(Raktamokshona)
The process of taking blood from the body is known as raktamokshona in ayurvedic medicine. The main objective of the procedure is to remove blood (rakta dhatu) when it becomes vitiated by tridosa (air, fire and water). Blood-letting is performed to manage diseases caused by blood (rakta) and pitta (fire).
In Ayurvedic surgery, venesection (siraveda) has supreme importance. Raktamoskshona is mainly classified in two types:
1)
Metal instruments
2)
Non-metal instruments, such as with cow horn or ivory needles. In ancient India, physicians bled patients suffering from abscesses, enlarged spleens, and inflammation of various internal organs, by applying leeches, cupping and suction, and by scarification (cutting superficial veins).
Application of leeches was the safest method of blood-letting and caused no pain. The area to which leeches were applied was abraded by rubbing it with a mixture of dust and cow dung. Leeches were sprinkled with water containing mustard seeds and turmeric powder as a preservative and kept in a basin full of water so that they remained fresh and vigorous. The patient was kept with the legs in a drawn up or contracted posture, resting the elbows on the knee joints with thumbs closed in fists that were placed near the neck for better circulation. A cloth bandage was tied around the patient's arms and back in such a way as to raise the veins in the region above the bandage. The patient was asked to hold periodic deep breaths while the surgeon operated.
Blood-letting was contraindicated for infants, the elderly, those who are impotent, parched, fatigued, emaciated, or starved; likewise for persons of timid or cowardly disposition; and for patients being treated with purgatives, emetics or enemas.
Several procedures were used to arrest hemorrhages:
1. Sandhana - contraction of the wound by astringent such as decoctions of chebulic myrobolan.
2. Skandana - thickening of the blood by application of severe cold.
3. Pachana - dissecting and drying the wound with ashes.
4. Dahana - cauterizing the veins to make them shrink.
Lightening therapy is thought to be successful when the normal elimination of flatus (gas), urine, and feces is restored; when the body feels light; when the throat and mouth become cleared; when perspiration and taste reappear; when hunger and thirst return; and when the mind recovers its sense of ease.
Pain in the joints, body aches, cough, oral parching, loss of hunger, anorexia, thirst, weak hearing and sight, confusion, frequent eructation, fainting, loss of body temperature and strength are the consequences of overdone lightening therapy. The difference in the variation of tridosa (air, fire, and water), medical drugs, location, time, strength, diet, condition of the body, mental situation and age should be considered while administering these therapies. Elimination therapy extracts vitiated air, fire, and water, eradicates diseases, restores normal strength and rejuvenates.
Several procedures were used to arrest hemorrhages:
1.
Sandhana - contraction of the wound by astringent such as decoctions of chebulic myrobolan.
2.
Skandana - thickening of the blood by application of severe cold.
3.
Pachana - dissecting and drying the wound with ashes.
4.
Dahana - cauterizing the veins to make them shrink.
5 ELIMINATION THERAPIES
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