Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Raktavaha Srotas are the channels of the physique that are chargeable for formation and distribution of blood tissue to the whole physique. The roots of those channels lie within the Yakrit – liver and Pliha – spleen. In line 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 ailments triggered attributable to vitiation of raktavaha srotas (and vitiated blood)
विधि शोणिते अध्याये रक्तजानां भिषक् जितम्॥(च.सू.२८/२५)
The raktaja rogas i.e. ailments triggered attributable to vitiation of blood and raktavaha srotas – blood conveying channels ought to be managed on the traces of remedy and administration defined within the chapter ‘Vidhi shonitiya’ of Charaka Sutra Sthana.
The principle remedy 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 remedy additionally match into the remedy of Liver and Spleen issues as a result of they’re roots of raktavaha srotas.
1. Raktapitta hara kriyam: Treating on the traces of administration of Raktapitta (bleeding issues)
Raktapitta is a situation brought on by joint vitiation and mutual contamination of rakta – blood and pitta. There may be at all times 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 elements 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 be triggered attributable to rakta vriddhi – pathological enhance 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 by way of the physique. The raktavaha srotas – the blood conveying channels are linked to their roots.
Therapy rules of raktapitta vis-à-vis bleeding issues is relevant within the remedy of ailments associated to and brought on by vitiation or injury to the raktavaha srotas.
This additionally signifies that the remedy of raktapitta can be relevant within the remedy of liver issues. This exhibits that when the liver or spleen are vitiated or contaminated, there can be ‘bleeding tendencies’ within the physique. Placing it the opposite manner, when there’s bleeding from any orifice of the physique, the involvement of the liver or spleen additionally ought to be considered.
So, the rules of remedy of raktapitta are relevant for –
– Issues arising because of the contamination of raktavaha srotas
– Liver issues
– Spleen issues
– Issues associated to the arterial system
– Ailments manifesting attributable to insufficient provide of blood and vitamin
2. Virechanam: Therapeutic purgation
Virechana is one of the best remedy for prime pitta circumstances and pitta issues. It is usually one of the best remedy for contamination and ailments of the blood.
Virechana helps to regulate the hyperactivity of pitta within the physique and likewise its sub-units. Ranjaka Pitta, a subtype of pitta, is positioned within the liver and spleen. Its hyperactivity can injury the liver, spleen, blood vessels and likewise 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 ailments occurring therein. Virechana additionally cleanses and rejuvenates the haemopoietic system and makes manner for manufacturing of fine 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 likewise 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. Similar 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 fireplace (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 may get adhered throughout the channels and trigger blocks. It additionally diminishes the digestive fireplace 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 be a sort of langhana – lightening remedy, a lot wanted in these circumstances.
Upavasa additionally helps in digesting ama and kindling the digestive fireplace. Due to this fact, it varieties an necessary inclusion within the remedy of ailments of raktavaha srotas and ailments pertaining to liver, spleen and blood vessels.
Upavasa additionally helps in correct formation of blood – qualitative and quantitative.
4. Raktamokshana: Bloodletting
Irregular enhance 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, enhance in blood may trigger strain in these organs, hamper the formation of fine high quality blood and may open up the gates for a lot of ailments 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 likewise are the diagnostic instruments of the identical.
Amongst many different pathological circumstances, rakta vriddhi additionally causes raktapitta, the remedy of which has additionally been included within the remedy of ailments having their origin from vitiation of raktavaha srotas (as mentioned in level 1, above).
Therapeutic bloodletting will launch the strain 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 triggered attributable to contamination of blood carrying channels and likewise ailments 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 ailments like raktapitta.
