The efficacy and function of wild leeches

Wild leeches are a very common type of traditional Chinese medicine and are also a frequently used medicine. It has unique effects and functions in treating many diseases. Here we will tell you in detail about the effects of some traditional Chinese medicine wild leeches.

[Other names] Mountain leech, hairy radish

[Source] The whole herb of the Boraginaceae plant. Harvest in spring and summer when the flowers bloom and dry in the sun.

[Original morphology] Annual or biennial herb, 25 to 70 cm tall, with prickles all over. The stem is erect, with many branches in the upper part, or branching from the base, and has longitudinal ridges. The leaves are alternate, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 1.5-6 cm long, 5-10 mm wide, obtuse or pointed at the apex, narrow at the base, nearly entire, covered with prostrate bristles on both sides, the upper leaves are sessile, and the lower leaves are petiolate. Flowers are solitary in the leaf axils of branch tips, or in racemes with many bracts. Flowers are petiolate, usually drooping, and densely covered with coarse hairs; calyx is deeply lobed into 5 parts, the lobes are linear-lanceolate, and densely covered with coarse hairs on the outside; corolla is blue, with a very short tube, 5 lobes at the apex, the lobes are oval, and there are 5 scales at the throat of the corolla tube; 5 stamens, alternate with the petal lobes, anthers are ovate; 1 pistil, ovary superior, 4-lobed, style short, and stigma capitate. Nutlets 4, ovate-elliptical, about 0.2 cm long, about 0.1 cm wide, with oval scar on ventral surface, smooth and with edges, arranged in longitudinal rows. Flowering period: spring and summer.

[Habitat distribution] It grows wild on roadsides, hillsides, and in wasteland grass. Distributed throughout northern and eastern my country.

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind, detoxify and kill insects.

[Additional prescription] ① Treat swelling all over the body: 3 qian of wild leeches, 2 qian of rhubarb, and 2 qian of buckwheat lotus. Decoction in water, take a small amount orally, and use the rest of the juice to wash the whole body.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From "Hunan Pharmacopoeia"

The above is an introduction to the effects of wild leeches. When using it, you can do so according to the needs mentioned above. Wild leeches are also very helpful in treating certain diseases.