Side effects and contraindications of leeches

Leeches are what we usually call leeches. They are usually found in water and are common in inland China. The effects and functions of leeches have been recorded in medical papers a long time ago. Due to the high efficacy and functions of leeches, some people now professionally breed leeches. But everything has many sides, and leeches are no exception. Leeches are effective in treating diseases, but they also have some side effects. Below I will introduce to you the side effects of leeches.

1. Leeches are not only non-toxic, but can also be used as medicine to treat diseases. Live leeches can treat diseases such as subacute conjunctivitis. The dried products processed with traditional Chinese medicine are also useful as medicine, and can treat diseases such as bruises and high blood pressure. The hirudin extracted from leeches has anti-cancer, anti-thrombotic and anti-coagulation effects. The key to the toxic side effects of leeches lies in the dosage. The dosage must be moderate and not too much. Excessive intake may cause harm to the human body.

In addition, leeches generally appear in Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions and need to be decocted in water before taking. The decoction containing leeches will have a very pungent smell when boiled in water. People may feel nauseous and vomit immediately after smelling it, so most people are unwilling to take it. Leeches have a strong medicinal effect, so doctors are generally reluctant to use them rashly if they don't have full knowledge of them. This can be considered a small side effect of leeches.

2. Leeches can be used as medicine to treat blood stasis. "Shennong's Herbal Classic" says that blood stasis that has lasted for years can be cleared by taking leeches for one month. It is not difficult to see the lethality of the medicine. However, if the method of use is incorrect, patients without blood stasis who eat leeches may develop many allergic symptoms such as skin itching and rash all over the body. Therefore, you must be cautious when taking leeches. You need to go to a regular hospital and be diagnosed and prescribed by a doctor before taking them.

One thing is that if you have a bad spleen and stomach, or have digestive tract symptoms or digestive tract diseases, eating leeches may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms, and may even aggravate the original symptoms. In addition, because leeches have anticoagulant effects, if the patient has anemia. Ingesting leeches may prolong blood clotting time, resulting in difficult bleeding.