ABSTRACT
An average adult human body holds around 5 liters of blood. The blood is circulated throughout the human body via the circulatory system. This system consists of the heart and a network of blood vessels (arteries & veins) connected throughout the entire body. The blood flows through these blood vessels providing the bodily organs, tissues and cells with oxygen and other vital substances necessary for the nourishment and sustenance of the body. The same blood that provides necessary substances also carries the carbon dioxide and other wastes back from the body to keep the body healthy. The human body cannot survive healthily without enough blood. A person can even bleed to death in 5 minutes. Hence bleeding could be a very serious condition. In this article, we will look into the various factors that can lead to excessive bleeding and its treatment/management from an ayurvedic perspective.
INTRODUCTION
Bleeding, medically termed ‘Hemorrhage’, is blood loss from any part of the human body. The bleeding could be primarily classified as internal or external. Internal bleeding is the bleeding that occurs inside the body (internal organs, tissues, cells) while external bleeding occurs outside the body. Internal bleedings are often invisible to plain sight and much more fatal. External bleedings however are generally visible and comparatively easier to contain. When any of these bleed in a large amount, it is referred to as excessive bleeding which may lead to severe medical conditions like organ failure, coma or even fatality.
ETIOLOGY/CAUSES
Excessive bleedings may occur due various conditions. Possible causes may be medical or traumatic.
Medical (not limited to) | Traumatic |
| Menorrhagia | Lacerations |
| Hemophilia | Hematoma |
| Von Willebrand’s Disease | Puncture wounds |
| Thrombocytopenia | Abrasions |
| Leukemia | Physical injuries |
| Liver disease | |
| Brain trauma |
CLINICAL FEATURES/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Excessive bleedings (internal/ external) may exhibit the following common signs and symptoms:
- Weakness
- Exhaustion
- Unconsciousness
- Low blood pressure
- Amnesia
- Blood vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
- Visible blood stains
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of excessive bleeding is related to the etiology. Symptomatic excessive bleedings should be confirmed by thorough examinations using appropriate investigation methods like Ultrasound, CT (Computer Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), blood tests, etc. The primary investigation can lead to the final diagnosis of the medical condition.
Ayurvedic View
According to Ayurveda, the body is maintained healthy by the balance of three energies (vata, pitta & kapha). The imbalance in these energies causes diseases. In ayurveda, the internal bleedings can generally be best correlated to ‘Raktapitta’ (except for uterine bleeding which is Asrigdara). In raktapitta, the blood (rakta) is vitiated by pitta (energy) and flows out of the external openings like mouth, nose, anus, etc. The bleeding mostly results from underlying diseases. The internal bleedings can be named differently with respect to the associated organs. We will learn more about raktapitta and excessive bleeding treatment & management further down the article. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ei_RO0jkbd0
Cause & Pathogenesis
The excessive use of pungent (Kashaya), salty (Lavana), sour (Amlam) and spicy (Kadu) food results in improper digestion. The overindulgence of heat producing foods & drinks which are more ‘teekshna’ (deeply penetrating) also vitiates pitta. The vitiated pitta, due to above causes, vitiates rakta dhatu (blood). The vitiated pitta and blood mixes together and spreads throughout the body, causing raktapitta. Raktapitta originates from the seat of pitta which is considered as spleen or liver.
Premonitory Symptoms
- Heaviness of head
- Loss of appetite
- Cold desire
- Burning sensation in stomach
- Acidity
- Cough
- Dyspnea
- Dizziness
- Exhaustion
- Green, yellow or red eyes or skin
- Unable to distinguish red, blue and yellow colors
Clinical Features
In raktapitta, the blood can come from either:
- the upper parts if the body (urdhva gata) such as eyes, nose & ears;
- from lower parts of the body (adhogata) such as penis, vagina, rectum;
- from upper & lower parts (ubhayagata) or from hair follicles in the skin.
Prognosis & Treatment
1. Urdhva gata
- Prognosis – Easily curable since it is associated with kapha dosha.
- Treatment – Virechanam (purgation)
Virechana is the best therapy to reduce the vitiated pitta and also helps cure the associated kapha dosha. Drugs having astringent or tikta (bitter) properties can also be used in these cases.
2. Adhogata
- Prognosis – Difficult to cure or is only controllable and not curable since it is associated with vata dosha.
- Treatment – Vamana (emesis)
This is difficult to cure since pitta can’t be mitigated through vamana & kashayas and tikta properties cannot mitigate vata
3. Ubhayagata
- Prognosis : Incurable since the drugs can’t be administered in the direction opposite to the bleeding since raktapitta is always treated by using drugs or panchakarma therapies opposite to the bleeding.
- All these ayurvedic aspects of raktapitta can be found in the classical ayurveda texts.
Effective Ayurvedic Formulations to Stop Excessive Bleeding
1. Chandrakala Rasa
It is one of the herbo-mineral preparations mentioned in the classical texts of ayurveda. This medicine is usually available in the form of tablets. It has rakta stambhak (blood flow arresting) and rasayana (rejuvenating) properties.
Indications
- Hematosis
- Hemoptysis
- Hemorrhage
- Haematuria
- Menorrhagia
- DUB (Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding)
- Leucorrhea
- Diabetes
- Urinary infections
Contraindicated in pregnancy & overdose might affect sugar levels
Ingredients
- Mercury (purified & processed)
- Amla (Gooseberry – Emblica officianalis)
- Nutmeg (Jathi – Myristica fragrans)
- Camphor (Karpura – Cinnamon camphor)
- Silk cotton tree (Bombax malabaricum)
- Tin bhasma
- Iron bhasma
- Honey
- Amrut (Tinospora cordifolia)
Preparation
Prepare decoction with Amrut and Silk cotton tree along with honey. Powder all other ingredients and triturate them with the decoction and roll them out into pills.
Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice a day after meals with cows milk or honey or as directed by an ayurveda physician.
2. Kamdudha Rasa
It is also one of the herbo-mineral preparations mentioned in the classical texts of ayurveda. This medicine is prepared with and without mukta bhasma. It is also used as a calcium supplement.
Indications
- Raktapitta
- Bloody diarrhea
- Menorrhagia
- Gastritis
- Leucorrhea
- Blood discharge
- Diabetes
- Chronic fever
Contraindicated in pregnancy & overdose might cause dizziness.
Ingredients
- Amrut satva (Tinospora cordifolia)
- Purified swarna gairika (Red ochre)
- Sankha bhasma (Conch shell)
- Mukta shukti bhasma (Oyster)
- Kapardika bhasma (Cowrie)
- Praval pishti (coral powder triturated with rose water)
- Mukta pishti (pearl powder with rose water)
Preparation
All ingredients are mixed together and rolled out into a tablet.
Dosage: 125 mg or 1-2 tablets twice a day after meals or as directed by an ayurveda physician.
3. Mocharasa
It is the gum exudate of a silk cotton tree. It is also known as Mochasrava or Pichha. In Pichha basti (shodhana panchakarma) Mocharasa is the main ingredient. Mocharasa is adulterated or substituted by gum or Moringa (Moringa oleifera). It is also used as an aphrodisiac and analgesic.
Indications
- Bloody dysentery
- Diarrhea
- Menorrhagia
- Hemoptysis
- Hemorrhoids
- Menstrual disorder
- Wound
4. Sphatika Bhasma
Also known as Subhra bhasma is one among the uparasa. It is in powder form and has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action. It is a blood purifier and helps in managing the following.
Indications
- Herpes
- Leukoderma
- Uterine bleeding
- Hematemesis
- Eye diseases
- Leucorrhea & vaginal itching
- Burning sensations due to ulcer
- Chronic fever
Not recommended for prolonged use. Should only be used under medical supervision.
Ingredients
- Alum (Sphatika)
Dosage:125-250 mg or as directed by an ayurveda physician.
5. Sheesham Swaras
Sheesham is herb scientifically known as Dalbergia Sissoo. The juice is extracted from this herb and used for various ailments such as fevers, ulcers, obesity, etc.
Indications
- Raktapitta
- Excessive menstrual bleeding
- Liver and prostate problems
- Gynecological disorders
- Eye diseases
- Painful urination
Contraindicated for asthma & arthritis patients.
Dosage: 20 – 30ml or as directed by an ayurveda physician.
6. Bol Badh Rasa
It is also one of the herbo-mineral preparations using mercury as the main ingredient. Considering the hemostatic property of the Bol Badh Rasa, it is indicated in various bleeding conditions.
Indications
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Epistaxis
- Menorrhagia
- Hematuria
- Hematemesis
- Bleeding piles
- Mid cycle spotting
In children & pregnant ladies.
- Overdose may result in gastritis.
- Self-intake without medical supervision is dangerous.
Ingredients
- Purified mercury
- Purified sulphur
- Amrut
- Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh)
Preparation
All ingredients are taken together and processed and are ultimately formed out into tablets.
Dosage: 240 – 360 mg or 1-2 tablets twice a day or as directed by an ayurveda physician.
7. Rajat Bhasma
It is an ayurvedic formulation prepared from silver and is usually found in powdered form. It could also be found in the form of a capsule. It is also known as Roupya Bhasma. Owing to its natural cooling property, this bhasma is often used for pain mitigation.
Indications
- Uterine disorders
- Epistaxis
- Hematemesis
- Memory loss
- Pain
- Low RBC count (combined with Abhrak bhasma & Loha bhasma)
- Stress, anxiety
- Neurological disorders (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc.)
In children & pregnant ladies.
- Overdose may result in side effects.
- Self-intake without medical supervision is dangerous.
Ingredients
- Purified silver
- Swarna makshika bhasma (Red ochre)
- Arka latex (calotropis procera)
Preparation
Powdered purified silver is mixed with Swarna makshika bhasma and then ground with Arka latex. It is heated in absence of air at about 400°C – 500°C. This process is repeated thrice until the purified rajat bhasma is obtained.
Dosage: 125 mg once or twice a day with honey or Brahmi juice or as directed by an ayurveda physician.
8. Mukta Pishti
Mukta pishti is made by fresh pearl triturated in rose water. It is one of the purest forms of natural calcium. With its cooling property it is good for pitta mitigation, digestion and reducing body heat.
Indications
- Raktapitta
- Anxiety
- Blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Bleeding disorders
- Bloody diarrhea
- Tachycardia
- Depression
In children & pregnant ladies
- Overdose may result in side effects.
Ingredients
- Pearl
- Rose water
Preparation
Purified pearl is powdered and then triturated with rose water for 3-4 days.
Dosage:-63-125 mg twice a day with cow’s milk or as directed by an ayurvedic physician.
9. Nagkesar
Also known as cobra’s saffron, is well known for its medicinal properties. Scientifically known as Mesua ferrea, it is used as a substitute for original saffron.
Uses
- Anti-inflammatory
- Improves digestion
- Prevents bleeding
- Bleeding piles
- Uterine disorders
- Healing wounds and ulcers
Some formulations including nagkesar
- Brahma rasayana
- Chyawanprash
- Kumariasava
- Some arishtas and lehyams
10. Lodhra
Scientifically known as Symplocos Racemosus is one of the most important ayurvedic herbs. It is termed Divyaoushadi (the miracle drug) in ayurveda. Even though the plant is used in its entirety for various purposes, the stem and bark are the most important parts of the plant. Due to its amazing hormonal balancing properties, its formulations are widely indicated in gynecological disorders.
Uses
- Regulates menstrual cycle
- Treats abdominal bleeding
- Improves digestion
- Rejuvenates the body
- Treats urinary disorders
- Relieves breathing difficulties
- Prevents bleeding (shonitastapana)
- Improves complexion
- Treats painful micturition
- Body nourishment
- Trigger’s ovulation
- Treating endometriosis
- Acts as blood purifier
- Anti-inflammatory
- Hepatoprotective
- Hypoglycemic properties
- Corrects epistaxis
- Nourishes eyes
Some formulations including Lothra
- Churnas
- Lodhrasavam
- Lodhra sevyam kashayam
References
- Charaka Samhita
- Ashtanga Hridaya (Sutra, Nidhana & Chikitsa)
- Susrutha Samhita.
- planetayurveda.com
- Easyayurveda.com
- netmeds.com
Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD – Ayurveda) is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. He is Author of the Book “Ayurveda – God’s Manual For Healing”. He is an Ayurveda Expert Serving People worldwide through all the Possible Mediums, Operating from Main Branch in Mohali, India. With his Vast Experience in Herbs and their Applied Uses, he is successfully treating Numerous Patients suffering from Various Ailments. He is Serving the Society with Purest Herbal Supplements for One and only Purpose of Making People know and utilize the Wonderful Benefits of the Ayurvedic Diet, Lifestyle, and Natural Herbs. He Formulates Herbal Supplements himself and also Use Classical Ayurvedic Formulations for Helping People Get Rid of All Types of Health Issues, Restore their Health, Uses and Save themselves from the Worst Side-effects of Chemical Based Treatments. For More Details, visit www.PlanetAyurveda.com.
