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 Hirudo medicinalis
LEECH
Live leeches and extracted
enzymes are given in orthodox medicine to prevent blood clotting after
wounding or surgery, and in Chinese medicine to mobilize congealed blood
after injury or clotting. Unani medicine uses them for piles, and for throat
and urinary tract inflammation.
The widespread Western use of leeches to bleed patients as a remedy for almost any
ailment only stopped some 100 years ago. As recently as 50 years ago, they were still used
to treat black-and-blue spots on the skin, and live leeches are used in some hospitals
today on certain patients who have undergone plastic surgery. Dead leeches
continue to be used medically worldwide.
PARTS USED
Live, whole body, extracted enzymes.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Hirudin; calin.
ACTIONS
Prevents blood clotting.
MEDICINAL USE
Live leeches are used to prevent blood clotting after severe wounding or plastic surgery,
and for varicose veins. The Chinese use dried leeches to mobilize congealed blood after injury or thrombosis,
as well as for absent periods, and Unani medicine gives them for piles and inflammation of the throat and urinary tract.
PREPARATIONS
Powder, sometimes made into a paste with honey or oil.
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