Raktamokshana
Raktamokshana (Blood-letting therapy)
‘Raktamokshana’ word is made up of two words – ‘Rakta’ i. e. blood and ‘Mokshana’ i. e. to leave, hence it means ‘to let out blood’. It is an effective blood purification therapy, in which carefully controlled removal of small quantities of blood is conducted to neutralise accumulated Pitta toxins of many blood-borne diseases. This is because Raktamokshana decreases the quantum of enhanced Pitta Dosha and thus the diseases caused by Pitta are also relieved.
Benefits of Raktamokshana:
Raktamokshana treatment works in both ways as curative as well as preventive therapy. As in Ayurveda’s medicine branch, the Basti is regarded as a partial or even a complete treatment method; similarly, in Ayurveda’s surgical branch, Raktamokshana is considered as the partial or complete treatment in itself. This procedure also decreases the load on the vital organs of heart and liver.
Indications of Raktamokshana:
It is useful to cure following disorders –
1. Pigmentation
2. Scars, wounds and Diabetic wounds
3. Pericarditis
4. Pain
5. Inflammations
6. Uraemia
7. Allergies
8. Skin disorders such as Eczema, Reactions, topic dermatitis
9. Allergic Dermatitis
10. Tonsillitis
11. Eczema
12. Psoriasis
13. Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty arthritis and Psoriatic arthritis
14. Cellulites
15. Sciatica
16. Inflammatory
17. Varicose Veins
18. Boils and abscesses
19. Hypertension
20. Thrombosis (blood clot)
21. Alopecia
22. Herpes zoster
Jalaukavacharana (Leech Therapy):
It is the most popular therapy of Raktamokshana for localised blood-letting. Leech is water living animal used for blood detoxification purpose. The Leech therapy is practiced since ancient times in the Ayurveda treatment of blood-letting. There near about 600-650 species found around the world. Out of this variety, only 15-20 are used for treatment purpose. Hirudo ventralis (Indian cattle leech) is used in India for treatment purpose. The size of the leech varies from half inch to eighteen inches. And the Leeches may be found in a variety of colours like black, brown, yellowish maroon etc.
Procedure of Leech Therapy of Raktamokshana:
Leech therapy is safe, painless and doesn’t require any change in routine life style. In this therapy after diagnosing a person, leech is applied to specific body part and is made to stay there. Once the leech finishes sucking blood from the site, then either the leech separates itself or may be separated manually by sprinkling of some herbal medicine. Proper dressing is done after the procedure. At a time single leech can suck 10-60ml blood. One session of leech therapy requires about 20- 60 min.
Benefits of Leech Therapy:
As the leech sucks impure blood from the body, this helps to provide considerable detoxification, immunity boosting and also improves the blood circulation in the body. This particular variety procedure of Raktamokshana Panchakarma is highly recommended for ailments like pigmentation, scar, wound, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Atopic dermatitis, pain, oedema, itching, burning on skin etc.
