Editing Pythonidae (section)

=== Traditional use ===
==== Skin ====
Python skin has traditionally been used as the attire of choice for medicine men and healers.<ref name="AlexanderMoshoeu2016">{{cite journal|last1=Alexander|first1=Graham J.|last2=Moshoeu|first2=Thibedi J.|last3=Williams|first3=Vivienne L.|title=Reptiles sold as traditional medicine in Xipamanine and Xiquelene Markets (Maputo, Mozambique)|journal=South African Journal of Science|volume=112|issue= 7/8|year=2016|page=9 |issn=0038-2353|doi=10.17159/sajs.2016/20150416|doi-access=free}}</ref> Typically, [[South Africa]]n [[Zulu people|Zulu]] traditional healers will use python skin in ceremonial regalia.<ref name="AlexanderMoshoeu2016" /> Pythons are viewed by the Zulu tradition to be a sign of power. This is likely why the skin is worn by traditional healers. Healers are seen as all-powerful since they have a wealth of knowledge, as well as accessibility to the ancestors.<ref name="AlexanderMoshoeu2016" />

==== Fat ====
Typically, species are attributed to healing various ailments based on their likeliness to a specific bodily attribute. For example, in many cultures, the python is seen as a strong and powerful creature. As a result, pythons are often prescribed as a method of increasing strength.<ref name="AlexanderMoshoeu2016" /> It is very common for the body fat of pythons to be used to treat a large variation of issues such as [[joint pain]], [[Rheumatism|rheumatic pain]], [[toothache]] and [[eye sight]].{{Cn|date=May 2025}} Additionally, python fat has been used to treat those suffering from mental illnesses like [[psychosis]].<ref name="KajawuChingarande2015">{{cite journal|last1=Kajawu|first1=Lazarus|last2=Chingarande|first2=Sunungurai D.|last3=Jack|first3=Helen|last4=Ward|first4=Catherine|last5=Taylor|first5=Tonya|title=What do African traditional medical practitioners do in the treatment of mental disorders in Zimbabwe?|journal=International Journal of Culture and Mental Health|volume=9|issue=1|year=2015|pages=44–55|issn=1754-2863|doi=10.1080/17542863.2015.1106568 |s2cid=57728277| url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283805674 }}</ref> Their calm nature is thought to be of use to treat combative patients. The fat of the python is rubbed onto the body part that is in pain. To improve mental illnesses, it is often rubbed on the temple.{{Cn|date=May 2025}} The existence of evidence for genuine anti inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of the refined 'snake oil' is ironic with respect to the expression "snake oil salesman".<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19051590/|pmid = 19051590|year = 2008|last1 = Falodun|first1 = A.|last2 = Owolabi|first2 = O. J.|last3 = Osahon|first3 = O.|title = Physicochemical, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory evaluation of fixed oil from Boa constrictor|journal = Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica|volume = 65|issue = 4|pages = 477–480}}</ref>

==== Blood ====
Python blood plays another important role in [[traditional medicine]]. Many believe that python blood prevents the accumulation of [[fatty acid]]s, [[triglyceride]]s and [[lipid]]s from reaching critically high levels.{{cn|date=May 2025}} Additionally, their blood has been used as a source of iron for people who are anemic, which helps reduce fatigue.{{cn|date=May 2025}} The sources were not specific on the way this blood is administered; however, due to the use of snake blood in traditional treatments in other parts of the world for similar causes, it is likely that the patient drinks the blood in order to feel the effects.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Fita DS, Costa Neto EM, Schiavetti A | title = 'Offensive' snakes: cultural beliefs and practices related to snakebites in a Brazilian rural settlement | journal = Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine | volume = 6 | pages = 13 | date = March 2010 | pmid = 20346120 | pmc = 2853519 | doi = 10.1186/1746-4269-6-13 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==== Feces ====
The Sukuma tribe of [[Tanzania]] have been known to use python [[feces]] in order to treat back pain. The feces are frequently mixed with a little water, placed on the back, and left for two to three days.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Vats R, Thomas S | title = A study on use of animals as traditional medicine by Sukuma Tribe of Busega District in North-western Tanzania | journal = Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine | volume = 11 | issue = 1 | pages = 38 | date = May 2015 | pmid = 25947365 | pmc = 4472419 | doi = 10.1186/s13002-015-0001-y | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==== Organs ====
In Nigeria, the [[gallbladder]] and [[liver]] of a python are used to treat poison or bites from other snakes.{{cn|date=May 2025}} The python head has been used to "appease witches". Many traditional African cultures believe that they can be cursed by witches. In order to reverse spells and bad luck, traditional doctors will prescribe python heads.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}