Siddha
Siddha medicine is said to have originated from the Shiva cult and the great sage Agasthiyar is said to be the Father of Siddha Medicine. A few among the Pathinen Siddhars (18 siddhars) are Thirumoolar, Bogar, Yugimuni,Theraiyar and they have contributed a lot to the system. They firmly believed that the physical body is an instrument to attain “veeduperu” or “mukthi” (to become one with the Universal soul) and so preserved it by the practice of vatham (alchemy), vaidhyam (treatment), yogam (Ashtangayogas) and gnanam (knowledge).
Siddha system of medicine is one among the indigenous medical systems of India which evolved from the Dravidian civilization. Literary evidences of Sangam Era state the origin of this system to around 10,000 BC. The term Siddha is derived from the root word ‘siddhi’ which means attainment of perfection and the system emphasise health as the perfect state of physical, psychological, social and spiritual components of a human being.
Siddha system is based on the fundamentals of "anda pinda thathuvam" (the relationship between the universe and human body) and 96 thathuvas (basic principles) which includes the concepts of five elements, three humours and seven physical constituents. The annamaya kosa or the physical body is made up of these seven physical constituents.
Three humours (Three dosha)
The uyir thadu (functional units of the human body) are the three humours namely Vali ( vatham – air+ space), azhal (pitham - fire) and iyyam (kapham - water + earth). When the humours are in natural equilibrium and harmony, a person enjoys the best of health. When they are deranged, they are called as kutram or dosha and diseases are produced.
In physiological conditions, vatham is said to have one mathirai (unit), pitham half and kapham quarter in pulse diagnosis. But there may be small fluctuations even in the healthy body. The first phase in human life is attributed to vatha, the middle to pitha and the last phase to kapha.
Pharmacology (Gunapadam)
Based on their origin, raw drugs are categorized as materials of medicinal plant (Mooligai vakuppu), mineral (Thathu vakuppu) and animal origin (Jeeva vakuppu). Siddha literatures describe 220 minerals which include Metals (ulokam – 11), Salts (karasaram – 25), Mercury and Arsenic compounds (Paatanam - 64) and other minerals (uparasam – 120). Coral, conch, horn of deer, musk, honey etc. are some of the animal products utilised.
According to their mode of application, Siddha medicines could be categorized into two classes:
1 . Internal medicine (32 types)
Internal medicines are classified into 32 categories based on their form and method of preparation with definite shelf life for each type. They include medicines with short life period to medicines especially metallic preparations which could be used even for hundreds of years.
2 . External medicine (32 types)
A few among the thirty two types of external applications and manipulations are ottradam (fomentation), vedhu (inhalation), pottanam (kizhi), nasiyam, kattu (bandaging), kombu kattal (splint application), attai vidal (leech therapy) etc.
Treatment aspects:
Treatment consists of three distinct categories
Deva Maruthuvam (Divine method)
Manida Maruthuvam (Rational method)
Asura Maruthuvam (Surgical Method)
In the divine method, medicines like parpam, chendooram, guruguligai etc. are used. It acts at a more subtle level and is highly useful for treating chronic ailments. In the rational method, medicines prepared from herbs like churnam, kudineer, vatagam etc. are used. In the surgical method, incision, excision, heat application, blood letting, leech application etc. are practised. Apart from this, great emphasis is made on dietary habits, daily and seasonal regimen, proper exercise and observance of code of ethics for healthy living.
Some of the highlights of the system are varma therapy (stimulation and manipulation of vital points), yogam, kayakalpam (rejuvenation therapy), thokkanam (physical manipulation techniques) and nadi (pulse diagnosis).
