Fighting Poison: A Tribe Revolutionizes Snake Bite Treatment
The Irula Snake-cooperative has brought about a revolution in the treatment of snake-bites in India by producing enough anti-venom, thereby acting as a reliable supplier to the hospitals across the country. The Irula tribe, one of India’s oldest communities, living along the borders of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are experts in traditional herbal medicine and healing practices, and Irula ‘vaidyars’ (practitioners of medicine) comprise mostly women, and they practice healing procedures which use over 320 medicinal herbs. Besides being well-versed in medicine, their skill at capturing venomous snakes is outstanding. Why the need of an antivenom? Reports say, during the […]
