Changyang expands medicinal leech industry with new partnership deals
2026-02-07 19:02:36
By Chen Zai
Changyang Tujia Autonomous County held a leech‑industry promotion event on February 6, expanding its partnerships by signing agreements with three new companies, in addition to its existing 35 domestic partners.
Changyang Tujia Autonomous County held a leech‑industry promotion event on February 6, expanding its partnerships by signing agreements with three new companies, in addition to its existing 35 domestic partners.
Signing ceremony at the event.
Leeches have notable medical and economic value. Dried leeches are used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve circulation, reduce swelling, and remove toxins. Their extract, hirudin, is a natural anticoagulant with thrombolytic and blood‑purifying properties.
Changyang’s leech industry has achieved standardized breeding, refined processing, and diversified applications. Its products include fresh leeches, freeze‑dried powder, and other items used in medical and health care fields.
Live leeches cultivated in Changyang.
In recent years, Changyang has continued to upgrade its leech industry. Annual sales reached 200 tons of fresh (frozen) leeches and 50 tons of freeze‑dried leeches, generating total revenue of 36 million yuan (US$5.19 million).
Reporters Jie Xingwei and Zhou Chongyu, correspondent Tan Meiyan contributed to this story.
