Mala are the substances or waste matters that need to be eliminated from the body. They are in fact excretory derivatives formed as a result of various physiological activities going on in the body. The name Mala is derived from the word malinikaran which means toxification, a principle property of the excretory products. The malas are also known as Dushya because they have a tendency to cause diseases and disorders under the influence of the imbalanced doshas. They are the third component of the body`s physiological cycle, the other two being doshas and dhatus. According to Ayurveda only a balanced condition of doshas, dhatus and malas can produce Aarogya (good health or disease free condition) and their imbalance causes ill health or disease.Purish (stool), Mutra (urine) and Sweda (sweat) are considered to be the main malas or excretory product of the body.

Purish
Purish or stool is the waste product which is left after digestion after the nutrients of the digested food have been absorbed by the body. When the body absorbs water, minerals and other salts, the remaining matter is converted into solid faeces and eliminated from the body. For the faecal matter to be conbsistent, both the gastrointestinal mobility and the nature of diet should be taken care of. The tridoshas ( vata, pitta and kapha ) must be in equilibrium to guarantee normal evacuation of faeces. Pitta and kapha help in the process of digestion while vata is responsible for proper mobility throughout the process. Any discrepancy or imbalance relating to any of these can lead to various ailments like abdominal heaviness or pain, flatulence, constipation or diarrhoea. Disturbances in this mala may also give rise to diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthama, low-back pain, bronchitis as well as irritable bowels and stomach ulcers.

Mutra
Mutra is a form of mala that is derived from the various physiological processes that go on within the human body. The entire urinary system comprising the kidneys, the uterus, the urinary bladder and the urethra takes part in the formation and removal of urine, thus regulating the fluid balance in our body and also preserving the blood pressure at an optimum level. Any imbalances like increased or decreased urine, may lead to diseases such as urinary infections, kidney stones, abdominal pain, cystitis and various bladder disorders.

Sweda
Sweda is the third major mala, and it occurs as a waste product during the synthesis of meda dhatu (fatty tissue). The elimination of sweda occurs through skin pores. It helps in the regulation of body temperature and maintains the electrolytic balance within the body. The channels that are responsible for transporting the sweat to the upper layers of the skin are known as sweda vaha srotas. If normal formation and flow of sweat is not maintained it might lead to various disorders like skin infections, loss of fluid balance, itching or burning sensation over the body, and reduced body temperature.

Thus in Ayurveda, malas are of ample significance in maintaining the body`s health. If one is not eliminating malas, it means that somewhere in the body the deposition of "ama" is taking place. Ashtang Ayurveda suggests various treatments to get rid of these toxins from the body. If these waste products are not formed and eliminated, the metabolic process gets disturbed resulting in the formation of malformed tissues. Therefore, according to Ayurveda, the body needs to separate the utilisable part of the ingested food from the waste products and excrete those waste matters at the appropriate time for maintaining health.