Jalaukavacharana (leech therapy), is an Ayurvedic surgical procedure, practised and documented in the Susrutha samhita, one of the primary text in Ayurveda dated 2 BC [1]. Achrarya Susruta has dedicated a whole chapter to this specialty in Samhita [2]. It is a painless minimal invasive technique of Raktamokshana (controlled bloodletting). Listing the preventive benefits of Raktamokshana, Achrya Susruta states that one who undergoes controlled bloodletting therapy periodically, doesn’t suffer with Twak roga (diseases of skin), Granthi roga (diseases presenting with nodules), Sopha roga ( diseases presenting with swelling / oedema), Rakta prodoshaja roga like Khalitya.

Loss of previously existing scalp hair is termed as alopecia. Alopecia is a type of hair loss that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicle, which is where hair growth begins. The damage to the follicle is usually not permanent. Alopecia is most common in people younger than 20, but children and adults of any age may be affected. Women and men are affected equally. In Ayurveda classic, symptoms of alopecia correlate with Khalitya [3].

In Khalitya, Bhrajaka Pitta sites in Twak (skin) and Roma kupa (opening of hair follicle) get vitiated and enter in skin through Roma kupa with vitiated Vata dosha due to which hair fall occurs, after that vitiated Rakta and Kapha dosha block the opening of hair follicle due to which production of new hair stop [4]. Overall in Khalitya, hair fall occurs and new hair does not appear that leads to baldness [5].

Khalitya is Tridoshaja vyadhi i.e. Vata, Pitta, Kapha with Rakta dosha. All doshas are vitiated but have predominance of Pitta and Rakta dosha mainly. In Ayurveda classics, Jalaukavcharana is best treatment for Pitta and Rakta predominant disease. Raktamokshana is one of karma of Panchkarma, Shodhana therapy. In this, impurity of body and toxic waste of the body is removed through blood. In Khaliyta we used Jalauka (leechHirudo medicinalis) for bloodletting due to predominance of Pitta and Rakta. Application of leech is a method where impure blood is removed from body which is being sucked by leeches. Application of leech, bring out the impure blood caused by vitiated dosha and balance Pitta, Rakt ,Vata dosha which in turns hold the hair on scalp and open the blocked hair follicle opening which helps in growing new hair follicle and hair. By providing oral mediation we give strength to hair to proliferate and retain their normal status. Oral medications which were prescribed to patient were Saptamrita Loha, Bhringaraja Churna, Nimbhadi Churna, Manjista Churna and Asthiposhaka Vati [6]. All this conservative medication was used for the pacification of Pitta and Rakta. As hair is described as mala of Asthi dhatu, to maintain the growth of hair supportive medication for Asthi dhatu is prescribed. Thus it was assumed that purification mechanism in combination with oral medication would helpful in the treatment of Khalitya.

A 28 yrs old female was presented in O.P.D number 3 of Sharira Kriya department with chief complaint of hair fall, thinning of hairs with recession of hairline in temporal and frontal region, dandruff, itching scalp, and roughness around about 6 yrs back the person was a in a healthy situation. Later, initial thinning of hair started and then hair started shedding off. Simultaneously she was suffering from symptoms of mental stress and disturbed sleep. She has taken treatment of allopathic medicine for 2 years but was not satisfied. When she visited to O.P.D., first of all we carried out her routine blood investigation as complete blood count, blood sugar level; liver function test, renal function test, routine urine examination and Thyroid function test to rule out any possible associated disorder but findings of these investigations were found within normal limit. There was no significant past history of any other chronic illness in patient. No history of any type of addiction was found.

Treatment included Samshodhana Karma that is Jalaukavcharana. Total five sittings of Jalaukavcharana were done on day1, day 15, day 30, day 45, and day 60 with oral medication for 2 months regular. The composition of oral administration of drug was Saptamrita Loha, Manjista Churna, Bringaraja Churna, Nimbhadi Churna, Abhraloha and Asthiposhaka Vati. Preparation and process of Jalaukavcharana is considered most unique and most effective method of bloodletting. It can be tried in all mankind including females, children, old and patient having poor threshold to pain. Two leeches are applied over to frontotemporal region of both sides. When leeches left the site by their own (after sucking blood for approximately 30 min), dressing with Haridra (turmeric powder) and Jathyadi taila is done, it acts as antiseptic for small wound created by leech. Removed leeches were then stored after emesis of sucked blood and reused after 15 days. After 2 month the patient was examined for the presence of hair follicles and growth of hair over affected area. Criteria of assessment were done by digital photography and clinically by presence of hair on the affected site of scalp. Before and after treatment was recorded. Follow up period on day 75 and day 90 (Tables 1-6).

After five sittings of leech application, patient had reported significant improvement in her symptoms, hair growth in affected area, and thickness of hair in scalp, hair shaft spore/hyphae, roughness, itching, and dandruff. The principal of the therapy (Jalaukavacharana) is removal of vitiated Pitta and Rakta, impurities, toxin from body through blood. Pitta and Rakta have ushna guna, leech described by Acharya Sushruta have Sheeta guna because they live in cold water. Leech (Hirudo medicinalis) has property of discrimination of impure blood and pure blood; it sucks the impure one and left the site. Leech contains Hirudin in saliva which inhibits blood coagulation by binding to thrombin, Hyaluronidase which increases interstitial viscosity, B-dellins which is anti-inflammatory, Acetylcholine which is vasodilator [7]. In all leech increase the blood flow of the affected site, helps in infection and inflammation. In Khalitya , mainly Pitta and Rakta dosha are vitiated with Vata dosha, Jalaukavcharana helps in removal of Pitta and Rakta dosha and obstruction caused by Vata and Kapha dosha due to which pure blood circulation over affected site is occurring.

Jalaukavcharana is best alternative therapy which can be used to treat Khalitya with oral medication. Leeching can be learned relatively quickly and can reduce the complication arising from the excessive use of synthetic drugs. In addition it is economical and cost effective therapy for this common aliment with no short term side effects. The result of this case study has shown a potential for treating alopecia.

Table 1: Gradation of Hair Falling.

Table 2: Gradation of microscopic examination of hair root and hair shaft Spore and hyphae.

Table 3: Roughness.

Table 4: Itching.

Table 5: Dandruff.

Table 6: Observations.