Leech Therapy/Blood Letting

Leech therapy, alternatively referred to as hirudotherapy, is a treatment technique that employs medicinal leeches to extract impure blood from the body. In Ayurveda, this particular method of Blood Letting Therapy (Rakthamokshana) is widely regarded as the most simple and convenient approach, and is included as one of the Five purificatory procedures (Panchakarma). In the field of Ayurveda, leech therapy is referred to as a para-surgical method known as Jalaukavacharana. It involves extracting blood from the body through sucking, a process called raktamokshan. There are approximately one hundred biologically active substances found in the saliva of leeches. In addition to extracting impure blood, they also secrete their saliva, which carries beneficial enzymes for treating the disease. Leech therapy has been employed for the treatment of various ailments such as blood contaminated with pitta dosha, ulcers caused by diabetes, swollen veins, gout, sciatic pain, degenerative condition of the lower back, skin problems like acne and psoriasis, inflammations, chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, localized collections of pus, abdominal tumors (Gulma), herpes, poisoning, diseases of the rectal area, and ailments affecting the neck and eyes.