How African People Survived Snakebites Before Modern Hospitals?

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Disclaimer:  This image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes and does not depict real people or events directly.

For many years, people in Africa have faced deadly snakebites, long time before modern hospitals.

Snakes are common in many parts of Africa, especially in farms, forests, and villages.

 Before hospitals and modern medicine, African communities already knew how to treat snakebites using plants, simple first aid, and spiritual help.

How did our ancestors survive these venomous attacks?


What Is Traditional Medicine?

Traditional medicine is a natural way of healing including local plants, herbs, and natural methods to treat sickness.

In precolonial Africa, each community had someone special to work as a traditional healer. This person had a special knowledge of medicine, passed down from ancestors to new generations.

These healers had medical knowledge including:

  • Knowing which plants could help treat different illnesses.

  • Understanding how to prepare medicine using leaves, roots, bark, or tree gum.

  • Sometimes performing rituals or saying prayers as part of the healing process.


What Did People Do After a Snakebite?

1. They tied a cloth (tourniquet) above the bite, to slow the spread of venom through the body.

2. Washed the wound, using clean water or herbal solutions to remove any venom on the skin.

3. People kept the victim calm and still, because movement could make the venom spread faster.

4. Then they called the traditional healer who knew how to use herbs and other remedies to treat the bite.

The main goals were to slow the poison, ease pain, and prevent infection.


Common Plants Used to Treat Snakebites

1. The Securidaca longipedunculata.

It is commonly known as the Violet Tree. It grows in many parts of West and Central Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Chad.

Traditional Use for Snakebites.

Crushed root paste: 

The root was crushed into a thick paste and applied directly to snakebite wounds to reduce pain and swelling.

Medicinal tea: 

In some regions, tea was made from the roots and was drunk to fight venom and boost the body’s strength.

Smoke inhalation: 

In Cameroon, healers burned the roots and had the patient inhale the smoke to clear the chest and ease breathing difficulties caused by venom.

Scientific Findings

Modern scientists have discovered that Securidaca roots contain methyl salicylate, a compound with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, similar to ingredients found in modern painkillers.

Cultural Beliefs

Some African communities considered the Violet Tree sacred, believing it had spiritual powers. It was not just used for medicine, but also in rituals for protection and healing.


2. Annona (Wild Custard Apple / Mtomoko).

The Annona plant, also known as Mtomoko in parts of East Africa, grows in countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Sudan.

Traditional Use for Snakebites

Leaves and bark were crushed into a paste and applied directly to snakebite wounds or swollen areas to ease pain.

Sometimes the paste was gently warmed and used as a poultice (a soft, moist dressing) to draw out venom and reduce inflammation.

Other Healing Uses.

Traditional healers also used it to treat scorpion stings and to promote healing in open wounds.

Scientific Insight

Studies show that Annona contains natural pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory compounds, which support its use in reducing swelling, pain, and infection.


3. Sansevieria (Snake Plant / Lusanseveria).

The Sansevieria plant, also called Lusanseveria in local languages, grows in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique.

Traditional Use for Snakebites

The juice from the thick, fleshy leaves was squeezed and applied directly to snakebite wounds to reduce pain and swelling.

In some cases, it was used to clean the wound and prevent infection.

Home Protection:

Many communities planted Sansevieria around homes and compounds to repel snakes naturally.

Some believed the plant had spiritual powers that protected families from snake attacks.

Healing Properties:

The plant’s sap contains compounds that soothe the skin, fight bacteria, and reduce inflammation, supporting its traditional use in first aid.


4. Acacia Trees (Mgunga).

Acacia, locally known as Mgunga, grows in East, West, and North Africa, especially in dry and semi-arid areas.

Traditional Use for Snakebites

The bark or tree gum was crushed into a paste and applied to snakebite wounds to reduce pain and prevent infection.

In some communities, a tea made from the gum was drunk to “cleanse” the body and help remove the effects of venom.

Healing Power:

Acacia contains natural antiseptics, helping to kill germs and soothe damaged skin.

Its gum, often called gum arabic, is still used today in modern herbal and pharmaceutical medicine for wound care and digestion.


5. Aloe Vera (Mshubiri).

Aloe Vera, known in Swahili as Mshubiri, is a well-known healing plant found in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

Traditional Use for Snakebites

The cool gel inside the leaf was applied directly to the bite area.

It helped to cool the skin, reduce swelling, and speed up healing.

Modern Research Confirms:

Studies show that Aloe Vera gel is effective for treating burns, skin irritations, and wounds.

It contains compounds that soothe pain, fight bacteria, and support tissue repair.


The Snake Stone (Black Stone Tradition)

What is a Snake Stone?

A snake stone is a small, black, porous stone, sometimes made from burnt bone or plant material. It was believed to "suck out" venom from the wound.

How it was used:

1. The healer cleaned and lightly cut the bite.

2. The stone was pressed on the wound.

3. It stuck to the skin and was left until it fell off on its own.

4. The stone was boiled, dried, and reused.

Where was it used?

  • East Africa; Swahili coast, inland Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda.

  • West Africa: Among the Hausa, Yoruba, and Fulani.

Some people said that the stone was magical while others said it was a gift from ancestors. It was used with prayers or rituals.

Does it really work?

Scientists say it absorbs some fluids, but not venom.

Still, it may have helped people feel calmer and buy time until better treatment.


Spiritual Beliefs About Snakebites

In many African communities, snakebites were not just seen as accidents. They were believed to be:

  • A curse from enemies.

  • A punishment from ancestors.

  • A result of witchcraft.

Spiritual healing was important physical medicine.


Healing Was a Community work.

Treating a snakebite involved the whole community:

  • Family members gave first aid.

  • Elders gave advice.

  • Healers prepared medicine and did rituals.

Everyone helped to keep the patient calm and supported. Working together helped to save lives of community members.


Today, some of these plants are still used in modern herbal medicine. Modern antivenom is the best treatment for dangerous snakes like black mambas or cobras.

However the right knowledge on these local remedies can serve as first aid and help someone survive in dangerous situations like snake bites and venomous insect bites.


Related topics:

Handling complicated delivery in pre-colonial Africa

https://historyforumtz.blogspot.com/2025/07/how-ancient-societies-handled.html

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