ABSTRACT
Cytokine storm also known as cytokine releasing syndrome is due to elevate level of circulating cytokine and hyper action that can be triggered by some factor like virus, bacteria or other epigenetic factors. In this era of communicable disease, COVID-19 is such a disease which shows manifestation in the form of cytokine storm. Increase level of cytokine like interleukin-6 etc in the blood causes destruction of normally functioning cell leads to dangerous life-threatening condition like ARDs. Cytokines are immunomodulating agents composed of soluble proteins, peptides and glycoproteins secreted by haemopoietic and non-haemopoietic cells in response to various stimuli. Their main role is in molecular interaction between various cells of the immune system. Cytokines are nothing but just the immune markers which hyperactivation leads to cytokine storm. There is not any description of such pathogenesis in Ayurveda. But Ayurveda clearly defined some concepts of immunity such Asvyadhikshamatva, Oja, Bala, Vyadhibighatakarabhaba and Rasayana. In Covid-19, researcher found that such people are more vulnerable to disease and its severity. Such vulnerability depends upon person response to illness. Ayurveda may explain this vulnerability through its concepts of preventive, personalized and rejuvenation. The present review focused on cytokine storm and its understanding in perspective of Ayurvedic concepts of immunity
ABSTRACT
The basic Ayurvedic treatment is based on two principles viz. Shodhan chikitsa (elimination Therapy) and Shaman chikitsa (internal medicine). Shodhan Chikitsa deals with five purificatory procedures popularly known as Panchakarma. Acharya Susruta included Raktamokshana in Panchakarma and described it as the best procedure because it eliminates all three vitiated Doshas viz. Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Jalaukavacharana is a type of Raktamokshana where leeches are used for bloodletting. This is considered as the most effective and most unique method of Raktamokshana as vitiated Doshas are removed from the body without using any cutting instruments, so, Raktamokshana by means of ‘Leech’ comes under Ashastra category. The following paper deals with the basic concepts of Leech therapy and the method of using leech for Raktamokshana.