Leech Therapy for Infection and Wound Care: A Proven Natural Remedy

Documented Use of Leech Therapy for Infection and Wound Care

Introduction

Long thought of as a leftover from the days when science was full of superstitions, leech therapy has made quite a name for itself in today’s medicine; mainly within infection and wound care. Used for thousands of years in ancient treatments, it was proven to be effective through extensive promotion which leads the reductions in healing and prevention of infections. We look at leech therapy, its benefits (what little there are) and take the rubbish out of mythological claims about their use in contemporary medical practice.

What Is the Science Behind Leech Therapy

While leeches have actually been used medicinally for centuries, it is the species Hirudo medicinalis that has recently surfaced in modern medicine. In fact, the medicinal leeches insert a cocktail of bioactive molecules into their host’s body as they attach to its skin and begin sucking. The essential elements of leech saliva include:

Hirudin: A powerful anticoagulant that helps keep blood flowing without clotting to the area of trauma.

Calin: Anticoagulant that makes the blood take longer to clot, helping congested blood flow out.

Bdellins/Eglins: anti-inflammatory compounds to decrease swelling and pain

Hyaluronidase (leads of enhance fuzogen sistemy, pre-delivery bioactive)

Antibiotics: Compounds that inhibit growth of bacteria and prevent infection (similar to antibiotics).

Benefits of Leech Therapy

There are many benefits offered by leech therapy in wound care and infection management including;

Better Blood Circulation: The blood thinning properties of leech saliva contribute to a dynamic flow of oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream towards wounds. This also helps in the faster recovery and regeneration of body tissues.

A major relief to patients with chronic wounds or post-surgical complications is that leech saliva can alleviate swelling and pain due its anti-inflammatory agents.

Preventing Infections: Their antibiotic-like saliva helps prevent infections so get the treatment when you have a wound that is at risk of getting bacterial contamination.

Debridement: Debridement is essential to wound healing because it removes dead tissue from wounds, allowing for effective new growth.

Cheap: In spite of it sounding like an extremely odd form of medical treatment, leech therapy can be much cost-effective in comparison to many other modern medical treatments and thus is a cheaper natural remedy.

Modern Medical Uses of Cengage Products

It is now being employed in a number of different fields, particularly plastic and reconstructive surgery; as well as to aid healingin microsurgery (microvascular anastomoses), and the management of some complex wounds. The main applications are listed as follows;

Limb or tissue Reattachment: Leeches are used for consuming blood from the operated sites so that venous congestion is prevented and blood can flow easily making sure necrosis doesn’t occurs.

Skin grafts and flaps: Leeches promote better blood flow in skin grafts and flaps, promoting the survival of these tissues by reducing clotting.

Chronic Wounds: Leeches promote blood circulation which helps patients who have sores that do not heal like diabetic foot ulcers or bedsores .