Raktapitta (Bleeding Disorders)

Raktapitta: Ayurvedic Bleeding Disorder

Raktapitta arises when Pitta dosha vitiates Rakta dhatu, leading to blood oozing from natural openings like nosebleeds (epistaxis), vomiting blood (hematemesis), bloody urine (hematuria), or rectal bleeding. Classified into Urdhvaga (upward, e.g., nasal/gastrointestinal bleed from snigdha-ushna foods), Adhoga (downward, e.g., anal/vaginal from ruksha-ushna intake), and Abhyantara (internal, with burning and fainting).

Prodromal signs include food aversion, hot eructations, vomiting, hoarseness, malaise, and burning sensations; blood color varies by dosha—yellowish for Pitta, frothy pale for Kapha, blackish rough for Vata. Charaka warns against early styptics in strong patients, advocating initial Langhana (lightening), then Pitta-shamaka like Sheeta upachara (cooling therapies), Abhyanga, and Parisheka.

Prognosis favors unidirectional, early-stage cases; severe, multidirectional bleeds in debilitated persons prove fatal (Mahagada). Herbs such as Sariva, Chandana, and Musta formulations pacify doshas, restoring Rakta equilibrium and preventing recurrence.