Most people may be disgusted by these blood-sucking reptiles. However, the effectiveness of leeches in curing various health problems has in fact been known for hundreds of years ago. Leech therapy has also been popular up to now, as an alternative treatment for diseases, especially diseases related to blood circulation.
Leeches used for treatment were not just any leeches. Only hirudo type leeches are developed in a special environment, which can be used for therapeutic treatment, namely hirudo medicinalis, hirudo orientalis, hirudo troctina, and hirudo verbana. This type of leech has a bite shaped Y-shaped, which will disappear without leaving a scar.
Content in Leech Saliva
What are the benefits of leeches that make it useable as a healing method? Is it true that the benefits of leeches for the human body can be relied upon? The answer, lies in the saliva. Leech saliva contains various substances that are believed to help maintain body health. These substances include:
1. Hirudin
Substances that contain 65 amino acids are commonly used in the operation of small nerves. Its function is to inhibit blood clots and reduce blood flow obstruction.
2. Histamine
The substance histamine or also known as bioamina was first discovered by Dale and Laidlaw in 1910. The function of histamine in leech saliva is to widen blood vessels to channel hirudin, and increase the volume of blood that is sucked in the area.
3. Calin enzyme
This enzyme serves to prevent infection and heal wounds. In the body, many of these enzymes are found in the blood, which function as inhibitors of blood clotting.
4. Carboxypeptidase A Inhibitors
This substance serves to expedite blood flow in the bite area. When leeches suck blood, this substance will help inhibit blood coagulation around the part of the body that is bitten while doing leech therapy.
5. Collagen
Substances that are commonly found in facial beauty products are also found in leech saliva. Its function is to control and treat platelets. If applied to the face, this substance can inhibit premature aging and prevent wrinkles.
Benefits of Leech Therapy for Health
As a treatment method, leech therapy is believed to bring many benefits. Here are a few:
1. Overcoming Hypertension
Leech saliva contains substances that can accelerate and balance blood pressure. As a treatment for hypertension, leech therapy is carried out at several points which can directly work on veins.
2. Treat Diabetes
People with diabetes are always staked out by tissue death, which can lead to amputation. Leech therapy is believed to be able to increase blood flow in the body and make blood circulation more smooth, so the risk of tissue death is reduced.
3. Accelerate wound healing
The substance bdellins found in leech saliva can help overcome inflammation in the body, such as inflammation of the digestive tract, pancreatitis, and hepatitis. The way the leech works in healing wounds or inflammation is by sucking blood, then salivating containing peptide compounds. These compounds function to overcome blood clots and blood circulation.
4. Heal and Maintain Skin Health
The collagen substances contained in leech saliva can be a solution for various skin health problems. Leech therapy is now being done in many beauty clinics, because it is believed to be able to prevent premature aging and wrinkles on the face so that the benefits of leeches for beauty are truly felt.
