Good Things About Leeches

While the practice of using leeches as a medical treatment may at first seem barbaric, modern research has shown that there's something to this medieval practice. Though leeches fell out of fashion for a while, medical professionals are once again exploring the value of using leeches for some rather surprising applications.

History

• While many medieval medicinal practices were dangerous and some downright deadly, leeches are one of those practices that met with some success for certain ailments. The Greeks and Romans were among the first to use leeches to draw infections out of wounds, and their popularity spread throughout Europe. They were so popular that they became endangered in the Middle Ages. Because of their popularity, one of their benefits came not just from their medical use but from their economic contributions. Countless individuals earned a living in medieval Europe as leech-gatherers, and in some areas the demand was so high that the leech-farmer supported his family by growing and harvesting the worm-like creatures.

  Using leeches for medical practice fell off in the 1800s when it was discredited. However, modern research has recently rediscovered the benefits of leech therapy.

Reconstructive Surgery

• When a leech bites, it releases saliva into the individual's blood. This saliva contains a natural anticoagulant, making it easier for the leech to suck the blood without its clotting. This natural chemical has a number of benefits in certain medical treatments such as reconstructive surgery. One of the most common dangers of reconstructive surgery -- reattaching fingers, skin flaps or other parts of the body -- is repairing torn or broken blood vessels and getting the blood to flow through them again. Some vessels, such as those in the ears, are so small that they have been impossible to reattach. However, the application of a leech to the tissue can help drain blood building up in the tissues and keep the individual's blood from drying inside the vessels and killing the tissue. The practice has met with considerable success, encouraging blood flow while allowing the tissues to heal and blood vessels to rebuild themselves.

Arthritis Relief

• Arthritis occurs when joints become stiff and sore and blood flow is restricted to the area. The application of leeches over the afflicted joints has met with some success. After the leech feeds off the area by the joint, it is removed and the blood is allowed to continue to seep from the wound. This relieves the pressure that has been building in the joint, and there have been continued benefits from the release of the anticoagulant in the leech's saliva. Once the anticoagulant enters the arthritic area, it helps restore normal blood flow, reduce swelling and increase range of motion -- all without pills or other medicine.

Cost-Effectiveness and Convenience

• Surgical procedures, medicines, pills and continued treatments all cost money. Leeches are one of the cheaper medicines a medical facility can buy, reproduce easily, and don't require much in the way of space or feeding until they are needed.

  Their bite is painless, and there is little chance of infection as any bacteria introduced from the bite are drawn out with the blood -- in fact, one of the earliest successful uses for leeches was to fight infection. There are more than 60 chemical compounds found in their saliva, each one with the possibility of being effective against another condition or illness. Leeches are currently being studied for their effectiveness in treating individuals with chronic heart conditions, with numerous other blood-related possibilities in the future.