Has Anyone Considered Therapeutic Leeches?

Soo.... I've gone down another rabbit hole and started doing a lot of research on Leech Therapy.  Apparently the old-timers weren't totally out there with using leeches as a healing tool, although it's unlikely they understood exactly why it worked.

Apparently leech saliva has not only anti-coagulant components (for obvious reasons) but also anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects as well.  Who knew?  There's been some research showing that leech therapy every few months helps with arthritis pain.

So I'm considering keeping some leeches (Hirudo Verbana is the variety most commonly used for therapy) and giving it a try.  I have no bleeding issues and figure it can't hurt.

I ,um, I hate everything about this. My irrational fear of parasites is so strong I made my kid write this so I wouldn't have to look at that leech! (HI guys, it's his kid. He did, fr.)

The only reason I would keep leeches in the modern era is to utilize a Tempest prognosticator.

I too would worry about parasites... maybe that is foolish? Can leeches transfer parasites? I don't know if I want to even know how you keep them alive in a home setting unless you are the food. It gives me the willies.

leeches (and maggots) can still be found in modern medicine!
(they are raised in a clean environment, precisely to avoid any sort of parasites or contamination). i used to translate a lot in the area of plastic surgery and would come across them being used every so often in situations where blood circulation needs some help.
This article from NatGeo is pretty interesting, but also chock full of pictures that may be problematic for people who don't like leeches, so reader beware.
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/science-and-technology/2022/12/leeches-are-still-used-in-medicine-yes-really-heres-why

also, i will not put a link here, but if inquiring minds want to know, there is an International Medical Leech Center in Russia (they have a website...). Field trip?

Timothy Norton wrote:The only reason I would keep leeches in the modern era is to utilize a Tempest prognosticator.

I too would worry about parasites... maybe that is foolish? Can leeches transfer parasites? I don't know if I want to even know how you keep them alive in a home setting unless you are the food. It gives me the willies.

You can purchase leeches that have been raised in a clean environment so parasites aren't an issue.  

Yes, you are the food... but if you are using them for therapy, feeding and therapy are one and the same. The larger leeches can go months between feedings. They also live up to 10 years.  Who knew?