PRAMEHA (MADHUMEHA) IN AYURVEDA

Satya Prakash Chaudhary*, Kirtika, Anil Kumar Singh and B. Ram

ABSTRACT

Madhumeha is fairly common and is one of the chronic diseases. The earliest references of madhumeha (Prameha) are found in Vedas, which is oldest documented knowledge of universe. The description available in “Atharvaveda” is considered as the first ever on this topic and mentioned in Kaushika sutra, Sayana and Keshavabhatta. Prameha is not clearly mentioned as a separate disease in Vedas but the description of a disease associated with Bahumutrata is clearly found. The commentators of Vedas have interpreted the word „Asrava‟ mentioned in Atharvaveda in different ways. Vedic commentator Keshavabhatta and Sayana interpreted Asrava as Mutrasrava (excessive urination). Prameha is of twenty types classified on the basis of dosas. Among them Madhumeha or ksaudrameha is taken as type of vataja Prameha. Acharya Charaka defined Madhumeha as the disease in which the patient passes urine characterized as astringent, sweet, yellowish and rough.

Keywords: Mdhumeha, Prameha, Charaka Samhita, Vataja prameha.