Abstract

A HOLISTIC APPROACH ON KEETA VISHA: AN AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Dr. Shubhangi R. Nalawade* and Dr. Vaibhav S. Patil

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Abstract

Agadatantra is a branch of Ayurveda dealing with the study of bites from snakes, insects, spiders, rats and so on, various poisons and of poisonous combinations- both natural and artificial and their treatment. Any substance which, on entering the body through any route, vitiates bodily tissues and leads to destruction of health or life can be called Visha. Jangam Visha constitutes animal poisons. Animate poisons are mainly described under Sarpa Visha (snake poison), Keeta Visha (insect poison), Mooshika Visha (Rat poison) and Alarka Visha (Rabies). The term ‘Keeta’ refers to all living creatures which are small in size, but visible; having two or more legs, with or without wings, some living in soil, some in water, some in crevices of buildings, walls, roofs etc., some moving in air; possessing different shapes, colors; some crawl, some fly, some swim, some hop and so on. Some bite man with their teeth, some sting, some scratch the skin with their claws and some poison man with their urine and so forth. Hence there are four types, viz. Vayavya(Vatika), Agneya(Paittika) and Soumya(Kaphaja) Keetas and a fourth variety –constituted of all the three doshas. Definition of Visha, classification, Types, Swaroop, Lakshanas and general treatment of Keeta visha are included in this review.

Keywords: Ayurved, Agadatantra, Visha, Jangam Visha, Keeta.