Related Terms

• Amaroli, auto-urine therapy, auto-urotherapy, Gomutra, Mutra Varga, Naramutra, Pergonal, shivambu, urea, urea therapy, uro-therapy, urotherapy.

Background

• Urine therapy refers to use of one's urine to maintain health, to prevent or cure sickness, to enhance beauty, or to promote meditation and spiritual enlightenment. Urine has been ingested, injected, or applied topically.

• Urine therapy can be traced back as far as 5,000 years to early civilizations such as the Aztecs, ancient Egyptians, ancient Chinese, and Native Americans. It is believed that the origin of this practice comes from certain religious rites among Hindus, where it is called amaroli in tantric religious traditions. Medically, urine is referred to as "plasma ultrafiltrate." Advocates of urotherapy claim that this treatment is effective for dry skin, cancer, and numerous other diseases and disorders.

• Research has revealed components of urine such as urea, hormones, and enzymes. Many of these components have been commercially isolated and marketed. For example, urokinase (an enzyme that promotes the break-up of blood clots) is used in drug form and sold as a thrombolytic for unblocking coronary arteries. Furthermore, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone are the active components in Pergonal, a drug used to stimulate fertility in women. Urea is used in several creams to promote healthy skin.

• Current researchers are investigating urotherapy in the treatment of AIDS and cancer.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Abdominal distention, abdominal pain, aging, AIDS, allergies, anemia, animal bites, anthelmintic (expels worms), antibiotic, antidote to poisons, anti-fungal, asthma, arteriosclerosis, baldness, bladder disorders, blood disorders, burns, chicken pox, cognitive performance, colic, common cold, constipation, coronary artery disease, cough, digestive disorders, dry skin, earache, eczema, edema, endocrine disorders, eye diseases, fatigue, fever, flatulence, flu, glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney), gonarthritis, heart disease, heart attack, hematuria (sickle cell crisis), hypertension (high blood pressure), infertility, insomnia, jaundice, leprosy, liver disorders, migraine, mouth infections, painful urination, pruritus (itching), psoriasis, pulmonary embolism, Raynaud's phenomenon, scabies, sexual performance, skin ailments, sleep, splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), tonic, toothaches, tuberculosis, tumors, urinary tract infections, urticaria ("hives"), wound healing.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older):

• There is no proven safe of effective dose. Fresh urine from midstream of the first urine flow of the day has been used. Urine has been taken in small amounts (such as a few drops in some water and increased to 20 drops) placed under the tongue morning and night over the course of three days. No food is advised at least half an hour after drinking. Aged, boiled or fresh urine has been used for washing or massaging.

Children (younger than 18 years):

• There is no proven safe of effective dose for urine therapy, and use in children is not recommended.

Safety

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies

• Avoid in individuals with known allergies or hypersensitivities to urine or any of its metabolites.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Common adverse effects of urine therapy may include diarrhea, itch, pain, fatigue, soreness of the shoulder, and fever. These side effects may last three to seven days or up to six months. Aged urine may be caustic on the skin.

• Urine therapy may be unsafe when used in children, individuals taking medications that are excreted in the urine as unchanged or active metabolites, individuals with gastrointestinal problems, or pregnant women. Avoid in patients who have urinary tract or kidney infection because the urine will contain bacteria.

• The Damar Tantra, an ancient Sanskrit work, says that fresh urine will cause muscle wasting when left on the skin if the urine has not been boiled down to one fourth its volume (vs. 49 of the Shivambu Kalpa Vidhi in the Damar Tantra).

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding because urine contains excreted hormones.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

• Many drugs are excreted in the urine as unchanged or active metabolites. Urine consumption may increase the amount of these drugs. For example, melatonin in the urine may interact with antidepressants or antipsychotics. Melatonin may also interact with sedative/hypnotic agents and may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, before combining therapies.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Many drugs are excreted in the urine as unchanged or active metabolites. Urine consumption may increase the amount of these drugs. For example, melatonin in the urine may interact with herbs and supplements with antidepressant or antipsychotic effects. Melatonin may also interact with sedative/hypnotic agents and may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some herbs and supplements. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, before combining therapies.

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

1. Christopher L, Fitzgerald O. A clinical trial of an oral urea preparation (Carbamine) in peptic ulcer therapy. Ir.J Med Sci 1968;7(6):243-253. View Abstract

2. Collen D, Lijnen HR. New approaches to thrombolytic therapy. Arteriosclerosis 1984;4(6):579-585. View Abstract

3. Danopoulos ED, Danopoulos IE. Letter: Urea treatment of skin malignancies. Lancet 6-8-1974;1(7867):1161. View Abstract

4. Danopoulos ED, Danopoulou IE. Eleven years experience of oral urea treatment in liver malignancies. Clin Oncol. 1981;7(4):281-289. View Abstract

5. Danopoulos ED, Danopoulou IE. Letter: Regression of liver cancer with oral urea. Lancet 1-26-1974;1(7848):132. View Abstract

6. Eldor J. Urotherapy for patients with cancer. Med Hypotheses 1997;48(4):309-315. View Abstract

7. Gail M, Beach J, Dark A, et al. A double-blind randomized trial of low-dose oral urea to prevent sickle cell crises. J Chronic.Dis. 1982;35(2):151-161. View Abstract

8. Gupta RK, Huth JF, Korn EL, Morton DL. Prognostic significance of urinary antigen analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in melanoma patients. Diagn.Immunol. 1983;1(4):303-309. View Abstract

9. Hooper TL, Rahman M, Magell J. Oral urea in the treatment of colo-rectal liver metastases. Clin Oncol. 1984;10(4):341-344. View Abstract

10. Krueger JM, Pappenheimer JR, Karnovsky ML. Sleep-promoting effects of muramyl peptides. Proc Natl.Acad Sci U.S.A 1982;79(19):6102-6106. View Abstract

11. Mills MH, Faunce TA. Melatonin supplementation from early morning auto-urine drinking. Med Hypotheses 1991;36(3):195-199. View Abstract

12. Padzik H, Paszko Z, Pronaszko A. Purification of pituitary gonadotropins from the urine of women after menopause and trials of separating luteinizing from follicle stimulating hormone. Arch Immunol.Ther Exp (Warsz.) 1969;17(5):655-673. View Abstract

13. Pariser S, Katz A. Treatment of sickle cell trait hematuria with oral urea. J Urol 1994;151(2):401-403. View Abstract

14. Sevcik J, Masek K. The interaction of immunomodulatory muramyl dipeptide with peripheral 5-HT receptors: overview of the current state. Int J Immunopharmacol. 1999;21(3):227-232. View Abstract

15. Treatment of sickle cell crisis with urea in invert sugar. A controlled trial. Cooperative urea trials group. JAMA 5-27-1974;228(9):1125-1128. View Abstract