  It is treated with the regular Kapha treatments and diet along with specific remedies against solids in the urine.  It is easy to cure.  Some specific remedies against sikatameha include:

  1. Chitraka root (leadwort, white flower / Plumbago zeylanica) decoction, 30-60 mL twice daily taken with honey
  2. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  3. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  4. Shilajita , 2-3 pills twice daily

Shitameha (Glycosuria)

Shitameha refers to the frequent voiding of cold (shita) urine, and is commonly correlated with glycosuria.  It is treated with the regular Kapha treatments and diet (page Error! Bookmark not defined.) along with specific remedies against glycosuria.  It is easy to cure.  Some specific remedies include:

  1. Triphala churna, 2 grams twice daily
  2. Ashwagandha root (Convolvulus arvensis), 2 grams twice daily
  3. Mriddhika kasaya, 30-60 mL twice daily
  4. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  5. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  6. Shilajita , 2-3 pills twice daily

Shanairmeha (Anuresis)

Shanairmeha corresponds to anuresis, and is concerned with the aggravated function of the renal artery system that causes suppression of urinary secretion, often with burning sensations.  It is treated with the regular Kapha treatments and diet along with specific remedies against anuresis.  It is easy to cure.  Some specific remedies include:

  1. Khadira (catechu / Acacia catechu, white) decoction, 30-60 mL twice daily. Although it is very astringent, Khadira has been found effective for this condition.
  2. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  3. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  4. Shilajita , 2-3 pills twice daily

Lalameha (Albuminuria)

Lalameha refers to urine that is thick and greasy resembling saliva, caused by the aggravated function of the renal artery system that causes albumin in the urine.  It is treated with the regular Kapha treatments and diet along with specific remedies against albuminuria.  It is easy to cure.  Some specific remedies include:

  1. Patha root (Stephania hernandifolia), 500 mg twice daily
  2. Agaru wood (eaglewood / Aquilaria agallocha), 500 mg twice daily
  3. Haridra kasaya, 30-60 mL twice daily
  4. Haridra Amalirasena, 3 pills twice daily (vati), 2 grams twice daily (churna)
  5. Lauhasava, 30 mL twice daily
  6. Shilajita , 2-3 pills twice daily

Additional headings in this chapter*

Pittaja Prameha
Vataja Prameha
Vastija Udavarta (Kidney Failure Related To Vata)
Ksinaksaya (Renal Tuberculosis)
Sharkara (Renal Calculus)
Vrikkavidradhi (Renal Abscess)

*To acquire the complete contents of “Ayurveda In Nepal: The Bajracharya Samhita” please click here.

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