Treatment of snake bite according to Ayurveda

Treatment of snake bite according to Ayurveda

Snake bites are very common in India with frequent fatal results. It is estimated that in India, approximately 25,000 deaths occur from snakebites every year. The problem is acute particularly in rural areas where antivenom is not readily available. Resorting to charms (manimanthra) and herbs are still in vogue in all parts of the country. These give surprisingly good results in some cases, but fail in some others. It is necessary that physicians residing in rural areas are well conversant with the signs and symptoms that occur in those bitten by the commonly known snakes and the line of treatment to be adopted in each variety, as described in the Ayurvedic texts. Some of the most effective recipes popularly resorted to in the villages should also be kept in mind.

The after effects of snake bites described in seven stages and their treatment as given in Ayurvedic texts are tabulated below.

• Darvikara Sarpandamsha: (Bite of hooded snakes-cobra)

Stage Signs and Symptoms Treatment

1. Discharge of dark blue blood Sucking the blood by from the site, face pale and making an incision and cyanosed,feeling of ‘ants anti-poisoning drugs to be moving over the body’. given with honey and ghee.

2. Greeting nodes in joints,lymph Rakta mokshana(sucking Nodes at axilla,neck and groin the blood),vamana and etc. antivenomous drugs.

3. Feeling of heaviness of head, Anjana, nasya and anti bad smell increases,and venomous drugs. Perspiration at the spot of bite.

4. Froth in the mouth, vomiting, As above, and Yavagu Stretching pain in the joints, with anti-venomous comatose drugs.

5. Pain in the phalanges of hands As above, with lepa by and feet,dyspnoea, burning anti-poisonous drugs of sensation all over the body sheeta veerya and mrudu and semi-consciousness. seka, vamana followed by yavagupeya. 

6. Pain in the chest(heart region), As above body will be swollen, loses consciousness. 

7. Pain in both arms, pelvis and In addition to the vertebral column, mental and above anjana, nasya bodily dysfunction, death with Trikatu triturated in supervenes. Nirgundirasa. If patient does not recover, make 3 deep trident shaped  incisions on the head on it. It will suck the poisonous blood from the brain and bring the patient back to consciousness.

• Manduka Sarpadamsha

1. Yellow coloured bloody sucking the blood after  discharge from the bitten an incision. antivenomous area, body becomes yellow, application. Burning sensation all over the body.

2. Swelling of the body. As above.

3. Yellow colour and swelling After vamana,large  all over the body with thirst. quantities of yavagu should be given for drinking.

4. Fever and burning sensation same as in Darvikara All over the body. 4th stage.

5. Patient feels as if he is on fire, -do- 5th stage.

6. Symptoms as in Darvikara Treat with ateekshna (mrudu) and cold drug  or kashaya of padma kadiganam.

7. do As in Darvikara 7th Stage.

• Rajeemantha Damsha (bite by Vipers) 

1. Blood will become pale Put deep incision at the site of bite and remove blood,Kaphahara and Vishahara treatment to be given.

2. Body becomes heavy Treatment as in the  respective stages of  Darvikara damsha.

3. Watery discharge from the site do of bite and also from eyes,nose. 

4. Heaviness of the head do

5. Stretching pain behind the head, do cutting pain all over the body.

6. As in Darvikara damsha Teekshana anjana with Nirgundi swarasa or Kalka.

7. do As in Darvikara  dansha 

Some of the effective recipes:

1. Root or Sinduvaram and Vacha both equal quantities powdered and given in doses of half tola with 4 oz. of hot water, ghee or honey.This is best for Darvikara visha.

2. Juice of Sireesha flower with the powder of Nirgundi seeds given as above.

3. Lavanga twak, Manasshila, Haridra, Daruharidra, Vaktram Tagara, Sardulanakha, Tamalapatra, Nagakesara, Chandana, all in equal quantities powdered and given in doses of 1 tola with rice washings(kanji). This forms an important drink for all snake bites.

4. The roots of Canthium parniflorum is made into a paste with water and given internally in half tola dose. It is externally applied at the bitten area. It is a well known remedy of rural parts,is reputed as efficient in all snake bites.

It is found that no effective ‘Anti-venom’ recipe is marketed by any of the Ayurvedic pharmaceutical concerns, which has resulted in a great handicad to Ayurvedic practitioners. It would be worthwhile both scientifically and practically if the Govt. Central Pharmacy at Bangalore or any of the private pharmacies takes up the manufacture of some of the established recipes in Ayurvedic toxicology.