Randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of Jalaukavacharana (Leech therapy) in the management of Indralupta w.s.r. to Alopecia areata.

Hair disorder cause negative impact towards the individuals and their quality of life. Indralupta is a Kshudraroga characterized by patchy loss of hair. It can be correlated with Alopecia Areata (AA) an autoimmune disorder characterized by the appearance of non scarring bald patches affecting the hair bearing areas of the body especially on scalp without any clinical signs of inflammation. Scalp is the most common site of involvement. AA can affect any age group. The usual pattern of hairloss is oval or round and can be correlated with Indralupta in Ayurveda.

Indralupta (Alopecia) a dermatological disorder is of great concerns to male, female as well as children too, which can also cause psychological stress. Tendency of hair fall has been increased since last two decades and hair loss in children comes to approximately 3% of all pediatric cases. Ayurveda is effective and harmless treatment for this disease. Sushruta has mentioned Indralupta as Raktapradoshaja Vikara. Pitta associated with Vata gets lodge in Romakupa and causes hairfall, later on kaphadosha associated with Rakta causes obstruction to the hair roots & restricts the regrowth. Raktamokshana is a technical term employed to denote a para surgical procedure to expel out the vitiated blood from Selected areas of the body, by specific methods. Acharya Sushruta propounds practical guidelines for bloodletting and claims it as most effective therapy in half of the body ailments. Among various methods for bloodletting such as Jalaukavacharana karma, Pracchhana. Karma & Siravedha karma, Jalaukavacharana karma (Leech therapy) is considered as the ideal method to expel out the vitiated blood safely, quickly & effectively. Jalaukavcharan helps in draining the vitiated Rakta, in turn plays an important role in samprapti vighatana of Indralupta.