By Amar Raj Naharki, Tanahun, Dec. 31: Shankar Kaini of Polyang, Byas Municipality-11 in Tanahun district, heals infected wounds using leech therapy.

"The leech therapy includes healing the infected wound by making the leeches suck the contaminated blood and pus," said Kaini, adding "Specially in the summer season, the wounds tend to get infected, through the leech therapy, the wounds easily get healed."

Leeches, which are blood-sucking parasites, are easily available in villages in summer, specially during the monsoon. In the villages, a myth exists that leeches cannot be killed by cutting them into halves, they get duplicated instead. Due to this very myth, people tend to kill the leeches by burning them.

However, in the recent times, the bloodsucking parasite is being used as a mode of alternative treatment in Tanahun District Ayurvedic Health Center. Dr. Ram Prabodh Mandal, chief of the center said that he had been using leech therapy for the treatment of various kinds of diseases including uric acid, hair-fall problems, and acne, among others.  

"Leech therapy has come in handy in the treatment of piles as well. Called 'Jalaukawacharan Karma' in Sanskrit, I have treated two uric acid patients using this therapy," added Dr. Mandal.

He added that two types of non venomous leeches, one which creates wound after sucking and the other one which does not, were used in the therapy. "Leeches available in the area where Lotuses are found are beneficial for the treatment," Dr. Mandal said.

An enzyme named Hirudin is found in the saliva excreted by leeches which suck the infected blood and pus of human body.

Omkar Acharya, Chairman of Federation of Nepali Journalists, Tanahun, who had been frustrated with the problem of itching fingers, has recently opted for leech therapy.

"It has been a week that I am following the leech therapy and I have already felt the changes. I believe that I will overcome my problem of chronic finger itching soon," said Acharya.

Dr. Mandal said that he had brought five leeches at a cost of Rs. 3,000 each from Madras of India. The therapy is widely practiced in foreign countries. "The chances of disease turning out to be more chronic are lesser in this therapy. Thus, production and business of leeches are done in millions and billions in the European countries," he said.  

Dr. Mandal added, "The therapy can be used in treatment of many diseases like eczema, psoriasis, alopecia, herpes, varicose venis, diabetes bond, hypertension thrombosis, cellulitis, sciatica, inflammatory reaction, blood purification and so forth."

There are more than a hundred elements in leeches' saliva, which works wonders in purifying and thinning the blood, which thereby removes the clotted blood and eases blood circulation, he said.