The Wonders of Leech Therapy
Apparently Demi Moore was on the Letterman show last night talking about how she had some kind of bloodletting with leeches from her navel as a supposed cleansing therapy. Did she know that leeches carry a bacteria in their gut that can cause infection? Do people in this day and age still think there is any benefit from bloodletting if you do not have a condition like a limb that is being re-attached?
Here’s an interesting site that explains all about leeches and even sells leeches. I found out more than I want to know about the use of these bloodsucking worms. Still, it’s very interesting to learn about all the uses for a creature that is very helpful if you need them, but can be dangerous if you don’t. I can just see people lining up to get fed on by leeches because they heard of some movie star who did the same.
Apparently there are many compounds produced by the lowly leech that may be of use in medicine. The leech produces an anesthetic, a blood thinner, and possible an antibiotic. Scientists have even genetically engineered plants to produce leech compounds. Many people who have suffered dismemberment have been saved by the use of leeches, but as for the benefits of bloodletting in supposedly detoxifying the body, I am skeptical.
