Indigenous Knowledge of Oothu Chikitsa in Visha

Abstract

Kerala has an exceptional status in practice of Ashta Vaidya Parampara from time out of mind. The land offered fertile ground for plants and snakes to thrive. The incidence of snake bites marked the beginning of Visha Chikitsa in Kerala. Improvised Visha Vaidya Parampara is popularly known as Keraleeya Visha Chikitsa. Different practices were followed by Visha vaidyas in the successful management of emergency conditions of Visha and many of them remain unrevealed to us. Malayalam books were written based on their practical experiences in the field of Visha Chikitsa such as Kriya Koumadi, Prayoga Sammucchaya, Vishavaidya Jyotsnika, Kodassery margom etc. Unique traditional treatment modalities practiced during those periods includes Oothu chikitsa, Karu prayoga, Thookku dhara, Jaladhara, Vellottu prayogam etc. The aim of this paper is to review a formulation used for Oothu Chikitsa by a traditional Visha Vaidya in Sarpa Visha Chikitsa which were followed in his forty years of practice in Visha Chikitsa.