Though less commonly used today, Rakta Mokshana was historically employed to purify the blood. It involves controlled removal of small amounts of blood to alleviate conditions associated with impure or stagnant blood.
It is performed either by applying leeches or by puncturing veins to extract impure blood from specific skin area or blood vessels.
Leeches are applied at the targeted site of bloodletting. When the procedure is carried out properly, the leeches leave the site naturally after sucking out all the impure blood, and bleeding ceases spontaneously. It instantly alleviates pain, inflammation and severity of the disease. Turmeric powder is applied on the site of bloodletting if needed.
It is useful in diseases like Alopecia, Thrombosis, Chronic oedema and inflammation, gout, tumors, boils, abscesses, varicose veins, eczema, leucoderma, psoriasis etc.