Blood Letting using Leeches

🩸 Leech Therapy (Jalaukavacharanam): Gentle Blood Purification

Leech therapy (Jalaukavacharanam) offers painless blood purification ideal for sensitive patients and delicate areas. The procedure involves pricking the treatment area, applying the leech, and covering it with moist cotton. Leeches naturally extract impure blood first and detach when full.

📋 Overview

Leech therapy is an ideal blood purification method for patients who cannot withstand pain or when treating sensitive areas such as eyes or hemorrhoids.

🐛 Leech Selection & Preparation

Selection Criteria

• Only non-poisonous leeches must be used
• Requires expert handling as leeches are very slippery
• Therapist must be well-trained in this specialized technique

Purification Process

1. Place leeches in water containing turmeric powder for 1-2 minutes
2. Transfer leeches to clean water
3. Leeches are now ready for therapeutic use

⚕️ Treatment Procedure

1️⃣ Preparation

• Wash the affected area with hot water
• Dry the area thoroughly
• Make a small prick with a sterile needle
  • This helps the leech attach and begin blood extraction

2️⃣ Leech Application

• Carefully attach the leech's tail to the neighboring area
• Cover the leech with wet cotton
• Continuously moisten the cotton as it dries
  • Sprinkle water whenever needed

3️⃣ Blood Extraction Process

• The leech first sucks impure blood
• As it feeds, the leech becomes heavier
• It will naturally detach after consuming sufficient blood

4️⃣ Monitoring & Removal

• If patient experiences itching or pain during the procedure:
  • Remove the leech immediately
  • This sensation indicates the leech has begun extracting pure blood
• To safely remove a leech:
  • Apply a little bit of salt or turmeric to the leech's tail

5️⃣ Post-Procedure Wound Care

• Apply a pinch of turmeric to the wound
• Clean the area with an antiseptic solution
• Cover with Jatyadi Gritham and secure with gauze

6️⃣ Special Conditions

• For inflammation:
  • Apply Shata Dhauta Ghrita instead
  • Cover with clean gauze
• If suspecting remaining impurities:
  • Apply a paste of turmeric, molasses, and honey
  • Cover with cloth soaked in Shata Dhauta Ghrita
  • Secure with gauze

7️⃣ Follow-up Treatment

• The procedure can be repeated after 7 or 15 days if necessary

🧪 Leech Aftercare Protocol

Immediate Care

• Place the used leech in turmeric water or put turmeric directly in the leech's mouth
• This induces vomiting of the impure blood
• Gently press the leech's body to assist in expelling the blood
• The leech should return to its normal size

Quarantine Period

• Keep the leech in pure water
• Isolate it from other leeches
• Observe a mandatory 14-day rest period
• The leech can be reused for another patient only after this quarantine period

✅ Key Benefits

• Painless blood purification
• Suitable for sensitive body parts
• Gentle therapeutic action
• Effective cleansing of impure blood
• Minimal trauma to tissues

References:

Primary Source: School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes