Hemapheresis & Ayurvedic Concept of Rakta Shodhan - Blood Cleansing

Abstract

Apheresis (hemapheresis, pheresis) is a process of removing a specific component from the blood of a donor or patient that can be used to treat anemia, chemotherapy, or other disorders. In apheresis the donated blood is separated into its component parts and is either returned to the donor or passed on for a medical treatment. The general types of apheresis are whole-blood apheresis and plasmapheresis, though there are variations such as plasma-based therapy and red cell exchange transfusion, etc. The detailed description regarding hemapheresis and the ayurvedic concept of rakta raktamokshana , leech therapy, etc. will be described as follows.

Introduction

Apheresis is a modern technology that is used to separate the different components of the blood. Blood apheresis is used in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer (leukemia, lymphoma) and other disorders (hemophilia, thalassemia, sickle cell anemia). Apheresis involves the application of a centrifugal process to separate blood into its component parts, for example, red blood cells and platelets from other components such as the plasma or buffy coat. The process is continuous, so that red cells and platelets may be removed from a donor continuously to assist in treating an emergency situation in a patient.The process of Apheresis (hemapheresis, pheresis) will be described as follows.

Hemapheresis & Indications

Hemapheresis is a wonderful presentation of the development in science and technology. Blood apheresis uses a machine that separates blood into its component parts: red cells, white cells (lymphocytes), platelets, plasma, etc., leaving most of the cellular elements of blood with the donor and allowing collection of one or more specific blood component(s) from the donor for therapeutic purposes. The procedure of hemapheresis will require appropriate equipment. A special machine called a cell separator extracts the donor’s plasma. The process takes about an hour.The platelets are transferred from the donor to the patient to stop bleeding or treat clotting problems.

The Red blood cells are transferred from the donor to the recipient for a transfusion in cases of low rbc (red blood cell) count, or other health conditions.The Plasma is collected from the donor and sent to a laboratory for testing. The remaining blood components are returned to the donor. Plasmapheresis is a form of apheresis used to treat disease by separating plasma from the donor. Plasma may be removed directly from the circulatory system of the patient with this technique. The plasma is then processed and/or stored for future use. Plasmapheresis can be used to treat a variety of disorders, including severe rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, myasthenia gravis, etc.

Raktashodhana- A Natural Alternative to Hemapheresis

The technique of hemapheresis, in general terms, separates the various components of blood. A similar thought associated with this concept can be of rakta shodan therapies in the ayurvedic literature. The rakta shodhan therapies will include various ways to separate the impurities and the nourishing agents from the blood. Rakta shodhan therapies will aim to flush off the pathogens or impurities from the blood, leaving behind the nourishing elements in the blood thus improving the overall health of the body. Blood is referred to as the rakta dhatu in ayurvedic context. There are various ways to improve the rakta dhatu. The rakta is described as the fourth dosha along with the vata, pitta, kapha by Acharya Sushruta, hence representing its importance. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the rakta dhatu in normal  levels. For managing rakta in a normal state, rakta mokshana is very effective. It will be described in detail as follows.

Rakta Mokshana Therapy

There are various therapies listed in the ayurvedic literature to fight off the diseased state and maintain the body in a healthy condition. One such medicinal therapy is the rakta mokshana. The rakta mokshana is described to deal with the vitiation of rakta dhatu. Rakta moksan is also known as bloodletting. Rakta mokshana therapy in ayurveda is a very effective treatment for the person suffering from the diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, blood sugar level disorder and many more. This therapy can be administered through various procedures. There can be various types of rakta mokshana procedure such as shringa (using cow’s horn), alabu (using pitcher gourd), jaloka (using leech), sira vedh (puncturing), etc. Some of the various rakta mokshana therapies are described as follows.

1. Shringa

The shring raktamokshana therapy employs a cow's horn for the purpose of bloodletting. The cow horn selected for the procedure of blood letting is open at both the ends. There are small superficial incisions made at the affected area and one side of the cow's horn is kept over the area. The blood is then sucked from the other side.

2. Alabu

The alabu raktamokshana therapy employs a pitcher gourd for the purpose of bloodletting. Multiple incisions are made in a vertical pattern on the affected area. Under aseptic conditions, a wick is ignited and kept straight over the area, then closed with pitcher gourd. This will create a vacuum and suck out the vitiated blood.

3. Sira vedhan

Sira vedh can be correlated to vein puncturing. Sira vedhana is believed to be a very effective therapy. It is said that almost half of the condition can be managed by it in various diseases. The vein is selected near the affected area and then punctured with sharp  equipment. When bloodletting is performed, first the vitiated blood comes out. When the vitiated blood flows out completely, the bleeding is arrested with a bandage.

4. Jaloka avcharan

Jaloka is another name for leech. The leech is applied on the skin to suck out the vitiated blood. The leech is covered with moist cloth. The leech sucks the blood and when the vitiated blood is sucked out completely, it falls off mostly. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) can be rubbed on the site to cease the bleeding.

Ayurvedic Herbs to Purify the Blood

Ayurvedic literature has a treasure of medicinal knowledge. The one desiring a healthy body should always abide by the principles of ayurveda. There are numerous herbs mentioned in ayurvedic literature along with their medicinal properties. The ayurvedic herbs listed for the management of rakta dushti or vitiation of blood include manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), neem (Azadirachta indica), giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), etc. These herbs will be described as follows -

1. Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia)

Manjishtha is a medicinal herb which belongs to the family of Rubiaceae. It is used as a traditional medicine for the management of vitiation of blood. It works as an expectorant and helps to get rid of accumulation of toxins in the body. It helps to reduce pain and swelling caused due to vitiation of blood.The flowers & roots of this herb are very effective in curing the vitiation of blood because of the tikta (bitter), kshaya (astringent), and madhur (sweet) rasa.

2. Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus)

Sariva is a wonderful ayurvedic herb and can be used for treating vitiation of blood. It is madhur (sweet) and tikta (bitter) in rasa and sheeta (cool) in veerya (potency). Due to the tikta (bitter) rasa, it helps to detoxify the blood. It contains kanduhara properties (manages itching), kushtha hara properties (manages skin disease), etc. Sariva helps to pacify the vitiation of all the three dosha in the body.

3. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)

Giloy is also known as guduchi. It contains numerous medicinal properties such as rasayan properties (rejuvenating), Blood purifying properties, etc. It is a well - known ayurvedic anti pyretic herb also.

4. Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Neem is a very effective blood purifier. It is tikta (bitter) in rasa. Therefore, it helps to purify the blood. Neem contains numerous medicinal properties such as kasahara (relieves cough), shramhara (relieves tiredness), krimihara (manages worm infestations), etc. It is also a vrana hara (helps to clean and heal wounds)

5. Amla (Emblica officinale)

Amla contains tridosha pacifying properties. It helps to purify the blood and also improves the condition of the skin. Amla contains a variety of medicinal properties such as rasayan properties (Rejuvenating), chakshushaya (improves vision), raktapitta (bleeding disorders), kanthya (throat diseases), etc.

5. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Haridra or turmeric is one of the most commonly used herbs in the kitchen and also contains numerous medicinal properties. Haldi is tikta (bitter) and katu (pungent) in rasa and hence helps to purify blood. It helps to manage anemia, increases hemoglobin in blood and relieves weakness. The herb improves appetite, memory and digestion and strengthens the body also.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that rakta or blood is a very essential element of the body. The state of blood whether healthy or diseased will impact the health of the individual up to a great extent. One should always put in efforts to maintain the rakta (blood) element in a healthy state. As described in the above content, this can be achieved through the methods of rakta mokshana along with the administration of herbs. The vitiation of blood can be managed effectively through Ayurvedic measures.