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health advisory Hospital Alternative Medicine 2007-11-16 3:13:45

Lastly, the leech saliva contains a peptide called hirudin, which is a highly effective anticoagulant. The leech needs this to prevent blood clots (which would block its feeding) from forming in the wound created by its mouthparts. These properties are difficult to achieve using other medical techniques, and it is for this reason that leeches have come back into clinical practice in the last 25 years.

Because of the miniscule amounts of hirudin present in leeches, it is impractical to harvest the substance for widespread medical use. Hirudin (and related substances) are synthesised using recombinant techniques.

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they thought leaches sucked toxins out of the sick person

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Back in the day? Leaches are still used in the "Conventional Medicine" field today.

When someone has a body part reattached (like a finger), the most effective way to get the blood flowing again is by applying leaches around the wound area. They help stimulate blood flow and also secrete a gentle chemical that prevents the blood from clotting. This has been show to improve the rate of wound healing and success of the reattachment. There is no drug that can mimic the results of leaches in this situation so leach therapy is still alive and well.

P.S. Blood letting is still used in conventional medicine too.

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Leeches are still used. They are helpsul after surgery to reconnect a finger or hand.

After surgery the veins do not work well at first; and leeches are used to keep the blook from pooling in the injured area and damaging the hand or finger.

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