Leech Therapy - A unique treatment in Ayurveda

Abstract

As mentioned in Ayurveda, Rakta itself is life for human being. If it get vitiated (impure) by means of unhealthy food habits and seasonal change is going to induce many disease. There is a unique worm - Leech which is used therapeutically to treat certain diseases induced by impure blood. Medicinal leeches are used for therapeutic purpose; these will suck only impure blood and relieve the symptoms. While sucking leaches leave saliva into the blood stream, which contain many medicinal properties. Out of which Hirudin is the main content which is having very effective anti-coagulant and analgesic property, because of this analgesic property, the process of sucking is painless. Leaches are mainly used in skin diseases as acne, Kusta, Visarpa, recurrent abscess along with these certain diseases which involve impairment of the blood circulation such as varicose veins deep vein thrombosis non healing ulcers and necrosis are also get benefited by leech therapy which improve the blood circulation by stimulating blood capillaries. Hence in this paper the uses of leech therapy are mentioned for the society to get benefited.