TA‘L?Q AL-‘ALAQ (LEECH THERAPY) IN UNANI MEDICINE: A CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY REVIEW

Hina Tarannum Afridi* and Uzma Rahat

ABSTRACT

Ta‘līq al-‘Alaq (leech therapy) has occupied a prominent place in the Unani system of medicine, where it is regarded as a form of Tanqiyah-i-Dam (blood purification) and a key component of Ilāj bil-Tadbīr (regimental therapy). Historically, leeching has been employed for the management of various disorders, including inflammatory conditions, skin diseases, vascular congestion, and musculoskeletal pain, in alignment with the Unani principles of Mizāj (temperament) and humoral balance. While once considered an antiquated practice, leech therapy has experienced a resurgence in modern medicine, particularly in microsurgery, reconstructive procedures, and the treatment of venous disorders, due to the discovery of pharmacologically active compounds in leech saliva, such as hirudin and calin. This review provides a comparative analysis of leech therapy from its classical roots in Unani texts to its evidence-based clinical applications in modern healthcare. It explores the evolving understanding of its mechanisms, techniques, and indications, thereby bridging traditional Unani knowledge with contemporary scientific perspectives.

Keywords: Ta‘l?q al-‘Alaq; Leech therapy; Il?j bil-Tadb?r; Tanqiyah-i-Dam; Miz?j; Bloodletting; Regimental therapy; Hirudin.