Oothu Chikitsa (Blowing Therapy)-A Review on Crisis Management in Snake Bites

Authors

  • Swathi Sharma Assistant Professor Department of Agada Tantra Sushrutha Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital,Bangalore. Karnataka Author
  • Santosh F Patil Assistant Professor Department of Agada Tantra, KAHER’S Shri B M K Ayurveda Mahavidyalay, Belgaum. Karnataka Author
  • Babu H Harish Associate Professor Department of Agada Tantra, Sushrutha Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore. Karnataka Author
  • Bramhadattan Namboodiri Chief Physician, Visha Chikitsa Kendra, Ullanoor Mana, Mechapadi, Vengamedu post Trissur. Kerala Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/

Keywords:

Visha chikitsa, Oothu chikitsa, Snake envenomation, Traditional medicine, Kerala

Abstract

Background: Snake bite management is one of the perplexing tasks in present day  due to shortage of envenomation therapy. It is an emergency condition requiring  quick acting remedy for different symptoms. Agada Tantra (toxicology) is one  such branch of ayurveda which deals with the treatment principles of  envenomation by animal or plant. Few empirical textbooks on Visha chikithsa of  Kerala mention a therapeutic procedure ‘Oothu chikitsa’ (blowing therapy) to  manage crisis of snake bite. Source: Literary review from the classical text. Indications: Classically the procedure is employed in snake bite victim presenting  with diminished sensorium to both verbal and physical stimuli, by blowing a  combination of drugs into the ears and over the scalp. This practice is still alive as  a legacy at door-step of traditional practitioners of Kerala.  Conclusion: Oothu chikitsa is feasible and effective in condition where patient is  losing consciousness due to envenomation. These practices need to be explored  and understood to improvise the management of envenomation and uphold its  importance.

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Published

2022-06-30

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 6 (2022): International Research Journal of Ayurveda And Yoga (Jun) 2022

Section

Review Article

How to Cite

Sharma, S., Patil, S. F., Harish , B. H., & Namboodiri, B. (2022). Oothu Chikitsa (Blowing Therapy)-A Review on Crisis Management in Snake Bites. International Research Journal of Ayurveda & Yoga, 5(6), 82-87. https://doi.org/10.48165/
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