This product is the whole body of the leech family annelid Whitmania pigra (Whitmania pigra Whitman), Hirudo nipponica (Hirudo nipponica Whitman), or W. acranulata (W. acranulata Whitman). It is found in most regions of the country. Captured in summer and autumn, it is scalded to death with boiling water, cut into sections, and dried in the sun or at low temperature for raw use. Alternatively, it is scalded with Talc powder before use.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Salty and bitter, neutral. slightly toxic. act on liver channel.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Breaking and expelling blood stasis to eliminate masses.

bubble_chart Indications

Used for abdominal mass, blood stasis, amenorrhea, and traumatic injuries. This product, with its salty and bitter properties, enters the blood aspect and excels at breaking and expelling blood stasis, with strong and potent effects. For treating abdominal mass and amenorrhea, it is often combined with Sparganium Rhizome, Peach Kernel, Carthamus, etc. For those with weak constitution, it is combined with Ginseng, Chinese Angelica, and other tonifying and replenishing qi and blood herbs to prevent damage to the body, as in the Wenbing Tiaobian Huazheng Huisheng Dan. For treating traumatic injuries, it is combined with Sappan Wood, pyrite, etc., as in the Puji Fang Jiegu Huolong Dan.

In modern clinical practice, it is used to treat thrombocytosis, with short-term decoction showing certain efficacy; for treating cerebral hemorrhage and intracranial hematoma, it has good efficacy, especially for external capsule hemorrhage. Additionally, it can treat post-replantation surgery swelling; coronary heart disease with colicky pain, acute stage of lung heart disease, and hyperlipidemia, all with certain efficacy.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "Promotes the expulsion of stagnant blood, static blood, amenorrhea, breaking blood stasis, abdominal mass... Benefits water passage."
2. Bielu: "Early abortion."
3. Bencao Yanyi: "Treats injuries and fractures."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoction: 1.5-3g; for powder, take 0.3-0.5g. It is advisable to use in pills, powders, or as a decoction. Alternatively, apply fresh specimens to the bruised area to absorb blood and reduce swelling.

Pregnant women should avoid taking it.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Fresh leech glands contain hirudin, which is easily destroyed by excessive heat and dilute hydrochloric acid. They also contain heparin, antithrombin, proteins, and other substances. Hirudin can inhibit the action of thrombin on fibrinogen, thereby preventing blood coagulation. 20mg of hirudin can prevent the coagulation of 100g of blood. It has a preventive effect on thrombosis in rats caused by bacterial endotoxins and can reduce the mortality rate in rats. The heparin contained within also has anticoagulant properties.