RAKTAMOKSHA‌

DESCRIPTION

Charak and Sushruta, had quoted Raktamokshana as one of the five Panchakarma procedures and it is traditional Indian medical system of Ayurveda. Raktamokshana is made up of two words Rakta which simply means blood and mokshana means letting it is used for removing impure blood from the diseased body. There are seven Dhatus in the body and rakta is the second dhatus in them. Rakta in its healthy state improves complexion and nourishes the muscle and other tissues. It also has Jeevana as its important function. When this rakta is impair, it results in several diseases occur in body. Panchkarma therepy include vamana (vomiting), virechana (purgation), nasya (nasal irrigation) and basti (enema). The panchakarma treatments remove all the toxins from the body and balances the doshas that control all the body biological functions. Rakta moksha can be done by various means, depending on the ailment and it is used to treat skin disease, herpes, jaundice, abscesses, ulcers and gout, among other ailments.

TYPES OF RAKTAMOKSHA 

There are two categories of rakta moksha therapy: 

• Shastra visravana 
• Anushastra visravana

1. Shastra visravana – In this procedure metal instruments are used to do the procedures.

There are two types of shastra visravana:

• Pracchana – In this procedure we scrap the skin to create several incisions
• Sira vedhana – In this procedure blood is removed by puncturing the skin it is also called venipuncture.

2. Anushastra visravana – This procedure includes all other rakta moksha therapies and do not use metal instruments.

There are four types of anushastra visravana:

• Jalouka vacharana – in this procedure application of leeches is applied to extract blood
• Alabu – a calabash gourd with a candle to create a vacuum over an area of pricked skin, thereby extracting impure blood from that particular area.
• Shrunga vacharana – in this procedure use cow’s horn to suck the blood from the scratched skin
• Ghati yantra – This procedure similar to alabu, but used pots in this procedure instead of a gourd.

• INDICATION OF RAKTAMOKSHNA 

Swelling, burning sensation, suppuration, rashes, vatha raktha, skin diseases, elephantiasis, toxic conditions of blood, fibroid, tumor, mastitis, debility, heaviness of body, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, herpes, liver abscess, spleen abscess, suppuration and burning sensation in ears, nose, lips, oral cavity, headache, gonorrhea, bleeding disorder.

• CONTRAINDICATION OF RAKTAMOKSHNA

Anasarca, emaciated person, pregnancy, suffering from disease such as anemia, hemorrhoids, ascites, consumptions and dropsy.

• PERSON FIT FOR RAKTAMOKSHANA

Person not afflicted with excess cold, hot, excess of sweating and exposure to sun. Prior to rakthamokshana person should take barley juice.

• SAMYAK LAKSHANAS

Feeling of lightness in body, subsiding of pain and severity of diseases, cheerfulness of mind.

• ATIYOGA LAKSHANAS

Causes for excess blood flow rakthamokshana done during excess sweating, hot season and due to deep puncturing.

• PROCEDURE 

Raktamokshna is the specialized detoxification process which include the following steps:

• PURVA KARMA – It is carried out in regular periods. It is mainly done in diseases like gout, filariasis, psoriasis, glaucoma, edema, erysipelas, liver and spleen disorders. Cotton swab, gauze pieces are some of the proper instruments used to carry out this procedure.

• PRADHANA KARMA – The various aspects to be considered during Pradhan karma are the following:

Prachhana – this method helps to provide relief from stress, anxiety and tension.

Siravyadha – in this method, according to the disease the vein is selected, after oleation, sudation, the liquid gruel is injected in the patients either in lies down or sits in erect posture.

Size of puncture – the size should be that of one brihi or half barley and in muscular areas, it should be the size of yava.

Jalaukavacharana – in this method tiny sized nicks is applied near the affected region, the blood oozes out and leech is applied to the affected area. When the leech sucks, the mouth takes in the form of the horse’s hooves. Its neck is then covered using wet cotton. When more blood is sucked, the leech leaves the area and moves down, in case it does not leave, turmeric powder is sprinkle on the leech.

Shrings yantra – the horns are applied on the fleshy part of the body. In this yantra the air gets sucked out, which creates a vacuum and blood oozes out.

• PASCHAT KARMA

After the pradhana karmais done, dressing is done with a massage the surrounding wound. This is done with the help of medicated oil. Raktamokshana works as a preventive and curative therpy. This raktamokshana therapy of Ayurveda is a partial or a complete treatment depending on the situation. 

BEST SEASON FOR RAKTAMOKSHANA THERPY

Sharad ritu (autumn season) is the best season for raktamokshana therapy. The blood vitiated by pitta, kapha and vata dosha should be removed from leech therapy, pitcher gourd (alabu), and horn of animals (shrunga).