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Stroke

Alternative and Complementary Medicine for Stroke

Snake Venom Remedy for Stroke

Doctors say the venom of a pit viper snake may be a useful treatment for stroke patients.

In a study presented at the 24th American Heart Association International Conference on Stroke and Cerebral Circulation in 1999, researchers led by Dr. David Sherman of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio evaluated the effects of this snake venom in 500 stroke patients. The drug made from snake venom, called ANCROD, was given intravenously over a three-to-five day period after a stroke occurred.

Researchers turned to the pit viper snake after discovering blood did not clot in people bitten by this snake. ANCROD lowers levels of fibrinogen, a natural substance that helps blood clot. The study found 42 percent of stroke patients who received ANCROD within three hours after the onset of the stroke had recovered the physical and mental abilities they had before the stroke, compared with 34 percent of stroke patients who received a placebo.

However, 5 percent of the ANCROD group suffered bleeding in the brain, compared with 2 percent of the placebo group.

See Also: Spider-Venom Remedy for Stroke

Caution: These remedies are not meant to be used as a treatment for stroke. If you suspect a stroke, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Time is of essence.

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