Does Scorpion Venom Have Medicinal Properties? Here’s What a Doctor from IPB University Says
In some Indonesian communities, scorpions are still used as medicine. In response to this, dr Widya Khairunnisa Sarkowi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, IPB University, provided a scientific explanation of the potential of scorpion venom in the medical world.
According to dr Widya, in traditional Chinese medicine literature, the Chinese scorpion species (Buthus martensii Karsch) has been used for over a thousand years to treat various diseases such as stroke, epilepsy, and rheumatism.
“In some modern studies, scorpion venom has indeed been found to contain active substances that can affect ion channels in nerve and muscle cells. The effects include pain relief, anticonvulsant properties, and even potential anticancer effects,” she explained during an interview with IPB Today’s editorial team.
However, she emphasized that scorpion species in Indonesia generally belong to the Heterometrus group, which is different from the species used in traditional Chinese medicine. Scientific evidence for the use of local scorpions is still very limited and is currently only at the laboratory research stage.
Scorpions are known to produce venom consisting of various proteins and peptides. These substances act on the body’s natural electrical channels, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium ions, which are important for nerve, muscle, and immune system function.
“Research from Sigilipu in 2022 shows that peptides from Indonesian scorpions can inhibit potassium channels associated with immune cell activation, and this may be beneficial for autoimmune diseases such as lupus,” added dr Widya.
However, she cautioned that consuming scorpions directly is highly inadvisable as it can be dangerous. Their venom can cause severe pain, swelling, nerve damage, and serious issues with the heart and respiratory system.
“The body’s response to venom depends heavily on the amount and species involved. However, in general, the risk of poisoning far outweighs any potential benefits if consumed without scientific processing,” she emphasized.
She also emphasized the importance of a long scientific research process, starting from the laboratory, animal testing, to clinical trials on humans before concluding that scorpion venom is safe and beneficial to health.
“As academics, we advise the public not to use scorpions as medicine indiscriminately. The potential is there, but it is still in the early stages of research and has not been proven safe for humans,” concluded dr Widya. (dh) (IAAS/KQA)
