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Raktamokshana is one of the 5 [[Panchakarmas (पञ्चकर्माणि)|Panchakarmas]] practiced in Ayurveda. Raktamokshana literally means blood letting procedure. The vitiated [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|rakta]] inside body which is causing various different illnesses and not responding to the general line of treatment with internal medicines is removed out of the body. It is one of the shodhana (cleansing or detox) [[Chikitsa (चिकित्सा)|chikitsa]] described in Ayurveda. Indications, contraindications, types, eligibility criteria, procedure, effects and other relevant details on Raktamokshana have been described in Ayurveda literature.  

Raktamokshana is one of the 5 [[Panchakarmas (पञ्चकर्माणि)|Panchakarmas]] practiced in Ayurveda. Raktamokshana literally means blood letting procedure. The vitiated [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|rakta]] inside body which is causing various different illnesses and not responding to the general line of treatment with internal medicines is removed out of the body through this procedure. It is one of the shodhana (cleansing or detox) type of [[Chikitsa (चिकित्सा)|chikitsa]] described in Ayurveda. Indications, contraindications, types, eligibility criteria, procedure, effects and other relevant details on Raktamokshana have been described in Ayurveda literature in depth.  

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Raktamokshana is the unique para-surgical therapy which has references only in Ayurveda, raktamokshana is a treatment aspect where in “rakta” meaning blood when vitiated is let out of the body using surgical instruments (and non-surgical instruments) in certain quantities and in a controlled manner under the observation of a certified [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|Vaidya]] or physician. Commonly called as blood detox therapy it has widespread advantages in various skin diseases as well as systemic disorders.

Acharya Sushruta has given equal importance to Rakta dhatu like doshas. So much so that he believes that Rakta dhatu should be considered as the 4th Dosha in body. While praising the role of rakta in sustaining the life he says that,<blockquote>देहस्य रुधिरं मूलं रुधिरेणैव धार्यते | तस्माद्यत्नेन संरक्ष्यं रक्तं जीव इति स्थितिः ||४४|| (Su Su 14.44)</blockquote>Meaning: Rakta is the root of deha ([[Sharira (शरीरम्)|shariram]] / Physical body) and that is the only one which holds (sustians) this deha. Thus one should carefully guard Rakta since that is the life.  

Raktamokshana is is primarily a treatment of choice for diseases where the rakta dhatu is vitiated with any of the 3 doshas namely vata, pitta and kapha. However, the tools or instruments and the procedure of Raktamokshana varies for as per the vitiating dosha. This is the basis for various types of raktamokshana procedures practiced in Ayurveda.   

Owing to this crucial role of rakta in maintaining the human body it becomes necessary to keep the rakta dhatu in healthy state. If it gets afflicted by any dosha it can certainly dispaly various signs and symptoms of diseases. In some instances when the impurities in rakta are so hugi when those cant be treated with medicines are need to taken out there has to be a way through which this can be facilitated. Raktamokshana thus provides the method and therapy to cleanse the Rakta dhatu.   

देहस्य रुधिरं मूलं रुधिरेणैव धार्यते |

Raktamokshana is the unique para-surgical therapy which has references only in Ayurveda literature which dates back to 2000BC. Raktamokshana is a modality of treatment where in “rakta” meaning blood which is vitiated is let out of the body using surgical instruments (and non-surgical instruments) in certain quantities and in a controlled manner under the observation of a certified [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|Vaidya]] or physician. Commonly called as blood detox therapy it has widespread advantages in various skin diseases as well as systemic disorders wherever the vitiated [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|rakta dhatu]] is involved. Rakta dhatu can get vitiated with any of the 3 [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]] namely vata, pitta and kapha. The tools or instruments and the procedure of Raktamokshana varies as per the vitiating dosha. This is the basis for various types of raktamokshana procedures practiced in Ayurveda.  

 

तस्माद्यत्नेन संरक्ष्यं रक्तं जीव इति स्थितिः ||४४|| (Su Su 14.44)

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

In Vachasapatyam, the term Raktamokshanam has been explained in Samskrt as below,<blockquote>रक्तमोक्षणं, क्ली, (रक्तस्य मोक्षणम् ।) शोणित- स्रावः । (Vachs)<ref>Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B0 pg 4/076])</ref></blockquote>Meaning: The procedure in which Shonit (samskrit term for blood, synonym for rakta) srava (means secretion or flow) happens is known as Raktamokshana.

In Vachasapatyam, the term Raktamokshanam has been explained in Samskrit as below,<blockquote>रक्तमोक्षणं, क्ली, (रक्तस्य मोक्षणम् ।) शोणित- स्रावः । (Vachas)<ref>Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B0 pg 4/076])</ref></blockquote>Meaning: The procedure in which Shonit (samskrit term for blood, synonym for rakta) srava (means secretion or flow) happens is known as Raktamokshana.

== Classification ==

== Classification ==

The panchakarma therapy Raktamokshana is classified into various types based on the use of tools and the targeted [[Doshas (दोषाः)|dosha]] vitiating [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|Rakta]].<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 13 Sutra 4)</ref><ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 26 Sutra 53)</ref> (su su 14.25) These types and sub-types are listed below,  

The panchakarma therapy Raktamokshana is classified into various types based on the use of tools and the targeted [[Doshas (दोषाः)|dosha]] vitiating [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|Rakta]].<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 13 Sutra 4)</ref><ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 26 Sutra 53)</ref> These types and sub-types are listed below,  

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

== Indications ==

== Indications ==

Rakmokshana is done primarily to remove the vitiated rakta dhatu out of the body. Such necessity arises when there are certain medical conditions like,

Rakmokshana is done primarily to remove the vitiated rakta dhatu out of the body. Such necessity arises when there are certain medical conditions like below wherein thus Raktamokshana is indicated.

# Apache (enlargement of glands)

# Apachi (enlargement of glands)

# Arbuda (tumor like growths)

# Arbuda (tumor like growths)

# Arsha (piles/haemorrhoids)

# Arsha (piles/haemorrhoids)

# Raktaja vikara (blood vitiation and disorders) Etc<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 25 Sutra 10-12)</ref> <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 27 Sutra 3-5)</ref>  

# Raktaja vikara (blood vitiation and disorders) Etc<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 25 Sutra 10-12)</ref> <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 27 Sutra 3-5)</ref>  

 

Acharya Sushruta has also praised the efficacy of Raktamokshana by quoting that if Raktamokshana is done as a preventive therapy in those who are prone to Twak-doshas (skin related diseases), or tendencies to develop Granthi (tumors), Shopha (swellings) and Rakta dhatu related disorders, they can prevent the occurrence of these.<blockquote>त्वग्दोषा ग्रन्थयः शोफा रोगाः शोणितजाश्च ये | रक्तमोक्षणशीलानां न भवन्ति कदाचन ||३४|| (Sush. Samh. 14.34)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 14 Sutra 34)</ref></blockquote>

Acharya Sushruta has also praised the efficacy of Raktamokshana by quoting that if Raktamokshana is done as a preventive therapy in those who are prone to Twak-doshas (skin related diseases), Granthi (tumors), Shopha (swellings) and Rakta dhatu related disorders, they can prevent the occurrence of these. <blockquote>त्वग्दोषा ग्रन्थयः शोफा रोगाः शोणितजाश्च ये |

 

रक्तमोक्षणशीलानां न भवन्ति कदाचन ||३४|| (Sush. Samh. 14.34)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 14 Sutra 34)</ref></blockquote>

== Contraindications ==

== Contraindications ==

There are certain physiological and pathological conditions wherein the procedure of Raktamokshana is not recommended. The states where Raktamokshana is contraindicated are listed below,<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 17)</ref> <ref>Ashtangaa Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 27 Sutra 6-8)</ref>

In Raktamokshana vitiated blood is removed out of the body. Rakta in nonvitiated state protects and holds the body and thus called the root of body and life. Therefore its removal should be done with utmost care. If done inappropriately or when contraindicated it has potential to develop fatal complications hence contraindications to this procedures should be properly known. There are certain physiological and pathological conditions wherein the procedure of Raktamokshana is not recommended. The states where Raktamokshana is contraindicated are listed below,<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 17)</ref> <ref>Ashtangaa Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 27 Sutra 6-8)</ref>

# Baala (children)

# Baala (children)