Kiran Wagh, Rajesh Gundre and Babasaheb Gadve

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine based on Holistic concept of Health which depends on a balance between mind, body and spirit. Acharya Sushruta explain rakta as fourth dosha. Raktamokshana is the main and effective treatment of Rakta when it is being vitiated by Pitta Dosha. There are Siravedh, Prachhan, Jalaukavacharan etc. methods to do Raktamokshana. Among various methods of Raktamokshana, Jalaukavacharan is an ancient technique of bloodletting. Acharya Sushruta has given the detailed description of Jalaukavacharan in Sushrutsamhita and Jalauka under Anushastras. The inborn qualities of Jalauka are Sheeta and Madhura and opposite to Pitta Dosha and these helps to pacifying Pitta Dosha. According to modern science the saliva of the leech consists of anesthetic agents, anticoagulant, antiplatelet aggregation factor, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory substances, and gelatinous substances which helps in the removal of toxins accumulated in the body which mainly helps to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and restores the blood supply. Jalaukavacharan is quite safe, effective, minimal expensive, easy process to do Raktamokshana. This paper discusses fundamentals of leech therapy and uniqueness and miscellaneous uses of Jalaukavachran in various diseases in clinical practice. 

DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i1d.14835

Pages: 275-280  |  411 Views  220 Downloads