Leech Therapy: An Old Method Applied in Modern Medicine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2026v5i2112-115Keywords:
Leech therapy, Bloodletting, Pain management, Antithrombotic agents, Wound healingAbstract
Leech therapy, also known as hirudotherapy, originated in ancient medicine when people used leeches for therapeutic purposes. Different cultures around the world have found these blood-draining, wormlike creatures since antiquity. In leech saliva, enzymes, peptides, and proteins such as anticoagulants, vasodilators, anti-inflammatory, and anaesthetic substances are present. Hirudin, an anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting, is the most important agent in leech saliva. In the 19th century, other bloodletting methods, whose origins date back even further than leech therapy, found their "application" in the "medicinal setting" of leech therapy. Consequently, "therapeutic bloodletting" gained popularity, particularly in Europe. However, plastic and reconstructive surgery, dermatology, and the management of pain/discomfort have been the primary areas where leech therapy has gained popularity in recent years. However, the historical limitations of leech therapy necessitate the performance of trained healthcare professionals.
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