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The Siddha medicine is a form of south Indian TAMIL traditional
medicine and part of the trio Indian medicines - Ayurveda, Siddha
and Unani. This system of medicine was popular in ancient
India,Due to the antiquity of this medical system. The Siddha
system of medicine is believed to be the oldest medical system in
the universe. The system is believed to be developed by the
Siddhars, the ancient supernatural spiritual saints of India and
the Siddha system is believed to be handed over to the Siddhar by
the Hindu God - Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. So are the
Siddhars, the followers of Lord Shiva(saivam). Siddhar's Total Nos
are eighteen in them Agathiyar Is the First Siddhar.
Basics of Siddha Medicine
Generally the basic concepts of the Siddha medicine are almost
similar to Ayurveda. The only difference appears to be that the
Siddha medicine recognizes predominance of vatham, pitham and
kapam in childhood, adulthood and old age respectively, whereas in
Ayurveda it is totally |
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reversed: kapam is dominant in childhood, vatham in old age and
pitham in adults. According to the Siddha medicine various
psychological and physiological functions of the body are
attributed to the combination of seven elements: first is saram
(plasma) responsible for growth, development and nourishment;
second is cheneer (blood) responsible for nourishing muscles,
imparting colour and improving intellect; the third is ooun
(muscle) responsible for shape of the body; fourth is kollzuppu
(fatty tissue) responsible for oil balance and lubricating joints;
fifth is enbu (bone) responsible for body structure and posture
and movement; sixth is moolai (nerve) responsible for strength;
and the last is sukila (semen) responsible for reproduction. Like
in Ayurveda, in Siddha medicine also the physiological components
of the human beings are classified as Vatha (air), Pitha (fire)
and Kapha (earth and water).
Concept of Disease and Cause
When the normal equilibrium of three humors (vatha, pitha and
kapha) is disturbed, disease is caused. The factors, which affect
this equilibrium are environment, climatic conditions, diet,
physical activities, and stress. Under normal conditions, the
ratio between these three humors (vatha, pitha and kapha) is 4:2:1
respectively.
According to the Siddha medicine system diet and life style
play a major role not only in health but also in curing diseases.
This concept of the Siddha medicine is termed as pathya and
apathya, which is essentially a list of do's and don'ts.
Treatment
The treatment in Siddha medicine is aimed at keeping the three
humors in equilibrium and maintenance of seven elements. So proper
diet, medicine and a disciplined regimen of life are advised for a
healthy living and to restore equilibrium of humors in diseased
condition. Saint Thiruvalluvar explains four requisites of
successful treatment. These are the patient, the attendant,
physician and medicine. When the physician is well qualified and
the other agents possess the necessary qualities, even severe
diseases can be cured easily. The treatment should be commenced as
early as possible after assessing the course and cause of the
disease. Treatment is classified into three categories:
devamaruthuvum (Divine method); manuda maruthuvum (rational
method); and asura maruthuvum (surgical method). In Divine method
medicines like parpam, chendooram, guru, kuligai made of mercury,
sulphur and pashanams are used. In the rational method, medicines
made of herbs like churanam, kudineer, vadagam are used. In
surgical method, incision, excision, heat application, blood
letting, leech application are used.
According to therapies the treatments of Siddha medicines could
be further categorized into following categories such as Purgative
therapy, Emetic therapy, Fasting therapy, Steam therapy, Oleation
therapy, Physical therapy, Solar therapy and Blood letting
therapy, Yoga therapy, etc. |
