Hirudo Verbana leech - 'the Hungarian leech'

The Hirudo Verbana Medicinalis leech - also known as the "Hungarian leech" - is the first leech variety used in medicine and hirudotherapy in the history of the world. The Hungarian leech is a close sister of the Hirudo medicinalis and is almost identical to its counterpart in appearance, genetics, composition and function.
In ancient times, leeches were used for medicinal purposes by healers and practitioners in Eastern Europe and Russia. Leeches were most commonly used in Romania, Hungary and the vast landmass of the former USSR, which now includes all of Russia.
The leech that inhabits these areas displays a beautiful pattern on its back and a greenish-brown color. As the ancient practice of hirudotherapy grew and became more popular and widespread, Western European countries took note and adopted the use of the Hungarian leech in their own medical practices. Countries such as France, the Netherlands and Germany began to import large quantities of Hirudo Verbana and applied it to patients' bodies for various diseases.
In more modern times, doctors and scientists of Western Europe finally decided to conduct more comprehensive studies of the leech as an animal and healer. To conduct these studies, they needed a leech that is more common in the Netherlands (Holland) region and in the western parts of Europe. This strain of leech studied was eventually named Hirudo Medicinalis, and the leech itself has the same pattern and coloration as the original Verbana leech, but its lateral stripes have a flatter pinstripe pattern than the Verbana's broader and more elaborate color pattern. Hospitals and medical professionals analyzed the amount of hirudin in detail and found that their leech saliva contains over 360 bioavailable components. Leaching functions and after-effects were also tested and studied, making the Western European leech strain considered the "official leech" as it had been scientifically studied and documented and represented a good reference point for doctors and hospitals to scientifically support their own data. Considering the convenience of being local in the study groups, the Hirudo Medicinalis strain has since been capitalized, developed into an expensive brand for industrial medicine, and began to be grown and bred in clinical leech farms.
The Hirudo Verbana or Hungarian leech is still the most widespread leech in Europe today. Its use has expanded worldwide as populations migrate, taking their healing practices with them. This product is one of our best selling leeches among experienced Russian Hirudotherapists and Leech Spa practitioners in the USA and worldwide!