Mala in a broad sense can be defined as excrements. Ayurveda gives high importance to the body s excrements and classifies them as HEALTHY excrements and DISEASED excrements. Though the explanation may sound a bit vague, it is a vital part of Ayurvedic diagnosis. Ayurveda states that the nature of the excrements determines the working condition of an entity. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 1
TYPES OF Ayurveda lists two main types of Malas (waste products). TYPE CO-RELATION DHATU Waste products expelled from cells and tissues AAHARA Waste products derived from food National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 2
DHATU Dhatu mala are formed during the process of Dhatu production by following the similar process of ABSORPTION of nutrients, ASSIMILATION - and EXCREMENT of waste materials. Dhatus and their excrements are discussed separately. Let us have a brief recap here: DHATU RASA [EXCREMENT] Kapha dosha in form of Mucus /Phlegm RAKTA Pitta dosha in form of Digestive juices [bile] MAMSA MEDA ASTHI Excretions of Eyes, Nose and Ears Sweat [Due to its prominence in pathology its is included as one of the three prime excrements] Hair and Nails MAJJA Sebum SHUKRA No wastes ****** ****** Certain authors like VAGBHAT consider OJAS (the supreme refinement of all Dhatus) as waste of SHUKRA National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 3
AAHAR Aahar Malas are also known as Tri-Mala or the three prime excrements. AAHAR CO-RELATION PURISH MUTRA SVEDA FECES / STOOLS URINE SWEAT Like Dosha and Dhatu, the nature of Mala is very useful to understand the functioning of a body. Ayurveda has described the healthy nature or each Mala. Though the statement may sound ironical how wastes can be healthy, they do have a deep implication. Each entity of the body has a healthy and unhealthy state and evaluating it makes one understand the genesis of health. In a healthy body, the quantity and quality of Mala is in accordance with the descriptions given by Ayurveda. However, any abnormality in quality or quantity of the Malas leads to disease. The Malas have their unique combination of the Panchamahabhutas. Let us look at each of the three Malas in brief National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 4
PURISHA Purisha or feces is composed mainly of the element PRITHVI (earth). In a HEALTHY state, Purisha is described as semisolid, with a mucus coating. The UNHEALTHY state of any entity can be examined when it is produced in EXCESS[VRIDDHI], INSUFFICIENT[KSHAYA] or when its structure is different from normal. PURISH-VRIDDHI (Excess) Purisha na kukshau adhmanan atopam gauravam vedana shakrut Flatulence Abdominal unrest Abdominal pain Heaviness National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 5
PURISH-KSHAYA (Insufficient) Purishe vayu antrani sashabdam veshtayan eva kukshou bhramati yati urdhwam hrit parshwe peedayan bhisham Abdominal gases Bloating Pain in the back Pain in the chest and heart region. The assessment of Purisha helps evaluate underlying disorders. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 6
MUTRA Mutra or urine is composed mainly of AAPAH (water) and Agni (fire). MUTRA-VRIDDHI [Excess] Mutra ñ Basti nistodam krute api akrutnangyatam Pain in the bladder, Urge to urinate frequently, Increase can indicates underlying causes like diabetes, bladder dysfunction MUTRA-KSHAY [Insufficient] Mutra na mutre alpam mutrayet kricchrat vivarnan sa asram eva va Difficulty in passing urine. Heavy colored urine sometimes accompanied with blood. Its decrease can indicate syndromes like kidney disorders and edema. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 7
SVEDA Sveda or sweat is composed mainly of AAPAH[water]. Sveda is also the excrement of MEDA Dhatu. However due to its prominence on a visible scale it must be included as one of the three prime excrements. SVEDVRIDDHI [Excess] sweda na atisweda daurgandhya kandu Excessive perspiration. Foul odor from the body. Itching. Increase of Sveda can indicate underlying syndromes like hormonal imbalances and cardiac disorders. SVEDKSHAY [Insufficient] sweda na Swede romchyuti stabdha romata sfutanam twacha Loss of body hair. Cracked skin, dry skin. Decrease of Sveda can indicate immunological disorders, skin disorders.structural malformation can determine the toxic levels of the body and ORGAN FAILURES. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 8
For a healthy body, the harmony of DOSHA, DHATU and must be preserved. Any discrepancy at any level causes disorder. It can be observed then why certain symptoms like hair fall, breaking of nails, withered nails, excessive discharge from the eyes, yellowing of teeth are regarded as warning signs of underlying grave disorders according to Ayurveda. The subtle observation and attention to detail of an Ayurveda vaidya makes his diagnosis quite accurate. National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in NLAM Education 9