Chapter 6.4: Bleeding Disorders Treatment (Raktapitta Chikitsa / रक्तपित्त चिकित्सा)
Management of hemorrhagic conditions classified by dosha involvement, direction of bleeding, and severity. Covers styptic therapies, purification, dietary management, and external cooling treatments.
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan by Vagbhata
Chapter 4 addresses bleeding disorders (raktapitta) as acute medical emergencies. The disease is classified by dosha presentation (kapha produces viscous/pale blood; vata produces blackish/frothy blood; pitta produces ochre/smoky blood) and by direction of flow (upward or downward). Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) is identified as the single most important drug. Treatment follows a sequence: langhana for excess cases, purification for strong patients, and pacification for weak/elderly/pregnant patients. Dietary management emphasizes sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes. External cooling therapies (cool chambers, gardens, water contact) supplement internal medicines. Modern correlations include epistaxis, hematemesis, hematuria, and hemorrhagic conditions.