Kumar Syal, Dobos Gustav J, Rampp Thomas
1 University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2013 Apr;18(2):152-158. doi: 10.1177/2156587212466675.
Traditional Indian medicine-ayurveda-could be the oldest medical system in which leech therapy was adopted for treating specific disease conditions of patients. Some of the indications in which leeches are used are in tumors, hemorrhoids, abscess and boils, skin disorders, ulcers, gout, diseases of the eye, headache, herpes zoster, thrombosis, and wounds. The saliva of the leech consists of anesthetic agents, anticoagulant, antiplatelet aggregation factor, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory substances, and gelatinous substances. Leeches suck the excess blood, reduce the swelling in the tissues, and promote healing by allowing fresh oxygenated blood to reach the area until normal circulation can be restored. Clinical studies have been conducted in different parts of the world to observe the scientific action of leech therapy. Studies with leeches have been carried out to observe the healing of complicated varicose veins, pain reduction in osteoarthritis, and other disorders.
传统的印度医学——阿育吠陀医学——可能是采用水蛭疗法治疗患者特定疾病状况的最古老医学体系。使用水蛭的一些适应症包括肿瘤、痔疮、脓肿和疖子、皮肤疾病、溃疡、痛风、眼部疾病、头痛、带状疱疹、血栓形成以及伤口。水蛭的唾液包含麻醉剂、抗凝剂、抗血小板聚集因子、抗生素、抗炎物质和胶状物质。水蛭吸食多余的血液，减轻组织肿胀，并通过让新鲜的含氧血液到达该区域来促进愈合，直至恢复正常循环。世界各地都进行了临床研究，以观察水蛭疗法的科学作用。已经开展了关于水蛭的研究，以观察复杂静脉曲张的愈合情况、骨关节炎疼痛的减轻以及其他病症。
