Abutua, also known as Cissampelos pareira, has a history of traditional use in South America and parts of Asia as a natural remedy for snake bites. Indigenous and rural communities have used decoctions and infusions of the plant for this purpose, often as a first-aid measure before seeking medical care. The traditional rationale is based on the plant's reputed anti-inflammatory and potential detoxifying properties, though exact mechanisms remain unclear in ethnobotanical records.

However, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Abutua in treating or neutralizing snake venom is limited. Some preliminary in vitro and animal studies have reported mild inhibitory effects on certain enzymatic components of snake venom, but these findings are neither robust nor consistent. No large-scale clinical trials or comprehensive pharmacological studies substantiate its use as a reliable antivenom. Therefore, while there is a clear historical precedent for its application in snake bite cases, scientific validation is lacking, and modern medicine does not endorse its use as a substitute for established antivenom therapies.

In summary, Abutua's use for snake bites is primarily justified by tradition, with only weak scientific evidence (hence a score of 2), and it should not replace standard medical treatment.