Leech facials? Mumbai’s Unani experts unfold the ancient therapy to heal acne and hair fall

Hakeem Kazi has been practicing as a leech therapist in Mumbai for over a decade now. Located next to Mahim Dargah Shareef, his clinic is packed with a flurry of patients seeking treatments for their skin and hair problems. In a conversation with Midday.com, he reveals the latest purchase he made to source a fresh batch of 500 leeches from Thailand.

Tracing the roots of the therapy, he says, "It is an ancient practice originating in the Unani System of Medicine from the Greek region. Dating back to approximately 3000 years ago, Unani medicine terms this therapy as Irsaal-e-Alaq. The basic concept of this therapy is based on the equilibrium of naturally occurring body humours which include blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile."

Not only Unani, but this age-old therapy has found mentions in traditional Sanskrit texts for medicinal purposes. Carried under the guidance of a Unani doctor, the therapy is known to heal diverse skin and hair problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, and hair fall. Midday.com spoke to Unani physicians, Hakeem Kazi and Dr. Mushir Ansari to unravel the therapeutic mysteries induced by leeches.

How exactly does leech therapy work?

Leech therapy is a Unani process of bloodletting. It essentially refers to the evacuation of impure blood to heal the body with the help of medicinal leeches. Where, when, and how a leech bites and sucks comprise the decisive junctures of this process. A leech possesses three jaws and is endowed with 50-60 denticles which are very minute in size. Its agile body squirms and forms a strong grip in an attempt to latch onto the skin.

When a leech bites into the skin, the denticles move in tandem to open up the skin of the infected area. Dr. Ansari explains that when the skin opens up, the leech secrets saliva which contains proteins and peptides that enter the bloodstream. This leads to the thinning of blood which improves blood circulation and releasing of pressure from the heart and blood vessels. On the exterior, the leech swells in size and stops sucking the blood. It is then removed carefully and the wound is sealed.

After the procedure is over, the saliva remains active for the next 48 hours. It works as an anesthetic, analgesic, and, antiseptic. It continues to work as an anticoagulant thereby thinning the blood for smooth flow. Post therapy, the leech leaves behind small Y-shaped scars which have been reported to heal within a week. Dr. Ansari, who has been practicing this therapy for the past 12 years, recommends leech therapy for those who wish to avoid chemical treatments.

Treatments for health ailments

Acne, Eczema, and Psoriasis

Looking at the images of leeches on the face is enough to get one squeamish. It has been referred to as the ‘world's most disgusting facial'. However, many patients suffering from severe acne and pimples seek leech therapy in a bid to attain good skin. Leeches have been deployed as active ingredients in facials owing to their magical properties of sucking dirty blood from the skin.

Soft yet stern, leeches jab their sharp denticles into the affected area on the face. Kazi recommends that patients must remain calm while the procedure is carried out. The leeches get to work and devotedly suck the bacteria out, making the skin smoother and free from blemishes. The treatment is completely natural and takes about an hour.

Eczema is a skin condition marked by dry and irritable, white-coloured patches on the skin. Anyone suffering from Ezcema undergoes a psychological, social, and financial drain owing to the severity of this condition. It dampens the skin's natural barrier leading to moisture loss and increased vulnerability to outside elements.

When leeches are introduced to the affected regions, they reduce the symptoms of Eczema like itching, oozing, and inflammation. A recent case study by the National Institute of Health, U.S., found that the quality of a patient's life also improved significantly after leech therapy. Similarly, for psoriasis, Hirudotherapy or leech suction shows excellent results in relieving the patients of this skin ailment.

Non-healing ulcers from diabetes

Kazi shares that the vascular capabilities of leeches in their interaction with humans are the most effective for blood thinning. Often diabetic patients who depend on Insulin shots, develop non-healing ulcers. This illness is caused by the halt of blood flow in certain body parts like toes, fingers, hands, and feet. The tissue in these regions gets damaged due to vascular irregularities caused by diabetes. If not treated timely, the damage becomes permanent and leads to the amputation of certain body parts.

In order to prevent permanent damage, increased blood circulation is required in these regions. This is achieved by Hirudin, an essential secretion released in the leech salivary glands. Hirudin acts as a suppressor of blood clotting and improves blood circulation in the region. The leech is dropped onto the non-healing wound, where it secretes Hirudin into the body, thereby thinning the blood and saving the part from further damage.

Alopecia or baldness

Alopecia refers to an autoimmune disease that attacks hair follicles leading to hair loss. Kazi shares that he has been experiencing a wide influx of patients suffering from hair fall. A person suffering from this condition experiences clumpy hair fall, leaving irregular round patches of bald spots or hair fall in men's beards. The condition is marked with inflammation and can inflict both, men and women. Medicinal science has found no cure for this condition, however, there are treatments that aid hair growth.

Leech therapy has proved to be effective in reversing this condition. When leech is applied to thinning or balding patches, they facilitate the delivery of essential nutrients that assist in strengthening the hair follicles. Improved blood circulation has been found to reverse balding and promote hair growth as well.

Other conditions to be treated

The wondrous effects of leech therapy extend beyond skin ailments and diabetes. "Almost all diseases can be healed with the help of these blood-sucking creatures", says Kazi. Dr. Ansari reveals numerous ailments that can be treated by leeches: Migraine, paralysis, blood pressure issues, pain management in joints and muscles, dental problems, gastric issues, cholesterol, and arthritis.

How safe is leech therapy?

Naturally occurring leeches found in marshy lands, ponds, and rivers contain significant amounts of poison. Such leeches are not fit for this therapy. Effective leech therapy involves the usage of non-venomous leeches which are cultivated in an artificial environment like ponds. Kazi informs us about the several breeding centers that have sprouted up in Delhi where the leeches are bred in a safe and controlled setting. Post-breeding, leeches undergo rigorous quality checks where, if traces of poison are detected, the leeches get discarded.

Side effects of leech therapy

If the practitioner adheres to guidelines and follows Unani principles, the chances of side effects are next to none. However, certain cases have witnessed the pitfalls of leech therapy. Dr Ansari sheds light on a few of them:

1 Areas bit by a leech may experience itching if not cleaned properly.
2 Loss of blood flow in patients undergoing blood thinning medication.
3 Inflammation with chances of bacterial infection.
4 Prolonged bleeding in select patients.

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