Medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite and scorpion sting by the tribes of Shahapur and Jawhar forest division

Abstract

Many tribal communities living in the forest area deal with emergency cases of snakebite and scorpion sting by using traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. They possess traditional and authentic information gained from their elders about the antidote for poisonous bites. The present study was conducted in the tribal pockets of Shahapur and Jawhar forest division of Thane forest circle, Maharashtra, India. Data was collected through interviews with folk healers and informers by using a specially designed open and close-ended proforma. Collected data have been verified from the classical text of Ayurveda, books, and available articles. This medico-ethnobotanical survey reveals detailed information on 27 plants belonging to 19 families. A total of 17 and 10 claims have been reported for the treatment of snakebite and scorpion sting, respectively. Only 1 plant is claimed for veterinary use. Tribal communities have been using flower, fruit, pod, root, stem, stem bark, leaf, etc. as an antidote in the form of fresh juice, powder for internal use, and paste for local application. They also are administering medicine via., Nasya (nasal administration) and Dhumapana (smoke). The observation generated by this research creates scientific curiosity regarding further studies to evaluate the efficacy and develop antidotes from medicinal plants based on tribal knowledge.