Leech (Shuizhi)
Whitmania pigra (Whitman)
Pharmaceutical Name: Hirudo seu
whitmaniae.
Zoological Name: 1. Whitmania pigra (Whitman); 2. Hirudo
nipponica Whitman; 3. Whitmania
acranulata (Whitman)
Common Name: Leech.
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong
Bencao Jing.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations: The leeches are caught from May to June or in autumn. They
are killed and dried in the sun, and then pounded into powder or carbonized.
Properties & Taste: Salty, bitter,
neutral and slightly toxic.
Meridian: Liver
Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and
remove stagnation; 2. To promote menstruation.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Amenorrhea or abdominal and epigastric
masses caused by blood stagnation. Leech (Shuizhi) is used with Peach seed
(Taoren), Burreed tuber (Sanleng) and Chinese angelica root (Danggui).
2. Chest pain, abdominal pain and
constipation caused by blood stagnation due to external injury. Leech
(Shuizhi) is used with Pharbitis seed (Qianniuzi) and Rhubarb (Dahuang) in the
formula Duoming Dan.
Dosage: 3–6 g, decocted in water for an
oral dose; or 1–1,5g, used in powder form.
Cautions & Contraindications: It is
slightly toxic and contraindicated during pregnancy.
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