The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2026; 15(3):128-137 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2026.15304

Research Article

Ethnomedical survey on poisonous bites by traditional practitioners in the eastern province of Sri Lanka

Tharankani Vijayakumar¹

Tharankani Vijayakumar

1. Faculty of Siddha Medicine, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University of Sri Lanka (EUSL), Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 16th December, 2025 / Revised: 1st January, 1970 / Accepted: 3rd May, 2026 / Published : 24th June, 2026

Abstract

Background: Poisonous bites remain one of the significant public health concerns in rural Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, where traditional medical practices by traditional healers using indigenous knowledge passed down through generations, play an important role in the management of venomous animal bites, notably those caused by snakes, scorpions and venomous insects. Objective: This study aims to document the knowledge regarding the traditional treatment practices, herbal remedies and medicinal plants used for the management of poisonous bites by selected traditional practitioners in Eastern province and it may be helpful to improve knowledge regarding the efficient management for poisonous bites and to practice them in future as well. Materials and Methods: An ethnomedical descriptive survey was conducted among 32 selected Visha kadi Traditional practitioners in Eastern province. Convenience sampling technique was used for this study. The data was collected through the interviews and researcher oriented open-ended questionnaire developed for this survey. The analysis was carried out by using Microsoft Excel Results: The ethnomedical survey conducted in Eastern province, has successfully identified 52 medicinal plants among 32 families, utilized by traditional practitioners for the treatment of Poisonous bites. Fabaceae family plants were identified as having the highest representation with 11.54%. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of geographically specific medicinal plants and treatment practices. Accordingly, it is concluded that the diagnostic methods like Thoothan Kuri, along with the use of medicinal plants and herbal remedies by traditional practitioners, are highly effective in identifying and treating poisonous bites.