Leech Therapy

How does leech therapy work?

Leech therapy is a centuries-old naturopathic method. There are tiny suckers on both ends of the leech’s body. The animal uses one of these suckers to attach itself to the patient and search for a suitable bite site. The other sucker contains the mouth opening, with which the leech attaches itself to the patient. The mouth has three jaws with about 80 tiny calcareous teeth. During the sucking process, the animal releases a secretion into the wound. The leech’s secretion contains more than 200 different substances. The most intensively researched, however, are the two substances eglin and hirudin. Eglin is a substance that blocks the activity of enzymes that trigger inflammation. Eglin is therefore being studied in connection with inflammatory processes and pain perception. The second substance, hirudin, relieves vascular spasms and inhibits blood clotting by impairing the clotting factor thrombin. Hirudin is used in medicine as an anticoagulant agent. In naturopathy, leech therapy is also described in connection with the immune system and lymph flow. The leech’s bite is comparable to a mosquito bite. The only difference is that after the session a small wound remains, which continues to bleed for 12 to a maximum of 24 hours. This side effect is desired and should under no circumstances be stopped. The wound heals 1–3 weeks after the treatment. Our little bloodsuckers are already looking forward to welcoming and getting to know you at our Natura Heilpraxis.

– When should leech therapy not be carried out?

• When taking blood thinners such as Marcumar or acetylsalicylic acid
• With a weakened immune system
• With anemia
• With a strong tendency to scarring

What preparations should be made before treatment? Since the little animals are very sensitive to different smells, you should avoid strongly scented skin care products such as creams, shower gel and body lotion for about 3 days beforehand and clean your skin with clear water instead. Otherwise, the leeches might not feel comfortable and could lose their appetite. Stress should also be avoided before and during treatment.

Do you have questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us!

– The saliva of leeches contains the following substances identified so far:

• Hirudin (the name is derived from Hirudo medicinalis = medicinal leech) is one of the active substances of the leech that is used in medicine as a separate drug. Hirudin inhibits blood clotting and is used, among other things, in the treatment of heart attacks.
• Calin also inhibits blood clotting and, following the “fast-acting” hirudin, causes the wound to continue bleeding for about 12 hours. This results in the well-known, gentle bloodletting. During the 60-minute sucking process, it is of course necessary to keep the wound open and the blood flowing. During the sucking process, the “spreading factor”, hyaluronidase, also comes into action: the way for the substances of the secretion is prepared by loosening the tissue. This active substance is used in medicine as an absorption-promoting additive to infusion and injection preparations (e.g. “turbo anesthesia”)
• Apyrase  inhibits platelet aggregation
• Hyaluronidase breaks down hyaluronic acid
• Eglins and bdellins are being studied in connection with inflammation and pain processes.
• Pictures of leech treatments

With respect for the animals: the retirement pond

According to the regulations of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), leeches are a medical device. To prevent the transmission of infections, leeches may only be used once. Reuse is not permitted. In most cases, the leeches are therefore killed after treatment with alcohol or by freezing. Fortunately, there is an alternative to this procedure. Those who provide such helpful services should not be punished with death. We send our leeches back to the breeder. There, after a quarantine period, they go into the so-called retirement pond. In the retirement pond, the leeches may live until they die. They are fed regularly and the water quality of the pond is strictly monitored. This way, both sides can feel good after a leech treatment: the patients and the leeches.

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