Anti–snake Venom Botanicals Used by the Ethnic Groups of Purulia District, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Purulia, the westernmost district of West Bengal, India is inhabited by a large number of tribals. A study on ethnomedicinal plants used against snakebite in the villages of the district was carried out. Using a questionnaire, personal interviews, and conversations, 15 plant species were found to be used by the ethnic groups as anti-snake venom ousethnobotanicals. Information, mostly collected from villagers, was documented with scientific names of the plants, families, vernacular names, parts used, mode of administration, and locality of use. A note on other reports of the plants used as antivenom and their pharmacological significance were added to bridge the traditional knowledge and scientific investigations.

Keywords:

• Snakebite
• ethnomedicine
• pharmacology