European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CONCEPT OF LEECH AND LEECH THERAPY IN AYURVEDA

Dr. Chandrakar Smriti*, Sahu Purnesh and Singh Balendra

ABSTRACT

Sushruta Samhita, the oldest available scientific book on surgery devoted an entire chapter for the description of jalouka and jalouka avcharna for the purpose of blood letting. Leech therapy or Hirudotherapy is treatment using medicinal leech. It’s used as therapeutic from beginning of civilization. Leeches have been known to possess biologically active compounds in their secretions, especially in their saliva. Leech therapy has established itself in plastic and microsurgery as a protective tool against venous congestion and also used many disease like bleeding piles, infected wound etc. leech therapy is claimed to be the supreme therapy because of safety and higher efficiency in blood disorders. Despite the efficacious properties of leech therapy, the safety, and complications of leeching are still controversial.

Keywords: Leech, Hirudotherapy, Jalouka avcharna, Bleeding piles.