Leech therapy- a holistic approach of treatment in unani (greeko-arab) medicine
Research article published in Ancient science of life (2011)
Abstract
The Unani System of Medicine also known as Greeko-Arab medicine, founded by Hippocrates is based on the concept of equilibrium and balance of natural body humours (blood, bile, black bile and phlegm). The imbalance in the quality and quantity of these humours leads to diseases whereas restoration of this balance maintains health of a person. The treatment methodology of diseases is based on four therapeutic modalities viz. Regimental therapy, Dieto-therapy, Pharmacotherapy and surgery. Irsale Alaq (Leech or Hirudo therapy) is one of the most important and widely practised methods of regimental therapy used for local evacuation of morbid humours. It is a procedure of treatment with the use of medicinal leeches. It has been suggested and successfully practised by Greeko-Arab physicians in the management of musculoskeletal diseases, gynaecological disorders, chronic skin diseases, thromboembolic diseases, varicose veins, ENT disorders etc since long. According to Unani doctrine, the efficacy of leech therapy is attributed to the analgesic and resolvent activities of leeches. However, from modern perspective, the saliva of leech contains about 100 pharmacologically active biological substances like Hirudin, hyaluronidase, vasodilators, anesthetics, antibacterial, fibrinases, collagenase etc. These substances are injected into human body while sucking of the blood and are responsible for the analgesic, anti inflammatory and anesthetic effects of leech therapy.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
The Unani System of Medicine also known as Greeko-Arab medicine, founded by Hippocrates is based on the concept of equilibrium and balance of natural body humours (blood, bile, black bile and phlegm).
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este artículo describe el papel de la terapia con sanguijuelas (Irsale Alaq) dentro del sistema de medicina Unani (greco-árabe), esbozando la teoría humoral tradicional que subyace a su uso y catalogando las aplicaciones históricas en afecciones musculoesqueléticas, ginecológicas, dermatológicas, vasculares y otorrinolaringológicas. También resume el conocimiento moderno de que la saliva de la sanguijuela contiene compuestos bioactivos —incluidos hirudin, hialuronidasa, vasodilatadores y diversas enzimas— que podrían explicar los efectos analgésicos, antiinflamatorios y anestésicos atribuidos a la práctica. Este panorama es directamente relevante para la hirudoterapia y para el interés de ASH en el secretoma salivar de la sanguijuela, ya que conecta la doctrina Unani clásica con conceptos farmacológicos contemporáneos. Sin embargo, el artículo no presenta datos clínicos ni preclínicos originales, y sus descripciones de las aplicaciones terapéuticas se basan en la práctica tradicional y en un resumen farmacológico general más que en resultados cuantitativos o una investigación sistemática; su valor es principalmente histórico y conceptual.
Citación
Leech therapy- a holistic approach of treatment in unani (greeko-arab) medicine.
Lone A et al. · Ancient science of life, 2011
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: March 18, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026