Definition:
Benign prostatic hypertrophy is swelling of Prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut sized gland that is only present in men. It is located just below the bladder and top of the penis. This gland surrounds the urethra ( the tube through which urine flows from the bladder and out through the penis ).
It is a very astonishing fact to know that the condition BPH has been explained in ayurveda long back. The anatomical position of prostate gland, symptoms of BPH and its remedies are explained by Acharya Sushruta.
The anatomical position of prostate gland is described in ayurvedic classics as follows
In Yogaratnakara it has been described as —
NAABHERADHASTHAATSANJAATAHA SANCHAARI YADI VAACHALAHA
ASHTEELAAVAD GHANO GRANTHIROODHWAR MAAYATA UNNATAHA
Which means Below umbilicus (NAABHI), there is a hard gland which is little bit bulged and changes its place some times and some times stays stationary. This gland is like Ashteela (A small stone used to sharpen swords). This gland when affected by vitiated vata causes a disease called vataashteela (or benign prostate hypertrophy)
Sushruta explains the structure ,...