Importance of leech therapy
is obvious if one goes through the Ayurvedic literature and
from its successful reintroduction by modern medicine.
Sushruta had advised bloodletting
by leeches in surgical disorders. As per the Ayurvedic literature
doshas are related to blood and hence to interrupt the pathophysiology
of the disorders as well as to find out the dosha responsible
for the disorder, it is necessary to get rid of vitiated blood.
Otherwise life-threatening situations may result. Hence in the
therapeutic approach blood-letting is the first line of therapy.
In all bloodletting procedures, leech application useful in
deep-seated disorders and it is also a harmless procedure, which
can be used, even in very weak and sensitive subject. Hence
leech therapy was tried out in different stages of disorder.
In this experimental study within a short time span relief of
symptoms and positive result were found. The claims put forth
in Ayurveda were validated. The details of this paper will be
discussed at the time of presentation.
Leech Application Therapy (A Practical Investigation)
1. I am a student of Ayurved.
Referances in Ancient and Modern Medical Sciences about LEECHES
and their medical uses, provoked in me an earge to investigate
in the matter, seriously and methodically. I have started a
practical study there on. Here are some of my findings.
Disease creating Doshas
abide in blood. Decrease and increase of Doshas is due to blood,
(Teshan Kshyvrudhi Shonilnimitte) so says Sushrut Doshas
are inviside but for their purification visible blood, being
the abode of Doshas, must be purified. This also is implicated
at another place. 'Ye tu sanshadhanai : shudha n teshan
punarudrabhav :' There are some diseases where blood outletting
(Raktamokshan) is but necessary, in toxic or critical phases.
In some cases, where surgery is not only useless but faltal,
application of Leeches for blood outletting is a sure and delicate
remedy. In some post-surgical and blood oozing cases also, this
Leech application should be helpful.
Sensing all of this to
be sound, I have decided to do some experimental work about
Lceeches,of course,following the seriptural guidelines. Results
and conclusions are as follows.
3. Some specifice diseases
are mentioned as curable by blood extracting. Still Leech application
is not prescribed everywhere. No doubt, there are certain exceptions.
But without considering it, I have experimented this Leech application
process upon each and every blood emitted curable disease.
4. Investigation
Leech application process,
was tried upon 33 diseases as follows.
The symptoms in pre-operation,
operation, post-operation stages were also observed carefully.
5. Conclusion
1. Pain extinguishes, 2.Application
of Leeches creates local anesthetic action, 3. Bottom deep sucking
of the blood, 4. Ability to suck up impure blood, 5.Ability
to purify Doshas 6. Swelling decreases, 7. Hastens ripining
of swelling, 8. Ability to purify specifically, 9. Antibiotic
treatment is not required, 10. Ability for quick transformation
of stages, 11. Cosmetic, parasurgical process, 12. Wonder cure
in diseases decaying phase, 13. Ability to rootout ailments.
6. Observation
1. Leech application seems
to tender quick and expected results in all ailments. 2. Much
effectiveness in blown up stage (Vegavatha) of diseases,
3. With preliminary blood extracting (Raktamokshan)
at the stages of location (Sthansanshray) and expression
(Vyakti) ,at times Leech application tenders quick
relief. 4.All of the diseases curable by blood extracting process,
are completely cured by Leech application. 5.Post dissection
recuring ailments such as (Parikartika Koth) ,Non healing
ulcers, can be completely rooted out with Leech application
.6.In critical swollen transitional acheing-prolapses piles,
Leech application extinguishes swelling etc. within no time.
Dissection can also be prolonged. 7. Blind external fistula
can be transformed incomplete fistula within 24 hours; with
Leech application ,8. In fistula, after performing salt thread
therapy (Ksharsutra Chikitsa) ,application of Leeches
prohibits Keloid formation, 9. Leech application therapy, if
performed after dissecting in accidental (Agantuj Vran)
ulcer and corn,(Kadar) Keloid formation can be arrested
and traumatic wound, heals up within not time. 10.Leech application
arrests inflammation and extinguishes pain in burn wound(Dagdhavran),
fractured wound (Savranbhagna),Excertion wound (Agantuj
Dhrustavran),11.In a surgical case of mild fatty tumours
(Soumya Medoburda) having a bulging size, in the down
words region of left abdomen, Leech application reduced much
of it' swelling from 6.5 inches-6.5 inches 2.75-2.00 inches
within five days only. 12. Leech application is effective in
poisonous inflammation (Vishdusta Vranshoth) 13. In
inflammatory diseases belonging to ? Eyes, Ears and Vital parts
Leech application is effective. It arrests critical or vile
development. 14.Leech application in the primary curiped stage
(Amastha) of inflammation creates ripining in a short
time; opening (Bhed) occurs naturally, Fistula (Nadivran),
Gangrene (Koth) etc. also do not developed. 15. Facial
moles (Tarunpitika), Piles (Arsh), prolapses
(Bhransh), mild fatty tumor (Soumya Medoburd),
Oedema (Kustha), Elephanties (Shlipad), Burgers
disease, ophthalmia (Abhishyand), Headache (Shir:shul),
absces (Vidrathi), Erythema (Visarpa), Rheumatism
(Santhivat) these are some of the diseases in which,
it is observed that blood extracting (Raktamokshan),
if introduced along with Leech application, expected results
are achieved quickly. 16. In inflammation when it is not decisive
whether the stage of disease is primary immature or finally
mature, if Leech application introduced at this juncture, it
is observed that critical development is arrested, complication
never arise and splitting also is normal. 17. The treatment
Dictum (Vyathichikitsasutra) in Ayurvedic seriptures
state. A blood extracting as the first and foremost execution
B. Usefullness of subsurgical tools in the absence of surgical
and effective subsurgical tools. Everything said here seems
to be correct and accurate. The case study also corroborates.
18. In dirrhoea (Atisar) supprossive treatment is introduced
after the purgative one (Rechan). It is no doubt according
to the rule. Diseases cured by catharsis never secure (Ye
Tu Sanshothanai Shudha Na Teshan Punrudrabhav:) primarily
purgation is but necessary, otherwise diseases. 19. Catharsis
can be practiced in various types. Still blood extracting process
if mentioned as a prime one. This is of course significant.
The decrease and increase of Doshas is due to blood, where the
Doshas abide. Blood extraction again is of various types, out
of all leech application is the best one. Because it is delicate
easily applicable, easily available, quick reliever, due to
it purificatory nature and can be of a great help where complete
purification is not necessary, through blood extracting and
there by arreeling excessive bleeding.
This practical study is
at present in primary stage. Number of cases is also limited
still the referring statements of Acharya Sushruta such as,
'Rakta Hi Vedanamul…." Vednopashamadharya tatha Pakshamay
Ch ' Nrupadhyabal…. Yat Jaloukas' convincing. Ample research
is yet awaiting on these guidelines, which will no doubt be
fruitful.
