External Therapy Protocol
Alabu (Ayurvedic Cupping Therapy)
in Bengaluru
Alabu, traditionally done using hollowed dried gourds (Alabu) and fire, is the ancient Ayurvedic precursor to modern cupping therapy. It creates a vacuum to draw deep-seated toxins, stagnant blood, and Kapha (phlegm) to the surface.
Clinical Benefits
- Provides rapid relief from severe, stiff muscular pain and deep spasms
- Excellent for Kapha-related disorders, drawing out chest congestion in asthma
- Improves local blood circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Can be done "dry" (just vacuum) or "wet" (combined with Pracchanna/micro-cuts to let blood out)
Clinical Procedure
1. Preparation (Purvakarma)
- • The area is cleaned. In traditional Alabu, a small flame is used inside a glass cup or gourd to create a vacuum before placing it on the skin.
2. Main Action (Pradhana Karma)
The cup is placed on the skin, drawing the tissue up into the cup. It is left in place for a few minutes (Dry Cupping). For Wet Cupping, the cup is removed, tiny scratches are made, and the cup is reapplied to draw out stagnant blood.
3. Post-Therapy (Paschatkarma)
- • Cups are removed. The area will show circular red/purple marks (petechiae) which fade in a few days.
- • A soothing oil is applied.
Patient FAQs
Are the purple circle marks permanent?
No, they are essentially therapeutic hickeys (stagnant blood drawn to the surface). They are completely painless and fade away entirely within 3 to 7 days.
Medically Reviewed by Dr Abhiram SSBAMS (Reg No: 36991)
Chief Consultant, Ayurvedic Rheumatology & Dermatology • Updated: 2026-07-24
Protocol Details
Duration
10 to 15 minutes.Frequency
Weekly or as needed for muscular pain.Primary Indications
condition-chronic-lower-back-paincondition-bronchial-asthmacondition-fibromyalgiacondition-cervical-spondylosis
Contraindications
- Pitta disorders with severe burning or active inflammation
- Over the spine directly or major arteries
- Bleeding disorders (for wet cupping)