biotherapy with leeches

Leeches drain blockages in veins, reinvigorating reattached fingers, ears and other endangered tissues. The leeches' ability to efficiently bite through skin and suck blood is only part of their effectiveness. An anticoagulant in the leech's saliva is what really does the trick. When a leech gets engorged with blood, it falls off, satiated. But the anticoagulant they leave behind causes blood to ooze for up to 48 hours, allowing time for new veins to grow and take over. The creatures also help in other situations: For instance, two German doctors proved in several clinical studies that leech treatment is an effective method to relieve pain in osteoarthritis patients.