Leech

Primarily produced in most areas in China.

Whitmania pigra Whitman: Flat fusiform shape, with numerous ringed joints, 4~10cm long, 0.5~2cm wide. Back is black-brown and slightly bulging, when soaked in water, black spots arranged in 5 longitudinal lines can be seen; abdomen is flat, brownish-yellow. Two sides are brownish-yellow, apex is slightly pointed, bottom is blunt round, two ends all have one sucker, front sucker is obvious, back sucker is relatively large. Brittle texture, easily broken, fractured surface is gelatinous. faintly fishy odor. Hirudo nipponica Whitman: Long cylindrical shape, often curved and turned, 2~5cm long, 0.2~0.3cm wide. Whitmania acranulata Whitman: Narrow long and flat, 5~12cm long, 0.1~0.5cm wide.

Superior medicinal material is neat, small, black-brown, and intact.

Bitter, salty, neutral

Breaks blood, expels stasis, frees menstruation. Apply to abdominal mass, amenorrhea with blood stasis, injury from falls.