Chennai: In an effort to connect traditional wisdom with modern medicine, the Chennai Snake Park Trust along with the zoology department of Madras University has received a 30lakh grant from state govt to scientifically investigate the efficacy of herbs, long used by tribal communities for treating snake bite victims.
The three-year project aims to bridge the gap between indigenous remedies practiced for generations and formal scientific validation. Lead researcher Arulvasu from the department of Zoology will head the study in collaboration with the snake park research director and noted herpetologist, V Kalaiarasan. The research will involve isolating chemical compounds in selected herbs and testing them through both in vitro and in vivo animal models. If proven effective, these plant-based formulations could emerge as complementary treatments alongside conventional antivenin, offering new hope for better outcomes in snakebite victims.
The Irula tribals of Tamil Nadu have preserved this herbal knowledge as tightly guarded family traditions. “When bitten by a venomous snake, we mix and crush half a dozen herbs. The herbs used depend on the type of snake. These remedies are specific — different combinations for different species of snakes. Before giving the medicine, they check the victim’s pulse and condition,” an Irula tribal told TOI. This knowledge has been passed down generations, kept within families, and rarely shared with outsiders. “We usually do not reveal the names of the herbs. That is our way of preserving wisdom.”
The university and snake park are now coordinating with tribals to get information on the closely guarded secret. Experts say such an initiative is vital in a country such as India, which records the highest number of snakebite deaths globally every year. “Traditional remedies have played a lifesaving role for centuries, especially among rural and tribal populations who lacked access to hospitals or anti-venom serum. Science must step in to test their credibility,” said snake park executive chairman S Paulraj.
With the advance of allopathic medicine, even tribals increasingly rely on anti-venom serum in emergencies. But, this project add a valuable layer of defence in India’s fight against snakebite mortality, experts said.
