Panchakarma therapy includes vamana, virechan, nasya, basti and raktamokshan. Amongst all the five the article here deals with raktamokshan.

Raktamokshan is one of the five purification procedure of Pachakarma. It removes the vitiated blood from the body. Blood is the life of the body. Aggravated doshas when affects the blood gives rise to various diseases. Thus raktamokshan therapy eliminates vitiated blood from the body.

It is a special treatment of ancient ayurvedic medicine. It is a detoxification therapy which maintains the health and also cures certain diseases.

The procedure involves letting out the impure blood. Thus the procedure detoxifies raktadhatu. The therapy is used in diseases such as skin disease, hypertension, acne, gout, obesity, heart disease etc.

TYPES OF RAKTA MOKSHAN

Raktamokshan is classified on the basis of instrument used for the procedure –

1) Shastra – it includes using sharp instruments.

2) Sirvedha (venipuncture) – it involves skin puncture using scalp vein set. Usually 100-150 ml of blood is taken without causing any side effect. The procedure cures the disease from the root. Siravedha is considered half treatment for various diseases as there are many diseases arising from blood infection.

3) Anushastra – in this no instrument is used and is of 3 types –

a) Jalauka (leech therapy) – in this leech is applied on the particular area to suck the impure blood and establish a good blood supply. It is a convenient and easy blood letting therapy.
b) Shrunga (cow’s horn) – the larger open end of cow horn is kept on the incised area and blood is sucked from the other end.
c) Alabu (pitcher gourd)

INDICATIONS

Raktamokshan is indicated in the following situations-

Swelling
Rashes
Burning sensation
Suppuration
Gonorrhea
Headache
Bleeding disorder
Skin disease

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The therapy should not be indicated in excess cold and hot, excess of sweating and exposure to sun.

BENEFITS OF RAKTA MOKSHAN

Certain benefits of raktamokshan includes –
It treats all types of skin disease.
Best treatment for acne.
Cures hyperlipidemia, psoriasis, leucoderma etc
It is beneficial in heart disease and hypertension.
It has a proven result in treating obesity.

The raktamokshan therapy is usually done in the month of October to December for general detoxification. The therapy decreases the seriousness of the disease and it is further treated with herbal formulations.