Yeah, they used to charge you money for that
Yep, the leech was used to cure people of diseases...
The Benefits of Leech Therapy
There are more than 600 species of leeches that have been identified, but only 15 of the species are used medically, so they are given a class of their own. They are classified as Hirudo Medicinalis or medicinal leeches.
Leech therapy has been used and is still in use for many diseases of the body. They are used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory processes. It is perfect for those with vascular (arterial and venous diseases), heart (ischemic diseases and hypertension), and lung problems (bronchitis and bronchial asthma). The medicinal leeches can also help in patients with pneumonia. The GI or gastrointestinal tract can also benefit from leech therapy, especially those who suffer from hepatitis, stomach ulcers, and pancreatitis, among others. Likewise, individuals with problems in their genitourinary system and gynecological disorders will also benefit greatly from leech therapy. Skin diseases like psoriasis, herpes, and eczema can also be treated with leech therapy. Other problems known to benefit from leech therapy are the eyes (example is glaucoma) and the brain (for infantile cerebral palsy).
But how exactly do leeches treat these many illnesses and diseases?
Leeches shown during treatment
Leeches shown during treatment of
varied conditions
Anticoagulating Effects of Leeches
The leech’s saliva contains enzymes and compounds that act as an anticoagulation agent. The most prominent of these anticoagulation agents is hirudin, which binds itself to thrombins, thus, effectively inhibiting coagulation of the blood.
Another compound that prevents coagulation is calin. This, on the other hand, works as an anticoagulant by prohibiting the von Willebrand factor to bind itself to collagen, and it is also an effective inhibitor of platelet aggregation caused by collagen.
The saliva of the leeches also contains Factor Xa inhibitor which also blocks the action of the coagulation factor Xa.
Clot Dissolving Effects of Leeches
The action of destabilase is to break up any fibrins that have formed. It also has a thrombolytic effect, which can also dissolve clots of blood that have formed.
www.leechestherapy.com/benefits_and_effects.phpBe like Demi Moore..
Demi Moore admits to bizarre beauty secret: 'I let leeches suck my blood'
By RICHARD SIMPSON
Last updated at 22:25 25 March 2008
First, shave your body. Then immerse yourself in turpentine. And when the stinging stops, allow leeches to feast on your blood.
It sounds like a particularly refined form of torture. But Demi Moore swears by it, as a way of looking healthy and far younger than her 45 years.
The secret, says Miss Moore, is an extremely alternative beauty therapy.
Read more:
www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-544588/Demi-Moore-admits-bizarre-beauty-secret-I-let-leeches-suck-blood.html#ixzz35Y2Bn2gE Follow us: @mailonline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
