, , , , ,
Atherosclerosis is one of the common arterial diseases. The symptoms include intermittent claudication, rest pain and gangrene with arterial occlusion. In Ayurveda, there is no direct resemblance term for arterial thrombosis, but the term 'Dhamani-Pratichaya' (arterial thrombosis) described under kaphaja nanatmaja vikara can be correlated with arterial thrombosis. According to Ayurveda, arterial thrombosis is a rakthadhathu dushtijanya disease. Rakthamokshana (jalaukavacharana) is an ancient and crucial parasurgical procedure for treating rakthadhustijanya disease. A 53-year-old male having atherosclerotic changes in both legs, complaints of severe leg pain and intermittent claudication, visited the hospital, where he was treated with jalaukavacharana (Bloodletting by leech application). This case is discussed.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis, raktadushti, jalukavacaharana, leech therapy