Leech extract: used against puffiness under the eyes. Piyavit - extract of leeches in capsules Na inci aqueous extract of medicinal leeches

The medicinal properties of leeches have been known to people since antiquity. Throughout the history of mankind, these annelids have been directly associated with medicine - healers used them for bloodletting and noted a positive therapeutic effect on the sick body. However, no one guessed how, besides bleeding, a leech helps a sick body.

To date, it is reliably known that during treatment with leeches, substances that have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect enter the bloodstream, and capillary bleeding effectively eliminates venous congestion and significantly improves blood supply to a certain area of ​​the body.

The drug "Piyavit"

"Piyavit" is a drug based on an extract from leeches, developed by Russian specialists in 1994. So far, no analogues have appeared in the world that would have similar mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects. Nature itself has selected and perfectly balanced valuable biologically active substances in proportions that have a complex effect on the body.

The use of "Piyavit"

"Piyavit" is an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent for varicose veins, thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. There are many drugs that can dissolve blood clots, but "Piyavit" not only eliminates blood clots, but also prevents the formation of new blood clots, while improving blood circulation throughout the body.

In case of hypertension, the drug from the extract of a medicinal leech significantly reduces pressure and reduces the risk of a hypertensive crisis.

At diabetes"Piyavit" has a noticeable preventive effect - it allows you to halve the intake of insulin and other drugs that lower sugar levels, and also reduces swelling lower extremities.

Healing effects

"Piyavit" has a number of therapeutic effects that help fight various diseases:

• antihemostatic effect;
• antithrombin effect;
• protective antithrombotic effect;
• antiatherosclerotic effect;
• thrombolytic effect;
• analgesic effect;
• anti-inflammatory effect, etc.

Indications for use:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• joint diseases;
• neuralgia;
• urology;
• gynecology;
• diabetes mellitus (allows you to reduce the therapeutic dose by 2 times)
• varicose disease;
• varicose ulcers;
• thrombophlebitis;
• thrombosis of varicose veins;
• lymphangitis;
• postphlebitis syndrome.

Contraindications

"Piyavit" is contraindicated in:

• hemophilia, anemia, hemorrhagic diathesis;
• simultaneous treatment with anticoagulants;
• hypotension, fainting, shock, collapse;
• cachexia;
• individual intolerance.

Compound

The composition of "Piavit" includes a secret salivary glands medical leeches, which determines the biological activity of the drug.

Release form:

30 capsules with freeze-dried medicinal leeches powder.

Manufacturer

LLC NVF "Girudin"

Piyavit is allowed to medical use Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of the Russian Federation, registration number R N000363/02/-2001. Issued a certificate of conformity for Piyavit in capsules No. ROSS RU.FM01.N94082

Hirudotherapy has a rather long history. Bloodletting for about two millennia was considered the most effective method treatment of many ailments, among which the central place was occupied by diseases caused by cardiac and vascular pathology. By releasing a certain amount of blood from the patient, it was possible to stop the attack and thus help the person. However, a puncture or incision of a vein in those distant times was a real surgical operation, which could only be performed by a qualified specialist. The use of leeches turned out to be simpler and sufficient accessible way treatment of diseases (and not only cardiac) by extracting "unnecessary" or "bad", as it was considered in the Middle Ages, blood.

Dislike for the “exotic”, which some people think of as a leech, makes many patients completely reject hirudotherapy, although others, on the contrary, love it very much.

A bit of history

Calling a leech a real living pharmacy, many scientists and doctors thereby recognize its unique healing properties. The reputation of this scary-looking worm-like animal has been formed over many centuries. Scientists who thoroughly study the path of the leech as a remedy claim that the use of a “live needle” or “live syringe” for bloodletting, as the leech was later called, began in ancient India and is one of the directions of Ayurveda.

staging of leeches, engraving, 19th century

The leech was used by the "father of medicine" Hippocrates, the Roman physician Galen, it was used by the great scientist Avicenna (Ibn Sina), the best healers of antiquity treated all diseases with her saliva and, thus, she imperceptibly, but safely reached the Renaissance. The widest distribution of hirudotherapy falls on the 17-18th century, a leech was placed for, tuberculosis, gonorrhea,. In general, under different and very distant from each other pathological conditions.

By the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, ideas about many things begin to change and the leech is forgotten for a while. In Russia, the famous doctor M. Ya. Mudrov was actively involved in the introduction of hirudotherapy into medical practice.

In the middle of the 19th century, the leech gradually fades into the background and begins to be considered a bygone stage in medicine, although bloodletting is still the leader among other therapeutic measures, but is already used for slightly different purposes and by other methods. Meanwhile, the well-known surgeon N. I. Pirogov, having his own convictions in this regard, continued to use these worms to stop bleeding, with fractures, tumors and other surgical diseases. Especially, the leech turned out to be useful during the Crimean War, a participant of which (and the chief surgeon of Sevastopol) was N. I. Pirogov.

However, oblivion did not last long and at the end of the 19th century, the study of this animal was seriously taken up. A substance that prevents blood clotting (anticoagulant) was isolated from the leech extract, and an enzyme (hirudin) was obtained from its saliva, due to which the leech has a therapeutic effect. This was in 1884. This is how the medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis) appeared, which differs in its properties from different types worm-like animals living in water bodies. At the same time, the production of pharmaceuticals based on hirudin.

Until the 70s of the last century, in outpatient clinics and FAPs one could see jars with swarming black-brown worms, although they were placed less often. Hirudotherapy remained a priority in rural areas, where advanced technologies for those times did not reach, or, conversely, in large scientific centers where eminent scientists worked who did not change their views on hirudotherapy (therapist G.A. Zakharyin, ophthalmologist V.P. Filatov). The scientific development of bdellotherapy really began in the second half of the 20th century.

The return of the medicinal leech

The new birth of hirudotherapy falls on difficult times for Russia and the former republics of the USSR - the “dashing 90s”. The industry, including the pharmaceutical industry, is in decline, but it needs to be treated. Here we are remembered folk remedies and non-traditional therapies. To give new life hirudotherapy, especially active and knowledgeable people in this regard began to create special "farms" for growing unique animals. Over time, these small “farms” have grown into large certified biofactories supplying entire regions with live anticoagulants, which now makes it possible to buy a leech in a pharmacy for people who are well versed in this method treatment and able to handle a medical bloodsucker.

Meanwhile, the rapid development of hirudotherapy in the 90s of the last century is explained not only by the fall of the economy and the emergence on this soil of various farms of all stripes. By that time, considerable experience had also been accumulated in medicine. The influence of many synthetically obtained medicines on the human body during their long-term use. It turned out that:

• A very common anticoagulant heparin sometimes gives complications in the form of necrosis of the subcutaneous fat;
• Antibiotics lead to the development of candidiasis;
• Hormonal drugs have a lot of contraindications, among which is indicated.

In a word, various drugs obtained by chemical means give their side effects: allergic reactions, disruption of the vital functions of individual organs and entire systems, sometimes very severe, so scientists are increasingly leaning towards non-traditional methods of treatment (where possible), one of which (and the best) is recognized as hirudotherapy.

Hirudotherapy is currently used quite widely, because leeches have again gained the right to participate in the healing process on an equal basis with traditional methods of treatment.

Properties of the saliva in which it is found a large number of biologically active substances(BAS), can be used alone or supplement other activities, primarily, as for the treatment of cardiovascular vascular pathology.

In the secret of the salivary glands of leeches, except hirudina, which has an anticoagulant effect, contains a very important enzyme - hyaluronidase, dissolving hyaluronic acid, which, in turn, accumulates around the focus of inflammation, protecting it. After the process subsides, hyaluronic acid "cements" the connective tissue, creating partitions that impede lymph and blood circulation, as well as reducing the functional abilities of tissues and organs. Hyaluronidase loosens these bridges, freeing the way for the movement of blood and lymph, which improves tissue nutrition and restores the function of organs, therefore, it can be used to influence adhesive processes. Taking into account the property of hyaluronidase, gynecologists often, using hirudotherapy, achieve positive results in the treatment of infertility caused by adhesions formed in the fallopian tubes.

In addition to hirudin and hyaluronidase, the secretion of the salivary glands includes other compounds of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, which have high biological activity ( histamine-like substance, prostaglandins, prostacyclins, platelet adhesion inhibitor, platelet activating factor inhibitor ... and many more different biologically active substances). It should be noted that not all components of the secret secreted by the leech have been discovered and studied, that is, scientists have a large field of activity left for scientific research in studying the properties of this small predator.

The secret is in her secret

The medicinal leech is well oriented on the human skin, she herself is able to find the zones responsible for the functions of certain organs, however, true professionals involved in natural therapy do not allow her such "liberties". Her behavior is regulated by a specialist who knows the location of active points- he himself seats the worm directly on the place of "work". The leech, having stuck to the designated point, takes some blood (approximately 10 ml, but especially gluttonous ones can suck out 15 ml) and at the same time introduces biologically active substances (BAS) contained in its saliva into the wound, which act both on the spot and with are carried by the blood stream to the organs in need of help.

It should be noted that biologically active substances act not only in the affected areas, they affect the body as a whole:

1. Accelerate the movement of blood through the blood vessels and lymph through the lymphatic;
2. Reduce (hirudin increases blood flow);
3. slow down;
4. Prevent the formation and help dissolve existing clots;
5. Improves microcirculation;
6. Promote blood oxygen saturation;
7. Normalize metabolic processes;
8. Improve tissue nutrition;
9. Have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect;
10. Stop spasm of cerebral, coronary and other vessels;
11. Reduce;
12. Contribute to the disappearance, resorption of infiltrates;
13. They increase the body's resistance to adverse factors, including infectious ones, improve appetite and sleep.

It is obvious that the action of the secret secreted by the leech on the body is multifaceted and varied. We will return to the diseases that these predators treat, and to contraindications, but it should be noted that, putting on the scales the benefits and harms of treatment with leeches, the benefits will undoubtedly outweigh. The wound made by this animal never suppurates even when attacked by a wild species of leeches when swimming in a dirty pond (bactericidal action of the secret), in addition, the water in which the animals are kept begins to acquire bacteriostatic properties.

However, before proceeding to a detailed description of all the advantages of this type annelids, should do important note. Although cases of infection with viral hepatitis and HIV during hirudotherapy, as if, were not recorded, but in order to prevent trouble and mental anguish of the patient (what if I can get infected with something?) the animal must be destroyed after use. This means that each patient is treated with his own leeches, they, like syringes, are better not to borrow from a neighbor after he has already been injected. And one more thing (it worries many) why leeches should be different for each patient: I don’t even want to think that the individual used to fight hemorrhoids will be reused to treat stomatitis. The patient must be sure that the predator is tasting human blood for the first time. and that blood is his own.

Where to look for leeches?

leech farm

There is no certainty that we managed to convince the reader to be treated only by a naturotherapist (hirudotherapist) and, for sure, there will be people who study hirudotherapy on their own, ready to solve problems on their own at home - you just need to find medicinal leeches. As mentioned above, medicinal animals are “produced” at special biofactories, which must comply with all the rules for growing and keeping high-quality worms of this genus, which must be confirmed by a certificate. Manufacturers offer their "product" wholesale and retail medical institutions, pharmacies, individuals.

When choosing a tool for hirudotherapy at home, you should be careful. Small-sized specimens offered at low prices (50 rubles or less) may have been swimming in a nearby pond yesterday. These are wild leeches - they will not give a therapeutic effect, and the money will be spent.

If you really want to, then you can buy leeches in a pharmacy, however, not all pharmaceutical institutions sell them. You will have to “get on the phone” or get information on the Internet (there is plenty of it). The main thing for the reader to know is that he is buying a high-quality medicinal leech that has medicinal properties.

The benefits and harms of leeches and hirudotherapy

Advantages of a predator

And now, as promised, we will put on the scales the benefits and harms of treatment with leeches and try to give more detailed information about what diseases these little predators treat.

Annelids represented by this species (medical leech) solve many problems in the treatment of various pathological conditions. In its favor, you can give a list of actions that it provides by sticking to human skin:

Based on this, let's try to enumerate scopes of medical leeches, the main task of which is to treat vascular pathology:

1. (the name of the disease more familiar to patients is hypertension), leeches are especially effective for hypertensive crisis, they well reduce blood pressure and quickly "put things in order" in the circulatory system;
2. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI), vertebral artery syndrome;
3. Cardialgia of various origins;
4. Conditions after myocardial infarction;
5. brain and coronary vessels;
6. against the background of varicose veins and chronic thrombophlebitis;
7. Conditions after a heart transplant, however, in Russia in such cases the leech is not used, but in some countries of Western Europe (England) it is one of the mandatory procedures;
8. , cracks anus, .

Hirudotherapy is also used for diseases:

• Gastrointestinal tract - chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, stomach and duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis, but here I would like to make a small digression: many people naively believe that bdellotherapy can cure viral hepatitis (B, C, etc.). Unfortunately, this is not the case, so you should not place too high hopes on it;
• Bronchopulmonary system (bronchitis, bronchial asthma);
• Kidney (glomerulonephritis, chronic kidney failure post-traumatic complications).

Small black-brown worm-like predators that prefer an aquatic habitat are even used in such areas of medicine as:

1. Traumatology(bone fractures, chronic osteomyelitis, bruises, hematomas, bruises);
2. Mammology(lactostasis, acute mastitis);
3. Dermatology(furunculosis and other pustular diseases of the skin and subcutaneous fat)
4. Otorhinolaryngology (vasomotor rhinitis, sinusitis, chronic otitis media, Meniere's disease, stopping nosebleeds);
5. Ophthalmology(macular edema), supporters of the use of hirudotherapy for the treatment of eye diseases argue that the leech can help not only cure, but also diagnose some diseases, replacing expensive imported FAG equipment (fluorescein angiography);
6. Neurology(osteochondrosis, neuralgia of various kinds, including the trigeminal nerve).

Leeches are used to fight disease reproductive system person. Hirudotherapists believe that the participation of leeches will be useful in cases of:

It may seem incredible, but the use of hirudotherapy in dentistry also takes place. However, the information is still fragmentary, the authors of the methods have experimented on themselves and claim that with the help of these animals it is possible to treat inflammatory diseases oral cavity caused by pathogenic microorganisms, bleeding gums, caries and other pathological conditions.

The leech also helps cosmetologists, it contributes to the rejuvenation and healing of the skin, the disappearance acne and other defects caused by inflammatory processes. The use of leeches in cosmetology has led to the creation of new cosmetics intended for skin care (Hyrudocosmetics of the Biocon series). We do not undertake to judge the effectiveness of the cream and other products based on leech extract (more precisely, the extract of the salivary glands of this animal), containing up to 80 types of biologically active substances (enzymes), which have not yet been learned to create artificially. However, our topic is diseases of cardio-vascular system and their treatment, and information on these drugs is best found on the pages of specialized sites.

Video: what do leeches treat?

Contraindications and disadvantages

Meanwhile, with all the advantages of a leech, it also has disadvantages. Contraindications make up a small list, but they are. It:

1. Hemophilia ( hereditary disease, sex-linked - men get sick), in which a person has reduced blood clotting due to the absence or lack of factor VIII (hemophilia A, more common) or IX (hemophilia B);
2. Thrombocytopenia of various origins;
3. Acute violations cerebral circulation(especially, hemorrhage);
4. Acute infectious diseases;
5. (expressed);
6. Pregnancy;
7. Individual intolerance.

A special fear, a feeling of hostility and even disgust, of course, do not belong to contraindications, but are considered significant shortcomings, because even brave people cannot overcome this barrier. Having persuaded such a patient to undergo hirudotherapy, then you will have to treat him for stress, so it’s better not to convince him: if he can’t, he can’t. It remains for such people to use only cream, tablets and ointments with hirudin.

You should also not pin special hopes on bdellotherapy in terms of curing incurable diseases or conditions that require specific therapeutic (or surgical) measures. Still, this method of treatment is better considered as an aid than the main one. And it is advisable to consult with your doctor.

Responsible step

Having decided to independently undertake treatment at home through such unsightly-looking and, at best, not disgusting animals, a person must learn the basic rules, which we recall once again:

• Thoroughly study the indications, find out if there are any contraindications and prepare for possible reactions(itching, urticaria);
• It is better to buy a leech in a pharmacy or from a trusted manufacturer at a higher price than to chase a cheap product (it may turn out to be of poor quality and not able to have a therapeutic effect);
• Learn the rules for keeping animals at home so that they remain healthy and can be used for treatment;
• Familiarize yourself with the schemes for setting leeches in relation to your disease;
• Do not be treated with one batch of leeches by the whole family (each may have their own diseases, including viral ones);
• To put the same individual even for yourself, but in different, far from each other, places ( oral cavity, the area around the anus - how can they be combined?) highly undesirable - it will take a long time to treat a bacterial infection;
• Repeated use of the same individual in the same patient and in the same areas is possible no earlier than after 2 weeks (preferably 3);
• Do not try to cure all diseases without exception, for example, viral hepatitis“C” (you can’t take it with bellotherapy, but you can get other problems);
• Before starting treatment, you need to pass general analysis blood and it is very desirable to do (perhaps the patient does not know everything about himself);
• During hirudotherapy, try to avoid physical exertion.

Here are some simple rules to follow so that the treatment does not turn into trouble. However, still it is better to talk with specialists and with your doctor.

So let's get started with the treatment.

Having bought a batch of healthy, meeting all the requirements, predators, being confident in their medicinal properties, you can not put them directly into tap water, it often contains chlorine, and animals may die. Pure spring water or well water is best. But where can I get it? This should be taken care of in advance. In extreme cases, tap water is also suitable for medical “tenants”, but it must first settle in an open container for several days in order for the chlorine concentration to decrease. Leeches need to change the water every 3 days. Keep "live syringes" in spacious glass containers (usual two- or three-liter jars in which cucumbers are preserved).

The number of procedures and the number of individuals participating in the treatment process will depend on the condition of the patient, however, fast treatment and the minimum consumption of "material" does not need to be calculated. Judge for yourself:

1. You need to start treatment with a minimum number of individuals (2 - 4 to 6 pieces - max), because it is still unknown how the body will react to a new type of exposure - an allergic reaction to biologically active substances contained in the saliva of a predator is possible;
2. If the first procedure went well, depending on the application area, the number of individuals can be increased to 10;
3. First (if everything goes well the first time), you need to spend 3-4 sessions in a row (every day);
4. Then - 3 procedures every other day;
5. The last 3 - 4 sessions are carried out at intervals of six to seven days (for example, the patient undergoes hirudotherapy on Fridays - it turns out 3 Fridays);
6. The entire course of treatment is 10 sessions.

If necessary (according to the patient's condition), the course of hirudotherapy can be repeated. This can happen anywhere from 2 weeks to a month after the last treatment of the first course. If the patient planned a second course with those animals that he acquired at the beginning of treatment, they were used and had time to saturate with blood, then the water containing leeches should be changed daily. Before you force the leech to heal again, you need to lightly sprinkle it with salt so that the blood comes out of the stomach of the animal, then wash the worm thoroughly (“you can’t overdo it - the animal will die”).

Schemes for staging leeches

Considering how many diseases a leech treats, listing all the staging schemes, even with a strong desire, will not work. However, there are many biologically active points, the main ones are shown in the image on the right, and we will give examples in more detail regarding the heart and blood vessels:

I would like to hope that short description The reader will not perceive hirudotherapy as an instruction for the use of medicinal leeches. Self-treatment requires a deeper study of the issue (indications, application schemes, contraindications, staging technique, selection and maintenance of animals, handling them).

Creams, tablets and ointments based on hirudin

This section is intended for people who experience panic at the sight of a medicinal product of animal origin, but who want to experience the healing properties of leech extract on their own body. Pharmaceutical forms based on biologically active substances contained in leech saliva do exist: creams, gels, balms, tablets and ointments with hirudin, which thin the blood, prevent the formation of blood clots, relieve swelling, pain and fatigue. Basically, these funds are used for varicose veins, thrombophlebitis,:

1. Popular cream "Sofya" for varicose veins of the lower extremities;
2. Foot cream - "Leech extract";
3. Cream-balm with leech extract;
4. Body gel "Hirudovazin";
5. Body balm "Hirudox";
6. Capsules "Piyavit" (dry leech powder).

In any case, if the patient wishes to buy an ointment (gel, cream, balm) in a pharmacy, then it is enough for him to say that he needs a leech extract or a medicine for varicose veins with hirudin. Most likely, he will be offered several options for medicines for external use. By the way, the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities with gels and ointments with hirudin is well combined with the use of compression stockings.

There are more serious drugs with hirudin, which are administered intravenously in a hospital setting. under control - "Lepirudin", for example. These funds are intended to prevent thromboembolic complications, their use requires special care and is not available to patients for use on their own initiative at home.

Synthetic analogues of hirudin "Girulog" and "Girugen" have not yet found wide application in Russia: they are quite expensive, moreover, pharmaceutical forms intended for oral administration are only being developed. Therefore, the medical medicinal leech will be with us for a long time. As they say, cheap and cheerful.

Video: hirudotherapy in the School of Health program

“The centuries-old history of the successful use of medical leeches in preventive and medicinal purposes indicates that it is undeservedly forgotten in our time. Of course, in the age of aspirin and nitroglycerin, the mention of leeches can bring a smile. The younger generation of doctors knows about them only by hearsay. But it seems that it is unreasonable to consign to oblivion the centuries-old experience of the positive effect of hirudotherapy. Of course, giving a patient a pill is much easier than giving leeches, and less troublesome, but ... ”(G.I. Nikonov)

The second part of the story about the International Medical Leech Center. Today we will talk about the production of medicinal and cosmetic preparations based on biologically active substances isolated from medical leeches, as well as from leech extract.

1. The saliva of medicinal leeches is a balanced complex of biologically active substances. The photo shows a fashion model leech and tools for collecting saliva.

2. The leech is clamped head up in special vise scissors and the precious saliva is sucked out with the help of a tube. During this operation, the leech does not die, but it also receives little pleasure.

3. Saliva collection work is completely manual. Saliva is literally sucked out.

4. If we briefly list the main advantages of a balanced complex of biologically active substances of leech saliva, we get the following list: this complex ensures the normalization of protein and lipid metabolism in the skin, improves blood microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, increases oxygen supply to tissues, stimulates local immunity, antioxidant activity, elimination foci of inflammation, skin pigmentation disorders, has a protective effect against the aggressive effects of the external environment, stops the aging process, blocks the effects of fatigue factors, improves skin elasticity and preserves cellular moisture.

5. The leech endures photography.

6. The concentration of leeches saliva is added to cosmetics. Biologically active substances of a medicinal leech in combination with starch polysaccharides, Chinese rose milk, vitamins A, E, F and C, oils of olive, grape seed, peach, shea butter, extracts of lotus, bamboo, water lily, oats, cornflower and D-panthenol, intensively moisturize and tighten the skin of the face, nourish, tone, restore natural regeneration, increase turgor and skin elasticity.

7. This is how a leech works in artificial conditions for the benefit of a person.

9. Working moment.

10. For the cultivation of leeches and the production of cosmetics, specially prepared water is used, which is purified and settled in special tanks.

11.

12. For the production of cosmetics, about a hundred different ingredients are used.

13. In addition to saliva extract, the leech itself, or rather its extract, is also added to cosmetics. To do this, it is first dried at a low temperature and such briquettes are obtained.

15. And add it to specially prepared water.

16. The resulting mixture will be the main component of the cosmetic product.

17. First, the powder is stirred by hand.

18. Then, for thorough mixing, the mixture is poured into jars ...

19. ... and loaded into a special centrifuge.

20. After mixing and filtering, a pure leech extract is obtained, which is the main component in the production of cosmetics.

21. Biologically active substances of a medicinal leech in combination with starch polysaccharides, Chinese rose milk, vitamins A, E, F and C, oils of olive, grape seed, peach, karite, extracts of lotus, bamboo, water lily, oats, cornflower and D-panthenol , intensively moisturize and tighten the skin of the face, nourish, tone, restore natural regeneration and increase skin elasticity.

23.

24. The cost of cosmetic products based on leech extract varies greatly depending on the amount of extract and added components. The most expensive type of cosmetics is made on the basis of an extract from leech embryos. One tube can cost about 45,000 rubles.

25. Various imported fragrances are added to cosmetics to give a pleasant smell.

26. General view of the laboratory. All production is semi-automated, many operations are performed manually by employees.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31. Installation for filling and sealing tubes.

32.

33.

34. The date of manufacture is immediately applied.

35.

36.

37. Finished products.

38. If you want to get a full treatment when using medical leeches, do not try to save money by buying them in the market or catching them in a pond.

39. Before putting a leech, make sure that it is medical. It is safer and more reliable to use leeches grown in artificial conditions at Biofactories that have a license from the Ministry of Health and a certificate of conformity issued by special authorities.

40. A couple of working moments.

41. Ilya took pictures, I gave out commands.

Some information about staging a leech:
First of all, having chosen a place for attaching leeches, it must be carefully prepared. Bearing in mind that the leech is very sensitive to odors and chemicals, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the staging areas, leaving no opportunity for smells to scare away the leech, and for pathogens on human skin to infect the patient. The patient will feel a slight tingling - this is a leech that has begun to bite through the skin. The time of the beginning of the act of bloodsucking is determined by the appearance of wave-like movements or rhythmic contractions of the body of the leech. The act of hemorrhage, depending on the place of attachment, can last from 10 minutes to 1 hour. Having fed to the full, the leech disappears by itself. Used leeches are immediately destroyed by dipping in a 3% solution of chloramine. Thus, leeches are a single-use drug. Bleeding wounds after a leech bite should be treated with iodine and applied sterile dressing by placing a large swab of cotton wool. Necessarily large, because the blood oozes from the wound for quite a long time (from 6 to 36 hours). There is no need to be afraid of this, it is only necessary to monitor the condition of the tampon, and, if necessary, replace it with a fresh one. The loss of blood from the setting of one standard leech is from 3 to 8 grams.

The first part of the story

Medical leech Hirudo Medicinalis Officinalis- the only representative of the fauna, included in the pharmacopoeia and equated to medicines. Leech saliva contains more than 80 biologically active substances, which together have a positive effect on the human body. Therefore, today a medical leech is deservedly called a "pharmaceutical mini-factory".

As a result of long-term scientific research, scientists of the BIOKON Medical Research and Production Association isolated a healing extract from the leech Hirudo Medicinalis Officinalis and proved its effective effect on the human body. In the composition of cosmetic prophylactic leech extract* has been introduced for health and skin care. Its use in the cosmetics industry was made possible by modern technologies, which allow you to save the biologically active substances contained in the secretion of the salivary glands of the leech.

Biologically active substances of the leech extract have anticoagulant, thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, antihypoxic, decongestant, draining properties, improve blood microcirculation, restore permeability vascular wall. Leech extract potentiates the action of other components of cosmetics - natural oils, extracts medicinal plants and vitamins, contributing to their deeper penetration into tissues.

Characteristics of the main biologically active substances of the medicinal leech extract.

*Medical leech extract - a dietary supplement with a pronounced geriatric (rejuvenating) effect, obtained as a result of the processing of medicinal leeches (international patent of INPO "Biokon") for use in formulations of preventive cosmetics.

What is hirudotherapy, many people know, although they perceive treatment with leeches as exotic. A relatively new area of ​​application of leeches is hirudocosmetics. How it affects the skin cosmetics based on medicinal leech extract, tells CEO CJSC "Biocon - Laboratory of Natural Cosmetics" Dilyara Kayumovna SAMIGUllINA.

About the use of leeches in medicine

Only one of about 400 species of leeches, the medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis), is suitable for use in medicine. Hirudotherapy has a long history, and the studies that have been conducted all this time prove that the enzymes produced by the leech have healing effect in many diseases. In addition, when using leeches to treat specific diseases, patients gradually normalize their metabolism, activate the body's defenses.

Today, the medicinal leech is the only representative of the fauna included in the Pharmacopoeia and equated to medicine. modern science, unlike the first hirudotherapists, has detailed information about the composition of the secretion of the salivary glands of leeches, its effect on individual systems and organs, as well as on the human body as a whole.

Treatment with leeches is also notable for the fact that it does not give complications, does not have negative side effects on the human body and has only a few contraindications (violation of the blood coagulation system, a persistent decrease blood pressure, pregnancy, individual intolerance).

However, many people treat this method with distrust - often because of hostility to the leeches themselves. That is why today medicines and cosmetics are being created based on biologically active substances (BAS) produced by the medicinal leech. Leech salivary gland extract contains about 80 active components: of particular value are enzymatic complexes and proteins that cannot be created artificially.

The effect of leech extract on the skin

At the end of the twentieth century. scientists from France, Russia and Ukraine conducted a number of studies aimed at studying the effect of leech biologically active substances on metabolic processes in the skin. It has been proven:

• leech extract actively affects protein, fat, water-salt metabolism in the skin;
• under its influence, the synthesis of DNA and protein in human skin cells increases, proliferative processes are stimulated, and the content of water-soluble protein increases significantly.

For skin, especially aging skin, these effects cannot be overestimated. The beneficial effect on fat metabolism is to increase the amount of skin lipids and increase its resistance to harmful environmental influences. In addition, due to the action of biologically active substances in the skin, blood microcirculation improves significantly. The elasticity of blood vessels is restored, microthrombi are dissolved, and tissues receive oxygen, which is the unique and only catalyst for the restoration and renewal of all types of metabolism.

Hirudocosmetics - a rare but popular product

In 1990, Biocon scientists were the first to develop and implement a method for using medical leech biologically active substances in cosmetology. Tests of hirudocosmetics were carried out by NPO Kosmetologiya (Moscow). The moisturizing effect of Biocon cosmetics increases the hydrant properties of the skin up to 42.4%. The elasticity of the skin is significantly improved (according to elastometry, by 6-8%). A powerful anti-inflammatory effect of creams has also been recorded. These processes would not be possible without the leech secretion, which provides a significant qualitative and quantitative improvement in blood circulation in the skin.

As already noted, hirudotherapy has very few contraindications. Similarly, hirudocosmetics cannot be recommended only for people with dilated vessels located close to the surface of the skin. allergic reactions associated with individual intolerance to cosmetic components are also extremely rare.

The latest development of Biocon specialists is the HirudoDerm cosmetic line, which includes four daily and course skin care programs for various cosmetic problems. In fact, it is on the verge between cosmetology and dermatology, because. not only corrects the condition of the skin, but also restores its impaired functions. As part of HirudoDerm cosmetics, medicinal leech extract is combined with modern active therapeutic ingredients - the action of these components is enhanced by the action of leech extract, which facilitates the penetration of substances through the epidermal barrier of the skin.

To date, leech extracts are used primarily in medicines. As for cosmetics with medicinal leech extract, they are produced by literally a few manufacturers, because. the leech is listed in the Red Book and its catch is prohibited. Leech extract is a rare, natural and very expensive raw material. At the same time, the success of hirudocosmetics in the market is obvious and it turned out to be very tempting for many companies. Currently, a number of manufacturers produce cosmetic products with an extract of a medical leech, thereby violating the rights of the Biocon company, which has patented a method for isolating and using it as a biologically active substance. active additive in cosmetics pure extract of medicinal leech. In addition, only our company has the technology of a closed cycle of artificial cultivation of leeches and uses it at its biofactory in Donetsk (Ukraine) - this way we guarantee the purity of our raw materials. Even abroad, there are no such technologies: in Germany, France, the leech is grown in natural conditions in very small quantities.

Hirudocosmetics is becoming more and more popular among consumers. According to the results of surveys conducted by our company, consumers in relation to cosmetics with leech extract are divided into three groups of approximately equal size. The first part relates very well to such cosmetics - often this medical workers, pharmacists and in general people who know about healing properties leeches used in folk medicine. Another third refers to the leech extract in the composition of cosmetics indifferently, as to any other element. And, finally, the third group - people who do not like either the leech itself or cosmetics based on it. Therefore, the main idea of ​​promoting our cosmetics is to inform people about useful properties leeches and through this in increasing loyalty to the leech as a unique active ingredient.