Demi Moore says she does “leech detoxification therapy”

**mrs.v** · March 25th, 2008, 10:05 AM

Demi Moore says she does “leech detoxification therapy”

Demi Moore was on David Letterman last night and she joked around about receiving leech therapy treatment in Austria. She was cracking up about it, but she actually sounded like she believed in it and thinks it works. She also tried to get Dave to try it. Here’s a rough transcript. Dave’s comments are in bold.

You were in Austria?
I’m always…looking for the cutting edge on things that are for optimizing health and healing.
Just a week ago I was in Austria doing a cleanse and part of the treatments was leech therapy.
These aren’t just like swamp leeches, we’re talking about highly trained medical leeches… [laughing]
I know thousands of years ago they were common
Bleeding was a very common thing… it detoxifies your blood and they have a little enzyme that when they’re biting down gets released into your blood, and generally you bleed for quite a bit, and your health is optimized. It detoxifies the blood. I’m feeling very detoxified right now.
Is it the enzyme is that what’s critical?
They start in a spot for me that is a horrible spot, which is my belly button. They test it out. They are in a little jar with water and glass and they pull it out and they have to stick it in my belly button.
Where does this take place? At a hotel? At a clinic?
In this woman’s house and I’m laying on a bed.
And she says “we’re going to apply the leeches?”
Yes they do the little sampler first which is in the belly button and it crawls in. And you feel it bite down on you and you want to go “you bastard!” and then you relax and work on your lamaze breathing, and you watch it swell up and get fatter and fatter. And then when it’s super drunk on your blood it just kind of rolls over like it’s stumbling out of the bar.
Are you sure it’s not menopause?
No, but I was going to recommend this for your tic.
You have to do a turpentine bath first.
Did you feel better after the leech deal?
You first feel worse, then you feel better.
You’re not going back?
I am going back, because I only got 4 leeches and I feel a little cheated.
Clinically speaking how can we prove that you are more healthy after the leeches?
By a blood test. They can see the levels in your blood, if you’re anemic… they release in their enzyme heparin, which is a natural blood thinner.

[Transcribed from Demi Moore’s appearance on The Late Show, 3/24/08]

Cele|bitchy » Blog Archive » Demi Moore says she does “leech detoxification therapy”

**ingi** · March 25th, 2008, 10:06 AM

I just lost my appetite! Thanks Demi...

**KristiB** · March 25th, 2008, 10:11 AM

Geeze I know hospitals still use leeches and maggots for healing but that's for wounds that won't heal and real illnesses

Leeches do NOT detoxify your blood! If your blood was toxic you'd be very ill!!

They thin your blood. you can get the same effect by taking a baby asprin every day.

She has way more money than sense.

Idiot

**Grimmlok** · March 25th, 2008, 10:11 AM

It detoxifies the blood? How interesting. I was under the mistaken impression leeches actually CONSUMED THE BLOOD THEY SUCK FROM YOU. ITS THEIR FOOD. THey don't fucking give it back smelling like roses or something.

God what a retard.

**baked_tater** · March 25th, 2008, 10:14 AM

Oh Lordy.

**sluce** · March 25th, 2008, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

It detoxifies the blood? How interesting. I was under the mistaken impression leeches actually CONSUMED THE BLOOD THEY SUCK FROM YOU. ITS THEIR FOOD. THey don't fucking give it back smelling like roses or something.

God what a retard.

Actually they do release a substance through their saliva that has many medical benefits. I would flip out if they wanted to put them on me but they have saved lives.

**cmmdee** · March 25th, 2008, 10:23 AM

I didn't read the article cause I think it sounds stupid but that is a great outfit.

**Bijoux** · March 25th, 2008, 10:24 AM

The Bellybutton?!

Oh hell no, I'd freak right out!

**Grimmlok** · March 25th, 2008, 10:32 AM

they release an anti-coagulant to keep the blood flowing, just like mosquitos. But they don't "clean" blood and return it to the host. They EAT the blood.

All "bleeding" did as a medical practise was force the body to make new, uninfected red blood cells which COULD benefit you, provided you were strong enough to recover.

**Ellie** · March 25th, 2008, 10:42 AM

"after she optimized her health" she probably smoked a pack of cigarettes after the treatment!

**smf** · March 25th, 2008, 11:01 AM

omg thats just sickening

**Trixie** · March 25th, 2008, 11:06 AM

I'm sitting here thinking..."ok...which is more stupid? Doing 'leech detoxification' or actually admitting it on national tv??"

Then I can't help but wonder if this is one of Ashton's "pop fiction" hoaxes. I sure as hell hope so.

**MillionDollarBaby** · March 25th, 2008, 11:13 AM

i believe it. regardless of what she says, u know she's doing anything and everything to keep looking hot...whether it works or not

**WhateverLolaWants** · March 25th, 2008, 11:32 AM

I would rather have an infectious wound treated by maggots than my blood 'treated' by leeches.

Its gross, but at least it makes more sense.

**buttmunch** · March 25th, 2008, 11:42 AM

I suppose it's not harmful but I doubt she's doing it to be healthier. I'm guessing she thinks it's part of the 'fountain of youth' puzzle since she knows she can't keep going under the knife without ending up looking like Joan Rivers.