Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Mala means waste substances formed in the body. The excreta are of two types basically.
Sthula Malas – these are the types of excreta formed in large quantity. They are three in number and are called as tri-malas. They are produced in large quantities and excreted on daily basis.
Table of Contents
Introduction
They are –
- Pureesha – feces
- Mutra – urine
- Sweda – sweat
These three should be excreted out regularly for the body to be healthy. If they are not excreted they would produce serious disorders related to body and mind. When excreta remain in the body for long duration they become poisonous to the body. Non-elimination of these excreta points towards errors in systemic metabolism.
Read related: Exhaled Toxins Are Not Considered As Mala (Waste product) Why?
Sukshma Malas – these are the excreta produced in smaller quantity and are formed as end products of tissue metabolism. The body has a mechanism to throw them out regularly if the tissues are formed properly and balanced proportionally.
Sanskrit verse
Mala pradoshaja roga
Mala Pradoshaja Rogas – Diseases caused by contaminated body excreta
These are also called Mal Pradoshaj vikar
‘Malineekaranaat malaah….’ this means ‘malas are those which cause contamination of the body’. This definition tells that the excreta by themselves can cause contamination and cause various diseases.
This happens when they are stagnated and not properly excreted. The excreta may further be contaminated by the vitiated doshas or ama. This will worsen the picture. The vitiated doshas and ama on getting associated with the excreta may block their excretion or also increase the excretion. In either case many diseases are manifested.
We can make a wide guess so as to how worse could be the problems when the natural contaminants i.e. excreta are once again contaminated by vitiated doshas causing super-contamination?
Related Reading – Ama – Word Derivation, Meaning, Definition, Formation
Feces with dosha, ama
Symptoms of feces contaminated with doshas and ama –
The feces which has been contaminated with doshas and ama produces certain diseases and pathological conditions which are collectively addressed as pureesha pradoshaja rogas.
Read related: Dhatu Mala: Tissue Waste Products: Ayurveda perspective
Majjati gurutvaad vit / Nyastam apsu avaseedati – Contaminated feces are heavy in nature. Since the feces are heavy and bulky, it tends to sink in water and reach the bottom of it. On the contrary, the feces which are not contaminated stays light and tend to float on the surface of water. This is one differentiating point which demarcates normal and contaminated feces. The feces sink mainly when it is contaminated with kapha and ama.
Bhrisha Durgandham – the feces contaminated with doshas and ama emit different foul smell.
Bhrisha Pichchilam – the feces contaminated with doshas and ama is sticky in nature. Since it is sticky it sticks to the walls of the passages i.e. colon and will not be excreted easily. This may be attributed to the contamination of feces by kapha or ama. Due to this it takes lot of time for the stools to get excreted, one might have to spend lot of time in the toilet to void the stools contaminated with doshas. As a result the contaminated feces may produce many painful and annoying symptoms like flatulence, pain in the tummy or anus, belching, indigestion etc.
Other abnormal presentations of contaminated feces may include – change in color and consistency of feces, association of mucus, pus or blood, too loose or too hard stools, hot or cold on touch, produces burning sensation or itching in the anal region, has more frequency and urgency etc
Read related: The Easiest Way To Understand Doshas
On the other hand, pakva mala or processed feces without association with ama or not being contaminated with doshas will be excreted easily and effortlessly, takes less time to be excreted, floats on water, doesn’t present annoying symptoms mentioned above and produces lightness in the body.
Urine with dosha, ama
Symptoms of urine contaminated with doshas and ama –
The urine which gets contaminated with doshas and ama produces certain diseases and pathological conditions. These conditions are collectively known as mutra pradoshaja rogas.
Guru – the urine contaminated with doshas will be heavy and dense in nature. This can be attributed to contamination of urine mainly by vitiated kapha and ama.
Avila – the contaminated urine looks dirty and dusky. This can be due to contamination of urine by any dosha, specifically by vata, kapha or ama.
Read related: Symptoms Of Doshas Associated Ama – Treatment Principle
Vivarna – contaminated urine acquires various abnormal colors. Manifestation of abnormal colors in the urine depends on the involved dosha(s). Example, if vata contaminates the urine it acquires black or brownish black color, if pitta contaminates the urine it acquires bluish color or yellow color and if kapha contaminates the urine it acquires white color.
Durgandha – the contaminated urine gets abnormal odor. The foul smell of the urine may be due to any dosha or ama. This means to tell that any particular dosha contaminating the urine will impart foul smell to the urine and that smell may be different from that of the smell imparted by other dosha(s)
Krite api akrita sangjnaatam – when the urine gets contaminated, it doesn’t get voided easily. The person feels a sense of incomplete evacuation in spite of completing the act.
Vividha mutra vikaarah – Many urinary disorders are manifested due to contamination of urine. Example, 20 types of diabetes, stones in the urine etc will be manifested along with difficulty in passing the urine. Painful conditions like dysuria also may be manifested.
Read related: Tri Malas – The Three Major Waste Matters Of Body
Sweat with dosha, ama
Symptoms of sweat contaminated with doshas and ama –
When the sweat gets contaminated with doshas and ama, it produces certain diseases and pathological conditions. These conditions are collectively known as sweda pradoshaja rogas.
Apravritti Atipravritti – When the sweat gets contaminated with doshas, it either gets eliminated in scanty amount or doesn’t get eliminated or gets eliminated in excess. Sweat along with urine takes part in the balance of water content, minerals and other elements in the body when they are eliminated properly in terms of time, quality and quantity. They also excrete unnecessary wastes and toxins. Excessive or deficit elimination is dangerous. Excessive sweating occurs due to contamination of sweat by vitiated pitta and vata. Deficit sweating occurs due to contamination of sweat by kapha or vata.
Dushpravritti – When the sweat gets contaminated by ama or kapha, it is eliminated with difficulty. This sweat which gets stagnated in the body blocks the sweat glands, ducts and apparatus and also clogs the skin pores. The unwanted salts and water in the body is thus not eliminated properly. They get deposited in the deeper layer of the skin and make the skin susceptible to various infections and damages. The blood supply and nerve conductivity to the cell are hampered and the skin’s perception of touch, temperature and pain is meddled with.
Read related: Ashraya Ashrayi Bhava: Relationship Between Tissues And Doshas
Varna nasha, kushta adi twak roga – When the sweat is not eliminated properly due to the above said reasons, the immunity of the skin is lost. Its color, texture, luster and complexion fade with time. The skin becomes victim of many diseases. Example 18 types of skin disorders.
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