Roughly 600 leech species have been identified to date, but only about 15 are used in medicine. Leeches classified as “medicinal leeches”, Hirudo medicinalis, in the narrower sense have been used to treat patients for centuries.Siddha Medicine explains different types of leeches and methods to cure various diseases through leech theraphy.
leech therapy or hirudotherapy is called as aṭṭai viṭal (அட்டை விடல்) in Siddha Medicine
Hirudo medicinalis or speckled leech is present in the ponds where good smelling plants, such as lilly, Nymphaea alba are grown. It is also found hidden in the sand. Small sized leeches alone are useful for medicinal purposes.


