Int. J. Biosci.

2013

International Journal of Biosciences | IJB |

ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print) 2222-5234 (Online)
[Link]
Vol. 3, No. 2, p. 42-53, 2013

RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of snake bites by
Malayali tribal’s and rural people in Salem district, Tamilnadu,
India

Chinnappan Alagesaboopathi

Department of Botany, Government Arts College (Autonomous), Salem – 636007, Tamilnadu,

India

Key words: Snake bite, Medicinal plants, Traditional uses, Malayali tribes, Tamilnadu.

doi: [Link] Article published on January 25, 2013

Abstract
An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among the Malayali tribes and rural people in the Salem district of
Tamilnadu for the investigation of snake bite herbal medicines. Traditional botanical drug is the main way of
health care for large population of this area. Periodic find trips were undertaken during October 2010 to
November 2012 to various rural and forest areas of Salem district. The author has conducted an interview of
total 150 informants. The highest number of medicinal species came from Acanthaceae (23.52%). The
investigation revealed some unknown medicinal uses of medicinal plants. The botanical name, family, local
name (Tamil), used plant part(s), mode of preparation and medicinal uses are provided and traditional practice
of 51 plant species, 35 genera and 26 families are discussed here for the treatment of snake bite. The dicots are
represented by 47 species of 31 genera and 22 families while monocots are represented by 4 species of 4 genera
and 4 families. 92.15% dicotyledons and 7.85% monocotyledons were recorded. The most popular preparations
were juice, decoction and paste. Different plant parts were utilized to treat snake bite. The indigenous
knowledge of medicinal plants has large potential for investigation and the discovery of new snake bite drugs.
Hence there is an immediate necessity to conserve the biodiversity as well as the traditional knowledge by
proper documentation for further research in snake bite. Phytochemical constituents investigations of above
plants demand to be taken up to find out the detailed ingredients that support in the snake bite.
* Corresponding Author: Chinnappan Alagesaboopathi  alagesaboopathi@[Link]

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 Int. J. Biosci. 2013

Introduction Even today, indigenous and particular local

India is endowed with wealthy biodiversity where communities practice herbal medicine to treat a
medicinal plants diversity is also notable spreading difference of ailments, with plants particularly used
over the country. India is a mega biodiversity country as folk medicine to cure snakebites (Markz, 1992;
among 12 in the world; it has a forest area of 23.81% Houghton and Osibogun, 1993). Snakebite is a
of the country’s geographical area. Among nearly dangerous medical, social and economic trouble in
45,000 plant species in India about 7,000 - 8,000 various parts of the world, especially in the tropical
species of the plants are reported as medicinal plants and subtropical countries. Envenomations due to
utilized by local peoples (Dubey et al., 2004). Ancient snakebites are popularly treated by parenteral
method for beginning health care among the local administration of horse or sheep-derived polyclonal
peoples is the utilize of herbal medicines. Around 85 antivenoms aimed at neutralization of toxins.
percentage traditional medicines are acquired from However, dispite widespread advance of this therapy,
herbs and used for several ailments. Used of the it is still significant to investigate for various venom
herbal medicines based on traditional information is inhibitors, either synthetic or real, that could
documented by Mukharjee and Wahil (2006). Noted complement or alternate for the activity of
of the medicinal plants is significant not only for antivenoms. Traditional herbal drug is quickly usable
focusing of its usefulness but also for the necessity of in rural areas for the treatment of snakebite. Uses of
their conservation. the plant or sap onto the bite area, bark, drinking
plant juice, extracts, chewing leaves or decoctions are
Snake bite remains a public health trouble in various some procedures intended to countract snake venom
countries even though it is difficult to be exact about action.
the actual number of cases. The general poisonous
snakes found in India are Cobra (Naja naja), Plants are utilized either singly, combination with
Russell’s viper (Daboia russelli), Krait (Bangarus other ingredients or mingled with other plants, as
caeruleus) and Saw scaled viper (Echis carinatus) antidotes for snake envenomation by rustic people in
Bawaskar (2004). Every year approximately 35,000 India and in several parts of the world. Plants are
to 50,000 people reportedly die due to snake bites in reputed neutralize the activity of snake venom, with a
India. Naja kaouthia and Vipera russellii are the plethora of plants claimed to be antidotes for
usual snakes found throughout India and a great snakebites in folk medicine (Kirtikar and Basu, 1975).
number of deaths occur due to envenomation by In another investigation, the aqueous ethanolic
these snakes (Alam and Gomes, 2003). extract of the aerial part of Eclipta prostrata
(Asteraceae), known as an antidote to snakte bite in
The utilize of plants against the effects of snake bite China and Brazil, has been tested against South
has been prolonged recognized, high scientific American rattle snake venom (Mors et al., 1989). The
concentration has been given since last twenty years whole plant of Andrographis paniculata Nees and
(Santosh et al., 2004). Various medicinal plants, Gymnema sylvester [Link]. are used against snakebites
which turn up in ancient medicine recipes or which in folk medicine (Russell, 1980). Hemidesmus indicus
have been passed on by oral tradition, are believed to root extracts efficiently neutralized Viper venom-
be snake bite antidotes. In recent science, there have induced coagulant, lethal, anticoagulant,
various attempts to research these plants to explain haemorrhagic and inflammatory action (Alam et al.,
their effectiveness. India has a prosperous tradition of 1994). Many plant phytoconstituents such as
the utilize of medicinal plants. Several Indian terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, quinonoid and
medicinal plants are recommended for the curing of xanthene possessed protein binding and enzyme
snake bite. inhibiting potentialities and also inhibit snake venom
phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities of both cobra

43 Alagesaboopathi
 Int. J. Biosci. 2013

venom and viper (Selvanayagam et al., 1996). district is mountainous in nature. Enumerated below
Triterpenoids present in Emblica officinalis and Vitex are some important Hills. They are Shevaroy Hills,
negundo may involve in venom inactivation methods. Kanjamalai Hills, Kumaragiri Hills, Kalrayan,
The pentacyclic triterpenes (free or as glycosides) are Palamalai, Suriyamalai, Vanavasi Hills, Bodamalai
found largely in many antisnake venom plants such as and Arunoothmalai. The district is well known for its
Phyllanthus amarus, Aloe barbedensis, Aegle special assemblage of vegetation riches. In this
marmelos, Alstonia scholaris etc. and supply present research study is focused on the preliminary
approximately twenty percentage protection against survey of medicinal plants for the biotherapeutic
snake venom (Mors et al., 2000). A previous study by application of snakebite in Salem district, Tamilnadu,
Chatterjee et al., (2004) showed that an active India.
biocompound from the Strychnus nux vomica seed
extract, inhibited viper venom induced lipid per Materials and methods
oxidation in experimental animals. The whole plant of Periodic field trips of ethnobotanical exploration were
Andrographis serpyllifolia Wight have been found undertaken in rural and mountainous areas of the
used as an antidote against snake venom (Sekhar et study area inhabited by Malayalis and rural peoples
al., 2011). The leaves of Andrographis lineata, A. during October 2010 to November 2012. The
ovata, A. neesiana, A. affinis and A. macrobotrys information were collected from the medicine men,
have been found useful as an antidote against snake village dwellers, women, village herbalists, village
venom (Alagesaboopathi, 2012). headmen and the aged and experienced people the
herbal medicine practitioners, vaidyas and their
As a conclusion, a great number of plants have been traditional healers following the methodology of Jain
found to be efficient as antidotes against snake and Rao (1976). Information was collected through
venoms in India (Chopra et al., 1956; Kirtikar and questionnaires, bilateral discussion and open ended
Basu, 1975; Nadkarni, 1976; Alam and Gomes, 2003). interviews on plants used by Malayali and rustic
Ethnobotanical survey of folk plants for the treatment people. A total 150 informants have been interviewed
of snakebites in Southern part of Tamilnadu, India on random basis. Information about the family,
was observed by Perumalsamy et al., (2008). The botanical name of species, local name, plant parts
noted contribution on floral diversity in Tamilnadu used, plant crude drug preparation, mode of
was made by Matthew, 1983; Henry et al., 1987; applications, dosage and duration were documented
Senthilkumar and Krishnamurthy, 1993. (Parinitha et al., 2005) and medicinal uses, plant
Documentation of traditional information of parts that were identified as having use in
medicinal plants to treat several ailments has been ethnobotany were collected and compressed plant
carried out by Udayan et al., 2006; species collected were identified with the help of local
Sankaranarayanan et al., 2010; Poongodi et al., 2011; floras and other useful works viz. Gamble, 1936;
Jayanthi et al., 2012. Ethnobotanical investigations in Henry et al., 1987; Henry et al., 1989; Matthew, 1983.
the world reported by Anderson, 1995; Ody, 2000; The voucher specimens were deposited in the
Paye, 2000. Herbarium at Department of Botany, Government
Arts College (Autonomous), Salem (India) for future
Salem is one of the most well-known districts of reference. It was found that various of the present
Tamilnadu. The total geographical area of Salem data was not so far been usable in literature.
district is covered by various types of forests and
blessed with varied flora and fauna. Salem is located Results and discussion
in the North central part of Tamilnadu. It lies During the present attention and interaction with the
between 111446 and 125330 North latitude and tribals, village dwellers, village headman, vaidyas,
between 773252 - 785305 East longitude. The village herbalists, the herbal medicine practitioners

44 Alagesaboopathi
 Int. J. Biosci. 2013

and other traditional healers of Salem district, preparation and method of administration were
Tamilnadu. A total of 51 species distributed among 35 recorded in the field.
genera belonging to 26 families were identified for
medicinal uses during this investigation. 51 vascular 25

plants were enumerated with their 4 is monocot and

20
47 is dicot. The largest number of plants used

No. of respondents
medicinally belongs to family Acanthaceae 12 spp, 15
followed by Rutaceae 5 spp, Asclepiadaceae 3 spp,
Caesalpiniaceae 3 spp, Asteraceae 2 spp, Lamiaceae 2 10
spp, Apocynaceae 2 spp, Asteraceae 2 spp,
Aristolochiaceae 2 spp and Combretaceae 2 spp. 5

Remaining 16 families have one species each (Fig.1).

0

nt

rk

rk

lb
it
me
ot

ex
ed
es
18

Fru
pl a

bu
ba

Ba
Ro

la t
av

Se
izo

in
Le

ot
16

o le

af
Rh

Sk
Ro

Le
Wh
No. of respondents

14
12
10 Fig. 2. Analysis of plant part utility in the research.

8
6 50
45
Percentage of respondents

4
2 40
0 35
30
ae

ae
e
e
ae

ae
ae
e

rs
e

a
ea

ea
ea

e
ce
e

he
ce

ce

25
ac

ia c
c

ac
ac

ac
ac

da
tha

ala

Ot
na

yn
i ni

re t
ter
t

ch
Ru

pia

mi

20
ly g
an

oc
alp

As

ol o

mb
La
cl e
Ac

Ap
Po
es

Co
ist

15
As

Ca

Ar

10
5
Fig.1. Family wise (number) distribution of
0
ethnomedicines.
Paste Juice Decoction Extract Latex Powder

As a result, the author has observed that these plants

are used especially for snake bite. The present results Fig. 3. Plant parts used for drug preparation.
showed that many parts of individual plant species
are used as medicine. The most largely used For treating snake bite, the used of aerial plant parts
medicinal plant part was the leaves (20 species), was highest (72.54%) than the underground parts
followed by whole plant (10 species), root (9 species), (27.45%). Leaves were observed as the highest
root bark (2 species), rhizome (2 species), fruit (2 popular plant part followed by others such as whole
species), seed (1species), tuber (1 species), leaves and plant, root, root bark, rhizome, fruit, seed, leaf latex
fruits (1 species), leaf latex and flower (1 species), and flower, tuber, leaves and fruit, bark, skin bulb
bark (1 species) and skin bulb (1 species) (Fig. 2). The and fruit. The percentage of plants parts used is as
medicinal plants are utilized as whole or their parts in follows: leaves 39%, whole plant 20%, root 18%, root
their form of juice, decoction, latex, powder and paste bark 4%, rhizome 4%, fruit 4%, seed 2%, tuber 2%,
(Fig. 3). The medicinal uses are qualities with details bark 2%, skin bulb 2%, leaves and fruits 2% and leaf
such as part(s) used single, combination with other latex and flower 2% (Fig. 4). Maximum utilize of
ingredients or mingled with other plants, mode of leaves medicinal application reveals either these

45 Alagesaboopathi
 Int. J. Biosci. 2013

plants are easily availability or the may have potent plants than younger generation. Rustic and tribal
medicinal properties. Popular medicinal plants such people of the district have potent confidence in their
as Andrographis paniculata, Andrographis lineata, mode of treatment and observation positive results of
Aristolochia indica, Aristolochia bracteolata, their preparations (Perez and Byron, 1999).
Andrographis alata, Andrographis serpyllifolia,
Rhinacanthus nasutus, Eclipta prostrata, Glorisa Medicine plants presentation an important role in
superba, Hemidesmus indicus and Murraya providing information to the researchers in the filed
paniculata were used for snake bite. All the 51 species of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology. The
are used to treatment of snake bite. observation of current research showed that
traditional medicine performance a essential role
among the local people of Salem district. In Salem
Leaves 39%
district, the traditional medicinal mode is very
Whole plant 20%
Root 18% efficient, supportive and successful in treatment of
Root bark 4%
snake bite. Ethnomedicinal survey is most beneficial
Rhizome 4%
Fruit 4% for research scholars, scientists and scientific
Seed 2%
Tuber 2% companies for further research on isolation and
Bark 2% identification of phytoconstituents that can be
Skin bulb 2%
Leaves and fruits 2% formulated into various medicines.
Leaf latex and flower 2%

Conclusion
The tribal and local people of Salem district of
Fig. 4. Analysis of various plant parts of medicinal
Tamilnadu have been using many plants of
plants in the study.
therapeutic purpose since time immoral. Local people
and tribals mainly depend on the plants for snake
The knowledge on folk medicinal utilizes have been
bite. They are also very familiar with the antidotes for
compared with current available literature (Ramar
snake bites. Over exploitation of plant species in the
Perumalsamy et al., 2008; Selvanayagam et al., 1995;
name of drug may lead some species extremely to the
Soares et al., 2005; Sekhar et al., 2011; Poongodi et
disappearance in future. Therefore, attention should
al., 2011; Das et al., 2012), Despite several papers that
be made on correct exploitation and utilized of these
have been conducted on the medicinal plants of
plants. The present study may thus prove to be of
Southern India (Ramar Perumalsamy et al., 2008;
great use to the pharmacology, phytochemistry,
Guru Prasad, 2011; Kuru Suresh et al., 2011; Jayanthi
researcher’s conservationists, foresters and people
et al., 2012; Balagengathathilagam et al., 2012), the
interested in herbal medicine. Finally, to conclude,
medicinal utilized of plants of Tamilnadu to treat
this research paper may also provide worthiness
snake bite had been examined in many parts of
information to pharmacologists and biochemists in
Tamilnadu except Salem district. The people of the
screening of individual species and their
study area still have a potent confidence in efficacy
phytochemicals to accelerate the drug discovery and
and potentialities of herbal medicine, Andrographis
evolution process for the treatment of snake bite. The
alata, Andrographis paniculata, Aristolochia
study area is wealthy in medicinal plant resources.
bracteolata and Aristolochia indica plants paste used
For the profit of the community the reported plant
to treat snake bite in the study area and the same use
species should be take attend of and also steps be
was also reported by Kuru Suresh et al., (2011). It was
taken for conservation as well as multiplication of
notable that 70% among men and 30% among women
these plant species.
were knowledgeable tribals and rural people about
plants. It was noted that elder people had more
information about the traditional utilizes of medicinal

46 Alagesaboopathi
 Int. J. Biosci. 2013

Enumeration 6. Ammannia baccifera L.

The plant species are arranged in alphabetical order. Family - Lythraceae
The following plant species were identified for their Local Name: Neerumulli
utilize in traditional health care system against snake Part used: Whole plant
bite. The medicinal uses are described with details Uses: About 25 gm whole plant powder
such as the part(s) used singly, combination with mixed with hot cow’s milk to drink which
other ingredients or mixed with other plants, treat snake bite.
methods of preparation and mode of administration. 7. Andrographis affinis Nees.
The enumeration of plants contains botanical name, Family - Acanthaceae
family name, local name (Tamil), plant parts used and Local name: Keeripparandai;
uses. The following is the list of 51 plants studied. Part used: Leaves
1. Achyranthus aspera L. Uses: Leaf decoction is given orally to treat
Family - Amaranthaceae snake bite.
Local name: Nayuruvi 8. Andrographis alata Nees.
Part used: Root Family - Acanthaceae
Uses: The paste obtained from the root has Local name: Periyanangai;
been used to treatment of snake bite. Part used: Leaves
2. Acorus calamus L. Uses : Intaking of leaf juice, about 50 ml, for
Family - Araceae every 2 hours upto one day is a good remedy
Local name: Vasamboo for cobra bite.
Part used: Rhizome 9. Andrographis echioides Nees.
Uses: Paste obtained from the rhizome has Family - Acanthaceae
been used to treat antidote for snake bite. Local name: Gopuranthangi;
3. Aegle marmelos Correa. Part used: Whole plant
Family - Rutaceae Uses: The paste taken from fresh root is used
Local name: Vilvam to treat for cobra bite.
Part used: Root bark 10. Andrographis lineata Nees.
Uses: Root bark extract is administered Family - Acanthaceae
internally for every 4 hours upto day works Local name: Periyanangai
as an best antidote for cobra bite. Part used: Whole plant
4. Alangium salvifolium (L.) Wangerin. Uses: About 30 gm of whole plant paste is
Family - Alangiaceae directly administered orally for every 4
Local name: Alangi hours upto one day works as an antidote for
Part used: Root bark cobra bite.
Uses: Root bark decoction is given internally 11. Andrographis macrobotrys Nees.
to treat snake bite. Family - Acanthaceae
5. Allium cepa L. Local name: -
Family - Liliaceae Part used: Whole plant
Local name: Venkayam; Uses: Whole plant decoction is given orally
Part used: Skin bulb to treat antidote for snake bite.
Uses: The paste taken from fresh skin bulb
are used to treat snake bite.

47 Alagesaboopathi
 Int. J. Biosci. 2013

12. Andrographis neesiana Wight. 18. Argemone mexicana L.

Family - Acanthaceae Family - Papaveraceae
Local name: - Local name: Brahmathandu;
Part used: Leaf Part used: Leaf
Uses: Paste of leaves is applied externally on Uses : Intaking of leaf juice, about 50 ml, for
bitten site of snake bite. every 3 hours upto one day is a best treat for
13. Andrographis ovata [Link]. snake bite.
Family - Acanthaceae 19. Aristolochia bracteolata Lam.
Local name: - Family - Aristolochiaceae
Part used: Whole plant Local name: Adutinnapalai
Uses: About 25 gm, whole plant paste mixed Part used: Leaves
with cow’s milk is administered internally Uses: Leaf paste is used in the treatment of
for every 4 hours upto 12 hours works as an snake bite.
best antidote for snake bite. 20. Aristolochia indica Li.
14. Andrographis paniculata Nees. Family - Aristolochiaceae
Family - Acanthaceae Local name: Perumarunthukodi
Local name: Nilavembu Part used: Whole plant
Part used: Whole plant Uses: The leaf powder mixed with black
Uses: Whole plant decoction is pepper (Piper nigrum) given orally to treat
administrated orally for every 2 hours upto snake bite.
day works as an best antidote for cobra bite. 21. Atalantia racemosa Wight and
15. Andrographis serpyllifolia (Vahl.) Arn.
Wight. Family - Rutaceae
Family - Acanthaceae Local Name: Kattukozhinji
Local name: Kattuppooraankodi Part used: Fruit
Part used : Leaves Uses: Fruit pulp paste mixed with black
Uses: Leaf decoction is given for the pepper (Piper nirgum) is given orally to
treatment of snake bite. treat snake bite.
16. Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze. 22. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell.
Family - Lamiaceae Family - Scrophulariaceae
Local name: Paeimiratti Local name: Neeripirami
Part used: Leaves Part used: Leaf
Uses: Paste of leaf is taken to treat snake Uses: 50 ml of leaf powder decoction mixed
bite. with hot cow’s milk taken orally to cure
17. Anisomeles malabarica (L.) [Link]. snake bite.
Family - Lamiaceae 23. Barleria strigosa Willd.
Local name: Peymarutti Family - Acanthaceae
Part used: Leaves Local name: Nilambaram
Uses: The leaf of juice mixed with cow’s milk Part used: Root
to drink which treat snake bite. Uses: The paste obtained from the root has
been used to treat antidote for snake bite.

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 Int. J. Biosci. 2013

24. Calotropis gigantea (L.) [Link]. 31. Emblica officinalis Gaertn.

Family - Asclepiadaceae Family - Euphorbiaceae
Local name: Erukku Local name: Nelli
Parts used: Leaf, latex and flower Parts used: Leaves and fruits
Uses : Leaf latex is applied externally to cure Uses: Leaf juice alone is also taken orally to
snake bite. The flower juice mixed with black treat snakebite. 50 ml of fruit juice mixed
pepper (Piper nigrum) is given orally to with water or goat’s milk or cow’s milk to
curing snake bite. drink which treat snake bite.
25. Cassia alata L. 32. Evolvulus alsinoides L.
Family - Caesalpiniaceae Family - Convolvulaceae
Local name: Seemaiyagathi Local name: Vishnukiranthai
Part used: Leaf Part used: Whole plant
Uses: Paste of leaves is applied Uses: Whole plant extract is considered as
externally on the spot of snake bite. strong antidote for snake bite.
26. Cassia occidentalis L. 33. Gloriosa superba L.
Family - Caesalpiniaceae Family - Colchicaceae
Local name: Peeperambi, Thagarai Local name: Kalappaikkilangu
Part used: Root Part used: Tuber
Uses: Orally administration of root paste, Uses: Tuber paste is applied externally on
about 30 g. for every 2 hours upto a day is the wound of snake bite.
best cure for cobra bite. 34. Heliotropium indicum L.
27. Cassia tora L. Family - Boraginaceae
Family - Caesalpiniaceae Local name: Nakkipoo
Local name: Tagarai Part used: Leaves
Part used: Leaf Uses: 50 ml. of leaf decoction mixed with hot
Uses: 50 ml of leaf decoction mixed with water is used to cure snake bite.
cow’s milk is used to treat snake bite. 35. Hemidesmus indicus [Link].
28. Curcuma longa L. Family - Asclepiadaceae
Family - Zingiberaceae Local name: Nannari
Local name: Manchal Part used: Root
Part used: Rhizome Uses: Decoction of root is taken orally to
Uses: Rhizome paste is applied externally treat snake bite.
against snake bite. 36. Justicia tranquebariensis L.
29. Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. Family - Acanthaceae
Family - Asteraceae Local name: Thavasimurungai
Local Name: Manchalkarisalankanni Part used: Leaf
Part used: Whole plant Uses: 50 ml of leaf juice is given orally to
Uses : whole plant juice is given orally to treat snake bite. Leaf paste applied
treat antidote for snake bite. externally on the sight of snake bite work as
30. Eclipta prostrata L. an antidote for cobra bite.
Family - Asteraceae
Local name: Karisalanganni;
Part used: Leaves
Uses: Leaf paste is applied externally to treat
snake bite.

49 Alagesaboopathi
 Int. J. Biosci. 2013

37. Limonia acidissima L. 44. Rauvolfia serpentina (L.)

Family - Rutaceae [Link] Kurz.
Local name: Vila Family - Apocynaceae
Part used: Root Local name: Sarpagaanthi
Uses: 50 ml of root juice mixed with hot Part used: Root
water is used to treat snake bite. Uses: Root paste mixed with cow’s milk
38. Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roemer taken internally for snake bite.
Family - Cucurbitaceae 45. Rauvolfia tetraphylla L.
Local Name: Nuraipeerku Family - Apocynaceae
Part used: Leaf Local name: Pampukaalaachchedi
Uses: 50 ml of leaf juice mixed with Cow’s Part used: Whole plant
milk is given internally to treat snake bite. Uses: Paste made from this whole plant
39. Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack. applied externally on the wound of snake
Family - Rutaceae bite.
Local name: Angarapputhalai 46. Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz.
Part used: Leaf Family - Acanthaceae
Uses: The leaf powder mixed with hot water Local name: Nagamalli
to drink which treat snake bite. Part used: Leaves
40. Naringi Crenulata (Roxb.) Uses: The paste of the leaf is applied
Family - Rutaceae externally to treatment of snake bite.
Local Name: Magavilvam 47. Strychnos nux-vomica L.
Part used: Root Family - Loganiaceae
Uses : Root paste mixed with cow’s milk Local name: Yeti
taken orally to curing snake bite. Part used: Seed
41. Opilia amentacea Roxb. Uses: The seed powder is antidote for snake
Family - Opiliaceae bite.
Local Name: Manjandamaram 48. Terminalia arjuna (DC) Wight and
Part used: Root Arn.
Uses: Root paste is taken internally to cure Family - Combretaceae
snake bite. Local name: Vellamarthu;
42. Polygala arvensis Willd. Part used: Bark
Family - Polygalaceae Uses: Paste of bark is applied on affected
Local name: - part in snake bite.
Part used: Whole plant 49. Terminalia chebula Retz.
Uses: Paste of whole plant is applied on Family - Combretaceae
effected part in snake bite. Local name: Kadukkaimaram;
43. Polygala chinensis L. Part used: Fruit
Family - Polygalaceae Uses: Powdered fruit is mixed with hot water
Local name: Siriyanangai to drink which cure snake bite.
Part used: Root
Uses: Root extract is used to cure snake bite.

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50. Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merr. R.E. Schultes and S. von Reis. pp.183-186. Chapman
Family - Asclepiadaceae and Hall, London, UK.
Local Name: Asthamakodi;
Part used: Leaf Balagengatharathilagam P, Rajasekaran KM,
Uses: 50 ml of leaf juice mixed with hot Karuppusamy S. 2012. Diversity and utilization of
water is given orally to treat snake bite. Paste ethonomedicinal plants in the selected sacred groves
from this leaf applied externally on the of Southern district of Tamilnadu. Life Science
wound of snake bite. Leaflets 12, 1-22.

51. Vitex negundo L. Bawaskar HS. 2004. Snake venoms and

Family - Verbenaceae antivenoms : critical supply issues. JAPI 52, 11-13.
Local name: Nochi
Part used: Leaf Chopra RN, Nayar SL, Chopra IC. 1956. Glossary
Uses: The paste of the leaf is applied of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and
externally to treat snake bite. Industrial Research, New Delhi, India, p. 330.

Acknowledgment Das S, Choudhury MD. 2012. Ethnomedicinal uses

The author is greateful to the medicine men, village of some traditional medicinal plants found in Tripura.
dwellers, village herbalists, vaidyas village headmen Plants Research 6(35), 4908-4914.
the herbal medicine practitioners women, aged and
experienced peoples and other traditional healers of Dubey NK, Kumar R, Tripathi P. 2004. Global
Salem district for their help to complete this study promotion of herbal medicine: Indian opportunities.
successfully. I am also thankful to the people of the Current Medicine 86, 37-41.
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