Leeches can be considered as being slimy and uninteresting, though ugly and scary, leeches can provide and serve the medical and provide effective treatment to us, humans. Since ancient times, leeches are used to treat many diseases by sucking blood as the source of the disease, which method blood drawn out with the expectation that removing dirty blood would cure the body of all ailments and chronic. Believe it or not, leech therapy is sometimes the best alternative in treating the disease, and even beyond pharmacological treatment. Because the healing effects to the human body, the traditional method of curing the disease is still thriving today.
There are more than 600 species leeches have been identified, but only 15 species are used medically, so they were given their own class. They Hirudo medicinalis classified as drugs or leeches.
Leech therapy has been used and is still used for many diseases of the body. Jual Minyak lintah They are used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory processes. It is suitable for those with vascular (arterial and venous disease), cardiovascular (ischemic disease and hypertension), and lung problems (bronchitis and bronchial asthma). The medicinal leeches may also be helpful in patients with pneumonia. Digestive or gastrointestinal tract can also benefit from leech therapy, especially those suffering from hepatitis, gastric ulcer, and pancreatitis, among others. Similarly, individuals with problems in their genitourinary system and gynecological disorders will also benefit greatly from leech therapy. Skin diseases such as psoriasis, herpes and eczema can also be treated with leech therapy. Another problem known benefits of leech therapy is the eye (for example is glaucoma) and brain (for infantile cerebral palsy).
But how exactly do leeches to treat many diseases?
Anticoagulating effect Leech
Leech saliva contains enzymes and compounds that act as agents of anticoagulation. The most prominent of these agents anticoagulant is hirudin, which binds itself to thrombins, coagulation thus, effectively inhibits blood.
Other compounds which prevent coagulation Calin. This, on the other hand, works as an anticoagulant by prohibiting the von Willebrand factor binds to collagen, and is also an effective inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by collagen.
Saliva of leeches also contains Factor Xa inhibitor that also inhibits the action of coagulation factor Xa.
Effects clot dissolution Leech
Destabilase action is to break down each fibrins that have formed. It also has the effect of thrombolytic, which also can dissolve blood clots that have formed.
Anti-inflammatory effects of Leech
Bdellins are compounds in leech saliva that acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting trypsin and plasmin. It also inhibits the action of the acrosin. Another anti-inflammatory agent is eglins.
Vasodilatory effects Leeches
There are three compounds in the saliva of leeches’ which acts as a vasodilator agent, and they are histamine-like substances, acetylcholine, and carboxypeptidase A inhibitor. All of these acts to widen vessels, thus, causing blood flow to the site.
Bacteriostatic and Impact anesthesia Leech
Leech saliva also contains a narcotic pain-relieving substances on the site and also inhibit bacterial substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Overall Effects on Human Body
After a leech attached to the patient’s skin and begin to suck blood, saliva enters the puncture site and at the same enzymes and compounds that are responsible for all the positive effects. Working together, they act to cure the disease is present in an individual. Because the anticoagulant agent, the blood becomes thinner, allowing it to flow freely through the veins. Anti-clotting agent also dissolves the clot was found on board, eliminating the risk of them travel to other parts of the body and block an artery or vein. The vasodilating agents help dilate the vessel walls to widen them, and this causes blood to flow unimpeded, too.
Patients suffering from pain and inflammation will be relieved from the effects of anti-inflammatory and anesthetic that leech saliva.
In the long term, leech therapy also helps to normalize the blood pressure of hypertensive individuals and reduce their risk of stroke and heart attack. Blood circulation is also enhanced with leech therapy and help with the healing process of wounds and sores and lesions caused by diabetes. There is also a real boost in immune system function as a bacteriostatic agent.
Leech therapy is contraindicated
Leech therapy is contraindicated for patients with HIV and AIDS. It is also not recommended for patients who are on immunosuppressive drugs. Leech therapy puts patients at risk for bacterial sepsis, thus, the worsening of their condition
