The Benefits and Risks of Leech Therapy

Leech therapy involves the use of live, medicinal leeches that attach to the skin to draw blood.

Leech therapy, or hirudotherapy, is an ancient practice with modern applications. While it shares roots with the historical practice of bloodletting, leech therapy is now used in specific medical contexts and continues to hold a prominent place in Ayurvedic medicine, especially in countries like India.

What is Leech Therapy?
Leech therapy involves the use of live, medicinal leeches that attach to the skin to draw "impure" or "toxic" blood. The term "impure blood" refers to an imbalance of doshas or the presence of toxins (ama) in the blood that may cause inflammation, congestion, or stagnation, contributing to various health issues. Unlike traditional bloodletting, which involves making incisions to remove blood broadly, leech therapy is precise and purposeful. As leeches feed, they release a combination of beneficial substances, including:

• Anaesthetics to numb the area, making the process relatively painless
• Vasodilators to improve blood flow and circulation
• Anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting and help dissolve existing clots

Applications of Leech Therapy
Leech therapy is used in both modern medicine and traditional Ayurvedic practices:

1. Ayurvedic Medicine: Applied for various health conditions, including varicose veins, arthritis, genetic diseases, skin disorders, and chronic headaches, leech therapy promotes circulation, reduces venous congestion, and aids in wound healing, particularly after surgeries like skin grafts or reattachments.
2. Modern Medicine: Often employed in microsurgery, plastic surgery, and reconstructive surgery to restore blood flow to delicate tissues.​

How It Works
The video below shows turmeric powder being sprinkled onto a leech once it is placed on the body. The turmeric helps to cleanse the leech.

The Cleansing Process
After the leeches have finished feeding and are removed from the treatment site, they are placed in a bowl of water with turmeric to expel the blood they have ingested. This cleansing process helps eliminate any toxins, ensuring the leeches are ready for safe re-use in future treatments.

Ensuring Safety and Hygiene in Leech Therapy
Using individual leeches for each patient is strongly recommended to ensure safety and hygiene. This precaution helps minimise the risk of cross-infection, including the potential transmission of diseases such as hepatitis or HIV.

Risks and Potential Side Effects
Despite its benefits, leech therapy carries risks that must be considered:

1. Infections: Leeches harbour bacteria in their gut that can lead to infections such as cellulitis, sepsis, or meningitis if introduced into the body.
2. Allergic Reactions: Leech saliva can cause allergic responses, resulting in itching, swelling, or more severe symptoms.
3. Prolonged Bleeding: The leech’s anticoagulants can cause puncture wounds to bleed for hours after detachment, potentially leading to anaemia.
4. Medication Interactions: Medications taken during or after therapy, without proper guidance, may worsen side effects.
5. Scarring: Puncture wounds may leave permanent marks on the skin.​​

A Final Word of Caution
It is crucial to be thoroughly informed about the risks and aftercare before proceeding with any therapy. Caution and informed decision-making are essential to ensure safety.

Coralie, a dear friend I met during our Panchakarma treatments in India, experienced a severe allergic response to her second leech therapy treatment. This led to intense itching, infection, and swelling in her left foot, confining her to her hotel room for the last two days of her trip. Unfortunately, anti-inflammatories given at the resort worsened her condition, and she required wheelchair assistance for her journey home. Coralie was understandably upset about not being warned of the potential side effects beforehand.

Back in France, she was prescribed antibiotics in A&E. A tropical diseases expert later acknowledged that her quick actions in seeking treatment proved to be life-saving. He also highlighted that India has the highest rates of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance in the world and explained that leech therapy is strongly contraindicated in France due to significant risks identified in clinical trials. The specific antibiotic she received is unavailable in India. Fortunately, this occurred just two days before Coralie left India. She is now recovering well and has only one week of antibiotics left.
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All images by @coraliebarbion.