I know, it might sound strange. But if you think about it, of course the fluid that is coming out of our body has something to show us about what is going on inside of our body. In fact you would probably be surprised about how much it actually does have to say. We have all had the experience of how beverages affect the urine. Drink too much water and it is clear white. Drink too much alcohol and it is yellow…and stinky. These changes are of course temporary.
Overtime all food and drinks affect our internal organs and their processes, especially if our diet is not balanced. Likewise, all our daily activities, all environmental factors and generally most external conditions affect our bodies easily leading to imbalance in our health. Whether we are showing symptoms of illness or not, these affects can be seen by a Tibetan doctor in the urine of a patient.
So what do we look at? We observe the color, the smell, the vapor, the bubbles, the sediment, the film, and the changes in color as the urine goes from warm to cold. Each one of these aspects of the urine give specific indications of what is going on with the organ system in the body and the elemental imbalances either causing or with the potential to cause problems in our health.
Our teacher, Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, explained to us that the urine is especially good for observing the condition of the hollow organs (snod) including the stomach, small intestines, large intestines, reproductive organs, bladder and gall bladder. In fact it is said in the four tantras of Tibetan Medicine (rgyud bzhi) that the sediment (ku ya) and the film (spri ma) are especially indicative of the condition of the gall bladder and the hot or cold nature of a disease. When trying to distinguish whether a disease is of hot or cold nature, the two most basic classifications of disease in Tibetan Medicine, it is said that the sediment is the final distinguishing point. If there is a lot of sediment then generally speaking the disease is of hot nature. If there is little sediment then it is said the disease is of cold nature. Distinguishing between a hot or cold nature illness is the first, most important points of diagnosis in Tibetan Medicine.
So, if you are going to visit a Doctor of Traditional Tibetan Medicine, and they ask you to bring a little jar of urine in to the appointment, don’t be surprised!
Please feel free to post any comments or questions you may have regarding this topic.
4 comments:
This is very helpful. Thanks for making a strange issue so accessible. It makes sense
Your welcome Ed! I'm glad it was helpful to you.
Drinking urine is a traditional medicinal practice in some cultures. It is believed to have some health benefit but I am not sure in Tibetan medicine if this is only in some cases or a general recommendation for overall health.
Traditional western thinking sees urine as something that the body is trying to expel (i.e. - a waste product) that your body must be trying to "get rid of" for your health. So does anybody know the theory behind ingesting urine and in what cases is this is recommended?
In the US we also take lots of vitamins and supplements compared to other countries. Maybe one day soon we'll even seen Tibetan medicine sold in the U.$. as a "supplement" if it can't cro$$ over the high hurdle$ of being approved a$ a "medicine".
Supplements affect the urine and I believe that some Tibetan doctors recommend refraining from supplements for 3 days before coming in for a urine divination, oops, I mean "urine analysis" ;), is that right?
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for your questions and comments.
Below are my best answers to your questions. First of all, drinking urine on a regular basis is not something promoted in Tibetan Medicine or Tibetan society in general, as it might be in other traditions. With that said the medicinal qualities of urine are well known and documented in Tibetan Medicine, however I do believe that its medicinal use has diminished in modern times.
YOUR QUESTION:
"So does anybody know the theory behind ingesting urine and in what cases is this is recommended?"
MY ANSWER:
Throughout the Rgyud Bzhi the the medicinal use of various types of urine are mentioned. Cow urine (particularly red cows), ones own urine and/or the urine of either an eight year old child or monk who has maintained their vows are the types that are mentioned. Of course that sounds quite strange to most, but to understand the use of the later two, we must understand it has to do with the purity of the source.
Cow urine is said to be able to dry what we call chu ser which is related to the lymphatic system and causes disease such as arththritis. It is also mentioned in the Rgyud Bzhi in an important preparation to prepare for the rejuvenating therapy called chudlen.
Human urine is generally good for infections and parasites. It is well known as a topical treatment for these kinds of illnesses in Tibetan Medicine and I think also in some cases in modern medicine.
The urine of an eight yeare old child or a monk who has mantained vows (dge long) are said to be good for heat due to poison, old heat, provocations and discomfort breathing.
In general throughout the Rgyud Bzhi these urines are mentioned as chasers to medicines which are for the diseases that they also benefit, increasing the power of the medicine.
YOUR QUESTION:
"Supplements affect the urine and I believe that some Tibetan doctors recommend refraining from supplements for 3 days before coming in for a urine divination, oops, I mean "urine analysis" ;), is that right?"
MY ANSWER:
Generally speaking patients are instructed the day before giving a urine sample to not participate in any strenuous mental or physical activity, sexual activity, missing sleep and lack of activity as well as drinking too much of any beverage such as alcohol, tea, or dairy and foods that will change the color of the urine.
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