Shukra-Raktāsrāva and Vranaropa: Ayurvedic Approach to Corneal Wounds

Shukra-Raktāsrāva and Vranaropa: Ayurvedic Approach to Corneal Wounds

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1. Modern Explanation:

A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye), often due to:

• Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections

• Trauma, dry eye, or contact lens misuse

If untreated, it may lead to corneal opacity, scarring, or vision loss.

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2. Signs and Symptoms:

• Eye redness and severe pain

• Foreign body sensation

• Watering, photophobia

• Blurred vision

• Pus-like discharge

• Visible white spot on cornea

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3. Ayurvedic Correlation:

🟢 Closely correlated with:

• Savrṇa Śukra – ulcerated or injured cornea

• Shukra Raktāsrāva – vascular/infective condition of the cornea

• Vranashukra – corneal ulcer resembling a wound

• Pittaja Abhishyanda – with ulceration and discharge

The term Shukra in Ayurveda refers to the transparent anterior part (cornea), and its damage leads to ulcerative lesions known by various names depending on the type of doshic involvement.

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4. Doṣa–Duṣya–Samprāpti:

• Doṣa: Predominantly Pitta + Rakta (with Vāta in chronic cases)

• Duṣya: Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa

• Srotas: Raktavaha and Rasavaha

• Samprāpti: Trauma/infection → Pitta-Rakta dushti → ulceration on cornea → pain, discharge, opacity

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5. Śloka Reference:

Suśruta Uttara Tantra 7/5–6:
"शुक्रं रक्तेन संसृष्टं संश्रवेत पिच्छिलं बहु।
विदाहि तीव्ररुक् स्रावी शुक्लं पित्तसमन्वितम्॥”

🔹 Pittaja Shukraroga causes painful, discharging, red ulceration in the cornea with burning and visual disturbance.

Suśruta Uttara Tantra 8/1:
"शुक्रमध्यविकारे तु शुक्लं नाम रोगकः।
स सप्तधा... व्रणयुक्तं तु व्रणशुक्लं..."

🔹 When ulcerative changes occur in the central cornea, it's called Vranashukla.

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6. Ayurvedic Management:

🔴 Note: In active ulceration with infection, modern antimicrobial therapy may be urgently required. Ayurveda supports healing, pain relief, and scarring prevention.

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🔹 Local Kriyākalpa (during healing stage):

• Āśchyotana:

  • Chandana + Yashtimadhu decoction (coolant, anti-inflammatory)

  • Triphala + Daruharidra Kashaya

• Anjana:

  • Ropana Anjana like Jasada Bhasma + Ghrita mixture

• Tarpana: Only in chronic healed ulcers using Jeevantyadi Ghrita

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🔹 Internal Medications:

• Patolakaturohinyadi Kashaya – 15 ml BD

• Tiktaka Ghrita – 10 ml HS with warm water

• Guggulu Panchapala Churna – for wound healing

• Yashtimadhu Churna – anti-inflammatory & soothing

• Triphala Churna – blood purification

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🔹 Panchakarma:

• Virechana: Mild Pitta-shodhana using Trivrit Lehya

• Nasya: Anu Taila or Shadbindu Taila post-acute stage

• Raktamokshana: Indicated in Pittaja Netra Roga (leech therapy over temple)

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🔹 Rasayana & Ropana:

• Triphala Rasayana – 3–6 gm daily

• Chyawanprash

• Ghrita prepared with Chakshushya herbs

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🔹 Pathya-Apathya:

• Cooling foods: Barley, green gram, amalaki, ghee

• Avoid: Spicy food, excessive sunlight, alcohol, stress

• Eyewash with Triphala decoction regularly

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📝 Summary Insight:

Corneal ulcers are viewed as Raktaja-Pittaja vranas of the cornea. Ayurvedic approach focuses on healing the ulcer, removing inflammation, and preventing visual obstruction using Tikta-Rasayana-Ropana strategies.