Clinical importance of leech therapy

443-445The Unani System of Medicine is based on the concept of balancing body humours. The majority of the diseases are caused by the endogenous factors by excessive accumulation of foodstuff, blood and superfluous or morbid humours, the metabolic products. Consequently to the concept of congestion or over filling the 6 evacuating methods blood letting, purging, vomiting, sweating, diuresis and cauterization are described. Blood letting in the form of venesection, leech therapy and cupping with scarification is an essential part of regimental therapy. Leech therapy, one of the most important and widely practiced methods known from the time of extreme antiquity is still alive. This fact testifies to its efficiency in various health problems. The paper deals with the method, indications and contra-indications of the leech therapy