Raktamokshanam is considered one among Shodhana (eradication of the basic cause of the disease) procedures. Raktamokshanam means letting of blood which is mainly indicated in certain disease states, especially when there is Raktadushti (one that causes toxicity or impurity)
There are five methods used to release blood:
Prachchhana
In this procedure, blood letting is done by very light incisions made on the skin with the help of a scalpel. It is used to drain the accumulated blood from a particular point of the body. A silky cloth is placed on the targeted surface and a syringe is pressed at that point. The piston should be pulled very slowly. It creates a vacuum through which blood is collected in the syringe.
Sringavacharanam
'Sringa' means horn. In ancient times, horns were used to aspirate the vitiated blood from the body, hence named so. A small incision used to be made at the spot selected for aspiration and blood aspirated from the tip of horn with the mouth. Nowadays, the procedure can be carried out with a syringe.
Alabukarma
Blood vitiated by kapha dosha can be removed by this method. For this, alabu (bottle gourd) is used, hence named so.
Jalouka
In this type of Raktamokshanam, Jalouka / leech is to vitiate the blood. It is used in blood vitiated by Pitta dosha.
Siravyadham
In this method, the vein is cut at required spots such that some amount of blood is let out. It is used in tri-dosha aggravation. It can purify the entire body.