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Leech, Shui Zhi 水蛭
Shui Zhi (TCM); Jonk, Pichchian, Jonkan (Unani)
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563
Materia Medica Animalia, Peter Peyto Good, 1853
Dried Leech as used in TCM.
(Chengdu Medicine Market, Adam, 2009)
(Chengdu Medicine Market, Adam, 2009)
Entomological name:
Hirudo and Whitmania spp.
In TCM, the primary species used are H. nipponica Whitman, W. acranulata, W. pigra. Over 50 different species supply the market in TCM.
H. medicinalis was used in Europe to draw blood
Parts used:
Dried Leech
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral, Salty, Bitter, slightly Toxic
Uses:
1. Clears Stagnant Blood, Reduces Swellings and Masses, Eases Pain:
-Amenorrhea, for immobile Abdominal Masses,
-internal Bruising from trauma, as well as Fractures.
-has also been used as an Abortifacient, and has been used by some for Sterility.
-used for irregular blood cells, toxic conditions of the blood, Tumors and Cancers, especially of the uterus, but also of other blood organs.
-used similarly in the west from 1903 in the form of the extract 'Hirudin'.
2. Promotes Urine:
-Edema, fluid retention
-Chronic Glomerulonephritis
3. Externally to Draw Blood:
-Long used externally to draw blood. It was used for bleeding local areas where there was congestion, pain, swelling, or tumors such as is seen in localised inflammation, hemorrhoids, scrofula, angina, hepatitis etc.
-In TCM, Ayurveda and Europe, Leeches were applied to toxic boils and swellings to draw out the poison.
4. Externally:
-ashes were used in the west as a Depilatory
-Venous congestion; Varicose Veins; Varicose Ulcers; Hemorrhoids.
-Acute heat and inflammation in a local area; skin inflammations including Herpes, Boils.
-Chronic, stabbing and violent Headaches from Heat or excess Blood.
-Suppressed Menstruation (applied to the ankles or lower limbs).
-Arthritic pain with dark colored joints (from blood stagnation).
-Tendonitis; strains and sprains of the Muscles; acute Trauma.
-Swellings; Tumors; Hepatitis; Scrofula
Hirudo and Whitmania spp.
In TCM, the primary species used are H. nipponica Whitman, W. acranulata, W. pigra. Over 50 different species supply the market in TCM.
H. medicinalis was used in Europe to draw blood
Parts used:
Dried Leech
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral, Salty, Bitter, slightly Toxic
Uses:
1. Clears Stagnant Blood, Reduces Swellings and Masses, Eases Pain:
-Amenorrhea, for immobile Abdominal Masses,
-internal Bruising from trauma, as well as Fractures.
-has also been used as an Abortifacient, and has been used by some for Sterility.
-used for irregular blood cells, toxic conditions of the blood, Tumors and Cancers, especially of the uterus, but also of other blood organs.
-used similarly in the west from 1903 in the form of the extract 'Hirudin'.
2. Promotes Urine:
-Edema, fluid retention
-Chronic Glomerulonephritis
3. Externally to Draw Blood:
-Long used externally to draw blood. It was used for bleeding local areas where there was congestion, pain, swelling, or tumors such as is seen in localised inflammation, hemorrhoids, scrofula, angina, hepatitis etc.
-In TCM, Ayurveda and Europe, Leeches were applied to toxic boils and swellings to draw out the poison.
4. Externally:
-ashes were used in the west as a Depilatory
-Venous congestion; Varicose Veins; Varicose Ulcers; Hemorrhoids.
-Acute heat and inflammation in a local area; skin inflammations including Herpes, Boils.
-Chronic, stabbing and violent Headaches from Heat or excess Blood.
-Suppressed Menstruation (applied to the ankles or lower limbs).
-Arthritic pain with dark colored joints (from blood stagnation).
-Tendonitis; strains and sprains of the Muscles; acute Trauma.
-Swellings; Tumors; Hepatitis; Scrofula
DOSE:
3–6 grams in decoction (to 9 grams for Cancer); 300–1500mg in pills or powder (to 3 grams for Cancer)
PREPARATION:
1. They can be heated in ashes or toasted to yellow.
2. Some recommended cutting them very finely then roasting to yellow to ensure no eggs would hatch.
NOTE:
It is a potent anti-coagulant, hirudin being comparable to warfarin. Leech has also demonstrated fibrinolytic, anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity
3–6 grams in decoction (to 9 grams for Cancer); 300–1500mg in pills or powder (to 3 grams for Cancer)
PREPARATION:
1. They can be heated in ashes or toasted to yellow.
2. Some recommended cutting them very finely then roasting to yellow to ensure no eggs would hatch.
NOTE:
It is a potent anti-coagulant, hirudin being comparable to warfarin. Leech has also demonstrated fibrinolytic, anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity
Main Combinations:
1. Pain, bruising and swelling from trauma, Leech 1 part, Rhubarb 2 parts; form pills. (TCM)
2. Immobile abdominal masses, with Turmeric and Dang Gui. (TCM)
3. Cerebral Thrombosis, with Bezoar and Antelope horn (TCM)
4. Skin Cancer, with Rhubarb and Indigo as an ointment (with sesame oil and bees wax) (TCM)
Cautions:
1. Not used during pregnancy
2. Not used concurrently with Blood thinning medicines such as Warfarin.
3. Careful that viable eggs are not swallowed. They can be cut finely and heated until yellow to kill eggs. The fine powder is sieved to ensure no eggs are taken. A tincture is perhaps the best preparation.
Main Preparations used:
1. Not used during pregnancy
2. Not used concurrently with Blood thinning medicines such as Warfarin.
3. Careful that viable eggs are not swallowed. They can be cut finely and heated until yellow to kill eggs. The fine powder is sieved to ensure no eggs are taken. A tincture is perhaps the best preparation.
Main Preparations used: