Leech Therapy

MEDICINAL LEECH THERAPY

Hirudotherapy also known as leech therapy is a method of treatment that uses medicinal leeches to restore the blood circulation, reactivate the damaged tissues and organs, reduce pain, stimulate the metabolic system, increase and strengthen the immune system.

The healing properties of leeches have been known for thousands of years. Leeches were used during medieval times because they were known to heal infections, before antibiotics were discovered.

How does Leech Therapy work?

The principal mechanism of action in leech therapy appears to be the secretion of a complex mixture of biologically active substances from the salivary glands of the leech at the time of biting.

During feeding, the leech will sucks out blood and toxins, at the same time, they inject its saliva which contains a mixture of different biologically and pharmacologically active substances into the wound. These include:

  1. Hirudin which is an anticoagulant
  2. Bdellins (Trypsin-plasmin inhibitor Anti-inflammatory)
  3. Destabilase (a clot dissolving thrombolytic)
  4. Opio-mimetics  (pain reliever (anaesthetic)
  5. Calin (a collagen binding anti-coagulant and vasodilator)

What medical conditions are leech therapy used for?

  1. Cardio-vascular disease: post stroke, pre-heart attack symptoms and poor blood circulation.
  2. Soft tissue injuries (strains/sprained/torn ligaments and muscles)
  3. Skin conditions such as eczema, lupus and psoriasis.
  4. Musculoskeletal pain such as: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and etc.
  5. Digestive conditions such as: haemorrhoids, pancreatitis, fatty liver, liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.
  6. Obstetrics and gynaecology: infertility, poly-cystic ovaries, endometriosis and inflammatory pelvic conditions.
  7. Otolaryngology: acute and chronic ear pain, ear infections, vertigo, dizziness, Meniere’s disease and tinnitus.
  8. Chronic infections and poor wounds healing commonly seen with diabetic patients
  9. Surgeries: skin grafting and re-attachment of severed limbs
  10. Eye conditions: cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma
  11. Cosmetics: anti-aging, baldness and varicose veins.

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