Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Lokman Hekim Tıp Tarihi ve Folklorik Tıp Dergisi

Öz

Hirudotherapy which means the use of leech therapy dates as far back as 2500 years ago when they were used for
bloodletting in ancient Egypt. During the Roman Era, Galen (129-199 AD) used leeches because he believed that
bloodletting would rid the unbalance of the four humours (blood, phlegmon, black and yellow bile) in the human body.
Leech treatments were very popular during the Middle Ages as applied by Avicenna. In his book ‘”Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tibb
(the Canon of Medicine)”, Avicenna (978-1037 AD) gave detailed knowledge about leech therapy and instructions on
leeching.
Hirudotherapy was commonly practiced in the 1800’s by American physicians treating a variety of diseases. The
medicinal leech has been used by plastic surgeons in recent years. They use leeches to relieve venous congestion,
especially in transplant surgery.
The leech produces a number of substances especially hirudin, calin, hylarunidase, histamine like vasodilators during
biting. These substances are responsible for inhibiting blood coagulation, analgesic effect, dilating effect on muscles and
regulation on immune system.
The aim of this study was to explore the history and therapeutic applications of leeches therapy from ancient times to
present.