SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
Siddha system of medicine is one of the oldest systems of medicine practiced in South India especially in Tamil Nadu. It is a traditional system of medicine which is gradually evolved along with the Dravidians’ culture and hence this system is known as Dravidian system of medicine. The exponents of Siddha system of medicine are called Siddhars. They are the super human beings with high culture and intellectual abilities. They had tremendous powers by the way of Meditation, Yoga practice and rejuvenation. They were the spiritual scientists who explored and explained the reality of nature and its relationship with man by their Siddhic powers (supernatural powers) and experimental findings. Eighteen Siddhars seem to have contributed much to the development of this medical system. They have left their imprints not only in medicine but also in Yoga, Alchemy and Philosophy.
The aim of siddha medicine is to make the body perfect, imperishable and to promote longevity. For the healthy life, Siddhars have mentioned daily and seasonal regimen including dietary habits and also insisted some code of ethics. This is the first system to emphasis health as the perfect state of physical, mental, social, moral and spiritual component of human beings. Also Siddhars lead a simple way of life according to the laws of nature and beyond the narrow divisions of caste, creed, religion, colour and nation. This system is mainly based on ‘Andapinda Thathuvam’ that means the relationship between the universe and human body. These two are interlinked through the five basic principles which are known as ‘Panchaboothas’. The structural aspect of the human body is said to be ‘Udal Thathus’ (i.e. the physical component of the human body) and the functional units of the human body is said to be ‘Uyir Thathus’ (the physiological units i.e., Vatham, Pitham, and Kapham). Functional co-operation of these two are essential for the maintenance of health.
According to the Siddhar ‘Yugi muni’, the diseases are widely classified into 4448. This classification is based on the following entities.1. Clinical signs and symptoms2. Derangement of the three physiological units i.e., Vatha, Pitha and Kapha3. Causative factor of a particular disease.4. Injury to the body vital points (Varma points)5. Psychological causes.6. Involvement of the affected parts of the body7. Worm’s infestation and other infective organisms8. Genetical inheritance which are sometimes known as ‘Karma Dhosas’
It is very vast in Siddha when compared with other indigenous system of medicine. In siddha system, thousands of raw drugs are used. These drugs are categorized into three groups, namely herbal products, metal, mineral products and animal products. Before preparing medicines, siddha physicians laid a great emphasis in purification of raw drugs. More than 80% of the siddha medicines are formulated by herbal products. But in certain life threatening diseases and in many chronic diseases the herbal medicines alone is not much effective. In such conditions, Siddhars enumerated some herbo-metal and herbo-mineral formulations. These types of medicines are prepared by a standard purification and preparatory techniques and the finished product is very minute and it seems to be size of nano microns or even less. So, it can be easily assimilated in our system and never produces any toxicity. Also, these type of medicines are prescribed in a very minimal dose (varies from 20mg to 200 mg) with suitable adjuvant for specific period along with some dietary restriction for the better result.
Treatments in siddha are widely classified in to 64 types i.e. 32 types of internal medications and 32 external treatments which include kizhi, fomentation, steam etc. Some preventive measurements are also clearly mentioned in siddha system. Among theses diet plays major role. One should take proper diet in proper time with proper quantity, need not worry about diseases. Therayar, a Siddha exponent insists some preventive methods to be followed on a day-to-day basis as well as seasonal basis which are highly useful for preventing many of the life style diseases.
Varma points are the subtle vital points which are present in the various parts of our body. They are classified in to 108 varma points. When these points are injured due to trauma or accident, results in serious neuro-muscular, musculoskeletal and even manifested as some systemic diseases. Such problems are properly treated in siddha medicine with various herbs, pressure methods and massage techniques. These type of massage and various physical manipulating techniques are called ‘Thokkanam” and by this way chronic Rheumatological, traumatological, and neurological problems are successfully treated in siddha system. Thus, Siddha science is a peculiar science that always insists a healthy life style and cures many chronic ailments without producing any side effects.
· Simple and safe medicines
· Very effective for chronic ailments
· Not only for correct the diseases but it also maintains the perfect state of the body
· Medicines are palatable
· Treatment available for all age groups
· Specific treatment for old age (Geriatrics) problems
· Enhance the immunity of growing children
· Thokkanam Therapy (Siddha physiotherapy) and Varma therapy are highly effective for neurological, musculo-skeletal problems and promotes physical and mental fitness.
Siddha System is one of the ancient traditional systems of medicine in India. Siddhars the spiritual scientists of Tamil land are the founding fathers of this scientific system.
According to Siddha System the human body is the replica of the universe so are the food and drugs irrespective of their origin. Siddha system believes that all objects in the universe including human body are composed of five basic primordial elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and space. The human body is a conglomeration of three humors and seven physical components. The Food is considered to be basic building material of human body, which gets processed into humors, tissues and wastes. The equilibrium of humors, body tissues and waste products is considered as health and its disturbance or imbalance leads to disease or pathologic state.
This system also deals with the concept of immortality and salvation in this life. The exponents of this system consider that achievement of this state is possible by regulated diet, medicine and processing of mind by yogic or spiritual exercises like meditation and yoga.
Siddhars described 96 principles as the constituents of Human Being. They include Physical, Physiological, Mental and Intellectual components of a person. They are nothing but the manifestations of the " Five Basic Elements ".
Disease:
Disease is a condition in which there is imbalance in the "Five Elements, which alters the "Three Humours " which is also reflected in the seven physical constituents. The change disturbs the equilibrium and cause disease.
The basic concept of Siddha system of medicine is
" Food is Medicine - Medicine is Food"
Saint Thiruvalluvar says
" Miginum Kuraiyinum Noi Seyyum Noolor
Vali Mudhala Enniya Moondru "
"Wind, bile and phlegm three cause disease
so Doctors deem it more or less"
Diagnosis
" Noi Naadi Noi Mudhal Naadi Athu thanikkum
Vaai Naadi Vayppa Seyal."
"Test disease, its causes and cure
and apply remedy that is sure"
- Thiruvalluvar.
It is always essential to identify the cause for any disease to be accepted as a " Scientific method " The Diagnostic methodology in Siddha Treatment is unique as it is made purely on the basis of the " Clinical Acumen " of the Physician. He examines the Tongue, complexion, speech, eyes, palpation in a patient and he also examines the urine and stools. The diagnosis is then confirmed by the " Pulse Diagnosis ". The above approach is collectively known as " Eight types of examinations". However, the Siddha Physician now also accepts the modern diagnostic methods for the purpose of diagonosis.
TREATMENT :
The following line of treatment have been in practice in Siddha medicine.
Using medicines like Choornam, Kudineer, Vadagam etc. made of herbs.
Surgical methods like incision, excision, heat application, blood letting and leech application etc.
Physiotherapy - Thokkanam and Varma, the Siddha way of Touch therapy, Medicated Oil application , Fomentation, herbal steam bath etc.
Using medicines like Parpam, Chenduram, Chuxnam etc . made of minerals especially of metals.
MATERIA MEDICA:
Siddhars , with their clarified and inituitive intellect resulting from their yogic powers explored the nature and exploited the natural resources for the sake of humanity. They documented their findings about the characteristics of plants , metals, minerals and animal products. They documented all their findings in the form of poems for the use of posterity. Knowledge was transmitted from Guru to disciples. Their boundless knowledge on the properties of drugs, purification, processing, heat application, fixing dosage , toxicity , antidote and clinical application is astonishing the modern scientific world.
SIGNIFICANCE:
The Siddha System is capable of treating all types of chronic diseases especially arthritis, skin problems urinary tract disorders, infertility , degenerative disorders like osteo arthritis , Senile Dementia,disease of the liver, medicinallytreatable Spinal disorders ,general debility ,diarrhoea and intractable allergic disorders. Aringnar Anna Govt Hospital of Indian Medicine, Arumbakkam , being the premier institute in Tamil Nadu for Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy treats both outpatient and inpatient.
