Ūrustambha

Ūrustambha is a kind of disease of the thighs.

Gender[edit]

Ūrustambha is a masculine form.

Ūrustambha can be split as “ūru + Stambh + Aṇ” which means “paralyses the thighs”.

The ūrustambha is of four kinds, namely:

It is caused by the imbalance of vāta and imbalance of wetness.
The leg is gravely affected by it.
The paralyzing effect is felt immediately.
The leg is aggrieved and the touch of cold is not felt.
It shall be engrossed with the complications of the muscles.
Suśruta in Mahāvātavyādhi states that:
"This disease is caused by the imbalance in Vāta, Pitta and śleṣma."
The Prāgrūpa mentions that:
“It comprises of imbalance in attention and sleep. It also causes loss of taste.”

Ūrustambha comprises of cold and hot watery content.
It can be dry and wet at the same time.
It shall be weary and non-weary.
Although comprising of air, it shall still have paralyzing effects.
It numbs the thighs thereby disabling it.
It makes the thighs as hard as a pillar and paralyze them, hence it is called as ūrustambha.
It makes the patient's thigh unresponsive.
It may effect all the parts related to the legs.

The ūrustambha needs to be avoided with a comprehensive care and balance of Vāta, Pitta and śleṣma.
The cure of ūrustambha is stated in various texts.
During this disease, the patient is advised to have neither too hot not too cold food with diligence.