Bhubaneswar, July 6: In a significant boost to Ayurvedic healthcare, Odisha is set to expand the use of leech therapy for treating patients suffering from filariasis and diabetic foot, with laboratory-bred medicinal leeches now being produced for the first time in the state.
To meet the growing demand for leech therapy, the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) at Kausalyaganga has successfully developed a scientific breeding programme for non-venomous medicinal leeches. Unlike wild leeches found in ponds and drains, which may carry harmful pathogens, these laboratory-bred leeches are hygienic and safe for therapeutic use. A dedicated team of scientists has been entrusted with the project, and the bred leeches are transported in sterile containers to the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Bhubaneswar for treatment purposes.
The move comes as Odisha prepares to expand leech therapy across the state. Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling had recently announced the initiative during his visit to the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi.
Leech therapy has already been in use at CARI, Bhubaneswar, for more than a year. The treatment is being administered mainly to patients suffering from filariasis and diabetic foot. During the procedure, medicinal leeches suck out stagnant and impure blood from the affected area, helping reduce swelling, improve blood circulation and accelerate healing.
The availability of medically safe leeches had emerged as one of the biggest challenges in introducing the therapy in Odisha. To address this, CARI and CIFA signed a memorandum of understanding nearly two years ago for the scientific production of medicinal leeches. Although the project was initially expected to take three years, researchers successfully developed hygienic, non-venomous leeches within about one and a half years.
CIFA Director Dr. Pramod Kumar Sahu said breeding medicinal leeches was a challenging task. Scientists first reared juvenile leeches in a controlled laboratory environment before using molecular techniques to analyse their DNA. Only non-venomous species were identified and selected for breeding. In the first phase, around 100 medicinal leeches were produced and supplied to CARI, with additional batches to be raised as demand increases.
He said researchers would now focus on studying the medicinal properties of leeches to understand the biological compounds responsible for their therapeutic benefits.
Meanwhile, patient footfall for leech therapy at CARI continues to rise. Around eight to nine patients undergo the treatment every day, with encouraging clinical outcomes being reported. According to CARI Assistant Director Dr. Sarada Ota, many patients have shown significant improvement following the therapy, strengthening its potential as an effective Ayurvedic treatment for chronic conditions such as filariasis and diabetic foot.
