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HISTORY

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Leech therapy (or Hirudotherapy) is a highly effective, scientifically proven, NATURAL healing method successfully tested by millennia. The word "leech” is a derivation of the Anglo-Saxon laece, meaning "to heal“ or if literally translated as “physician”. The earliest clearly documented record of use of leeches for medical purposes appears in paintings of Egyptian tomb, dated 1500 BC. Later Chinese,  Arabic, Anglo-Saxon, Ancient Greek, Sanskrit, Roman and Persian medical texts  provide frequent records of use of leech therapy. The most famous doctors of those times appreciated and used leeches for treatments. For example, Galen promoted the use of leeches and Avicenna in his world-famous book Canon of Medicine wrote instructions on how to use them.

In Indian mythology Lord Dhanvantari who is God of Ayurveda was often depicted holding leech in one hand and nectar with herbs in another.

Leeches became particularly widespread between 17th and 19th centuries, turning into lucrative commodity due to rigorous use and success among patients. In the 1830s England imported over 6 million leeches a year, France between 40 -70 million and Ireland about 4 million. At the same time Germany shipped about 30 million annually to the US. Hundreds of millions of leeches were used by physicians throughout Europe. Their use was so common that physicians were often called “leeches”.

NHS is using leeches in many hospitals these days mainly for reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries.

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HOW IT WORKS

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The Leech therapy session involves few medicinal leeches being applied to the body's problematic area to extract blood (usually 5-15 ml per leech). During the application process which is virtually painless the leech with its saliva injects into over 100 bioactive components into human body, which are highly beneficial for health. These are but not limited to: Anti-Inflammatory, Pain-killing, anti-spasmodic (vasodilating), BLOOD THINNING (anti-coagulating), antiseptic, nerve cell regenerating enzymes and much more.

 Other leech saliva components clean blood vessels from harmful atherosclerotic deposits and most importantly DISSOLVE BLOOD CLOTS. This in turn prevents thrombosis which is a frequent post-Covid complication.

 

Leech blood-letting enables dissolving and elimination of toxins, ballast substances, stagnant blood and lymph thus the body is cleaned in a natural way. It reduces swelling and oedema due to lymphatic cleanse and improved lymph circulation. Because of the difference in osmotic pressure due to the leech secretions, body fluids start to move from internal organs to the surface of the skin. Thus, when leech bite bleeds it encourages the movement of even previously immobile fluids.

Leech Therapy decreases cholesterol levels, regulates blood pressure, reduces various inflammation processes, has a relaxing and calming effect on patients’ nervous system and helps to feel happier thanks to the release of serotonin (often called "the happiness hormone") which is stimulated during LT treatments.

Leech therapy also substantially increases phagocytosis (the process during which our immune cells attack and destroy microbes, infections, viruses, parasites, fungal infections etc). Therefore, it is boosting our immune system.

Considering all this, it is no wonder that leeches were called “doctors” for hundreds of years.

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NHS

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NHS currently uses Leech therapy to avoid operations as well as in reconstructive or cosmetic surgery. The Guy & St. Thomas Hospital leaflet (2018) states: “Leeches may be used to help improve blood flow in an area of tissue or skin flap that has poor blood circulation. Leeches do this by removing clotted blood (congested blood), which restarts blood flow in the small blood vessels of the flap and helps to prevent the tissues from dying”.

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INDICATIONS

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• HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, hypertension, headaches, migraine

• STRESS / DEPRESSION, Anxiety, Agitation, Panic attacks, INSOMNIA 

• SINUSITIS

• THYROID (hypo-or hyper active, nodules in thyroid)

• CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES, atherosclerosis, heart problems

• Fatty liver, high cholesterol

• POOR BLOOD CIRCULATION

• VARICOSE VEINS, vein thrombosis

• Neurological disorders

• Hair loss & Skin diseases: eczema, psoriasis

• GYNAECOLOGY – PAINFUL PERIODS, fibroids,

• Men sexual health – ED, poor sperm analysis, varicocele, etc

• INFERTILITY & preparation for healthy pregnancy

• INFLAMMATION of any kind

• Swellings, OEDEMA

• JOINT problems – arthritis, knee problems, etc.

• PAIN / Cramps or Spasms, trauma / haematoma 

• Eye diseases (cataract, glaucoma, poor sight, etc)

• DENTAL problems (helps heal faster)

• Post -COVID 19 side effects (increased blood-clotting, etc)

 

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CONTRAINDICATIONS

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  1. Anaemia

  2. Haemophilia

  3. Pregnancy

  4. Very low /high blood pressure

  5. Severe exhaustion

  6. Allergic reaction to insect bites

  7. Any diagnosed blood disorder

  8. Chronic alcoholism

  9. Hepatitis (any variety)

  10. HIV / AIDS

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LEECHES HELP WITH CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS 

WHO states that cardiovascular diseases are the number 1 cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. There are around 7.4 million people living with heart and circulatory disease in the UK today. Leech therapy is an excellent treatment for cardiovascular issue. This is because:

 

1. Leech makes blood thinner which is allowing faster blood Which in turn leads to a better supply of oxygen and nutrients for all cells and organs and systems (enzyme hirudin).

2. Cleans blood by dissolving blood clots and prevents formation of new ones (enzyme destabilasa).

3. Cleans blood vessels by dissolving cholesterol plaques, prevents atherosclerosis development and protects arteries from hardening (enzyme apyrase). This is turn helps to reduce high blood pressure.

4. Smoothes the inner walls of blood vessels which improves blood flow (enzyme hualuronidase).

5. Improves microcirculation by promoting growth of new capillaries (hualuronidase) meaning blood has more routes to reach cells and organs  remove toxins more efficiently.                                                  Therefore, Leech Therapy is excellent for preventing strokes, heart attacks and any other heart related condition as well as supporting recovery when they already in place.

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Some serious conditions like varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cardiovascular, neurological and other major disorders may require multiple courses of treatment (1 course =10 sessions). For example, 2-3 in the first year (depending on severity of the problem), and 1-2 every year after for the maintenance of good health and prevention of strokes or heart attacks.  

If the cost of long-term treatment is challenging you can save money by training in Leech therapy (6 days) so you never have to pay leech therapist again. The programme is very flexible and you can do gaps between lessons and chose days and times that suits you. At the price of 1.5 course of treatments you will get the knowledge and skills to keep for rest of your life, treating yourself and your family always for. Plus, with our Professional Diploma you get a chance to work in the UK as a leech therapist.

Please check our affordable, high quality online programme with practical part available online or in-person.

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