“Leeches are taken directly from lakes and placed on the body. But those are not medical leeches. In fact, it is not so easy to distinguish a medical leech from one caught in a lake and used directly on the body. They differ in their taxonomy, structure, and color. The abdominal part of a medical leech has an orange, greenish tint. Leeches used randomly and without control cause serious harm. They can be a source of disease and may carry viruses, because in lakes they suck the blood of many living organisms. When placed on the body, they can transmit infections. This may result in death or severe illness.”

This was stated by Shahvalad Aliyev, PhD in Biology, an employee of the Institute of Geography named after Academician Hasan Aliyev, in a statement to Moderator.az.

He further added:

       “Leech therapy should not be used by people with anemia, pregnant women, or tuberculosis patients. In oncology patients, its use requires special caution. It is best to consult a doctor. It may cause allergic reactions in the body. The body may swell or develop rashes. The condition may worsen. Nowadays, many people have leeches applied at home or in random places. When the situation becomes critical, they are left desperate.”

Shahvalad Aliyev also noted that medical leeches are on the verge of extinction:

     “We do not have a biological factory. They exist in Turkey, Ukraine, Moscow, Leningrad, Georgia, and America, but not here. There is also no specialized clinic. Leeches are caught by poachers and sold to pharmacies. People buy and use them. Special supervision is required to prevent their extinction. Azerbaijan has sufficient potential to breed leeches. Leech breeding can be carried out at the level of an incubator or a biofactory,” he said.

It should be noted that the scope of leech therapy is very broad. It is used effectively as part of complex treatment for kidney diseases, prostate disorders, pancreatic diseases, diabetes, varicose veins, hypertension (high blood pressure), eye diseases, menopause-related conditions, hemorrhoids, psoriasis, liver and stomach problems, circulatory stagnation, angina (cardiovascular diseases), headaches, joint pain, osteochondrosis, migraines, bronchial asthma, and many other diseases.

moderator.az