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The dried whole body of Hirudo nipponica, Whitmania pigra, or W. acranulata (Hirudinidae). Enters the Liver channel. Salty, bitter, and neutral, it is one of the most powerful blood-stasis-breaking substances, featured in Zhang Zhongjing's Didang Tang for severe blood stasis conditions.
降低腥臭，便于研末
研末冲服每次1–3g；入汤剂3–6g。
Reference range for non-pregnant adults. Not a personalized prescription. Pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric use require specialist supervision.
Protective guidance only — when to avoid or use with caution. This block deliberately omits pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric dosing: any such use must be managed by a qualified TCM practitioner or appropriate specialist.
孕妇禁用。月经过多者禁用。有出血倾向者慎用。不宜与抗凝药同用。
水蛭含水蛭素，为强效抗凝成分，过量可致出血。孕妇、有出血倾向者禁用。不宜与抗凝药合用。
味咸，平。主逐恶血、瘀血、月闭，破血瘕积聚。
@misc{bencaodian-shui-zhi,
author = {{Bencaodian Editorial}},
title = {Shuǐ Zhì 水蛭 (Leech) — Hirudo},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Bencao Dian: A Bilingual Knowledge Graph of Traditional Chinese Medicine},
url = {https://bencaodian.org/en/herbs/shui-zhi},
urldate = {2026-04-16},
note = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}© Bencaodian Editorial · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
水蛭含水蛭素（直接凝血酶抑制剂）和透明质酸酶，具强效抗凝、抗血栓和改善微循环作用，水蛭素已被开发为重组药物（比伐芦定等）。
Leech contains hirudin (a direct thrombin inhibitor) and hyaluronidase, conferring potent anticoagulant, antithrombotic, and microcirculation-improving effects. Recombinant hirudin derivatives (e.g. bivalirudin) have been developed as pharmaceuticals.
《中国药典》收载水蛭，以抗凝血酶活性为质控指标。
Chinese Pharmacopoeia lists Shuizhi with antithrombin activity as quality marker.
水蛭素为天然直接凝血酶抑制剂，与肝素、华法林等抗凝药合用显著增加出血风险。
Hirudin is a natural direct thrombin inhibitor; concurrent use with heparin or warfarin significantly increases bleeding risk.
This section is provided for academic reference only and does not constitute medical advice.