Kati Basti - Low Back Therapy
INDICATIONS
- Skin diseases
- Varicose veins
- Jaundice
- Headache
- White patches
- Psoriasis
- Gout
- Acute pain at any site
INTRODUCTION
Raktamokshan is the fifth & different treatment of five detoxifying – cleansing therapies broadly known as panchakarma or shodhana therapies. It helps in clearing the dosha residing in the shakha( deep tissue) & is the best remedial solution for Rakta shuddhi.
PROCEDURE
There are 4 methods of Raktamokshana out of which two are commonly used:
- Siravedha
- Jalouka
Siravedha is done using intracat or an IV set butterfly which is introduced in the vein & the required amount of blood is withdrawn . Then a compression dressing is done at the site after cleaning it with spirit. This is done where larger quantity is to be removed for a disease which has a spread all over body. Maximum blood removed is 30-100 mls.
Jalouka – Leeches are naturally available creature known for it's blood sucking abilities. This is done for a localised disease & used when a small quantity of blood is to be removed. The leeches when kept at the site get stuck on their own & sucks the blood till the vitiated blood is available or they are full. Each leech sucks around 2-10 mls of blood depending on the size. In case of need physician may advice the use of more than one leech at the site. Then dressing is carried out.
DIET
Before
Raktamokshan is carried out on full stomach. The patient must be well fed before hand the treatment
After
There are no specific dietary restrictions after Raktamokhana
BENEFITS
- Reduction in redness.
- Reduction in acute pain
- Reduction in the disease
- Skin patches are diminished
CAUTION
Raktmokshan is one of the very specialised treatment of ayurved & being related to bloodletting need to be handled very carefully & in moderation by experts only or it may cause irreversible damage even can cause death.
Panchakarma - Raktamokshana (Blood letting therapy)
Rakthamokshana means the procedure of blood letting for the therapeutic purpose for removing morbid doshas with blood. Rakthamokshana is practised in blood born diseases, in Pitta predominant diseases and also in a few vata disorders. Rakthamokshana is the fifth main karma of panchakarma therapy and has been listed by Susrutha and Vagbhata. Charaka has not included rakthamokshana in panchakarma. Acharya Susrutha considers raktha as the fourth dosha.
In the treatment of rakthaja roga the following measures are indicated viz;
- Rakthamokshana
- Virechana
- Upavasa
All other therapies suggested for the treatment of rathapitta.
SUITABLE TIME FOR RAKTHAMOKSHANA Rakthamokshana is best indicated when
- Day is neither too cold
- Day is neither too hot
- Nor the day is bad
- It is not cloudy
SEASONVISE SHEDULE OF RAKTHAMOKSHANA
- Rainy season – on a clear day
- Summer season – when it is cold
- Early winter – mid day
RAKTHAMOKSHANA IS OF TWO TYPES
- Sasthra visravana
- Anushasthra visravana
Anushasthra visravana is used to let blood from sukumara persons.
VAGHBATA CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING AS ANUSHASTHRA
- Leech
- Alkali
- Cauterisation
- Nails, glass, stone piece, non metallic substances.
JALOOKAVACHARANA Leeches are of 2 types
- Poisonous - 6 types
- Non poisonous - 6 types
The patient have a disorder to be treated with leech should be asked to sit or lie down.Then the shodhita leech should be applied to the diseased spot.Their mouth should be covered with smooth white and moistened cotton swab. When the leech starts opening its mouth like horses hoof and raising the shoulders it is the sign that the leech is sucking the blood.If the leech does not start sucking blood then ksheera or a drop of blood should be kept over the affected part and the leech will start sucking the blood. If at the bitting site needling pain and itching appear it indicates that the leech is sucking pure blood, by pouring rock salt at its mouth.
As soon as the leech is removed it should be dipped in dilute saline water, turmeric water and plain water one after the other. By this process the leech vomits out the blood immediately. Once used the leech is not fit to be used again for atleast seven days.
TREATMENT OF THE PATIENT
After the leech has detached blood from the sucked area should be allowed to flow for 1-3 minutes and then dressing should be done with jathyadi ghritham. Starting of pruritis and subsiding of redness and pain are indications of removal of vitiated blood.
BENEFITS OF BLOOD PURIFICATION
When the blood is purified, the colour of the individual will be bright and shining and his sense organs will act powerfully and quickly. Thus the mind will be full of continentness and the body will get strength and happiness. Siravyadha which we do not practice here gives total purification of blood.