Raktamokshana- Ancient Blood Letting Technique: A Review

Ayurveda is a science that focuses on both well-being and disease treatment. Many surgical and para-surgical procedures have been described by Acharya Sushruta for the management of various diseases; among these, Raktamokshana is popularly used for the management of various pathologies occurring due to Rakta Dushti (blood-borne disorders). It is derived from two words i.e., ‘Rakta’ which means blood & ‘Mokshana’ which means leave. Hence, Raktamokshana means to let the vitiated blood out. It is one of the five purification therapies by Acharya Sushruta. There are two ways to do Raktamokshana i.e., Shastra Visravana (using sharp instruments) and Anushastra Visravana (without using sharp instruments). Furthermore, it is said that Siravedha is ‘Chikitsaardha’ i.e., half of the treatment described in Shalya Tantra is similar to a well-performed Basti karma (Therapeutic Medicated Enema) advocated in Kaya-Chikitsa. However, there are relatively limited recommendations or use of Raktamokshana in clinical practices nowadays which may be due to fear associated with the procedure, lack of skillfulness, and unawareness about the efficacy of Raktamokshana in various diseases. This review article is specifically intended to assemble the usefulness of numerous modes of Raktamokshana based on Ayurvedic parameters with its detailed procedure

Indralupta (alopecia Areata): A Case Successfully Treated With Jalukavcharana (leech Therapy)

Hair disorders cause negative impact towards the individual and his/her quality of life. Indralupta is a Kshudraroga characterized by loss of hair. It can be correlate with alopecia areata, which is having chief complaint of hair loss on body especially on scalp without any clinical inflammatory signs. Raktamokshana is a technical term employed to denote a para-surgical procedure to expel out the vitiated blood from selected areas of the body, by specific methods. Ayurveda classical text propounds practical guidelines for bloodletting and claims it as most effective therapy in half of the body ailments. Jalaukavacharna Karma (Leech therapy) is considered as the ideal method to expel out the vitiated blood safely, quickly, and effectively. Here a case of Indralupta (alopecia areata) successfully treated with Ayurveda Raktamokshana treatment is recorded.

A Conceptual Review Of Jalaukavacharana

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.