This content is Subscriber-Exclusive
You must have a National Geographic subscription to explore this article.
Leeches are still used in medicine—yes, really. Here’s why.
Long dismissed as a throwback to the Middle Ages, doctors have been turning to the parasites to help transplant and plastic surgery patients.
Medical leeches at a medicinal leech breeding facility in Biebertal, Germany.
Read This Next
Go Further
Animals
- How can you tell if a wild animal really needs your help?How can you tell if a wild animal really needs your help?
- Fireflies are vanishing—but you can help protect themFireflies are vanishing—but you can help protect them
- Could this simple plan save Africa's most mysterious cat?Could this simple plan save Africa's most mysterious cat?
- This ray is vanishing from our oceans—and being made into jewelryThis ray is vanishing from our oceans—and being made into jewelry
- Why 4 dead California sea otters have scientists so alarmedWhy 4 dead California sea otters have scientists so alarmed
- SeaWorld allegedly violated the Animal Welfare Act. Why is it still open?SeaWorld allegedly violated the Animal Welfare Act. Why is it still open?
Environment
- Seaweed may play a big role in the fight against climate changeSeaweed may play a big role in the fight against climate change
- Is banning fishing bad for fishermen? Not in this marine reserveIs banning fishing bad for fishermen? Not in this marine reserve
- Dust storms are getting worse—here’s why they’re so destructiveDust storms are getting worse—here’s why they’re so destructive
- Japan poised to release nuclear wastewater into the PacificJapan poised to release nuclear wastewater into the Pacific
History & Culture
- From police raids to pop culture: The history of modern dragFrom police raids to pop culture: The history of modern drag
- How the Stonewall uprising ignited the pride movementHow the Stonewall uprising ignited the pride movement
- They were seeking a mythical oasis—and found a Stone Age surpriseThey were seeking a mythical oasis—and found a Stone Age surprise
- Why do we celebrate Memorial Day? A brief history of the holidayWhy do we celebrate Memorial Day? A brief history of the holiday
Science
- At 64, Diana Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida. How'd she do it?At 64, Diana Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida. How'd she do it?
- A ‘kitten-otter-bear’? Identifying a very strange skeletonA ‘kitten-otter-bear’? Identifying a very strange skeleton
- Fossils reveal predator's struggle to survive mass extinctionFossils reveal predator's struggle to survive mass extinction
- You can't detox your uterus—debunking popular myths about PCOSYou can't detox your uterus—debunking popular myths about PCOS
Travel
- How bison have been brought back from the brink in SaskatchewanHow bison have been brought back from the brink in Saskatchewan
- A summer guide to Lisbon, from street art to hilltop lookoutsA summer guide to Lisbon, from street art to hilltop lookouts
- 5 unmissable foods that unlock Jordan’s culinary scene
- Paid Content for Advertiser
5 unmissable foods that unlock Jordan’s culinary scene