JALAUKAVACHARANA: A PARA-SURGICAL MEASURE IN VARTMAGATA ROGA

*Ranjana Negi, Gunjan Sharma, Renu Rao and Priyanka Rani

ABSTRACT

Jalaukavacharana is one of the oldest and widely used Para surgical procedures in ancient Indian medicine for the treatment of Pitta and Rakta pradhan diseases (blood borne diseases). It is described as one of the methods of Raktamokshana (bloodletting) by great pioneer of Ayurveda, Acharya Sushruta and it can be easily done for bloodletting in children, delicate people, females, and in those who are afraid of surgery. According to Ayurveda, Jalauka is used to expel out the vitiated blood safely, quickly and effectively. From modern perspective, the saliva of leech contains about a hundred biological active substances that help to cure the disease. Vartmagata Rogas (Lid disorders) occurs mainly due to involvement of Rakta and Mamsa and Tridosha which are responsible for inflammatory conditions in eyes. Many Acharyas have indicated Jalaukavacharana for the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases. In the present article efforts are made to elaborate the significance of Jalaukavacharana in Vartmagata Roga in a very candid way and review of various salivary gland secretions in terms of its pharmacological action for future perspective of its role in treating eye diseases.

Keywords: Jalaukavcharana, Ayurveda, Vartmagata, Raktamokshana.