Medical leech therapy in Ayurveda and biomedicine – A review

• Main Authors: Sarvesh Kumar Singh, Kshipra Rajoria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-10-01
• Series: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
• Subjects: Hirudino therapy; Jaloka Avacharana; Medical leech therapy
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947618304935

Medicinal leech therapy or Hirudino therapy have roots back in ancient civilization. It was a prevalent form of therapy in various ailments. The novel Ayurveda text Sushruta Samhita devoted a complete chapter on hirudino therapy. In the early 20th century this therapy had a major setback due to origin and evolution of antibiotics. There was a discontinuity in the flow of knowledge about this therapy. Then, resumed and revived after few recent decades, due to its contribution in reconstructive surgeries. During this period, the research work on various aspects have been conducted. The present paper summarizes the various aspects of medicinal leech therapy both from Ayurveda text and the present knowledge and to enable the fraternity to use the both source for benefits of humankind.