Indigenous snake bite remedies of the Luo of Western Kenya

Journal of Ethnobiology

Volumn 25, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 129-141

  Owuor, Bethwell O ^a   Mulemi, Benson A ^a   Kokwaro, John O ^b  

^a CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA   (Kenya)

^b UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI   (Kenya)

Author keywords

East Africa; Kenya; Luo; medicinal plants; venomous snakes

Indexed keywords

SERPENTES;

EID: 34250876016     PISSN: 02780771     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2993/0278-0771(2005)25[129:ISBROT]2.0.CO;2     Document Type: Article

References (53)

1. Abubakar, M.S., M.I. Sule, U.U. Pateh, E.M. Abdurahman, A.K. Haruna, and B.M. Jahun. 2000. In vitro snake venom detoxifying action of the leaf extract of Guiera senegalensis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 69(3):253-257.
2. Agnew, A.D.Q. and S. Agnew. 1994. Upland Kenya Wild Flowers, 2nd ed. East African Natural History Society, Nairobi.
3. Alam, M.I. and A. Gomes. 1998a. Viper venom-induced inflammation and inhibition of free radical formation by pure compound (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid) isolated and purified from anatamul (Hemidesmus indicus R. Br.) root extract. Toxicon 36 (1):207-215.
4. . 1998b. Adjuvant effect and antiserum action potentiation by a (herbal) compound 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid isolated from the root extract of the Indian medicinal plant 'sarsaparilla' (Hemidesmus indicus R.Br.). Toxicon 36(10):1423-1431.
5. . 2003. Snake venom neutralization by Indian medicinal plants (Vitex negundo and Emblica officinalis) root extracts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 86(1):75-80.
6. Ayensu, E.S. 1978. Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference Publications, Algonac, Michigan.
7. Barrett, D.B. 1982. World Christian Encyclopedia. Oxford University Press, Nairobi.
8. Batina Mde, F., A.C. Cintra, E.L. Veronese, M.A. Lavrador, J.R. Giglio, P.S. Pereira, D.A. Dias, S.C. Franca, and S.V. Sampaio. 2000. Inhibition of the lethal and myotoxic activities of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom by Tabernaemontana catharinensis: identification of one of the active components. Planta Medica 66(5): 424-428.
9. Beentje, H. 1994. Kenya Trees, Shrubs and Lianas. National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi.
10. Bogardus, E.S. 1963. Some pioneer American sociologists. Sociology and Social Research 47:25-33.
11. Burkill, H.M. 1985. The Useful Plants of WestTropical Africa, vol.1, 2nd ed. Royal Botanic Garden, Kew.
12. Chippaux, J.P. 1998. Snake-bites: appraisal of the global situation. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 76:515-524.
13. . 2000. Prevention of snake bites and management of envenomations in Africa. African Newsletter 1:12-15.
14. Cohen, D.W. and E.S. Atieno-Odhiambo. 1989. Siaya: The Historical Anthropology of an African Landscape. Heinemann Kenya, Nairobi.
15. Consroe, P., N.B. Egen, F.E. Russell, K. Gerrish, D.C. Smith, A. Sidki, and J.T. Landon. 1995. Comparison of a new ovine antigen binding fragment (Fab) antivenin for United States Crotalidae with the commercial antivenin for protection against venom-induced lethality in mice. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 53:507-510.
16. Ditmars, R.L. 1946. The Snakes of the World. Macmillan, New York.
17. Ducker, G. 1975. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, vol.12. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York.
18. Ferreira, L.A.F., O.B. Henriques, A.A.S. Andreoni, G.R.F. Vital, M.M.C. Campos, G.G. Habermehl, and V.L.G. de Moraes. 1992. Antivenom and biological effects of ar-turmerone isolated from Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae). Toxicon 30(10): 1211-1218.
19. Fitz Simmons, V.F.M. 1970. A Field Guide to the Snakes of South Africa. Cape and Transvaal Printers (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town.
20. Geissberger, P. and U. Sequin. 1991. Constituents of Bidens pilosa L.: do the components found so far explain the use of this plant in traditional medicine? Acta Tropica 48(4):251-261.
21. Guerranti, R., J.C. Aguiyi, E. Errico, R. Pagani, and E. Marinello. 2001. Effects of Mucuna pruriens extract on activation of prothrombin by Echis carinatus venom. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 75(2-3):175-180.
22. Haruna, A.K. and M.K. Choudhury. 1995. In vivo antisnake venom activity of a furanoid diterpene from Aristolochia albida Duch (Aristolochiaceae). Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 57(5): 222-224
23. Jager, A.K., A. Hutchings, and J. van Staden. 1996. Screening of Zulu medicinal plants used for medicinal purposes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 52(2):95-100.
24. Johns, T., J.O. Kokwaro, and E.K. Kimanani. 1990. Herbal remedies of the Luo of Siaya district, Kenya: establishing criteria for quantitative consensus. Economic Botany 44:369-381.
25. Kawango, E.A. 1995. Ethnomedical remedies and therapies in maternal and child health among the rural Luo. In Traditional Medicine in Africa, eds. I. Sindiga, C. Nyaigotti-Chacha, and M.P. Kanunah, pp. 80-94. East Africa Educational Publishers, Nairobi.
26. Knox, E. 1996. List of East African Plants. National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi.
27. Kokwaro, J.O. 1972. Luo-English Botanical Dictionary. East African Publishing House, Nairobi.
28. . 1976. Medicinal Plants of East Africa. East Africa Publishing House, Nairobi.
29. Kokwaro, J.O. and T. Johns. 1998. Luo Biological Dictionary. East African Educational Publishers. Nairobi.
30. Krifi, M. N., M. El Ayeb, and K. Dellagi. 1999. The improvement and standardization of antivenom production in developing countries: comparing antivenom quality, therapeutical efficiency, and cost. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins 5(2):128-141.
31. Mahanta, M. and A.K. Mukherjee. 2001. Neutralisation of lethality, myotoxicity and toxic enzymes of Naja kaouthia venom by Mimosa pudica root extracts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 75(1):55-60.
32. Martin, G.J. 1995. Ethnobotany: A Methods Manual. Chapman and Hall, London.
33. Nuwanyakpa, M., N. J. Toyang, S. Django, C. Ndi, and C. Wirmum. 2000. Ethnoveterinary healing practices of the Fulani pastoralists in Cameroon: combining the natural and the supernatural. IK Monitor 8(2):3-6.
34. Ocholla-Ayayo, A.B.C. 1976. Traditional Ideology and Ethics among the Southern Luo. Scandinavian Institute, Institute of African Studies, Uppsala.
35. Ogot, B.A. 1967. Peoples of East Africa, History of the Southern Luo, vol.1. East Africa Publishing House, Nairobi.
36. Oliver-Bever, B. 1986. Medicinal Plants in Tropical West Africa. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
37. Onuaguluchi G. 1989. Preliminary study ofan extract from Diodia scandens on some toxic effects of Echis carinatus venom. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 26(2):189-196.
38. Onyango-Ogutu, B. and A.A. Roscoe. 1974. Keep My Word. Heinemann Kenya, Nairobi.
39. Owuor, B.O. 1999. An Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical Study of the Herbal Remedies of Migori District, Kenya. Msc. Thesis (Department of Botany), University of Nairobi.
40. Pereira, N.A., B.M. Pereira, M.C. do Nascimento, J.P. Parente, and W.B. Mors. 1994. Pharmacological screening of plants recommended by folk medicine as snake venom antidotes; IV. Protection against jararaca venom by isolated constituents. PlantaMedica 60(2):99-100.
41. Russell, F.E. 1989. Snake venom immunology: historical and practical considerations. Journal of Toxicology Toxin Reviews (7):1-82.
42. Sánchez, J. 1963. St. Patrick. In Encyclopedia International. Grolier, New York.
43. Selvanayagam, Z.E., S.G. Gnanavendhan, K. Balakrishna, R.B. Rao, J. Sivaraman, K. Subramanian, and R.K. Puri. 1996. Ehretianone, a novel quinonoid xanthene from Ehretia buxifolia with antisnake venom activity. Journal of Natural Products 59(7):664-667.
44. Sindiga, I. 1995. Managing illness among the Luo. Traditional Medicine in Africa, eds. I. Sindiga, C. Nyaigotti-Chacha, and M.P. Kanunah, pp. 64-79. East Africa Educational Publishers. Nairobi.
45. Snow, R.W., R. Bronzan, T. Roques, C. Nyamawi, S. Murphy, and K. Marsh. 1994. The prevalence and morbidity of snake bite and treatment-seeking behavior among a rural Kenyan population. Annals of Tropical Medical Parasitology 88: 665-671.
46. Stace, C.A. 1996. Plant Taxonomy and Biosystematics. Cambridge University Press, London.
47. Taylor, N. 1970. Snake root. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Volume 20. William Benton, Chicago.
48. Tits, M., J. Damas, J. Quetin-Leclercq, L. Angenot, and L. Limerick. 1991. From ethnobotanical uses of Strychnos henningsii to antiinflammatories, analgesics and antispasmodics. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 34(2-3):261-267.
49. Turrill, W.B. and E. Milne-Redhead, eds. 1952. The Flora of Tropical East Africa. Crown Agents, London.
50. Vasanthi, H.R., A. Jaswanth, V. Krishnaraj, G.V. Rajamanickam, and A. Saraswathy. 2003. In vitro snake venom detoxifying action of some marine algae of Gulf of Mannar, south-east coast of India. Phytotherapy Research 17(10):1217-1219.
51. Vilegas, J.H.Y., F.M. Lançasa, W. Vilegas, and G.L. Pozettib. 1997. Further triterpenes, steroids and furocoumarins from Brazilian medicinal plants of Dorstenia genus (Moraceae) Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society. 8(5):529-535. (Pubitemid 127530452)
52. Watt, J.M. and M.G. Breyer-Brandwijk. 1962. The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa, 2nd ed. E.& S. Livingstone, Ltd., Edinburgh and London.
53. Whisson, M.G. 1964. Some aspects of functional disorders among the Kenyan Luo. In Magic, Faith and Healing: Studies in Psychiatry Today, ed. A. Kiev, pp. 283- 304. The Free Press, New York.