Ayurvedic Health Indicators: Urine Analysis
Updated: Jan 5
Kidney stones, UTIs, urine dribbling—do these sound familiar? Delve into Ayurvedic urine analysis, called mutra pariksha, to gain insights into your health. The urinary tract system, especially the kidneys, plays a crucial role as the body's final filtration system. Curious about what your urine can tell you about your health? Take a peek at your pee!
"It might not be the easiest topic to bring up in conversation, but our urine can tell us a great deal from an Ayurvedic health perspective.
If my clients are in the mood for a laugh, I might suggest that a quick peek at their pee can tell us buckets about their health. In fact, it can be a river of information. The health indicators are just flowing out of them."
-Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
OK, let’s get to exploring.
Why Peek at Your Pee?
In traditional Ayurveda, there are assessment points in each individual’s body and mind that give us information about potential imbalances relating to that person’s doshas.
We look at urine because our kidneys act as the last filtration system of the body, processing electrolytes and water, resulting in urine—a waste product filtered from the blood. Urine can reveal more than just what’s going on in the bladder and urinary system—it also gives us information from upstream, so to speak.
The elemental nature of Ayurveda is centered around air, ether/space, earth, water, and fire. When I work with clients, I will ask them specific questions around what they observe in their urine: things like color, appearance, consistency, volume, whether there’s foam, and if they see sediment.
These characteristics reveal valuable information tied to the doshas. In fact, sometimes people observe things that are curious to them, but which are actually normal markers of how their doshas are coming into balance. At other times, what their urine reveals might lead us to make treatment recommendations via food and herbs.
Because each person is different, this blog isn’t intended as a one-size-fits-all guide. The dance of the doshas in Ayurveda doesn’t lend itself to cookie-cutter solutions. Still, there are some general guideposts and markers that can be readily observed by anyone, with a simple peek in the toilet bowl.
Causes of Urinary Disorders According to Ayurveda
Urinary disorders are common health problems that can impact the urinary tract, kidneys, bladder, and urine flow. According to Ayurveda, urinary disorders are due to imbalances in the body's three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas control the body's functions, including those of the urinary system, or Mutravaha Srotas, which means urinary channel.
Common conditions like UTIs, kidney stones, dribbling, urinary tract infections (UTIs), incontinence, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occur due to disruptions in Mutravaha Srotas often associated with an imbalance in the Vata dosha, but often involved other doshas. Vata dosha, which governs movement in the urinary system, making Vata balance essential for healthy urinary function.
By identifying the root causes of dosha imbalances leading to symptoms, conditions, and diseases, Ayurveda focuses on rebalancing the doshas using herbs, food as medicine, and Ayurvedic lifestyle practices to restore dosha balance and support urinary system health.
Here's a partial list of potential causes that may imbalance the doshas and lead to urinary tract problems:
Suppressing the urge to urinate. When nature says you gotta go, go! Don't sit in those back to back meetings all day without urinating when your body gives you the signal.
Incorrect foods for your doshic picture.
Fried, greasy foods.
Excessive travel.
Incorrect hydration level.
State of mind, such as fear, anxiety, anger, irritability, and more that lead to imbalancing doshas.
Overindulgence in sexual activity especially if it's incorrect amount for your doshic picture.
Late nights.
Certain medications.
Infections.
Stress, burnout.
Fatigue or Exhaustion.
Diabetes, or high blood sugar.
High blood pressure.
High cholesterol.
Examining Common Urinary Tract Conditions from an Ayurvedic Perspective
Let's take a look at several all-too-familiar conditions:
Kidney stones or Ashmari: is the formation of stones attributed to an imbalance in the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. This imbalance of the three doshas interferes with the correct formation of urine, causing substances to build up in the urinary tract and ultimately leading to stone formation.
Urinary Tract Infections are a type of Mutradhaha: meaning "scalding urine" and characterized by painful and difficult urination due to imbalances in the doshas, particularly the Pitta dosha. Pitta dosha, made up of the elements of fire and oily water, is linked to heat and inflammation, which corresponds to the burning sensation and discomfort often felt during a UTI.
Urinary Incontinence: often attributed to imbalanced Vata dosha, which governs movement.
The condition is linked to weakened urinary pathways or strotamsi, diminished bladder control, and a deficiency in tissue strength, known as dhatu kshaya. This doshic imbalance impairs the bladder's capability to effectively retain urine.
Prostate Enlargement or Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): prostate enlargement is associated with imbalances in the Vata and Kapha doshas. BPH is an obstructive urological condition. For most men the prostate continues to grow and grow and the resulting enlargement can result in urination symptoms or to significantly blocked urine flow. (More on the prostate below.)
Ayurvedic treatment of herbs, food as medicine, and Ayurvedic lifestyle practices focus on addressing the root causes of the doshic imbalances.
Healthy Urine According to Ayurveda
There can be a good deal of variability in urine color, and not all of it is bad. However, unusual urine color can be a warning sign of imbalances or other medical problems.
The ideal color for urine is light-ish yellow, like straw. A typical healthy person will produce about 1.5 liters a day, without any pain or discomfort. When urine isn’t a light yellow, it’s telling us something.
An important note: Ayurvedic observations and treatments are not intended to take the place of your doctor. If your urine looks out of the ordinary, and especially if you’re experiencing other symptoms or discomfort, go see your physician. Don’t neglect what could be a serious situation.
Ayurveda is all about observing what the body is telling us and using that information to tailor treatment to balance the doshas. It can offer us an incredible depth of wisdom and treatment—once serious concerns have been ruled out by your physician.
Urine Color, the Doshas, and What It Reveals About Your Health
In Ayurveda, doshas are the three fundamental energies—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—that govern the physiological and psychological functions of the body and mind. Each person has a unique combination of these doshas, which influences their constitution, health, and personality. Balancing the doshas is central to maintaining health and well-being in Ayurvedic practice.
The color of our urine can give us clues about the balance of the doshas:
Pink/red: A pinkish or reddish yellow color in urine can indicate excess Pitta dosha and can be related to inflammation in the body, possibly resulting from an infection. It can also be the perfectly benign result of eating reddish foods like carrots, beets, blackberry, rhubarb, or Ayurvedic herbs like manjistha.
White or cloudy: An excess of Kapha dosha can be expressed through a whitish or cloudy color in the urine. This kind of coloration could indicate the presence of diabetes or pre-diabetes—or it could reflect congestion and phlegm, in other words, a Kapha imbalance.
Amber or brown: A golden brown like the color of maple syrup could indicate dehydration or a problem with the liver. It can also indicate renal issues, a severe infection, or a tumor.
Green: A greenish tint could indicate an excess of Pitta. When Pitta is aggravated, it can lead to the production of excess bile or other liver-related issues, which might manifest in urine with a greenish hue.
Because there are a number of factors that can influence the quality and color of our urine, my treatment of a specific individual will always use indications from urine as one part of a bigger picture.
Natural Urine Variations Based on Dosha
A normal urine color for a person with a predominant Pitta dosha will be different from a person with predominant Kapha. It’s very important to get a clear understanding of each person’s doshic picture.
Pitta will naturally have more of a yellow color than a Vata or Kapha person. It will be more sour and pungent smelling with more volume. Again, if there’s an imbalance we might see a reddish color.
Vata will tend to be more colorless, astringent, and less volume due to their drier constitution. Vata-type conditions or diseases might appear whitish or even with a very subtle blue tint.
Kapha is likely to express itself in a subtly sweet smell—although if it’s too sweet smelling, it’s trying to tell us something. In this case, see your doctor to have blood sugar levels checked. Excess Kapha in general, will express itself in cloudiness or, in more extreme situations, a kind of frothiness.
If we’re seeing something outside of these colors—anything that is red, blue, dark yellow, or pink—anything that is not light yellow--t’s time to go to the doctor. It’s important to see your doctor and rule out serious medical concerns.
Healthy Hydration for Healthy Urinary System
These days our conception of hydration has undergone quite a bit of a pendulum swing. We’ve gone from not thinking about hydration at all to people literally walking around with a gallon of water and drinking from it every couple of minutes. There can be such a thing as over-hydration.
The Cleveland Clinic agrees with me on this: transparent or clear urine is not necessarily the most desirable. This is also true from an Ayurvedic standpoint.
When people are overly hydrated, they are actually flushing out important electrolytes and minerals. I tell people frequently: if they’re not actively exercising and sweating (i.e. if they’re sitting at a desk doing graphic design all day) they can relax a bit on the hydration.
On the other hand, a darker yellow color is an obvious indicator of dehydration. We can go further down that road and see a maple syrup color, which can indicate a level of dehydration that needs to be urgently acted upon.
A dark brown color can also be an indicator of renal issues, liver issues, or serious infections or tumors. If you see that color, see your doctor.
Did you know that drinking and eating correctly for your doshic picture and taking herbs that are supportive specifically to you, can love up your kidneys? That's right. Certain juices, foods, and herbs may help prevent kidney stones and other issues.
Healthy Urination Frequency and Urgency
As a rough measure, on average a healthy person will urinate four to six times a day, depending on their hydration level and their doshic picture. Of course, the more fluid you’re drinking, the more you’ll have to urinate.
There is a mantra in Ayurveda that translates into English roughly as: Never suppress a healthy, natural urge.
I recently spoke with a physical therapist who specializes in the muscles of the pelvic floor. I learned that it’s not always the best practice to go to the bathroom as a matter of routine before leaving the house. Preemptively peeing when we aren’t actually feeling urgency can weaken those muscles.
At the same time, it’s not good to hold it. If you have an urge to urinate, do it. Listen to your body. However, frequent urination can also be a concern for some people, often due to factors such as weakened pelvic muscles, hormonal changes, infection, or post-pregnancy effects.
Overly Frequent Urination
Ayurvedic herbs can be effective in helping people who are having trouble with too-frequent urination. This can become an issue at any age. These herbs work by aiding the body in eliminating toxins and impurities, thereby cleansing and detoxifying, and thereby optimizing the system.
One important consideration: excess urination can be a sign of a urinary tract, bladder, or kidney infection. Make sure that’s not the case by seeking out appropriate medical care.
On the other hand, sometimes people come to me with the fear that there might be something wrong with their kidneys because they must get up and pee multiple times in the night. Then I learn that they’re drinking water right up until bedtime. I recommend that they stop taking in fluids around six or seven at night, and a great deal of the time, the problem goes away.
The Prostate
Some parts of the body keep growing throughout our lives. This includes our nose, our ears, and, for men, the prostate.
"Many of my friends, whom I fondly refer to as "old hippies," are around 75 to 80 years old. A number of them face difficulties because they haven't taken preventive measures for their prostates. They experience poor sleep due to an inability to fully empty their bladders at night, resulting in a weak urine stream and frequent nighttime awakenings, which significantly impacts their sleep quality, health, and overall quality of life."
-Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
Food as Medicine Tip for a Healthy Prostate
Roasted pumpkin seeds are an excellent food-as-medicine approach to prostate health. The oil in pumpkin seeds contain a male steroid hormone that supports healthy prostate function. Every man can benefit from a daily quarter cup or half cup of pumpkin seeds—starting as early as age to establish the habit. As men mature, those seeds plus herbal formulations can be very helpful. Ayurveda can be very effective for the prostate and its effects on sleep and health. Remember to stay appropriately hydrated to support healthy prostate.
Ayurvedic Health is a Big Picture
Again, Ayurveda is never a cookie cutter approach, it works well because of the customization to each person. We’re all different. None of us has one single thing occurring with our health—nearly everyone has several factors that are acting together in unique ways.
Looking at our urine is just one of the ways we can get a sense of what’s going on in our bodies. Other clues can be found in our stool, our nails, our tongue, our eyes, and our mucus.
By taking in the whole picture—including the readily observable signs and substances our bodies produce every day—the real power of Ayurveda emerges to improve health and the quality of everyday life.
“I was recently diagnosed with kidney disease. I was overwhelmed with even how to go about the process of healing. I am opening bill after bill with no information from the doctors other than to say—go see another doctor.
I reached out to Veena and from day 1, she guided me through this ordeal. She is the real deal, present and active in the process with me. She truly serves humanity.” --Joshua Nelson, Minneapolis, Minnesota
“When my father first saw blood in his urine, he was dead from bladder cancer in less than 3 years. So, when my doctor told me I had blood in my urine, I was scared to death—almost.
Veena recommended specific Ayurveda herbs, cranberry juice, and certain yoga asanas. The blood in the urine, which had persisted despite surgery, was gone in less than a couple of months, thanks to Ayurveda and Veena’s treatment. Both have my utmost respect always!”
--D.F., USA
“When you're deep in the valley of authentic crisis, you cannot lift yourself out - what is required is someone to reach down and give you the lift you cannot give yourself. I have been fortunate enough to have someone like that, Veena Haasl-Blilie and Saumya Ayurveda. The meaning of life is found within the lasting and deep relationships that come from helping and being helped”
--John Granholm, London, UK
Ayurvedic Health Indicators: Urine Analysis
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MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE
Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.
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