Concept of Siravedha a Literary Review

Acharya Sushruta is the father of ancient surgery. He has menstioned various method of Raktamokshana (Bloodletting). Siravedha is one of the important therapeutic venepuncture procedure described by Acharya Sushruta in his treatise Sushruta Samhita. Siravedh is an Ardhchikitsa in Shalyatantra while treating various types of disease. It is highly effective in expelling vitiated Dosha, thereby restoring the Dosha Dhatu Samyata (balancing the elements of the human body). Siravedh is single therapeutic procedure in order to treat a diseased condition. In Sushruta Samhita Siravedh as a prime modality in the management of various disorders. In eighth chapter of Sushruta Sharirsthana the detail description of Siravedh is given. It include appropriate time, method of venesection, indication and contra-indication of Siravedha. The procedure is to be helpful in Kushtha (skin disorder), Gridhrasi (Sciatica), Vatrakta (gout), hypertention related condition, certain vascular condition etc. The present study focus on literary review of Siravedha and probable mode action of procedure.