Dr. med. Wolfgang Schachinger (A)

Sushruta, in contrast to Charaka, names bloodletting (rakta mokshana - "the liberation of blood") as the fifth main therapy within Pancha Karma.

This means that bloodletting has a high medical value. With this therapy it is possible to directly clean the only liquid body tissue, the blood.

For this to be successful, a step-by-step approach is necessary as with all other karmas: purva karma, rakta mokshana, paschat karma (pre-treatment, main treatment and post-treatment).

The indications of rakta mokshana include many "blood diseases", that is, ailments related to rakta contamination: very many skin diseases, rheumatism and gout, menopausal disorders, hypertension and secondary diseases, ...

Bloodletting in practice? This is a very promising therapy if used correctly!

Ayurvedic bloodletting - theory and practice
Dr. med. Wolfgang Schachinger
Bloodletting has its place in all medical traditions - including Ayurveda. If it is presented a little more carefully in Caraka, it has a prominent place in Sushruta's 5 classical cleansing therapies in Pancha Karma.

There is also evidence in modern medicine that "blood donation" is a useful therapy for high blood pressure.

This lecture aims to present the viewpoint and indications of bloodletting in the classical texts and to give guidance for the practical implementation by the Ayurveda doctor or alternative practitioner.