Leech therapy is also known as Jalaukavacharana or Hirudo therapy. It is described as the therapeutic application of living medicinal leeches to the skin in an effort to remove blood from a specific region of the body.
Ayurveda and Leech therapy
According to Ayurveda, impure blood carrying Dosha is expelled using a leech or a Jaluka. Leech therapy is extensively described in a number of ancient ayurvedic books, such as Astanghrudyam Sushruta Samhita. In his practical recommendations for bloodletting, Acharya Sushruta asserts that it is the most successful treatment for half of all bodily ills.
Bloodletting techniques include Jalaukavacharana Karma, Prachhanna Karma, and Siravedhana Karma, among others. Leech therapy, also known as Jalaukaavacharna Karma, is thought to be the best way to safely, swiftly, and successfully remove vitiated blood. According to reports, using a medicinal leech stimulates blood flow within clogged tissue both directly (via active feeding) and indirectly (by passive bleeding from leech bite offer separation).
The effects of the various salivary secretions of the leeches, such as the anticoagulant hirudin, enable both active and passive bleeding.
The procedure of Leech Therapy or Jalaukavacharana:
The damaged region is cleaned with clean water while the patient is made to sit or lie down. The chosen leech is then left over the injured region to bite and draw blood and maintained in place with a supple, white, wet cotton cloth that is kept on top of it. The leech should be removed by sprinkling salt or turmeric powder over its mouth if it exhibits pricking discomfort and itching at the site of the bite, which indicates that it is sucking only pure blood.
Post-therapy procedure:
To stop the bleeding, turmeric is applied to the bite site.
How to know if the leech is biting the affected area:
It should be covered with a damp cloth and kept until it forms its mouth into the shape of a horse’s hoof and raises its neck, as this indicates that it is biting.
What to do if the leech does not bite the affected area:
If it does not bite, a small incision is made over the injured area or a drop of milk or blood is placed in its mouth. Even after all these steps, if it still refuses to bite, another leech is put in.
Benefits of Leech therapy
- Treats skin disorders – acne, psoriasis, and eczema
- Increases the glow, of skin
- Blood vitiated with pitta dosha
- Diabetic ulcers
- Varicose veins
- Vatarakta (Gout)
- Sciatica, lumbar spondylosis,
- Osteoarthritis
- Abscess
- Herpes
- Haemorrhoids
- Neck and eyes diseases
- Joint Pain
- Venous congestion
- Joint stiffness
- Various types of infections
Therapeutic actions:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Improves blood circulation
- Analgesic (reduces pain)
- Thrombolytic (dissolves blood clot)
- Antimicrobial activity
Birla Ayurveda provides Leech therapy using professional techniques and personnel as well as in pocket-friendly rates. For consultation or more information on Leech Therapy, kindly visit our website.
