Abstract

A REVIEW ON IMPORTANCE OF RAKTAMOKSHANA (BLOODLETTING) IN AYURVEDA

Sanjeet Singh Rana*, Anil Bhardwaj and Anita Kumari

ABSTRACT

Raktamokshana is the important and prime process of blood detoxification. It is derived from two words ie; ‘rakt’ which means blood & ‘mokshana’ which means leave. So the meaning of raktamokshana is to let the blood out. The blood is expelled out from the body to reduce the qty of toxic substances in the blood borne diseases(raktaja vikara). The process of raktamokshana can be traced back to the vedic period only and not beyond that. In the koushika sutra of atharvaveda, refrence of raktamokshana by leech application are available. Sushruta, Father of Indian Surgery, has given all the information regarding bloodletting in detail in his treatise, "Sushruta Samhita". To expel out the vitiated blood, seven procedures are advocated: Venesection (Sira Vedhan), horn application (Sringa Avacharana), gourd application (Alabu Aavacharana), leech application (Jalauka Avacharana), scrapping (Pracchanna Karma), cupping glass application (Ghati Yantra Avacharana), and needle application (Suchi Avacharana). Bloodletting as a method of treatment is indicated in gouty arthritis, filariasis, herpes, tumors, various skin disorders, genital infections, abscess, inflammatory condition, cellulitis, painful ulcers, chronic ulcers resulting from snake bite, etc. Inspite of this, bloodletting is contraindicated in conditions like- Generalized swelling, swelling in debilitated persons, in those suffering from anemia, piles, phthisis and in pregnancy etc.

Keywords: Raktaja vikara, Sira Vedhan, Jalauka Avacharana, Pracchanna Karma.