Covid 19: Patients diagnosed with black fungus opt for leech therapy; all you need to know

The number of black fungus or mucormycosis cases in both active and recovered Covid patients has been alarming. In fact, in May this year, the centre asked states to notify black fungus as an epidemic.

Meanwhile, some recovered patients diagnosed with black fungus have opted for leech therapy, an Ayurvedic treatment, after trying conventional methods for cure.

Does it really work?

Leech therapy for mucormycosis

An Ayurvedic practice, leech therapy is a blood purification process that is helpful in letting toxic blood out of the body. Medicinal leeches suck impure blood and release enzymes supportive in increasing immunity.

Dr Aswathy Pathiyath, Ayurveda consultant, Fazlani Natures Nest, tells indianexpress.com, “Mucormycosis or black fungus is mainly affecting coronavirus patients with comorbid conditions like diabetes. It is classified into five types depending on the part affected. Among them, Disseminated Mucormycosis in the later phase and Cutaneous mucormycosis can be correlated to Dustavrana (non-healing ulcer) and Kusta (skin disease), Visarpa (erysipelas) respectively.”