Al Stone, L.Ac.
Beyond Well Being
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicines
Santa Monica, CA.
(310) 264-6668
Dr. Ravioli wrote:
I was wondering if in TCM leeches or drawing blood are or were used in the past as therapy to blood diseases and could not find information. Could anyone help?
I'm not sure that we used leeches as living things placed on the body as in Europe, however the leech is considered a medicinal herb. The leech is killed, dried and processed in ways that are unknown to me, then steeped in a tea with other herbs to treat a specific issue.
In particular leeches are used to stimulate the flow of blood which is likely an aspect of its ability to prevent coagulation thanks to its anti-coagulation saliva. This herb also has the ability to break up stasis which could manifest according to OM as such things as endometriosis and fibrocystic tissue of the uterus.
Drawing blood in small amounts is a common therapy among OM practitioners. We usually use what's called a 'tri-edged' needle (or nowadays a lancet) which allows us to squeeze out a few drops of blood. The indication for this is blood stagnation, usually associated with local trauma. Sprains and strains are common indications.
Another technique involves what we call the Seven Star Needle or "Plum Blossom Needle". This looks like a little plastic hammer with seven small needle heads instead of the flat part of the hammer head. The handle is very flexible and that allows for a quick tapping action. Depending on how hard one performs this tapping, it can cause a little redness on the skin to releasing a small spray of blood droplets. This technique should only be performed in hygienic conditions where breaking the skin will not cause infection and the blood that may come from the patient is not given the opportunity to pass viruses to anybody else in the room.
Another use is to remove heat from an acupuncture meridian in which case we'd prick the end of the meridian on the fingers or toes. It hurts, but its a great quick fix for a viral or bacterial infection in the throat. (Specifically the indications are acute sore throat due to an external heat pathogen, many researchers don't understand OM indications, so keep that in mind. It isn't for all sore throats, just some.)
Be well.
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Al Stone, L.Ac. |