Leech Therapy is known as Jalaukavacharan in Ayurveda. The first description of leech therapy for blood letting was described in Ayurvedic text of Sushrut Samhita. He described total 12 types of leeches.Out of 12 , Six are non poisonous and use for blood letting in human and animals.
From ancient time leeches was used to remove impure blood from body and mainly use in skin diseases.
Morphology-
The length of leeches vary from 10-20 cm. They are generally green, brown, blackish in colours. They have 2 suckers at both end. Anterior sucker have about 100 sharp teeth's where as posterior one use for holding a position. They leave a Y shaped incision mark on skin. Generally one leech suck about 5-10 ml blood.
Mode of Action-
After piercing the skin they inject anticoagulant (hirudin). Their saliva contain anaesthetic substance hence leech bite is not painful. According to Ayurveda they suck impure blood from body.
Uses-
1. Skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis etc.
2. Alopecia ,hair loss
3. Varicose vein
4. Diabetic foot
5. Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
From ancient time leeches was used to remove impure blood from body and mainly use in skin diseases.
Morphology-
The length of leeches vary from 10-20 cm. They are generally green, brown, blackish in colours. They have 2 suckers at both end. Anterior sucker have about 100 sharp teeth's where as posterior one use for holding a position. They leave a Y shaped incision mark on skin. Generally one leech suck about 5-10 ml blood.
Mode of Action-
After piercing the skin they inject anticoagulant (hirudin). Their saliva contain anaesthetic substance hence leech bite is not painful. According to Ayurveda they suck impure blood from body.
Uses-
1. Skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis etc.
2. Alopecia ,hair loss
3. Varicose vein
4. Diabetic foot
5. Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.