Siddha medicine is a system of ancient traditional medicine developed by the ancient Tamil people of southern India.

 

History

siddhaThe name is derived from the siddhars, spiritual adepts who according to this belief system possessed eight supernatural powers known as the ashta siddhis. According to legend, the siddhars laid the foundation for the siddha medicine system, basing it on a system described by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati, who in turn taught her son Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga then taught his disciple Agasthya, who taught the 18 siddhars that wrote down the knowledge on palm leaf manuscripts.

 

Many old palm leaf manuscripts containing information about siddha medicine exist in South India, but instead of being kept as a single compilation they are spread out over various Indian families.

 

Basics

 

The seven elements

The seven bodily elements in Siddha medicine:

Name Translation Info
1 Ooneer Plasma Responsible for growth, development and nourishment.
2 Cheneer Blood Responsible for nourishing muscles, improving intellect and imparting color.
3 Oon Muscle Responsible for the shape of the body.
4 Koluppu Fatty tissue Responsible for oil balance and for keeping the joints lubricated.
5 Elumbu Bone Responsible for body structure, posture and movement.
6 Elumbu mijai Bone marrow Responsible for the formation of blood corpuscles.
7 Sukkilam Semen Responsible for reproduction.

According to Siddha elements, various bodily functions depend on the combination of these elements.

 

The physiology components

The physiological components of a human according to Siddha medicine:

  • Vaadham (air)
  • Pittham (fire)
  • Kapam (earth and water)

According to Siddha medicine, disease occurs when the normal balance between vaddham, pittham and kapam is disturbed. Many different factors can cause such disturbances, including diet, physical activities, stress, and weather.

 

Relationship with Ayurveda

Many of the basic concept of Siddha medicine are also found in Ayurveda. A notable difference is that according to Siddha, Vaadham is dominant in childhood, Pittham in adulthood and Kapam in old age. In Ayurveda, childhood is dominated by Kapam, adulthood by Pittham and old age by Vaatham.

 

Examination

When a Siddha medicine practitioner examines a patient, special attention will be paid to the following.

 

Name Translation Info
1 Na Tongue Black in vaatham

Yellow or red in pitham

White in kapam

Ulcerated indicates anaemia

2 Varnam Color Dark in vaatham

Yellow or red in pitham

Pale in kapam

3 Kural Voice Normal in vaatham

High-pitched in pitham

Low-pitched in kapam

Slurred indicates alcoholism

4 Kan Eyes Muddy conjuctiva in vaatham

Red or yellowish in pitham

Pale in kapam

5 Thodal Touch (skin) Dry in vaatham

Warm in pitham

Chill in kapam

6 Malam Feces Black in vaatham

Yellow in pitham

Pale in kapam

Dark red indicates ulcer

Shiny indicates terminal illness

7 Neer Urine

 

(First urine in the morning is examined)

Straw color indicates digestive problems

Reddish-yellow indicates excessive heat

Rose indicates blood pressure issues

Saffron color indicates jaundice

Meat-washed water color indicates renal disease

8 Naadi Pulse

 

(Recorded on the radial artery)

Treatments

This medical system includes a wide range of treatments. They are divided into three groups: devamaruthuvum (divine method), manuda maruthuvum (rational method) and asura maruthuvum (surgical method).

 

Here are a few examples:siddha

  • Parpam (drug, belongs to divine method group)
  • Kuligai of mercury, sulphur and pashanams (drug, belongs to the divine method group)
  • Chendooram (drug, belongs to the divine method group)
  • Churanam (herb, belongs to the rational method)
  • Vadagam (herb, belongs to the rational method)
  • Kudineer (herb, belongs to the rational method)
  • Blood-letting (belongs o the surgical method)
  • Leech application (belongs o the surgical method)
  • Incision (belongs o the surgical method)
  • Excision (the partial removal of an organ, tissue, bone or tumor from a body, belongs to the surgical method)
  • Heat application (belongs o the surgical method)
  • Steam therapy
  • Fasting
  • Emetic therapy
  • Purgative therapy
  • External oiling of the body
  • Internal oiling of the body
  • Solar therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Yoga

Drugs

The Siddha medical system utilizes both internal and external drugs. The internal drugs are typically administered orally. The external drug group includes products such as eye drops, ear drops and nasal drops.

 

Some medicines are highly complex and contain over 250 different ingredients.

 

Siddha drugs can be arranged into three different categories:

 

Name Info
Thavaram Herbal products
Jangamam Animal products
Thadhu Inorganic substances

All the drugs are classified based on five properties:

  • Suvai (taste)
  • Gunam (character)
  • Veeryam (potency)
  • Pirivu (class)
  • Mahimai (action)

Training

The traditional route to become a practitioner of siddha medicine is to be trained by a guru.

 

Today, there is also a 5.5 year long program run by the Tamil Nadu state that ends in a BSMS: Bachelor in Siddha Medicine and Surgery.

 

On the governmental level, medical colleges and research centers for Siddha has been created, such as the National Institute of Siddha and the Central Council for Resarch in Siddha.

 

In India, higher education in areas of Indian traditional medicine, including Siddha, is monitored by a statutory body named The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM). CCIM is a part of the government’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 

Research

Siddha medicine research is coordinated and promoted by The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy of the Government of India.

 

World Siddha Day

The first World Siddha Day was celebrated on 14 April 2009.