Indicators of Hemapheresis and Ayurvedic Treatment

Abstract

There are many blood-related disorders in which there is hampering in the body that causes issues over skin or blood disorders. Due to excessive impurities in the blood, there are a lot of issues and due to these impurities in the body, there is vitiation of pitta dosha and rakta dusti. Hemapheresis is a procedure in which blood can be withdrawn from the affected area. Hemapheresis is considered a very effective therapy for various blood-related disorders and autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis etc. Autoimmune diseases are known to be a disease in which our immunity attacks our own healthy cells (which fight invading infections) and lead to many disorders. Autoimmune diseases are not having any particular treatment. This therapy gives symptomatic relief as well as enhances life span. In this article, we are going to discuss, Indication of hemapheresis, raktamokshana, and Ayurvedic drugs that help in blood disorders.
Indicators of Hemapheresis & Ayurvedic Treatment

Introduction

Hemapheresis is an ancient therapy that is effective in blood-related disorders as well as varicose veins. In this therapy, there is a separation of whole blood in the body and removing the toxin component from the blood. Hemapheresis may include Plasmapheresis, leukapheresis, photopheresis, and erythropoiesis. In many health-related disorders, this therapy is indicated and due to its effective results, it may improve the health condition of the patient as well as heals the patient by removing toxins from the body. Hemapheresis is a procedure in which blood can be withdrawn from the affected area. Hemapheresis is considered a very effective therapy for various blood-related disorders and autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis etc. According to Ayurveda, Hemapheresis is known as Raktamokshan and this therapy is majorly indicated by pitta dosha and rakta dushti. Due to this vitiated dosha, there are many diseases that are present there and these can be pacified by Raktamokshan. Raktamokshan or Hemapheresis is a highly advanced technique to deplete, exchange, replace, or at least manipulate particular cellular or blood constituents in a broad panel of different diseases.

Indication of Hemapheresis

The indications of Hemapheresis are listed below

  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Lupus
  • Severe rheumatoid arthritis
  • Polymyositis
  • Vasculitis

Process of Hemapheresis

Therapeutic Hemapheresis is done through blood processing equipment. This is a highly advanced technique to deplete, exchange, replace, or at least manipulate particular cellular or blood constituents in a broad panel of different diseases. At first, blood is taken from donors through a needle after that blood drawn is mixed with an anticoagulant and separated in separators which work through the centrifugation method.

The components which are separated and withdrawn include

  • Plasmapheresis (Removal of the plasma)
  • Plateletpheresis (Removal of platelet)
  • Leukapheresis( Removal of White blood cells)
  • Stem cell harvesting (a small number of circulating stem cells can be harvested)
  • Donors Hemapheresis (A person can donate his/her blood to the affected person)

Ayurvedic point of view for Raktashodhan

According to Ayurveda, Hemapheresis is known as Raktshodhan. Raktamokshan is a method of bloodletting from the affected part of the body. Raktamokshan is considered to be one of the best Panchakarma procedures to balance all three doshas (Mainly eliminates pitta dosha). Diseases due to rakta dushti and vitiated pitta dosha can’t get effective relief through other medicinal procedures. Along with that therapy, Raktamokshan will also be very helpful. Ayurveda pursues the patient’s treatment and also helps in improving the health of the patient with ancient methods and aids in improving the quality of life of the patients.

Best season for Raktamokshan

Sharada Ritu (autumn season) is the best season because pitta dosha is aggravated in this season.

Methods of Raktamokshan

Raktamokshan is done by two methods one with vein puncture and the other without any puncturing. By both methods, impurities from blood are carried out and keep the body free from toxins and diseases. Two methods of Raktamokshan are listed below

1. Shastra karma is siravedhan

(vein puncture to remove the impure blood. It is mainly indicated in Raktaj vikar (Blood disorders). The procedure is carried out to eliminate blood toxins. Half of the treatment is said to be done by Siravedha.

2.Ashastra karma

Ashastra karma performs by three procedures which are listed below

(I). Shring(horn)

In Vata disorders. Shringa is used in Vata disorders that have Ushna (Hot), Madhur(sweet), and Snigdha(smooth) properties.

(ii). Jaloka (leech)

In pitta and raktaj disorders. Jaloka (leech) is the commonest and easiest method for bloodletting nowadays. In this process, impure blood is let out through medicinal leech. Leech saliva contains various chemical components (enzymes) like hirudin, hyaluronidase, eglins, and bedellines. Egllins and bedellins have various properties such as antimicrobial and antifungal, which are excellent for various skin disorders.

(iii). Alabu

In kaphaja disorders, Alabu is also known as Cucurbita Lagenaria or Lagenaria Vulgaris and contains Ruksha (dry), Katu (Pungent), and Tikshna (Penetrating) properties. It is mainly used in aggravated Kapha-related blood disorders.

Indication of Raktmokshan

The indications of Raktamokshan are listed below

  • Skin-related disease
  • Swelling over body
  • Wound (in healing wounds)
  • Herpes
  • Conjunctivitis (eye-related disorders)
  • Fibroids
  • Tumor
  • Mastitis
  • Liver abscess
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Elephantiasis
  • Toxic condition of blood
  • Contraindication of Raktamokshan
  • The contraindications of Raktamokshan are listed below
  • Ascites (water filled in the abdomen)
  • Anemia (low hemoglobin)
  • Hemorrhoids (internal piles)
  • Emaciated person (lean and thin)
  • In pregnancy (due to nourishing baby)

Some herbs that help to purify the blood are listed below

In Ayurveda, we have some herbs which are very effective in purifying the blood as well as aids in improving blood-related disorders. Ayurveda helps in the pacification of vitiated tri dosha and helps in maintaining a healthy life. Some of the herbs help in purifying the blood are listed below

  • Manjistha (Rubia Cordifolia)
  • Neem (Azadirachta indica)
  • Haridra (Curcuma Longa)
  • Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia)
  • Sariva ( Hemidesmus indicus)

Herbs Description

1. Manjishtha

Manjishtha is the best herb for purifying the blood. Manjistha acts as an anti-inflammatory herb as the paste is applied to the affected part of the body mainly in inflammation, ulcers, and skin disorders. It is advantageous in healing wounds faster and helps in various skin disorders. It also aids in the brain and nerve impairment. Manjishtha acts as a good appetizer and has a good digestive capacity. Due to its hemostatic properties, it is used in many blood disorders (Raktapitta Vikar), skin disorders, ulcers, erysipelas, and many others.

2. Sariva

Sariva contains anti-inflammatory properties that aid in burning sensation and inflammation. Juices of Sariva are very effective in various eye-related disorders like conjunctivitis etc. Sariva also acts as a good appetizer (improves the appetite), digestive, and laxative. This herb is advantageous in purifying the blood and can be given in blood-related disorders such as gout, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

3. Haridra

Haridra has medicinal properties and is known as Curcumin. The Latin name of Haridra is (Curcuma longa). Haridra contains immunomodulatory properties that help in boosting immunity and fighting against various disorders. It is best known for its properties like anti-oxidant which regulates the proper functioning of blood elements. It enhances the biological activities in the body and shows the best changes in physiological functions of the body. The best property of curcumin is to purify the blood and remove the excess toxin from the body. It also helps to stop infections. It boosts immunity and has the best wound healing properties.

4. Neem

Neem has medicinal properties and the Latin name of neem is (Azadirachta indica). Neem is the best herb for purifying the blood and removing excess toxins from the blood. This herb is rich in several properties such as tikta (bitter) and kshaya (astringent) Rasa (Taste) and sheeta (cold) potency. It regulates blood circulation and hence it gives very good results in various blood disorders.

5. Guduchi

Guduchi is a herb that contains medicinal properties and the Latin name of Guduchi is (Tinospora cordifolia). Guduchi helps in boosting immunity as it acts as an immunomodulator and to fight against various disorders. This herb is used to improve respiratory tract disorders (health of the lungs) as well as aids in maintaining the sugar levels in the body. Guduchi has various properties which help in maintaining overall health. Guduchi satva is used in the management of diabetes, jaundice, etc. It also has various properties such as antipyretics, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-cancer, antioxidants, and immune-modulator properties. Giloy is also considered one of the Medhya Rasayana.

Conclusion

Raktmokshan procedure is the best method to remove the excess toxins from the body and also help to heal the wound faster. In this article we have discussed the Raktmokshan, by using this we are able to avoid many side effects of synthetic molecules prevalent in the medical system these days. Also this is the simplest and fastest process to purify the blood. Ayurveda pursues the patient’s treatment and also helps in improving the health of the patient with ancient methods and aids in improving the quality of life of the patients. All the herbal formulations are purely vegetarian and made up of 100% naturally occurring organic herbs.