Logical Rationalization of ‘Administration of vitiation of Raktavaha Srotas’ as talked about by Charaka

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S

Raktavaha Srotas are the channels of the physique that are liable for formation and distribution of blood tissue to your complete physique. The roots of those channels lie within the Yakrit – liver and Pliha – spleen. In keeping with Grasp Sushruta, together with liver and spleen, the raktavahini dhamanis i.e. the arteries which carry the blood are additionally thought of as raktavaha srotas.

Ideas of treating the illnesses prompted as a result of vitiation of raktavaha srotas (and vitiated blood)

विधि शोणिते अध्याये रक्तजानां भिषक् जितम्॥(च.सू.२८/२५)

The raktaja rogas i.e. illnesses prompted as a result of vitiation of blood and raktavaha srotas – blood conveying channels needs to be managed on the strains of therapy and administration defined within the chapter ‘Vidhi shonitiya’ of Charaka Sutra Sthana.

The principle therapy rules / administration of vitiation or contamination of blood conveying channels are –

कुर्यात् शोणित रोगेषु रक्त पित्त हरीं क्रियाम्।

विरेकं उपवासं च स्रावणं शोणितस्य च॥(च.सू.२४/१८)

The administration consists of:

The identical rules of therapy additionally match into the therapy of Liver and Spleen problems as a result of they’re roots of raktavaha srotas.

1. Raktapitta hara kriyam: Treating on the strains of administration of Raktapitta (bleeding problems)

Raktapitta is a situation brought on by joint vitiation and mutual contamination of rakta – blood and pitta. There’s all the time a susceptibility for this to occur as a result of the blood and pitta share an inseparable bond of ashraya – residence and ashrayi – resident. Right here, blood is the ashraya and pitta is ashrayi. Rakta and pitta getting vitiated by their very own etiological components will later contaminate one another and trigger bleeding from upward, downward and sideward instructions. They’re referred to as urdhwaga, adhoga and tiryagata raktapitta respectively.

Raktapitta can also be prompted as a result of rakta vriddhi – pathological improve of blood tissue.

Aside from this, we have to see the place this rakta has its origin from. It’s manufactured and distributed on the roots of raktavaha srotas i.e. yakrit – liver, pliha – spleen and raktavahini dhamanis – i.e. vessels / arteries carrying blood all via the physique. The raktavaha srotas – the blood conveying channels are related to their roots.

Therapy rules of raktapitta vis-à-vis bleeding problems is relevant within the therapy of illnesses associated to and brought on by vitiation or harm to the raktavaha srotas.

This additionally signifies that the therapy of raktapitta can also be relevant within the therapy of liver problems. This reveals that when the liver or spleen are vitiated or contaminated, there could be ‘bleeding tendencies’ within the physique. Placing it the opposite approach, when there may be bleeding from any orifice of the physique, the involvement of the liver or spleen additionally needs to be considered.

So, the rules of therapy of raktapitta are relevant for –

–        Issues arising because of the contamination of raktavaha srotas
–        Liver problems
–        Spleen problems
–        Issues associated to the arterial system
–        Illnesses manifesting as a result of insufficient provide of blood and vitamin

2. Virechanam: Therapeutic purgation

Virechana is one of the best therapy for top pitta circumstances and pitta problems. Additionally it is one of the best therapy for contamination and illnesses of the blood.

Virechana helps to manage the hyperactivity of pitta within the physique and in addition its sub-units. Ranjaka Pitta, a subtype of pitta, is positioned within the liver and spleen. Its hyperactivity can harm the liver, spleen, blood vessels and in addition the blood cells / tissue. Virechana will handle the pitta aggravation, expel the morbid pitta and assist in therapeutic of liver and spleen, whereas destroying the illnesses occurring therein. Virechana additionally cleanses and rejuvenates the haemopoietic system and makes approach for manufacturing of excellent high quality and amount blood.

There are 5 subtypes of pitta and they’re interrelated. Their well being and disturbance affect one another. Virechana balances pitta. In different phrases, it helps in balancing every pitta and in addition their interrelated chemistry.

3. Upavaasam: Therapeutic hunger / fasting  

Extreme buildup of ama, kapha or pitta can have an effect on the liver and spleen and trigger blocks within the raktava srotas and raktashaya parts of those organs. This meddles with correct, qualitative and quantitative manufacturing of blood and its distribution. Identical occasions can occur when ama will get related to pitta (sama pitta) or kapha (sama kapha) or rakta (sama rakta).

The origin of ama and accumulation of kapha is from the abdomen, the sluggish digestive hearth (mandagni) therein. This results in indigestion and formation of intermediate merchandise of digestion which aren’t conducive for well being. That is referred to as ama. It’s a sticky substance and is poisonous in nature. It might get adhered inside the channels and trigger blocks. It additionally diminishes the digestive hearth and the tissue fires. This ama can get related to tissues, together with rakta and with doshas – together with pitta and kapha, disturbing their regular functioning.

Therapeutic hunger / deliberate fasting will assist in dissolution of those pathogenic parts and clear the blockages. Upavasa can also be a sort of langhana – lightening remedy, a lot wanted in these circumstances.

Upavasa additionally helps in digesting ama and kindling the digestive hearth. Subsequently, it kinds an vital inclusion within the therapy of illnesses of raktavaha srotas and illnesses pertaining to liver, spleen and blood vessels.

Upavasa additionally helps in correct formation of blood – qualitative and quantitative.

4. Raktamokshana: Bloodletting

Irregular improve in blood i.e. rakta vriddhi additionally causes enlargement of spleen and liver as talked about amongst the indicators and signs of the talked about situation.

Aside from that, improve in blood may also trigger stress in these organs, hamper the formation of excellent high quality blood and would possibly open up the gates for a lot of illnesses to happen within the course of. The signs / illness circumstances talked about within the context of rakta vriddhi are the coexisting circumstances for a liver or spleen enlargement and in addition are the diagnostic instruments of the identical.

Amongst many different pathological circumstances, rakta vriddhi additionally causes raktapitta, the therapy of which has additionally been included within the therapy of illnesses having their origin from vitiation of raktavaha srotas (as mentioned in level 1, above).

Therapeutic bloodletting will launch the stress constructed up within the raktavaha srotas, together with liver and spleen and finetune the hemopoietic system. This permits the formation of correct amount and high quality of blood. This is also preventive and healing of many circumstances prompted as a result of contamination of blood carrying channels and in addition illnesses brought on by morbid blood. Grasp Sushruta has thought of Rakta – blood as chaturtha dosha – the fourth dosha. Raktamokshana would stop the bleeding tendencies within the physique and therefore illnesses like raktapitta.