Leech (Shuizhi)

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; 0.3-0.5 g for baked powder

Cautions & Contraindications: This substance is contraindicated during pregnancy.