classified into 12 types, with each type bearing Sanskrit names[20] 2.2Table 1& 2Types ofSavishaJalouka and NirvishaJaloukaSr. No SavishaJalouka Features of SavishaJalouka 1 KRISHNA Resemble in black colour,Thick An Interdisciplinary Critical Review of Leech Therapy; Evolution, Indications, Salivary Glan…. 12 2 KARBURA: Resemble the fish of vermin type.Ventral surface is convex (Ayata). 3 ALAGARDA: Thick Hairy Round at sides Black at the mouth 4 INDRAYUDHA Having different colours like rainbowNumber of linings on the body 5 SAMUDRIKA . Blackish yellow with dotted skin 6 GOCHANDANA Narrow mouth Marked by bifurcating lines. Bottom (end Part) like the scrotal sac on a bull. NirvishaJalouka Features of NirvishaJalouka 1 . KAPILA Colour like Manashila at the sides Dorsal surfaces are slimy and colored like Mudga pulse 2 PINGALA: Colour – Reddish Shape – Round Locomotion – Speedy 3 SANKUMUKHI: . Colour – blackish red like that of liver. Provided with the greatest swiftness 4 MUSHIKA: Colour – like the common blind moles Emit a foetid smell from the body 5 PUNDARIKAMUKH I: Colour – like Mudga pulse. Presence of resemblance of the mouth of the full blown lotus lilies 6 SAVARIKA Marked with impressions like lotus leaves. Measured eighteen fingers in length. Directed to apply only in the lower animals. III. INDICATIONS FOR RAKTAMOKSHANA (BLOODLETTING) FROM ANCIENT AYURVEDA TEXTS: Vranashopha(Cellulites), Kushtha(Skin Diseases),Visarpa(Erysipelas), Pidaka(Skin eruptions), Raktapitta(Bleeding disorders), Gudapaka(Proctitis), Pleeha(Splenomegaly), Vatarakta(Gout), Arsha(Haemorrhoids), Vidradhi(Abscess), Arbooda(tumour), Shwitra(Leucoderma), Dadru(ring worm) [21] 3.1 Complications of Jalloukavacharan (Leech Therapy) according to SushrutaSamhita: Shotha(swelling), Kandu(SevereItching), Murcha(Shock), Jwara(fever), Daha(local Burning), Chardi (Vomiting).[22] 3.2 Indications for Leech therapy according to modern science: Indications cited by medical practitioners of leech therapy are as follows: Inflammatory Reactions [23,Passive congestions and spastic conditions [24,25],Plastic and reconstructive surgery [26,27,28],Cardiovascular diseases [29,30,31,32],Hypertension [32,33],Varicose Veins. [32,34],Hemorrhoids [35],Arthrosis, osteoarthritis, periarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis [36,37],Thrombophlebitis, thrombosis and embolism [38],Hematomas [39],External ear and chronic ear infections [33].Eye diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, traumatic injuries and inflammation [36],Dental problems, like gingivitis, paradontitis, gingival edema and stomatorrhagia [36, 33].Skeletal Pain syndromes Pain Syndromes [36],GI tract – hepatitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, stomach ulcers [37,33],Chronic skin diseases, An Interdisciplinary Critical Review of Leech Therapy; Evolution, Indications, Salivary Glan…. 13 like scabies, psoriasis,eczematous dermatitis, and chronic ulcers [38].Respiratory disorders - Asthma, acute rhinopharyngitis and spasmodic coryza [39, 55],Gynecological disorders - male and female sterility, endometriosis, para-metritis, mastitis, fibro-mastopathy [36,33] 3.3 Experimental and Investigational Role of Leech Therapy: Some areas are consideredas experimental and investigational for treatment by medicinal leech therapy due to lack of randomized control trials on these clinical areas1. Cancer pain, 2. Epidermoid cysts, 3. Knee osteoarthritis, 4. Inadequate arterial supply or tissue ischemia, 5. Priapism 6 Rheumatoid arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases[40] 3.4 Contraindications of Leech Therapy according to some citations: Leech Therapy is not given under the following conditions: 1. Hemophilia 2. Anemia 3. Leukemia 4. Hypotonia 5.Pregnancy[41] 3.4 Complications of Leech Therapy according to certain citations – 1. Itching on the application area. 2. bleeding on the application area 3. Orthostatic hypotension 4. vasovagal symptoms 5. Regional lymphadenopathy. 6. Scar formation [42] 7. In very rare cases, thrombotic microangiopathy and renal failure have been reported when leeches were applied in patients with arterial insufficiency[43] IV. THE PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SALIVARY GLAND