In this article, we will know the types of Prameha and the different ways in which Prameha has been classified in the Samhitas or the scriptures of Ayurveda.
Before we classify, let us understand the meaning of Prameha.
What is Prameha?
According to Ayurveda, Prameha refers to a metabolic syndrome involving clinical symptoms of obesity and prediabetes.
Prameha roga is referred to as Diabetes mellitus which according to Ayurveda is defined as a disease with a single difference depending on the doshas or dhatus.
In Ayurveda, the 3 fundamental doshas which constitute the body are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Whereas Dhatus are 7 in the body namely, Rasa(plasma), Rakta(blood), Mamsa(muscle), Meda(fat), Asthi(bone), Majja(bone marrow) and Sukhra(reproductive fluid).
Major characteristics of Prameha include-
According to Sushruta and Vagbhatta, Prameha is mainly characterised by two abnormalities:
- Prabhuta Mutrata
- Avila Mutrata
| Term | Meaning | Cause |
| Prabhuta Mutrata | Excessive urination | Metabolic or hormonal changes |
| Avila Mutrata | Turbidity of urine | Abnormalities in the urinary tract |
Causes of Prameha
The causes of Prameha can be mainly grouped under 3 categories:
| Ahar – Diet | Vihar – Lifestyle | Mansik – Psychological |
| Excess consumption of dairy | Low physical activity | Ignorance |
| Excess consumption of sugary foods | Sedentary lifestyle | Overthinking |
| Excess consumption of food rich in fat | Excess sleep | Anxiety |
| Excess consumption of sour and salty foods that cause water retention | Laziness or reluctance to workout | Excess stress |
Prameha has been classified into 27 types based on the different characteristic symptoms related to the associated dosha:
Let us know the types of Prameha which are classified as Kaphaja, Pittaja and Vataja in the Samhitas namely, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita written by the laureates Charaka, and Sushruta respectively.
Firstly, let us look at the Kaphaja Prameha or the Prameha caused mainly due to the imbalance in Kapha dosha:
Out of the 27 types of Prameha, 14 types of Prameha are Kaphaja.
Kaphaja Prameha
| S.no | Types of Prameha | Modern name | In Charaka Samhita | In Sushruta Samhita |
| 1 | Udakameha | Diabetes insipidus | Excretion of transparent, watery, colourless and large quantity of urine | Transparent urine which is excreted as white and watery with no discomfort. |
| 2 | Ikshuvalikameha | Alimentary Glycosuria | Sweet, cold, slimy, turbid which is like cane juice | Urine representing sugar cane juice |
| 3 | Sandrameha | Phosphaturia | Occurence of urine precipitation when kept overnight | Urine turning thick or turbid |
| 4 | Sandraprasadameha | Belluria | Urine turns partly clear and partly precipitated | – |
| 5 | Shuklameha | Chyluria | Frequent passage of urine that is floury and white in colour | – |
| 6 | Sukrameha | Spermaturia | Passage of semen like urine or urine with semen | Passing of urine like semen |
| 7 | Sheetameha | Renal Glycosuria | Frequent passage of urine which is very sweet and cold | – |
| 8 | Sikatameha | Graveluria | Passing of fine-sand like particles with urine | – |
| 9 | Shanairameha | Slow urination | Urine is passed very slowly in small quantities with great difficulty | Slow passage of urine along with Kapha |
| 10 | Alalameha | Albuminuria | Slimy phlegm like urine with threads is passed | – |
| 11 | Lavanameha | – | – | Passage of transparent urine resembling saline water |
| 12 | Phenameha | – | – | Frothy urine which is passed slowly |
| 13 | Surameha | – | – | Sura like or wine-like urine is passed |
| 14 | Pistameha | Albumosuria | – | Urine that is like a suspension of flour in water is passed |
Out of the 27 types of Prameha, 7 types of Prameha are Pittaja or due to the imbalance of Pitta:
Pittaja Prameha
| 15 | Kharameha | Alkalinuria | Urine that has the properties of an alkali | The urine resembles an alkaline solution |
| 16 | Kalameha | Indicanuria | Black and hot urine is excreted | – |
| 17 | Neelameha | Indicanuria | Sour and blue urine is passed like the colour of Nilakantha bird feather | Passing of frothy, clear and bluish urine is passed |
| 18 | Raktameha | Hamaturia | Urine that is saline, hot and red in colour is produced | Urine like blood is excreted |
| 19 | Manjisthameha | Haemoglobinuria | Urine that is red with extreme saline smell is excreted | Urine that is like Manjistha is produced which resembles mixing in water |
| 20 | Haridrameha | Bilirubinuria | Colour of urine id like Haridra with a pungent taste | Urine which is like Haridra colour and has a burning sensation while passing |
| 21 | Amlameha | – | – | Urine is passed which has an acidic taste and smell |
Out of the 27 types of Prameha, 6 types of Prameha are Pittaja or due to the imbalance of Vata:
Vataja Prameha
| 22 | Vasameha | – | Urine mixed with Vasa is passed frequently | Urination which is like Vasa |
| 23 | Mazzameha | – | Excretion of urine which is frequent and mixed with mazza | – |
| 24 | Hastimeha | – | Frequent passage of urine like an elephant. This type is an incurable | Passage of huge quantities of urine like an elephant that is excited. |
| 25 | Madhumeha | Diabetes mellitus | Urine that is astringent in taste, sweet and pale is passed | – |
| 26 | Sarpimeha | – | – | Ghee-like urine is released |
| 27 | Kshaudrameha | Sugarcane or honey-like urine | Passage of urine which has the colour and taste of honey | – |