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what is Raktmokshan and benefits of Raktmokshan ?

RAKTAMOKSHAN (BLOODLETTING)

WHAT IS RAKTAMOKSHAN?

Susruta was an ancient indian physician. Bloodletting procedure which is well known today in modern science but its root belongs to but not beyond the vedic age. Susrut samhita and ashtangasangraha have dedicated a chapter on this topic. Ashtanga sangrah also mentions about the location of siravedhan according to the disease

Raktamokshan is a procedure applied for treatment of blood borne diseases. Blood in our body runs through artery, veins and capillaries. Vitiated blood is removed through raktamokshan panchakarma therapy.

“सरति याभिः रक्तं इति सिराह”

The channels through which blood flows is called sira in ayurveda and puncturing it for letting the blood in out is called siravedhana. 

It is a preventive and curative therapy which helps in eliminating toxins from the bloodstreams that is absorbed through the gastro intestinal tract. Dosha pitta has a very close relation with blood. Aggravated pitta may accumulate in blood causing pittaja diseases.

DIFFERENT WAYS OF RAKTAMOKSHAN/BLOODLETTING

Bloodletting can be through use of surgical instrument and without surgical instruments. Few insects are brought in use when the treatment is done without using surgical instruments for blood letting. These are – 
shringa (horn), used in vata vitiated blood
alabu (bitter bottle gourd technique) used in kapha vitiated blood
 ghati (cupping technique) it drains the vitiated blood settled in different layers of skin
jalauka (leech therapy) used for extracting deep seated blood in pitta vitiated blood.

Most favorable from above is using surgical instruments i.e through siravedhan. Although leech therapy has been into practice in modern science as well.

Basti treatment is considered half or full treatment part of kayachikitsa(medicine branch of ayurveda) in a same way siravedhana is for shalyachikitsa (surgery branch of ayurveda)

CONDITIONS WHERE RAKTAMOKSHAN IS APPLIED

Raktamokshan panchakarma therapy is used to cure the following diseases-
Hypertension
Filarial oedema
Varicosity
Skin disirders
Gout
Tumor
Abscess
Hematuria
Ear diseases
Conjunctivitis
Glaucoma 
Liver and spleen disorder
Chronic edema and inflammation
Boils etc and
Diseases caused by vitiated pitta dosha or impure blood.


CONTRAINDICATIONS

Pregnancy, less than 16 years and more than 70 years of age, anemia, piles, tuberculosis, asthma, malnourished, etc and person who have taken only one stage of panchakarma treatment.


MOST FAVORABLE SEASON FOR RAKTAMOKSHAN

Raktamokshan therapy should be done when it is neither too warm nor too cold. Sharad ritu (autumn season) is most suitable for this therapy


RAKTAMOKSHAN PROCEDURE

. Area from where the blood is to be extracted must be mildly oleated  and yavagu made of til, tandul and ghrita is fed twice or thrice to the patient. After bloodletting when the impure blood is extracted, patient feels relaxed with less pain and inflammation.

Leech therapy
Leech therapy has shown a positive success graph in patients with psoriasis, pain disorders and other skin diseases. Twelve types of leeches are known. Of which 6 are poisonous and 6 are non poisonous. Those that are non poisonous are used in leech therapy.
After local swedana (fomentation) leeches are applied on the area from where blood need to be extracted. After all the impure blood is out leeches automatically leave the site. If done properly symptoms are same as above.

On completion of the therapy antiseptic is applied with dressing and gentle massage with a medicated oil.


COMPLICATIONS

Raktamokshan if not done appropriately results in certain complications such as itching, inflammation, pain and hardness on the site of blood letting. If raktamokshan therapy is done more than required it may lead to weakness and headache. To avoid excessive bleeding raktastambhan drugs like paste of shalmali (Salmalia malabarica) and upodika (Nigella rubra) is used.


For raktamokshan panchakarma therapy one must make sure to choose the right practitioner for themselves. Those seeking this particular therapy may stop their further search in Aasha ayurvedic centre located in Delhi.
 

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