What is the medical significance of the Hirudo medicinalis?

The anticoagulant hirudin, which is extracted from the body tissues of the European medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis), is used to prevent blood clots following surgery; another chemical isolated from Amazonian leeches is used to dissolve existing blood clots.

What is Hirudo therapy?

Hirudotherapy is a treatment using medicinal leeches. Hirudo medicinali, have been used to treat patients for centuries. In the past, leeches have proved to be an effective treatment for a number of conditions including battle wound treatment.

What diseases does Hirudo medicinalis treat?

Medicinal leech therapy (MLT) or hirudotherapy, an old technique, has been studied by many researchers for possible effects on various diseases such as inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, and after different surgeries.

Where is Hirudo Verbana found?

The leeches Hirudo medicinalis and its sister taxon H. verbana are widely distributed in Europe and western Asia.

Can leeches cure acne?

The best results have been in treating heart disease, cholesterol, migraines, phlebitis, varicose veins, arthritis, hemorrhoids and ovarian cysts. And leeches can relieve stress, cure acne, heighten sexual potency and remove wrinkles, he promises.

What is leech therapy for virginity?

But the best of all is this deception: the day before her marriage, let her put a leech cautiously on her labia, taking care lest it slip in by mistake; then blood will flow out here, and a little crust will form in that place.

What is the common name for Hirudo medicinalis?

European medicinal leech
Hirudo medicinalis, the European medicinal leech, is one of several species of leeches used as “medicinal leeches”. Other species of Hirudo sometimes also used as medicinal leeches include H. orientalis, H. troctina, and H….

What is Hirudo in English?

Hirudonoun. a genus of leeches, including the common medicinal leech.

What is a leech good for?

Leeches used for medical purposes are known as ‘Hirudo medicinalis’. They are specially farmed for medical use. In medicine, particularly plastic and reconstructive surgery, leeches may be used to help improve blood flow in an area of tissue or a skin flap that has poor blood circulation.

What do Hirudo medicinalis eat?

blood
Food Habits Hirudo medicinalis is parasitic and the adults feed on the blood of mammals. It attaches to the host by means of its two suckers and bites through the skin of its victim.

Is leech therapy expensive?

The cost might well be worth it—because real leech therapy can cost $350 per day, says Conforti, a mechanical leech would pay for itself in just a few uses.

Do leeches have eyes?

Description. Leeches are segmented worm-like creatures. They are usually flattened dorso-ventrally and have distinct suction disks (suckers) on either end of their bodies. Leeches have simple eyes which detect light and dark, rough shapes and motion.

What is the scientific name of Hirudo medicinalis?

Hirudo medicinalis. Hirudo medicinalis, the European medicinal leech, is one of several species of leeches used as “medicinal leeches”. Other species of Hirudo sometimes also used as medicinal leeches include H. orientalis, H. troctina, and H. verbana.

What is the function of the hidhirudo medicinalis?

Hirudo medicinalis is parasitic and the adults feed on the blood of mammals. It attaches to the host by means of its two suckers and bites through the skin of its victim.

How does the Hirudo medicinalis move?

Hirudo medicinalis moves in water by contraction of the longitudinal muscles of the body in a wave-like motion which propels it forward in the water. Movement on land is accomplished by means of “looping”, a movement similar to that of inch worms. They attach themselves to the substrate alternately by their anterior and posterior suckers.

What is the difference between a leech and Hirudo medicinalis?

The leech is sensitive to light, heat and dessication. It becomes desensitized during feeding and copulation to the point where its posterior end can be cut off and it will continue the same behavior (Grzimek, 1974; Sawyer 1986). Hirudo medicinalis is parasitic and the adults feed on the blood of mammals.