Leech Therapy For Skin Diseases

Raktamokshan therapy (LEECH THERAPY) is one of the Panchakarmas of Ayurveda and is performed to eliminate the toxins from the bloodstream. It is a safe, painless and highly effective form of Panchakarma. Raktamokshan entails the refinement of blood, hence is administered to treat disorders pertaining to the skin, such as psoriasis, rash, eczema, acne, leucoderma and chronic itching. Enlarged liver, spleen, filariasis and gout can also be helped by using the blood letting therapy. Leech therapy involves an initial bite, which is usually painless (it's thought that leech saliva contains a mild anesthetic); an attachment period lasting 20 to 45 minutes, during which the leech sucks between 5 and 15 mL of blood; and a post attachment period, during which the site continues to bleed. The final stage provides the primary therapeutic benefit; it's caused by components in the leech's saliva, including hirudin, a protein anticoagulant that inhibits thrombin in the clotting process, as well as histamine-like substances that induce vasodilation. The therapy develops the immune mechanism in the blood system by stimulating the antitoxic substances in the blood stream. Barring a few exceptions such as people suffering from anemia, edema, weakness or those who are too young or too old, almost everybody can opt for Leech therapy.


The improper function of the liver leads to the formation of pitta. Since pitta and blood are closely linked to each other, any imbalance between the two can cause diseases related to blood. For instance, increase in pitta causes toxicity in the blood, thus giving way to various pitta-genic disorders. Here comes the use of Leech therapy. In such cases, a lot of tension can be relieved that was created by the pitta-genic toxins prevalent in the blood. Moreover, the process of blood letting stimulates the spleen in order to produce anti-toxic substances that can help the stimulation of immune system of the body. Thus, Raktamoksha therapy cures a number of blood-borne diseases. “Dhanwantri Kerala Ayurved is one of the few centres in Mumbai using the therapy since last 10 years. Central Research Institutes in various states are also using the leech therapy for curative purposes” says Dr.Namrata.