Definition – It is a Purificatory Procedure in which impure blood is taken out with
the help of Leech. Basically it is a type of Raktamokshanam – 5 types of
Panchkarma mentioned in the texts.
Method – First of all leech should be selected for this procedure. It should be non-poisonous
and variety should be ‘Hirudinaria medicinalis’, should be collected from fresh
water, small in size, blackish green in colour,with two sucker mouth. Before use
we should wash leech with turmeric water for 4-5 days.
Procedure – Patient is asked to lie down on the Droni (procedure table) in the
supine position. One small piece of cotton is put on the pinna of ear on each side.
Eyelids should be gently wiped with cotton dipped in lukewarm water. We should
select the site where we want to apply leech. Then we should rub this site gently
or should be pinned very superficially so that leech can easily catch the site. Then
we can apply the leech over selected site. Leech starts sucking the impure blood
of patient. We should cover body of leech with cotton dipped in cold water and
should pour fresh milk gently over the mouth of leech drop wise.
When it seems that leech has sucked maximum impure blood, leech detaches
itself or we should put some saindhava (a variety of salt) to detach the leech from
that site. Then we should apply some madhu, ghritam and yashtimadhu or lodhra
powder at the site and can bandage loosely for 6 hours.
Leech should be induced vomiting by turmeric powder gently by squeezing it from
leg towards mouth. Then we should keep the leech in fresh water for reuse.
Indications – Allergic conjunctivitis, uveitis, Scleritis, Recurrent Keratitis, Corneal
decompensasion, Eczematous Blepharitis, Inflamed Pterygium, etc…