World's most expensive tear: One drop of camel’s tear can neutralize 26 snake venoms, says study

In a groundbreaking development from the arid lands of Rajasthan, the camel — long revered as the "ship of the desert" — is now proving to be more than just a mode of transport for farmers. A pioneering study by the National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) in Bikaner has revealed that antibodies derived from camel tears and immune systems may help neutralize snake venom, opening a new path to treat snakebites and boosting the incomes of camel-rearing farmers.

Scientific Breakthrough with Global Implications
The NRCC researchers conducted experiments by immunizing camels (Camelus dromedarius) with venom from the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus sochureki), a highly venomous snake species. Antibodies extracted from the animals’ tears and blood were found to effectively counteract the lethal effects of venom — particularly hemorrhage and coagulopathy. Notably, these camel-derived antibodies triggered fewer allergic reactions and were more potent compared to traditional antivenoms derived from horse immunoglobulin (IgG), which are expensive and complex to produce.

India witnesses nearly 58,000 snakebite deaths annually, with another 140,000 cases of disability — the highest globally. The NRCC’s findings could pave the way for more affordable, safer, and scalable treatment options, especially in rural areas where snakebite incidents are common and medical intervention is often delayed.

A Lifeline for Rajasthan’s Camel Herders
This research is also proving economically transformative for camel-rearing communities in regions like Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur. The NRCC has encouraged local farmers to provide their camels for the controlled and safe extraction of tears and blood samples. In return, they are paid handsomely.