Paratantraavalokanam
(Knowkedge
of related Sciences)
Kampo(Japanese traditional medicine)
Dr.Gururaja Tantry, M.S.(Ayu), PhD (Japan).
This article is
about the practice of Agnikarma and Raktamokshana in Kampo system.
It deals with the
methods of agnikarma and Raktamokshana
Principles of Kampo
medicine are not discussed.
Principles of Kampo
medicine are similar to Ayurveda.
Here brief
explanation is given just to improve our knowledge regarding the Agnikarma and
Raktamokshana.
Moxibustion or Agni karma
Moxibustion is the technique of treating the diseases using
Fire or heat. It is done using Moxa plant (Artemisia moxa or A.vulgaris).
Tonification and dispersion (Similar to Bramhana and Langhana) are the fundamental
concept of Japanese Kampo treatment. Where ever there is a deficiency of the Ki
or energy ,Tonification is practiced. Moxbustion is a way of tonification of
the energy. Usually Tonification comes first or before dispersion (Agni as
first line of management). A chronic disease causes depletion of the energy and
moxibustion is preferred. Illnesses arising from the internal causes manifest
in the yin meridian and tonification techniques are used to treat. While palpating
if there is an area of depression on the bodysurface it means deficiency of the
energy at that point, tonification or moxbustion is indicated.
Moxa plant
Rolled between palms to prepare varti.
|
Different types of moxa powders
In the first row very clear fine white powder is
purified for seven years and is of best quality
|
Types of Moxibustion:
1.
Scarring and Non scaring
2.
Direct and Indirect
1. Scaring moxibustion is of three types:
1Penetrating
moxibustion
2Cautery moxibustion
3Suppurative
moxibustion
Penetrating
moxibustion:
In this form small cones of high quality moxa are burned on
the skin three or more times depending on the condition. It causes blisters but
the area is so small and the burn is not deep. Here scar does not form.
Cautery moxibustion:
In this method moxa is
burned directly on the skin for the purpose of burning of unwanted tissues such
as corns and warts etc. Many cones of moxa are burned consecutively.
Suppurative
moxibustion:
Burning of a large cone of the moxa for the purpose of
formation of a large blisters and cause a localized inflammation subsequently
draining the pus. It is type of purification.
Burning of the big cone of moxa directly on the skin
2. Non scaring
moxibustion or Indirect moxibustion :
Here moxa is not
burned directly on the skin instead something is placed in between the skin and
the moxa. These are called as buffers. Slices of ginger, onion, garlic or soya
cake are used as buffers.
These slices not only reduce the heat but also have some
additional effects.
Slice of garlic is kept in between the skin and moxa cone
Other forms of non scaring moxibustion are:
Warming moxibustion:
Here burning moxa sticks are held close to the skin to heat the areas.
Japanese sticks
Chinese sticks
Warming moxibustion
Heat sensing
moxibustion: In this method large cone of moxa is burned directly on the
skin and removed as soon as the heat is felt. This form of moxibustion is
applied consecutively on the same point up to five times.
Presently only small cones are used
|
Mox acupuncture:
Here small ball of moxa is kept and burnt on the tip of the inserted acupuncture
needle.
Shiraku or Sira Vyadha
We may say that rakta mokshana was first mentioned in
Ayurveda but It was popularly practiced in ancient western practice based on
the principles of Galen (Blood is one of the 4 humors).Bloodletting was in
practice even in Persian medicine. Bloodletting was also popular in Japan. It
came to Japan from China and also from the Portuguese. Blood and energy flow
are closely related. Thus bloodletting helps to restore the proper flow of
energy. (In internet many images regarding the practice of bloodletting in
different parts of the world are present.)
In Japanese medicine it is called as Shiraku
No comments:
Post a Comment