The document introduces Raktamokshana, the Ayurvedic practice of bloodletting. It defines Raktamokshana as the letting out of blood and discusses its historical origins in the Vedic period. The objectives are to define key terms, review history, discuss synonyms and classifications. Raktamokshana is important for cleansing the body and reducing toxins, though it is debated whether it falls under Panchakarma. It is classified into bloodletting with cutting tools versus leeches, cups, or other anushastra methods.

1. INTRODUCTION OF
RAKTHAMOKSHANA
Dr. Akshay Shetty
Asst. Professor
Dept of Panchakarma
SSRAMCH Inchal

2. CONTENTS
• Objectives
• Definition of Raktamokshana
• Historical review of Raktamokshana
• Synonyms of Raktamokshana
• Raktamokshana and Panchakarma
• Importance of Raktamokshana
• Classification of Raktamokshana
• Summary
• References
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3. OBJECTIVES
By the end of the presentation the students
must be able to--
1. Define Raktamokshana
2. Illustrate Historical review of
Raktamokshana
3. Quote Synonyms of Raktamokshana
4. Contraste between Raktamokshana and
Panchakarma
5. Discuss Importance of Raktamokshana
6. Classify Raktamokshana
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4. DEFINITION OF RAKTAMOKSHANA
• The term “Raktamokshana” comprises of two words, ie.,
‘Rakta’ & ‘Mokshana’
• The word ‘Rakta’ means :coloured, dyed, tinged, painted, Red, crimson, blood red.
• The word ‘Mokshana’ is derived from the root ‘moksha’ means ‘to relieve’ or ‘to let
out’.
• Therefore letting out of blood is known as Raktamokshana.
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5. HISTORICAL REVIEW OF RAKTAMOKSHANA
• Vedic period:
The process of Raktamokshana can be traced back to Vedic period
only and not beyond that. In the Koushika sutra of Athravaveda, references
of Raktamokshana by leech application are to be found .
During the period of Buddha, this process was in regular practice,
which could be easily understood from Pilindivachha, a patient of Buddha in
whom he did Raktamokshana by Shringa for parvavata.
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6. CONT…
• Samhita period :
Sushruta, Vagbhata focused on the Raktamokshana in detail. In Sushruta
Samhita and Ashtanga sangrahas, we get separate chapters on Siravyadha.
Charaka, the celebrated physician of ancient school of medicine, also gives
brief description on this topic.
Coming to Sangraha period, Bhavamishra and Sharangdhara have discussed
Siravyadha vidhi, while describing the management of various diseases.
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7. CONT…
• Bloodletting indeed represents one of the
oldest human efforts on medicinal therapy.
It is hard but a fact to believe that in 18th
century when the doctors who could do
nothing to the patients coming to them,
were just drawing blood as much as
possible from them, so that they would
feel something was being done for them
(Text book of Pathology, William Boyd
1970, p. 1097)
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8. SYNONYMS OF RAKTAMOKSHANA
• Asravisravana
• Asru visruti
• Raktacchedana
• Rudhirasravana
• Shonithamokshana,
• Rakthanirharana,
• Rakthasravana,
• Rakthaharana
• Siramoksha
• Sirakarma
• Siravyadha
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9. PANCHAKARMA & RAKTAMOKSHANA
• Panchakarma is a term mainly used by Atreya sampradaya, they have not
included Raktamokshana in Panchakarma by any Samhita or commentators.
• Raktamokshana is highly associated with Shalya tantra can be considered
under shodhana as mentioned by Sushruta and Astanga hridaya (A.H.Su
14/5)
• Even later scholars such as Bhavaprakasha, Vangasena, Sharangadhara ,have
defined Panchakarma excluding Raktamokshana (Sh.Ut8/70,B.P,Pu)
• As panchakarma basically deals with shodhana of vitiated dosha
,Raktamokshana has been incorporated in this era, it in a greater sense by
Modern Ayurveda scholars.
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10. IMPORTANCE OF RAKTAMOKSHANA
देहस्य रुधिरं मूलं रुधिरेणैव िाययते |
तस्माद्यत्नेन संरक्ष्यं रक्तं जीव इतत स्स्िततिः ||४४|| S.Su 14
तेषां क्षयवृद्िी शोणणततनममत्ते, S.Su 14/21
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11. CONT…
तत्रैतेषां िातूनामन्नपानरसिः [१] प्रीणतयता ||११||
रसजं पुरुषं ववद्याद्रसं रक्षेत ् प्रयत्नतिः |
अन्नात्पानाञ्च मततमानाचाराञ्चाप्यतस्न्द्रतिः ||१२|| S.Su,14
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12. CONT…
स्नेहाददम िः क्रियायोगैनय तिा लेपनैरवप |
यान्त्याशु व्याियिः शास्न्तं यिा सम्यक् मसराव्यिात् ||२२|| S.Sh,8
मसराव्यिस्चचक्रकत्सािं शल्यतन्त्रे प्रकीततयतिः |
यिा प्रणणदहतिः सम्यग्बस्स्तिः कायधचक्रकस्त्सते ||२३|| S.Sh,8
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13. CONT…
मसराव्यिस्चचक्रकत्सािं शल्यतन्त्रे प्रक्रकततयतिः ।
शल्यतन्त्रे स्मॄतॊ यद्वद्बस्स्तिः कायधचक्रकस्त्सते॥ A.S.Su 36
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14. CLASSIFICATION OF RAKTAMOKSHANA
Raktamokshana
Shastra
visravana
Pracchana Siravyadha
Anushastra
visravana
Shringa Alabu Ghati yantra Jaluka
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15. SUMMARY
Definition of
Raktamokshana
Historical
review of
Raktamokshana
Synonyms of
Raktamokshana
Raktamokshana
and
Panchakarma
Importance of
Raktamokshana
Classification of
Raktamokshana
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16. REFERENCES
• Charaka Samhita
• Sushruta Samhita
• Astanga Sangraha
• Astanga Hridaya
• Principles & practice of Panchakarma,Dr Pulak Kanti Kar
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17. THANK YOU
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