Indigenous poison healing traditions in Kerala

Abstract

Prior to the emergence of modern medicine as a universal method for all diseases across cultures, and geography—specific methods of treatment existed in various regions. It is not to argue here that these cultural particularities in the treatment of diseases totally disappeared. Under the pressure of modern medicine, pre-modern methods reformed, reformulated and re-emerged as a hybrid system to survive and sustain. The history of snake poison healing in Kerala is sufficient for this argument. The modern and indigenous (consisting of textual and folk) poison healing methods have simultaneously been in existence in the state. The viṣavaidyam (poison treatment), an anti-snake venom treatment practiced by different sections of people with known herbs is plural in nature. However, Ayurveda takes second place in authority and hierarchy of treatments because of the textualization of the treatment methods. Other methods lack such authority. However, due to the presence of poisonous reptiles all over Kerala, the practice of different treatment methods by different castes and communities’ points to the inclusiveness of the poison healing system. In this paper, an attempt has been made to present an overview of the native poison healers and their healing systems in Kerala, with special attention to their traditions and present condition.