Language
Country/Area
No result found
The Healing Leeches of Ancient Egypt: Why Are These Creatures Still Used Over Thousands of Years?
In ancient Egypt, the healing leech (Hirudo medicinalis) was regarded as a mysterious healing tool, and historical medical use of this creature dates back 3,500 years. Over time, this creature has not only been valued in ancient times, but is now being rediscovered as part of modern medicine. So why do healing leeches still have a place in the medical community today?
Biological characteristics of healing leeches
Healing leeches can be up to 20 centimeters long and have green, brown or green-brown body color, with the back being darker and the belly being lighter. These leech-like animals have two suckers, located at the front and rear ends. The former is responsible for feeding and the latter is used for support. The healing leech's mouth has three jagged jaws that can cut into the host's skin and inject a special anticoagulant to keep the blood flowing.
These leeches can eat up to ten times their body weight in a single feeding and can survive for up to a year without eating.
Living range and ecology
Healing leeches are found throughout nearly all of Europe and into parts of Asia. They prefer to live in muddy fresh pools or overgrown ditches. However, due to overfishing and loss of natural habitat in the 19th century, these leech populations declined significantly and are now listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Historical medical uses
The historical uses of healing leeches are well documented. From ancient Egypt to Greece to medieval Europe, the creatures were widely used in treatments such as "bloodletting." The ancient Greek physician Nicander recorded the use of leeches, and there are similar discussions in ancient Chinese medical texts. In ancient medicine, excess blood was seen as the root cause of various diseases, so leeches were used to balance the blood in the body through bleeding.
One medical historian noted that in the 19th century, some hospitals used as many as 50,000 healing leeches per year for treatment.
Leech therapy in modern medicine
Healing leeches re-entered the medical field in the 1970s, particularly for their use in stimulating blood flow after minimally invasive surgery. Today, leech therapy is used to treat conditions ranging from varicose veins to muscle spasms to arthritis. Independent of the small amount of blood they ingest, healing leeches' therapeutic effects come primarily from the saliva they secrete, which have anesthetic, anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory properties.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified leech therapy as a medical device in 2004, demonstrating its growing importance in the medical community.
Future trends and challenges
While healing leeches are enjoying a resurgence in modern medicine, the balance of capture and protection remains a challenge. These leeches are still at risk of extinction due to issues such as the reduction of their natural habitat and the protection of their breeding grounds. Although the development of some mechanical leech devices has helped reduce dependence on natural leeches, they have not yet been widely used in the market.
The charm of healing leeches stems from their long history and remarkable therapeutic effects. However, how will their survival and medical properties evolve in the future?
