What Are The Types of Stool? - Ayurveda

by Dr Vikram Chauhan Doctor

ABSTRACT

As per Ayurveda human body is formed from the well-balanced state of Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Where it is well quoted "Dosha dhatu mala mulam hi shariram".This clears that not an only well-balanced state of doshas and dhatus forms our body, there is also one more factor which is called as Malas, so, these three things combinely forms our body. The malas are considered as waste materials of the body which are excreted out from the body in order to eliminate toxins and waste byproducts which are formed during metabolism. In Ayurveda Sweda (Sweat), Purisha (Stool) and Mutra (Urine) are three malas. Here, today, we are going to discuss about stools.

INTRODUCTION

In our day to day life Whatever thing we consume it will digest, assimilate and the nutrients present in that substance will absorb well inside but there is something which remains unabsorbed and lacks nutritional values is considered as a waste, which is a byproduct of our digestion. Stools, the waste product formation totally depends upon our body constitution (Prakruti), the digestive fire (agni) and food we consume (Aahar). In Ayurveda, we emphasize on Purisha, which shows the healthy functioning of our body. That is why it is also considered as a tool for examination of well being.

Ayurveda

IMPORTANCE OF STOOLS

Formation of well formed stools directly shows that our digestive system is functioning properly. Because various diseases arises from our gut due to our weak digestive fire which shows various signs and symptoms like loss of appetite, bloating, indigestion, constipation and diarrhea. So, in ancient time it is used as a tool for examination.

Moreover, there are diseases where people totally rely on their mala like - in case of Rajyakshma only malas are considered as a vital force which sustains the life, that is why it is an important factor which should be regularly and properly formed to maintain the health of an individual and to eliminate waste from the body.

SYNONYMS AS PER CLASSICS

In Classics feces is also called as vit, pureesh, shakrit, Gutha, etc.

Now let’s go in detail, what exactly the stools is, what it contains, and what consequences it will develop if not forms well inside our body.

What Exactly Stool is?

The stool is a metabolic waste or undigested food material.

Where it forms?

It forms in our purishvaha srotas (Elimentaory canal)

How Much Time It Will Take for Formation?

It takes about 3 to 6 hours for formation.

What Is the Quantity of Stool?

8 Anjali volume of an individual's hand is the ratio of that particular individual

What is The Normal Appearance of a Well-Formed Stool?

Colour - It is yellow or brownish due to the presence of (stercobilinogen).
Consistency - like a ripened banana, its semisolid but not sticky.
Taste - Pungent (As per anumaan pramana / guess).
Smell - It's free from the foul smell but have mild odour.
Shape - After elimination also maintains its shape and consistency.
Floats - It floates on water.

What Is The Normal Frequency of Stools?

Usually, it is 1 to 2 times per day

What Are The Types of Stool?

1) Due to the imbalance of doshas, it can be categorized as:

a) If the stool is influenced by Vata dosha - The stool is scanty, hard and dry, brownish in colour, bowel is constipated and irregular, usually people strain and it's difficult to evacuate.
b) If the stool is influenced by Pitta dosha - The stool is moderate in quantity, oily and liquid in consistency, yellow-greenish in color, frequent bowel movements like 2-3 times/ day, usually, people have the urge to pass quickly.
c) If the stool is influenced by Kapha dosha - The stool is copious, well-formed but may accompanied by mucous, sinks in water, pale yellow in color, and usually, it is sticky.

2) Even in the classics, the stools are divided as Amaja Mala and Niramja mala:

a) Amaja mala - The stools which are sticky and are full of dosha's or toxins. This indicates that the individual is not healthy, his digestion is very weak.
b) Niramaja Mala - Its healthy stools which shows the healthy functioning of the body.

What Are The Factors Which Influence The Stools?

1 Our digestive fire (Agni) plays an important role in the formation of stools. For Example, If We Have

a) Tikshna agni (Strong digestive fire) - It will form very hard stool because it absorbs all the moisture content of the mala.
Mandarin (Weak digestive fire) - It will form sticky, foul smell stools that are not even well-formed and contains food particles.

2) Type of food we consume also influences our stool like dry foods will form hard and dry fecal material and oily foods make the stool sticky.

3) Less intake of Water also directly affects the consistency.

4) Stress and tension affects the frequency of stools.

What Consequences Will Arise if Stools Won't Form Normal?

They Can Develop Various Complications like

Constipation
Diarrhea
Dysentery
Acidity
Gas
Abdominal Pain
Bloating
Piles
IBS

Note

So, it is quite clear how important it is to form stool regularly in order to maintain our body free from toxins. Those who are suffering from any problems related to Digestive Health should always follow natural ways to regularize their bowel habit like proper diet, proper hydration, should follow regular exercises and yogas, and natural herbal remedies to maintain the bowel movement.