Abstract

A SYSTEMIC REVIEW ON RAKTAMOKSHANA: CONCEPTUAL STUDY

Dr. Vipul Singh*

ABSTRACT

Raktamokshana therapy is the blood cleansing & purification therapy. Ancient Indian texts have talked varies procedures that can cause immense Shodhana or purification of the body. Among the five cardinal Shodhana karmas Raktamokshana chikitsa is emphasized as half treatment as far as shalya tantra is concerned and every second patient invites this treatment. 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.

Keywords: Raktmokshana, Siravedha, Shodhana, Visravana.