A critical review on Keeta Visha: An ayurvedic concept

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine having eight important branches. Agadtantra is among one of them which deals with toxicological conditions and their management. Acharya Susruta in Kalpa Sthana of Susruta Samhita, and Acharya Vagbhata in Uttaratantra of Ashtanga Hridaya, moreover in other classics and regional texts have recited concerning the origin of Visha and Keeta Visha. Insects are the largest groups of animals, which constitute 75% of all living animal only 2% of the insect species are horrible to human. There are several types of Keeta Visha described. Among animal poisoning, Acharaya’s have described different creatures (Sarpa, Keeta, and Luta) responsible for life threatening conditions. The importance of Keeta Visha is more because it causes severe manifestations in the human being, even death also. Acharya Suhsruta described Keeta Visha under Jangama Visha (Animate poison) and elucidated 67 different type of Keeta under mainly 4 groups. According to its variety, diagnosis and treatment of Keeta Visha is found to be very difficult because these varieties are not yet properly identified and besides, regional variations of these Keetas expresses very differently.