Keraliya Visha Chikitsa: A Comprehensive Review of Traditional Ayurvedic Toxicology

Keraliya Visha Chikitsa represents a distinct and highly specialized branch of Agada Tantra (toxicology) indigenous to Kerala, India. This tradition is characterized by a unique array of diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic methodologies documented in classical Malayalam texts such as Prayogasamucchaya, Kriyakoumudi, and Visha Vaidya Jyotsnika. This article provides a detailed exploration of these practices, which were developed to address the critical need for effective snake bite management in a region where such incidents are historically prevalent. Examine specialized procedures including Oothu Chikitsa (blowing therapy), Thooku Dhara (medicated stream), and Karu Prayoga (parenteral administration), alongside diagnostic tools like Vishahari Lehya and prognostic assessments like Shara Pareeksha. The review highlights the systemic approach of this tradition, which encompasses emergency first aid (Atyayika), stage-based treatment (Veganusari), and localized care (Sthaneeya). Furthermore, the article analyses the mechanical and pharmacological rationale behind these traditional methods, emphasizing their role as potentially life-saving emergency interventions in Ayurveda. Finally, the review concludes that while Keraliya Visha Chikitsa has been successfully practiced for generations, there is an urgent need for contemporary scientific validation to ensure these valuable methodologies are preserved and integrated into modern medical frameworks.