Paresh Rawal Claims Drinking Urine For Knee Injury: Is Pee Safe For Overall Health? Doctors React

Actor Paresh Rawal recently revealed he drank his own urine to heal a knee injury. But is urine therapy really safe? We asked a urologist and an Ayurvedic expert to weigh in on its risks, myths, and what science actually says.

Actor Paresh Rawal made headlines this week after revealing in an interview that he drank his own urine for 15 days to recover from a knee injury. He credited the practice, commonly called urine therapy or urophagia—for improving his condition and even joked, “I will sip it like a beer because if I have to follow through, I will do so properly.”

Rawal said he took advice from the late stunt director Veeru Devgan, who told him, "All fighters do this. Just drink urine first thing in the morning. You will never face any problem." Along with avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and red meat, Rawal claimed his dedication to the therapy led to surprisingly good X-ray reports.

But how valid are these claims? We asked medical experts to weigh in on the safety and science (or lack thereof) behind urine therapy.

Urine is Not Meant for Drinking, Says Urologist

Dr Dhruva G Prakash, Consultant Urologist at DHEE Hospitals, Hyderabad, cautions against consuming urine regularly. While fresh urine from a healthy person is generally sterile at the time of leaving the body, it still contains harmful waste products like urea, uric acid, creatinine, salts, and toxins.

“Drinking urine regularly is not medically advisable,” Dr Prakash explains. “These substances are what the body is trying to get rid of. Reintroducing them can stress the kidneys and lead to infections or electrolyte imbalances—especially if someone already has dehydration or urinary issues.”

He also emphasises that there is no proven medical condition where drinking urine helps. In extreme survival situations, it might seem like a last resort—but even then, it can do more harm than good.

Are There Any Benefits of Drinking Urine?

Despite stories passed down in some cultures, modern science doesn't back urine therapy as a valid treatment for anything. “Relying on unproven methods can delay proper treatment and cause complications,” Dr Prakash adds. “There are safer and evidence-based ways to support healing and overall wellness.”

He also warns of potential side effects, “Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, infections, and long-term kidney stress are all possible risks of drinking urine, especially if done repeatedly.”

What Does Ayurveda Say?

While some people associate urine therapy with traditional Indian practices, not all systems of Indian medicine support it. Dr Aishwarya Tandle, an Ayurveda physician and Deputy Manager – Medical Affairs at SAVA Herbals in Pune, clarifies the confusion.

“In classical Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita, there is no mention of urine therapy,” she says. “Some more recent texts like Bhrigu Samhita mention auto-urine therapy, especially for chronic or difficult diseases, but these lack clinical evidence.”

The practice, also known as Shivambu Chikitsa, is more closely tied to naturopathy than Ayurveda, she adds. “There’s no strong evidence to suggest it’s effective or holistic. Ayurveda doesn’t endorse urine drinking as a treatment for any condition.”

While Paresh Rawal may have experienced relief, doctors caution against generalising such anecdotal experiences. Science doesn’t support urine therapy, and its risks can far outweigh any unverified benefits.

“If you're considering alternative healing methods,” says Dr Prakash, “talk to a qualified medical professional first. Don’t rely on unverified trends or hearsay, especially when it involves something your body worked hard to eliminate.”

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