Abstract

Bloodletting is an important procedure to cleanse the body by removing blood. Different methods are followed in Ayurveda to remove blood. Jalaukavacharana is one such method said to remove impureblood through leeches. In Sushruta samhita detailed description about collection and storage of the leeches is available.Different methods are followed in Ayurveda centres to store the leeches. There is a need to standardize the process of leech storage. This study had the objective of comparing different leech storage methods on various physical- chemical and microbial parameters . Classical pot method, jar method and aquarium method were compared in this study. This study has shown that aquarium method can be adopted for leech storage as change in physical-chemical properties of water and microbial growth were minimum even after 15
days.

Key words: Leech;Leech storage;Jalaukaavachanrana.