Abstract

PILOT STUDY OF THE HOLISTIC HEALTH EFFECTS OF RAKTAMOKSHAN (SIRAVEDHA) KARMA IN VICHARCHIKA

Dr. Pragati Gupta*, Dr. Minaj Kulkarni and Prof. Dr. S. M. Vedpathak

ABSTRACT

Vicharchika (eczema) is one of the Rakta Pradoshaj Vikara commonly observed in society having the symptoms of Rukshata, Twakvaivarnyata, Pidaka and Ruja. It is Tridoshaj Vyadhi but mainly Kapha and Vata Dosha are vitiated. Preserving the health is one of the main endeavors of Ayurveda. Raktmokshana (Blood letting) ( siravedha) is one of the Panchakarma therapy, is the choice of the treatment in all the Rakta Pradoshaj Vikaras like Kushtha,Visarp, Vicharchika. As Rakta is among the Sapta Dhatu gets vitiated by the continuous use of the etiological factors like Apathya Aahar Vihar, sedentary life style and ignorance of Rutucharya. After Siravedha, Vitiated Dosha and Rakta were removed from body, there is relief from Vicharchika takes place. Vicharchika is correlated to certain extent with eczema which is one among the common chronic skin disease and its epidemiological studies by WHO reveals that it affects 10-20% of the total world’s population. About 30% of all the skin diseases are eczematous. Although Panchakarma procedures are much researched upon, the effects reported are mainly on Sharir level. Apart from the effects on disease pathology, the procedures are known to demonstrate effects on Manas Bhav (subtle changes) Hence, in present study consist of to evaluate holistic effects of Raktamokshana procedure by assessing its effects on Manas Bhav.

Keywords: Raktamokshan (Blood letting)(Siravedha), Vicharchika, Manas Bhav.