Chapter 6.6: Urinary Disorders and Diabetes Treatment (Prameha Chikitsa / प्रमेह चिकित्सा)
Management of twenty types of prameha (urinary disorders including diabetes mellitus) classified by dosha involvement, with emphasis on barley-based dietary therapy, body-type-specific treatment, and fermented preparations.
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan by Vagbhata
Chapter 6 addresses the management of twenty types of prameha — a comprehensive category encompassing diabetes mellitus and various urinary disorders. The classification system (10 kapha, 6 pitta, 4 vata types) provides a sophisticated prognostic framework correlating dosha involvement with curability. The chapter emphasizes body-type-specific treatment: depletion therapy for obese patients followed by nourishment, and direct nourishment for emaciated patients. Barley is identified as the principal therapeutic dietary ingredient. Fermented preparations (asava/arishta) feature prominently. The etiology description closely parallels modern understanding of metabolic syndrome risk factors — sedentary habits, rich diet, excess sleep.