This therapy as the name suggests involves usage of leech saliva(LS). This therapy traces it roots to Ancient civilization. In Sushruta samhitha this therapy is identified as hirudino therapy. This therapy is utilized as Raktamokshana Karma (bloodletting) for purifying body humors. At present it is used for reconstructive surgeries, prevent B complex deficiency, venous congestion, removing blood clotting by the saliva inserted by the biting leech as an anti-coagulant, etc. Leach therapy is effective in increasing blood circulation. It also help in breaking and preventing the formation of blood clots. Leach therapy is easy and have less risk of side effects than most of other therapy. Recent case studies shows that leach therapy can also help in treating certain types of diabetes. A substance present in leach saliva called hirudin thins the blood and keeps it from clotting. Hirudin can also help with cardiovascular diseases by thinning the blood.
Modern medicine has mostly revived this treatment for surgical and reconstitution surgeries, migraine, vascular diseases and arthritis for its better results over traditional allopathic procedures. Some European researchers have even devised ‘mechanical leeches’ to simulate the blood sucking procedure.