A BIRD’S EYE VIEW ON RAKTAMOKSHANA IN LIGHT OF SAMHITA

Abstract

Ayurveda delineates dosha dushya sammurchana as cause of vyadhi and samyata of dosha provides arogya. Panchakarma is a pentagonal cleansing process of Ayurveda where, it eliminates vitiated dosha. There are different types of shodhana therapies have been described in samhita like vamana, virechana, raktamokshana etc. out of which raktamokshana is considered as best therapy for pitta and rakta pradoshaja vyadhi. So raktamokshana by different modalities is much more effective in resolving pathogenesis in these diseases. The process of raktamokshana can be traced back to the vedic period. Acharya Susruta has mentioned regarding bloodletting in detail in his treatise. To expel out the vitiated blood, seven procedures are advocated; Sira Vedhana (Venesection) Sringa avacharana (Horn application), Alabu aavacharana (Gourd application), Jalouka avacharana (Leech application), Pracchana karma (Scrapping), Ghati Yantra avacharana (Cupping glass application) and Suchi avacharana (Needle application). Raktamokshana can attenuate several conditions foremost related to rakta dushti vikaras. Here an attempt has been made to recollect details regarding raktamokshana prescribed in treatises.