Mutra Sangrahaneeya Gana – Herbs To Retain Urine Quantity

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD.
Frequent urination or reduced frequency, decreased amount or urine or large amount retention –all these are not healthy conditions with respect to urine output. It is the reason to normalize any of these kind of abnormalities or irregular output pattern , Ayurveda discusses unique word – ‘Mutrasangrahaneeya’ 

It means that which help to restore normal quantity of urine or anti-diuretics. In other words these drugs are helpful  to normalize the flow and amount of retention of urine. As a functional and structural entity it is of utmost importance with respect to the proper health status of the uro- genital system.

Mutra Sangrahaneeya Gana

Let us review the quality and action of these drugs one by one in brief-
1. Jambu (Syzygium cumini Skeels)– Seeds or Stem bark
Anti hyperglycemic, scraping, restorative, wound healing, absorptive etc.

2. Amra – mango – Mangifera indica – Seeds or Stem bark
Astringent tonic, absorptive, restorative, anti diarrhoeal, neuro muscular strengthener etc.

3. Plaksha (Ficus lacor Buch-Ham.) – Stem bark
Wound healing, astringent tonic, absorptive, blood purifier, anti diabeteic etc.

4. Vata (Ficus benghalensis Linn.) – Stem bark
Coolant, wound healing, restorative, semen and urine cleanser etc.

5. Kapeetana (Albizia lebbeck Benth.) – Stem bark
Natural skin detox, blood purifier, immune modulator, anti pyretic etc.

6. Udumbara (Ficus racemosa Linn.) – Stem bark
Coolant, blood purifier, cholegogue, antacid etc.

7. Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa Linn.)– Stem bark
Astringent tonic ,wound healing, blood purifier, intellect promoter etc.

8. Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.)– Seeds
Carminative, digestive, anti spasmodic, adaptogenic, anti pyretic, rubificient etc.

9. Ashmantaka (Ficus rumphii) – Stem bark
Lithotriptic, bitter tonic, scraping, lipolytic etc.

10. Somavalka (Acacia catechu Willd.) – Heart wood or Stem bark
Blood purifier, skin detoxifier, blood purifier, astringent tonic etc.

Qualities, Therapeutic uses

Qualities in general and actions of Mutra Sangrahaniya Gana drugs:
The drugs explained under this heading are bitter and astringent in taste and most of these are cold in potency and undergo pungent kind of metabolic change (Katu vipaka).They are light-cold and stable in quality.

These act as anti diabetic, absorptive, wound healing and astringent tonics. Most of the drugs are blood and skin detoxifiers and are potent wound healing agents.

Therapeutic uses of Mutrasangrahaneeya Gana drugs:
These drugs when made into suitable dosage forms act as potent anti diabetic compounds and scraping agents useful in obesity, goiter, metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders etc. Indirectly they control the kidney and liver functions too.

Ayurvedic medicines

Formulations containing Mutrasangrahaneeya drugs :
Panchavalkala kashaya, Jambvasava, Khadirarishtha, Kathaka khadiradi kashaya, Udumbara sara, Pushyanuga choorna are the few important formulations containg these drugs in various proportions and combinations.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Mutrasangrahaneeya Gana drugs:
The formulation should be used with utmost caution where urine output is markedly reduced. In old age and especially in BPH associated health issues this should be restricted or else prescribed with strict medical supervision. 

Simple formulations

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
Jambu beeja choorna, Jambu twak kashaya are the simple preparations that are found beneficial to restore the normal quantity of urine. Suitable drugs can be made into combination as per ones constitution and can be used from the group of Panchavalkala drugs in frequent urination conditions.

Formulation development opportunities:
Proper combination of the herbs from the above list will surely yield potent and safe formulation with all the benefits in then conditions like Diabetes mellitus, Diabetes incipidus, diuresis, nocturia, uncontrolled urination etc.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD