Reconsideration of Leeches—September 25, 1996

Reconsideration of Leeches—September 25, 1996

Leeches are a divine remedy for removing blood stasis; when used raw, their effects are powerful and comprehensive. Any condition involving blood stasis can be treated with leeches, including hemangiomas, gynecological tumors, coronary heart disease, hypertension, emphysema, and cor pulmonale. Anyone showing signs of purple discoloration or blood stasis can be treated with leeches. Comrade Fang Xinsheng from the Workers' Hospital of Zhuzhou Smelting Plant in Hunan Province used leeches to treat chronic renal insufficiency, achieving satisfactory results and formulating Leeches Benefit Kidney Soup.

Prescription: Huang Qi 50g, Goji Berries 30g, Mulberry 15g, Yam 10g, Da Huang 10g, Fu Pian 10g, Motherwort 30g, Dan Shen 30g, Jin Yin Hua 15g, Bai Hua She She Cao 15g, Che Qian Zi 30g, Leeches 30g (to be taken by brewing). Decoct in water, one dose per day, divided into three servings; leeches are also taken in three separate brews.

Although this formula is called "Kidney Benefit Soup," it does not contain the blood circulation-promoting and blood stasis-resolving herbs found in the Shanxi Taiyuan Kidney Benefit Soup.