Leech therapy - Naturheilzentrum Huettmann

When one mentions the word leech, the reactions are usually the same: slippery, black, blood thirsty, simply disgusting. But, as is so often the case with prejudices: they are not true. Leeches are coloured, elegant swimmers, harmless and not disgusting in the slightest.

And they are helpful, in fact so much so that for centuries humans and animals have used their healing powers. Animals sense instinctively the healing powers of the leech, for example, cattle, water buffalo, sheep and horses with joint problems specifically seek waters in which leeches live, and wait patiently for the little helpers to get their tiny meal and leave behind in gratitude helpful secretions in the body of the patient.

Leeches are very effective and almost free of side effects for many ailments. Possible side effects include mild itching and redness of the skin where they bite. Overall, leeches are a totally acceptable means of healing which have a long-lasting effect.

Since the middle of the 80s the leech has experienced a renaissance in the art of healing. Modern biochemistry has identified a number of active substances and their mechanisms in leech saliva. One of these compounds, hirudin, is an internationally recognized drug that is used in various bleeding disorders.  

Their effects

Science and the pharmaceutical industry have long since recognized what a wonderful cocktail of active ingredients has spawned the evolution of leech saliva, which intervenes in an almost "ingenious" way in the complex clotting cascade of blood to dissolve clots, promote blood circulation and lymph flow and has an anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effect. In this way the leech is a biological chemist with a number of active ingredients that are also found in drugs used in mainstream medicine. The natural compound substances found in the leech, however, are unique.

Identified substances

- Hirudin is one of the substances found in the leech, which is used as a drug in medicine. Hirudin inhibits block coagulation and is, inter alia, used for the treatment of myocardial infarction.
- Calin also inhibits blood coagulation and following the Hirudin it causes blood cleansing for about 8 – 12 hours. It causes the well-known, gentle bloodletting.
- When suction of the leech takes places the "spreading factor", hyaluronidase springs into action: the path for the healing substances is prepared by tissue relaxation. This ingredient is used in medicine as resorption promoting addition to infusion and injection preparations.
- Eglins and bdelline are anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

The leech is a unique animal and a remedy that has been classified by legislation as a finished product for several years, a clear indication of its effectiveness.

What happens during leech therapy?

A treatment session usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Depending on the indication, a single session is sufficient.
At the start of treatment the leech is attached to the appropriate place, it sucks itself to a fixed position and uses its little chalk teeth to penetrate gently the skin.

This process is largely pain-free because of the analgesic substances which the leech exudes. In the further course of treatment the sucking leech releases the active ingredients into the tissue and finally falls off on its own.  

The small bite wound is kept open 8 to 12 hours (by the drug calin) and bleeds slightly.
During this time, the wound must be well covered with absorbent dressing material.

Leech therapy has established itself as a natural remedy centuries ago and now exists as modern treatment with a broad spectrum of activity and good tolerability. The desired therapeutic effect often occurs immediately after the treatment and often lasts for months.  

The Biebertaler Blutegelzucht GmbH

We source our leeches exclusively from the German breeders, e.g. the Biebertaler Blutegelzucht.

Fresh, unused leeches are always used for each patient and each session.

Biebertaler Blutegelzucht GmbH is the first EU-wide pharmaceutical company that fully meets the high requirements for keeping and breeding.

Pharmaceutical company:
Biebertaler Blutegelzucht GmbH
Permission to manufacture ingredients of animal origin, human and veterinary pharmaceuticals in accordance with § 13 para 1 AMG.