Abstract

LEECH THERAPY: MODERN AND UNANI MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE

*Nazim Saifi, Sarware Alam and Saad Ahmed

ABSTRACT

Leech therapy has remained the part of various systems of medicine including Unani system through the centuries. The broad concept of humors and diseases is based on the notion that all illness are caused by an imbalance of one of the four body humors i.e., Blood, Phlegm, Yellow bile and Black bile. The Unani physicians of medieval period indicated leech therapy in almost every field of medicine like Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Synosteology, Phlebology and Neurology. They also cited the complications of leeching and maintaining hygiene before and during leeching. In 18th century Europe, leech therapy was on pinnacle. The art of application of leech became a profession in itself. Around 19th century, the practice of leeching gradually declined. The main reason was improved understanding of bacteriology and infection in the later 19th century. Leech therapy was being considered outdated and dogmatic treatment. Then after the discovery of hirudin, a potent anticoagulant, in the leech’s saliva, leeches made their medical come back. After that Leech therapy gained remarkable attention in modern medicine especially in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery as in the treatment of post-operative venous congestion and graft rejection etc. In 2004, US FDA approved leech as a medical device. The indications, mechanism of action, methods and complications of Leech therapy between Unani and modern medicine will be compared in full length paper.

Keywords: Leech therapy, Unani system of medicine, Medical device.