chapter ii.pmd
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CHAPTER II
SIDDHA SYSTEM
Siddha sys tem is known to be one of the most ancient
s y s t e m s o f m e d i c i n e i n I n d i a w h i c h w a s s p i r i t u a l l y
enr iched by the Siddhars . 1 “Siddha Medic ine or ‘Siddham’ 2
i s no t pu re ly a med ica l sy s t em fo r cu r ing t he phys i ca l
body, i t is a way of l i fe formula ted by S iddhars th rough
the i r v i s ion and rea l iza t ion for ge t t ing peace for the mind ,
h e a l t h f o r t h e p h y s i c a l b o d y a n d p u r i t y f o r t h e so u l .
S iddhars th rough the i r grea t powers l ike At tmas iddhika l
a n d t h r o u g h i m m e n s e p r a y e r s r e a l i z e d t h e f a c t
tha t sou l which i s u l t imate ly a par t o f the Supreme i s l ike
a drop of water f rom sea” .
“Ever s ince the Human l i fe ex is ted on the Ear th , they
l ived wi th o ther l iv ing be ing , such as p lan ts and c rea tures
s ide by s ide . Whenever human body is affec ted wi th i l lness
on ear th , the re ex i s t s method of cur ing a l so aga ins t the
i l lness or d i seases . The Pr imordia l Guru or Agas th iyar i s
1. Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy Treatment in Tamilnadu, 1942, p.8.
2. Natural Medicines and Herbal Health, unpublished hand written manuscript,
Tamilnadu, 1944, p.1.
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the Fa ther of S iddha Medic ine . The S iddhars d id var ious
research works on Mother Nature and formula ted excel len t
medic ines prepared f rom plants , animals and minera ls . The
ac t ion and medic ina l uses of the p lan ts were rea l ized by
them th rough the i r eminen t men ta l and sp i r i t ua l power.
They formula ted the medic ines f rom the herbs thousands
of years ago which a re s t i l l used in the same way wi thout
any expi ry in the i r medic ina l va lue . 3
S i d d h a s y s t e m o f m e d i c i n e s a r e f o r m u l a t e d a n d
p r e p a r e d b y t h e S i d d h a r s t h o u s a n d s o f y e a r s a g o a f t e r
undergoing var ious research work on f lo ra , fauna and the
r ich minera l resources of Mother Ear th . The medic ines a re
enr iched wi th prayers and power which not on ly cures the
d i s e a s e s b u t a l s o p r o v i d e s p e a c e t o t h e m i n d a n d
sp i r i t ua l i t y t o t he sou l . They cons ide red i t on a d iv ine
s y s t e m o f m e d i c i n e . I t i s a t r e a s u r e o f n u m e r o u s
medic ines . The medic ines which a re ava i lab le today a re
very few as many of them are s t i l l h idden e i the r in the
hands o f t r ad i t iona l f ami l i es o r unknown to the p resen t
S iddha gene ra t i on . Howeve r, t he med ic ine s r ange f rom
3. Aadi - Siddha Nool, (n.d.), (anonamus), pp.1-14.
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s i m p l e p r e p a r a t i o n s l i k e j u i c e o f a h e r b t o t h e h i g h e r
m e d i c i n e s l i k e p a r p a m a n d c h e n d o o r a m w h i c h c a n b e
p r e s e r v e d l i f e - l o n g . T h e m e t h o d s o f p r e p a r a t i o n a n d
pur i f i ca t ion o f r aw drugs a re the ve ry impor tan t a spec t .
A s i d d h a p h y s i c i a n c a n b e s u c c e s s f u l o n l y i f h e
unders t ands these t echn iques . The mos t in te res t ing fac t
a b o u t S i d d h a m e d i c i n e s i s t h a t a l l t h e s e p r e p a r a t o r y
m e t h o d s a r e e x p l a i n e d b y t h e S i d d h a r s i n t h e f o r m o f
tami l verses or poems. These verses a re no t very easy to
de -code as i t needs a good knowledge in anc ien t Tami l
l a n g u a g e a n d a l s o t h e g r a c e o f S i d d h a r s w h i c h i s v e r y
i m p o r t a n t i n o r d e r t o r e a l i z e t h e m . T h i s i s o n e o f t h e
r e a s o n s w h y S i d d h a m e d i c i n e s h a v e n o t b e e n w i d e l y
es tab l i shed so fa r. 4
Siddha sys tem of Medic ine i s the mos t anc ien t o f a l l
medica l sys tems . The or ig in of th i s sys tem da tes back to
thousands of years before Chr i s t . Tami l l anguage i s sa id to
be the most ancient language as per the research work done
in manuscr ip t s . Tami lnadu i s cons idered as the home of
S i d d h a r s f r o m w h e r e t h i s p r i m o r d i a l c i v i l i z a t i o n a n d
4. Nelson,R., Natural Treatment and Herbal Remedies, Madras, 1960, p.9.
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medica l sys tem evolved . The excava t ions done in Harappa
a n d M o h e n j o - d a r o a l s o r e v e a l t h e e x i s t e n c e o f a
c iv i l i za t ion and medica l sys tem. In o ther words , S iddha
can be desc r ibed a s a way o f l i f e wh ich b rough t un i ty,
peace and harmony in ear th . 5
Accord ing to S iddha Sys tem the human body i s the
r e p l i c a o f t h e u n i v e r s e s o a r e t h e f o o d a n d d r u g s
i r respec t ive of the i r o r ig in . S iddha sys tem be l ieves tha t
a l l o b j e c t s i n t h e u n i v e r s e i n c l u d i n g h u m a n b o d y a r e
composed of f ive bas ic pr imordia l e lements namely ear th ,
w a t e r , f i r e , a i r a n d s p a c e . T h e h u m a n b o d y i s a
c o n g l o m e r a t i o n o f t h r e e h u m o r s a n d s e v e n p h y s i c a l
components . The Food i s cons idered to be a bas ic bu i ld ing
mater ia l of human body, which gets processed in to humors ,
t i s s u e s a n d w a s t e s . T h e e q u i l li b r i u m o f h u m o ur s , b o d y
t i s s u e s a n d w a s t e p r o d u c t s i s c o n s i d e r e d a s a h e a l t h
a n d i t s d i s t u r b a n c e o r i m b a l a n c e l e a d s t o d i s e a s e o r
pa tho logic s ta te . 6
T h i s s y s t e m a l s o d e a l s w i t h t h e c o n c e p t o f
immor ta l i ty and sa lva t ion in th i s l i fe . The exponents o f
5. Titus,C., Herbal Treatment and Herbal Remedies, Madras, 1918, p.9.
6. Report of Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy, Madras, 2009, p.3.
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t h i s s y s t e m c o n s i d e r t h a t a c h i e v e m e n t o f t h i s s t a t e i s
pos s ib l e by r egu l a t ed d i e t , med ic ine and p roces s ing o f
mind by yogic or sp i r i tua l exerc i ses l ike medi ta t ion and
yoga .
S iddhars descr ibed 96 pr inc ip les as the cons t i tuen ts
o f Human be ing . They inc lude Phys i ca l , Phys io log ica l ,
Menta l and In te l lec tua l components o f a person . They are
n o t h i n g b u t t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f t h e “ F i v e B a s i c
Elements” .
Disease i s a condi t ion in which there i s imbalance in
the “F ive e lements” , which a l t e r s the “Three Humours”
which i s a l so re f lec ted in the seven phys ica l cons t i tuen ts .
The change d i s turbs the equi ll ib r ium and cause d i seases . 7
I t i s a lways essen t ia l to iden t i fy the cause fo r any
d i s e a s e t o b e a c c e p t e d a s a “ S c i e n t i f i c m e t h o d ” . T h e
diagnos t ic methodology in S iddha Trea tment i s un ique as
i t i s made pure ly on the bas i s o f the “Cl in ica l Acumen” of
t h e P h y s i c i a n . H e e x a m i n e s t h e To n g u e , c o m p l e x i o n ,
speech , eyes , pa lpipa t ion in a pa t ien t and he a l so examines
the ur ine and s too ls . The d iagnos is i s then conf i rmed by
7. Principles of Siddha Medicine, (anonimus), Madras, p.17.
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the “Pulse Diagnos is” . The above approach i s co l lec t ive ly
known a s “E igh t t ypes o f examina t ions” . Howeve r, t he
Siddha Phys ic ian now a lso accepts the modern d iagnos t ic
methods for purpose of d iagnos is .
The fo l lowing l ine of t rea tment have been in prac t ice
in S iddha medic ine .
v Using medic ines l ike Choornam, Kudineer, Vadagam
etc . made of herbs .
v S u r g i c a l m e t h o d s l i k e i n c i s i o n , e x c i s i o n , h e a t
appl ica t ion , b lood le t t ing and leech appl ica t ion e tc .
v Phys io therapy – Thokkanam and Varma, the S iddha
way o f Touch the rapy, Med ica t ed O i l app l i ca t i on ,
Fermenta t ion , herba l s team ba th e tc .
v Using medic ines l ike Parpam, Chenduram, Churanam
etc . made of minera l s espec ia l ly of meta l s . 8
Materia Medica
Siddhars , wi th the i r c la r i f ied and in i t i a t ive in te l lec t
resu l t ing f rom the i r yogic powers explored the na ture and
explo i ted the na tura l resources for the sake of humani ty.
8. Principles of Siddha Medicine, (ananimus), Madras, p.35.
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They documented the i r f ind ings about the charac te r i s t i cs
o f p l a n t s , m e t a l s , m i n e r a l s a n d a n i m a l p r o d u c t s . T h e y
documented a l l the i r f ind ings in the form of poems for the
use of pos te r i ty. Knowledge was t ransmi t ted f rom Guru to
d isc ip les . The i r boundless knowledge on the proper t ies o f
d rugs , pu r i f i ca t ion , p rocess ing , hea t app l i ca t ion , f ix ing
d o s a g e , t o x i c i t y, a n t i d o t e a n d c l i n i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n i s
as ton ish ing the modern sc ien t i f ic wor ld .
The S iddha sys tem i s capable of t rea t ing a l l types of
c h r o n i c d i s e a s e s e s p e c i a l l y a r t h r i t i s , s k i n p r o b l e m s ,
ur inary t rac t d i sorders , in fe r t i l i ty, degenera t ive d i sorders
l i k e o s t e o a r t h r i t i s , d i s e a s e o f t h e l i v e r, m e d i c i n a l l y
t rea tab le Spina l d i sorders , genera l deb i l i ty, d ia r rhoea and
in t rac tab le a l le rg ic d i sorders . Ar ingnar Anna Government
H o s p i t a l o f I n d i a n M e d i c i n e , A r u m b a k k a m , b e i n g t h e
premie r in s t i tu t e in Tami lnadu fo r Ind ian Medic ine and
Homoeopathy t rea t s bo th ou tpa t ien t and inpa t ien ts . 9
Siddha Medicine for Chronic Ailments
Siddha medicine is used for the following diseases, like
abdominal ailments, cancer treatment, Arthrities, Bronchial
9. Dharmalingam, Siddhar Vaithya Muraikalum Vaithyamum, Nagercoil, 1970, p.9.
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Asthma and general disabilities. The P lan t named Saath ikka i
o r J a a t h i k k a i i s k n o w n a s “ T h e b e s t m e d i c i n e t o t r e a t
abdomina l a i lments” . I t be longes to the Myr is t ica f ragrans
F a m i l y . I t i s p r e p a r e d i n t h e f o r m o f C a r m i n a t i v e ,
Diges t ive , Tonic . 130 mg can be gr inded wel l wi th honey
a n d g i v e n t w i c e o r t h r i c e a d a y b e f o r e f o o d t o t r e a t
a b d o m i n a l p r o b l e m s l i k e f l a t u l e n c e , i n d i g e s t i o n e t c .
1 to 2 gm of Saa th ikka i powder wi th mi lk he lps to t rea t
Diar rhoea . For Insomnia and d is turbed s leep ha l f g ram of
Saa th ikka i can be g iven wi th mi lk be fo re bed . Pas te o f
Jaa th ikka i can be appl ied over in f lamed jo in ts for a r thr i t i s
and forehead dur ing head-ache . 10
Cancer Treatment Through Siddha Medic ines
A s tudy f inds combina t ion of S iddha medic ines and
convent iona l chemotherapy can he lp check the growth of
c a n c e r c e l l s . A t e a m o f s i d d h a d o c t o r s w o r k i n g w i t h
o n c o l o g i s t s s a y, i t h a s m a n a g e d t o r e d u c e s i d e - e f f e c t s
common dur ing chemotherapy, such as fa l l in the whi te
blood cel l count , wi th the combinat ion therapy. As the next
s t e p , t h e d o c t o r s p l a n , w i t h s u p p o r t f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l
10. Sam Dhas, T.S., Siddha Medicines and Siddha Treatment, Natural Health Remedies,
Madras, August 22, 2012, p.27.
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Ins t i tu te of S iddha , to conduct an imal t r ia l s to f ind , i f th i s
new technique i s e ffec t ive . Prac t i t ioners f rom the Aarogya
Siddha Hosp i ta l s began the resea rch a long wi th doc to rs
a n d s c i e n t i s t s o f t h e C e n t r e f o r To x i c o l o g y a n d
D e v e l o p m e n t R e s e a r c h o f S r i R a m a c h a n d r a U n i v e r s i t y.
T h e y u s e d a c o m b i n a t i o n o f a v a r i a n t o f c a s h e w n u t ,
kodive l i and aswagandha or Ind ian g inseng on cancer ce l l
l ines in a Pe t r i d i sh . Weeks la te r, they found the growth
of cancer ce l l s had s lowed by 37% in pe t r ic d i sh where
combina t ion therapy was used . 11
Prevent ion of Diseases Through Siddha Systems
Ta m i l na d u H e a l t h C e n t r e , t o d a y l a u n c h e d a d o o r
de l ive ry se rv i ce o f he rba l d r ink ing wa te r. The wa te r i s
b e l i e v e d t o h e l p i m p r o v e i m m u n i t y a n d g e n e r a l
h e a l t h . D r . K . Ve e r a b a b u , S i d d h a c o n s u l t a n t s a i d ,
“ S i d d h a m e d i c i n e h a s s u f f e r e d a l o t o f b a d p r e s s a n d
misconcept ion . People now perce ive i t as a cure for male
infer t i l i ty and no th ing more . This in i t i a t ive i s an e ffor t to
br ing back S iddha in to vogue as a mains t ream prevent ive
11. Veerabahu,K., Cancer Treatment through Siddha Medicines, Siddha Medicines and Health
News, Madras, 2012, p.201.
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a n d c u r a t i v e m e d i c i n e . ” . T h i s h e r b a l d r i n k f o r g e n e r a l
hea l th i s made f rom arugam pul , v i lva and o ther kayakalpa
herbs , which a re su i tab le for the wel l be ing of people of
a l l ages . The water increases immuni ty and pur i f ies b lood ,
amongs t o ther th ings . 12
Natura l Trea tmen t fo r Os teo Ar th r i t i s is one o f t he
most s ign i f ican t and common a i lment seen dur ing c l in ica l
p r a c t i c e i s A z h a l K e e l v a y u . I t m a y b e c o m p a r e d t o
o s t e o a r t h r i t i s a s p e r m o d e r n c o n c e p t . M e d i c a l l y t h i s
cond i t i on i s exp l a ined a s degene ra t i ve j o in t d i s ea se o r
c h r o n i c d i s o r d e r o f s y n o v i a l j o i n t c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y
progress ive degenera t ive changes in a r t icu la r car t i l age of
weight bear ing jo in t s . I t may be pr imary or secondary in
n a t u r e . P r i m a r y O s t e o A r t h r i t i s u s u a l l y o c c u r s d u e t o
age ing . E lder ly people a re prone to th i s espec ia l ly woman
af te r 40 years . This i s because mos t o f the lad ies a t ta in
menopause a f te r the age of 40 which lead to def ic iency of
female hormones l ike es t rogen caus ing bone degenera t ion .
In few woman ear ly removal of u te rus many provoke the
degenera t ion of bones ear l ie r. Secondary Or tho Ar thr i t i s
12. Gopalakrishnan,P.K., Siddha Herbal Drinking Water, Siddha Medicines and Health News,
Trivandrum, 2011, p.15.
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– appears a t any age . This main ly occurs due to wear and
t e a r o f a r t i c u l a r c a r t i l a g e s a s a r e s u l t o f a n y i n j u r y
f rac ture , imf lammat ion or lose bodies . I t main ly a ffec t s
Knee , Hip and Spine . S iddha Concept of Azhal Keelvayu
emphas izes on derangement o f azha l o r P i tham in i t i a l ly
which i s the bas ic reason of th i s d i sease . The deranged
P i t h a m o r e x t r e m e h e a t d r i e s u p t h e l u b r i c a t i n g
f lu id p re sen t i n t he j o in t . Hence c r ep i t a t i ng , r e s t r i c t ed
movements and swel l ing occurs . At t imes a low grade fever
is present . This d isease mainly affects Knee, Hip, Shoulder
and Spine . 13
Peop le su ffe r ing f rom th i s d i sease may exper i ence
s l igh t morn ing s t i ffness in the jo in t s in i t i a l ly ( less than 1
h o u r ) . P a i n a n d t e n d e r n e s s o c c u r s o n f l e x i o n a n d
extens ion . Diminished mobi l i ty or d i ff icul ty in moving the
jo in ts usual ly occurs af ter long res t or s leep . Swel l ing may
be presen t wi th c rep i ta t ion on movement . Pa in decreases
w i t h m o b i l i t y b u t r e o c c u r s o o n a f t e r r e s t . S l o w l y t h e
deranged Azhal humour may v i t ia te o ther two humours and
produce assoc ia ted symptoms. Causa t ive fac tors : obes i ty,
13. Gopalakrishnan,P.K., op.cit., p.16.
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Trauma, Hypermobi l i ty, Age ing , Imf lammatory a r th r i t i s ,
H y p o t h y r o i d i s m , O v e r w e i g h t , L a c k o f e x e r c i s e s ,
E x c e s s i v e i n t a k e o f O i l y o r F a t t y F o o d , O v e r e a t i n g ,
S i t t ing na tu re o f work , St res s and Tens ion a re the ma in
reasons . Pa tho logy : Loosen ing and f l ak ing o r a r t i cu la r
car t i l ages , loss of car t i l ag inous mat r ix and chondrocytes ,
i nc reased os t eoc l a s t i c ac t i v i t y and spu r ( ca r t i l l agenous
o u t g r o w t h ) o c c u r i n t h e j o i n t s . S y n o v i a l e f f u s i o n a n d
c h r o n i c s y n o v i t i s a r e s e e n i n a d v a n c e d s t a g e s .
D e g e n e r a t i v e c h a n g e s i n i n t e r p h a l a n g e a l j o i n t s m a y b e
s e e n a s h a r d , b o n y, p a i n l e s s e n l a r g e m e n t i n f o r m o f
n o d u l e s a t t h e b a s e o f t e r m i n a l p h a l a n x k n o w n a s
Herbeden’s nodes . This is common in females . 14
S i d d h a S y s t e m a d v o c a t e s h e a l t h y f o o d h a b i t s t o
prevent the d i seases . Food should a lways be regular and
balanced . I r regular d ie te ry habi t s l eads to derangement of
three humours namely Vatha , P i tha and Kapha and Seven
phys i ca l cons t i t uen t s Sa r am, Chenne r, Oon , Kozhuppu ,
E n b u , M o o l a i , S u k i l a m o r S r o n i t h a m . H e n c e d i s e a s e s
o c c u r. T h i s i s t h e b a s i c c o n c e p t o f S i d d h a M e d i c i n e
14. Report of Natural Remedies and Siddha System, D.P.H., Madras, 16th June, 2000, p.3.
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regard ing food habi t s . A d ie t conta in ing a l l s ix tas tes o f
S w e e t , A s t r i g e n t , P u n g e n t , B i t t e r , S a l t y a n d S o u r i s a
b a l a n c e d d i e t . S i m i l a r l y d i g e s t i o n i s a v e r y i m p o r t a n t
a s p e c t . I t i s w e l l h i g h l i g h t e d i n t h e P a t h a r t h a G u n a
Chin thaman i tha t we shou ld consume food on ly ha l f o f
s t o m a c h , l i q u i d q u a r t e r o f s t o m a c h a l w a y s . Qu a r t e r
s tomach should be kept empty to promote proper d iges t ion
of food . Fas t ing once a week or p rac t ising of t ak ing meal
once a day a t leas t once a week i s very good for d iges t ive
sys tem and removes ind iges t ion . 15 “Food as medic ine” , i s
wel l expla ined in Thi rukkura l about hea l thy ea t ing habi t s
and prevent ion of d i seases . S iddhar Thi ruva l luvar th rough
his v is ion and exper ience expla ined specif ic rules or habi ts
for the benef i t o f mankind , the va lue of which i s rea l ized
only now in the present genera t ion when l i fe s ty le d iseases
have created havoc everywhere . The amount of food should
a lways be accord ing to a pe r son’s appe t i t e . One shou ld
a lways consume food only a f te r the compete d iges t ion of
p rev ious ly ea t en food . Food shou ld neve r be consumed
dur ing excess ive hunger, anger or gr ief . Food should never
15. Principles of Siddha Medicines, (anonimus), Madras, p.37.
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b e t a k e n f u l l s t o m a c h . E x c e s s f o o d , u n t i m e l y f o o d ,
overcooked food , i l l cooked food , unhygien ic food , over
f r ied food and very l igh t f r i ed foods should be avo ided
f o r p e o p l e o f a l l a g e g r o u p s . A p e r s o n w h o w i s h e s t o
reduce weight should a lways dr ink a g lass of water before
f o o d t o p r e v e n t o v e r e a t i n g e v e n i f h e o r s h e i s v e r y
hungry. 16
Siddha and Bronchia l Asthma
The s iddha herba l p lan t Perugi la i or Siru thekku i s a
usefu l “A Siddha Herba l remedy for Diar rhoea , Rheumat ic
c o m p l a i n t s , F e v e r and S k i n a i l m e n t s . ” I t b e l o n g e d t o
C l e r o d e n d r u m i n f o r t u n a t u m F a m i l y . I t s a c t i o n s are
An t i -d i a r rhoea l , Hepa to -p ro t ec t i ve , An t i - Rheuma t i c and
Ant i -Microbia l . The roo ts and bark of s tem of th i s p lan t
prepared as decoc t ion and g iven in the dose of 60-80ml
twice da i ly for resp i ra tory d i seases , fever, per iod ic fever,
cough and bronch ia l a s thma. The powder o f the roo t s i s
g i v e n a l o n g w i t h Tr i k a d u g u c h o o r n a m w i t h h o n e y f o r
Bronchia l As thma. 17
16. Richard,D., Siddha Treatment and Feed, Nagercoil, 2011, p.7.
17. Report of Natural Treatment and Siddha System, Madras, 30th June, 2011, p.12.
66
The p l a n t G o s s u p i u m a r b o r e t u m is a natural remedy
for Rheumatic ailments and diarrhoea. This plant is otherwise
called paruthi (cotton). I t he lps t o improve mi lk sec re t ion
a lso . I t be longes to the fami ly of Malvaceae . The decoc t ion
of the dr ied leaves i s g iven for d ia r rhoea , and Dysent ry.
T h e p a s t e o f l e a v e s w h e n e x t e r n a l l y a p p l i e d h e l p s i n
r ipening of u lcers . One pa lam (35 grams) of l ea f ju ice i s
g iven wi th cow mi lk for d ia r rhoea , p i les , l eucor rhoea . 18
Herbal Medic ine for Rheumatoid Arthri t i s
Keelvayu i s a d i sease caused due to derangement of
Va t h a m o r Va l i h u m o u r m a i n l y. T h e d i s e a s e i s u s u a l l y
assoc ia ted wi th compla in ts l ike d i ff icu l ty in f lex ion and
extension of the jo ints , pain , swel l ing, accompanying other
symptoms l ike fever, ind iges t ion and megham. There a re
m a i n l y t e n t y p e s o f K e e l v a y u . 19 O f t h e m , o n e o f t h e
c o m m o n e s t t y p e i s Va l i A z h a l K e e l v a y u , w h i c h c a n b e
c o m p a r e d t o R h e u m a t o i d A r t h r i t i s a s p e r M o d e r n
Medic ine . Accord ing to S iddha , Va l i Azha l Kee lvayu i s
caused due to derangement of Val i and Azhal humour. This
18. Report of Natural Treatment and Siddha System, Madras, 30th June, 2011, p.30.
19. Govindan, S., Siddha Vaithyamum Vaithya Muraigalum, Thirugeswaram, 1970, p.20.
67
r e s u l t s d u e t o i m p r o p e r d i e t a r y h a b i t s l i k e i n c r e a s e d
c o n s u m p t i o n o f R e d M e a t , E g g s , F i s h e s , A l c o h o l a n d
Seden ta ry l i f e s ty le . In i t i a l ly ind iges t ion symptoms a re
s e e n l i k e f r e q u e n t c o n s t i p a t i o n , o b e s i t y and a b d o m i n a l
d iscomfor t . Then the jo in t s o f wr i s t , ank le , shoulders and
f ingers a re involved wi th pa in , redness and s t i ffness . The
pa t ien t compla in t s o f morn ing s t i ffness for more than one
h o u r. T h i s i s a m u l t i - s y s t e m i n v o l v i n g d i s e a s e m o r e
c o m m o n i n f e m a l e s t h a n i n m a l e s . G e n e t i c a n d
Envi ronmenta l fac to rs a re p rec ip i ta t ing ones . The cause
o f o n s e t o f t h e d i s e a s e m a y b e t r a u m a t i c , v i r a l , o v e r
e x p o s u r e t o h o t a n d c o l d w e a t h e r and p s y c h i c f a c t o r s .
Most ly females above 40 years of age a re a ffec ted . Hence ,
t h i s d i s e a s e c a n b e d e f i n e d a s C h r o n i c , S e v e r e ,
Symmetr ica l , Ankylos ing type of po ly-ar thr i t i s a ffec t ing
the connec t ive t i s sues of smal le r jo in t s in i t i a l ly and la te r
major jo in t s wi th more pronounced morning s t i ffness . 20
Drugs ob ta ined f rom roots o f the p lan ts a re used as
medic ine in S iddha . The s iddha drug known as Aconi te , i s
o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e t u b e r o u s r o o t s o f t h e A c o n i t u m
20. Report of Siddha Medicine and Treatment, Madras, 2011, p.9.
68
he te rophy l lum (Fami ly Ranuncu laceae ) . Th i s p l an t i s a
n a t i v e t o A l p s , P y r e n e e s a n d o t h e r m o u n t eo u s
reg ions of Europe and Asia . I t i s a wide ly cu l t iva ted p lan t
o f t e m p e r a t e c o u n t r i e s . T h e p l a n t s a r e v a l u e d f o r t h e
medic ina l va lue of the roo ts and leaves . They conta in an
a lka lo id and y ie ld a medic ine ca l led Aconi te . I t i s usefu l
i n f l a m m a t o r y d i s e a s e s and g a s t r i t i s . T h i s i s a l s o u s e d
externa l ly for neura lg ia and rheumat i sm and in te rna l ly to
re l ieve fever and pa in .
Another p lan t , Rauwolf ia i s an impor tan t medic ina l
p l a n t o f f a m i l y A p o c y n a c e a e a n d i s k n o w n a s “ S h a r p a
Gandha” i n H ind i . Rauwol f i a s e rpen t ine i s i t s common
spec ies which i s found in Ind ia , Indones ia , Tha i land and
in Cent ra l and South Afr ica .
Rauwol f i a has been accep ted as a med ic ine by the
name of Sharpa Gandha in Sanskr i t . In Ind ia th i s medic ine
i s u s e d i n c u r e o f c e n t r a l n e r v o u s s y s t e m , e x c i t e m e n t ,
Schizophenia and in ep i lepsy. 21
In Ind ia two spec ies named Rauwolf ia Caneaens and
Rauwolf ia Serpent ia which are commonly found in Bengal ,
21. Govindan, S., op.cit., p.22.
69
Uttarpradesh, and Assam. 22 The chemistry of Rauwolfia has
been s tudied in deta i l in 1931. Near ly 60 a lkaloids were
extracted from its 50 species. In 1952 reserpene alkaloid was
e x t r a c t e d . O t h e r c o m m o n a l k a l o i d s a r e s e r p e n t i n e ,
rauvolscine, descrpidene and ajmeline. This is mainly used
for the adjustment of blood pressure and in snake bit ing. 23
Licorice is a drug is obtained from the roots of the plant
G l y c y r r h i z a g l a b r a , t h e f a m i l y L e g u m i n o s e a e . I t i s a
perennia l herb tha t g rows wi ld in Southern Europe , and
Western and Central Asia. The roots are dried in sheds and
a r e s h i p p e d i n c y l i n d r i c a l p i e c e s . L i c o r i c e i s u s e d i n
medicine as a demulcent and expectorant and to disguise the
taste of nauseous preparations.
Colchium is another drug obtained from the dried corms
a n d r o o t s o f t h e p l a n t C o l c h i u m a u t u m n a l e t h e f a m i l y
Lil iaceae. This is used as a medicine in the t reatment of
r h e u m a t i s m a n d g o u t . I t i s a l s o u s e d a s a n e x t e r n a l
application to lesson swelling and pains. Colchicine is used
in modern genetics to produce doubling of chromosomes.
22. Gupta,S.K., and Kansia,M.P., Drug Plants and Drugs, Meerut, 1957, pp.81-82.
23. Ibid.
70
The drug Squi l l i s i s ob ta ined f rom a whi te var ie ty of
the sea un ion of squ i l l s (Urginea mar i t ime and ind ica of
the fami ly Li l iaceae) The bulbs a re dug up and i t s inner
f leshy sca les a re then s l iced and dr ied . The drug i s used
as an expec toran t and s t imulan t .
The d rug Senega i s ob ta ined f rom the roo t s o f the
p lan t Po lyga la s enega , a sma l l pe renn ia l he rb o f Nor th
A m e r i c a . T h i s i s a g l u c o s i d a l d r u g , w h i c h i s u s e d b y
Ind ians a s a cu re fo r snake b i t e s . Senega i s used as an
expec toran t , emet ic and s t imulan t . 24
Ja lap i s a res inous drug which i s ob ta ined f rom the
f leshy roo ts o f Exogonium purga . The p lan t i s cu l t iva ted
in Mexico , Jamaica and Ind ia . The drug Ja lap i s used as a
purga t ive .
Some o the r roo t s l i ke Hemidesmus ind i cus (Anan t
m o o l ) a n d s e v e r a l o t h e r u n d e rg r o u n d p a r t s a l s o y i e l d
severa l d rugs which a re used in the t rea tment of so many
diseases . Above a l l these drugs a re ob ta ined f rom the i t em
of the p lan ts in the S iddha sys tem.
24. Gupta,S.K., and Kansia,M.P., op.cit., pp.82-83.
71
Ephedr ine i s an a lka lo id drug obta ined f rom var ious
species of Ephedra . This p lants a re the leaf less shrubs wi th
s lender green s tems . The en t i re woody p lan t i s used for
t h e e x t r a c t i o n o f d r u g s . T h e E p h e d r i n e i s u s e d i n t h e
t rea tment of co lds , as thma and hay fevers . 25
Aak , t he mi lky l a t ex i s ob ta ined f rom the s t em o f
Calo t rop is p rocera of the fami ly Asc lep iadaceae . This has
a grea t medic ina l va lue and i s commonly ava i lab le near ly
i n a l l p a r t s o f I n d i a i n w i l d f o r m . T h i s i s u s e d i n t h e
t rea tment of l eprosy and rheumat i sm.
Quassia is obtained f rom the s tem of Picrasma excelsa
and Quass ia amara . This i s very b i t t e r in tas te and i s used
as ton ic and in the t rea tment of dyspeps ia and Malar ia . 26
The wood as such and the o i l o f Chandan i s ob ta ined
f rom the s tem of the p lan t Santa lum a lbum of the fami ly
Santa lacear, and are used medic inal ly. This i s aromat ic and
have a coo l i ng and soo th ing e f f ec t . The powder o f t he
wood i s used in gonorrhea and fever. This i s a l so used in
external appl ica t ion in many skin d iseases . Fur ther, the
25. Gupta,S.K., and Kansia,M.P., op.cit., p.83.
26. Ibid., p.84.
72
l eaves f rom the p lan t s a re a l so used as medic ine in the
Siddha System.
B e l l a d o n n a i s i m p o r t a n t a n d o l d d r u g , w h i c h i s
ob ta ined f rom dr ied l eaves o f At ropa be l l adonna o f the
fami ly So lanaceae . Th is p l an t g rows wi ld in Himalayan
r e g i o n a n d i s c u l t i v a t e d i n d i f f e r e n t r e g i o n s o f U n i t e d
States , Europe and India . The leaves are col lected and dried
during the f lowering season. These have several a lkaloids .
T h e B e l l a d o n n a i s u s e d e x t e r n a l l y t o r e l i e v e p a i n a n d
internal ly to check excessive perspira t ion and coughs. I t i s
a lso used as an ant idote in opium poisoning and in as thma,
and col ic . An alkaloid a t ropine present in i t i s used to di la te
the pupi l of the eye dur ing eyesight tes t ing. 27
T h e p l a n t A l o e i s a me d i c i n a l p l a n t i n t h e S i d d h a
system. This plant Aloe has succulent leaves which contain
a res inous juice in which there are several glucosides . The
j u i c e o f l e a v e s i s e x t r a c t e d a n d b y e v a p o r a t i o n g e t
conver ted in to a sol id i f ied v iscous b lack mass known as
Aloe. This plant is used chief ly as purgat ives .
27. Govindan,S., op.cit., p.32.
73
Cocaine i s ob ta ined f rom the leaves of Ery throxylon
coca of the fami ly Linaceae . This p lan t i s a shrub which i s
n a t i v e o f P e r u a n d B o l i v i a a n d i s c u l t i v a t e d i n S o u t h
Amer ica , Java , Cey lon and Formosa . The l eaves o f th i s
p lan t have a b i t t e r a romat ic tas te due to the presence of
the a lka lo id coca ine . Coca ine i s o f g rea t use and has been
used as a loca l anaesthe t i c . Th is may a l so be used as a
ton ic for d iges t ive and nervous sys tem by the consul ta t ion
of a phys ic ian .
The p l an t Oc imum sanc tum, b e l o n g s t o t h e f a m i l y
lab ia te . I t i s commonly known as Tuls i . This p lan t i s a
sacred p lan t as wel l as a p lan t o f medic ina l va lue . I t i s
produced f rom the p lan t Herbaceous and i s wide ly found
in Ind ia . The leaves of the p lan t a re used for s tomachic ,
expec toran t , s t imulan t , a romat ic and an t i -ca ta r rha l . They
are g iven to a r res t malar ia , d i sorder of l iver and for co ld
and cough. 28
T h e p l a n t A z a d i r a c h t a i n d i c a o f t h e f a m i l y o f
Mel iacear i s commonly known as Neem. This p lan t i s qu i te
common in Ind ia . I t i s very usefu l medic ina l ly. Near ly a l l
28. Gupta,S.K., and Kansia.M.P., op.cit., p.84.
74
par t s o f the p lan t , i . e . s tem, leaf , f lower and f ru i t may be
used in medic ine . The leaves of the p lan t a re carmina t ive ,
expec toran t and insec t ic ida l . The ju ice of the leaf i s used
in jaundice and var ious sk in d i seases . This may a l so be
used as an an the lmin t ic .
Botanical name of Ind ian Hemp i s Vern . It i s ob ta ined
f r o m t h e l e a v e s o f C a n n a b i s s a t i v a o f t h e f a m i l y
cannab inaceae . Th is l eaves are used a f t e r g r ind ing them
with a limited account of wa te r. This p lan t s a re the annua l
herbs which a re qu i te common a l l over the Nor thern Ind ia .
The leaves a re seda t ive , narco t ic , d iges t ive and d iure t ic .
T h i s i s o f g r e a t u s e i n d y s e n t e r y , d i a r r h oe a a n d
in-d iges t ion . The char ras and ganja a re a l so ob ta ined f rom
this p lan t which have a good medic ina l impor tance .Seena
is a very anc ien t d rug obta ined f rom the dr ied leaf le t s o f
the severa l spec ies of Cass ia of the fami ly Leguminosae .
This p lan t i s a na t ive of Egypt and Arabia bu t i s cu l t iva ted
in Ind ia a l so . Th i s i s u sed a s a pu rga t ive . 29 And seve ra l
o t h e r d r u g s are a l s o o b t a i n e d f r o m the l e a v e s of
S t r a m o n i u m , Wo r m w o o d , H a m a m e l i s and D i g i t a l i s .
Drugs obtained from Flowers are also used as medicine.
29. Gupta,S.K., and Kansia.M.P., op.cit., pp.84-85.
75
C h a m o m i l e i s a d r u g w h i c h i s o b t a i n e d f r o m the
f l o w e r h e a d s o f M a r t r i c o r i a c h a m o m i l i a a n d A n t h e m i s
nobi l i s o f the fami ly compos i tae . This i s used as ton ic and
g a s t r i c s t i m u l a n t s . T h i s i s a l s o u s e d i n p o u l t i c e s f o r
spra ins , b ru i ses and rheumat i sm. Another d rug Santonin
is ob ta ined f rom the unopened f lowers of Ar temis ia c ina
o f t h e f a m i l y c o m p o s i t e a e . T h is p l a n t i s a s m a l l
semishrubbly perennia l o f Western Asia . This d rug i s one
of the bes t remedies for in tes t ina l worms. 30
Fur ther the drugs ob ta ined f rom f ru i t s and seeds a re
v e r y m u c h u s e d i n S i d d h a a s m e d i c i n e . C o l o c y n t h i s
ob ta ined f rom the d r ied spongy pu lp o f the b i t t e r app le
which be longed to the fami ly cucurb i taceae . This p lan t i s
a perennia l v ine na t ive to warmer par t s of Asia and Afr ica .
The co locynth which i s p roduced f rom the f ru i t s i s a very
powerfu l purga t ive .
Nux vomica i s a va luable drug which is obta ined f rom
t h e s e e d s o f S t r y c h n o s m u x y o m i c a o f t h e f a m i l y
Loganiaceae. This plants are found in South India, Orissa,
Bengal , Gorakhpur in Ind ia and o ther count r ies . Such as
30. Gupta,S.K., and Kansia.M.P., op.cit., p.85.
76
Ceylon, China and Austra l ia . The r ipe seeds of the plant
obtained from its fruit are very hard and bit ter and contain
strychnine and bucine alkaloids. This drug is used as a tonic
and stimulant and also used in treatment of nervous disorders
and paralysis. This drug is also a powerful poison, so always
it should used in smal l doses and by the consu l ta t ion o f
physician.
Psyll ium or Isapghul drug is the seed of several species
of family Plantaginaceae. They are also grown in India. These
seeds contains a tasteless mucilaginous substance which acts
as a laxative. These are used in gastro-intestinal troubles,
dysentery and dyspepsia.
C a s t e r o i l i s o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e s e e d s o f R i c i n u s
communis of the family Euophorbiaceae. This is a wild plant
that is grown al l over India . This i s a lso used as a good
purgat ive. 31
Black Pepper belonged to the family of Piperaceae. The
carminat ive and aromatic are used for digest ive purposes.
T h e s e a r e a l s o u s e d a s a m e d i c i n e i n t h e t r e a t m e n t o f
diarrhoea, dyspepsia, piles, cough and gonorrhoea.
31. Gupta,S.K., and Kansia.M.P., op.cit., p.86.
77
O p i u m i s o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e f r u i t s o f P a p e v e r
Saomniferum Poppy p lan t o f the fami ly Papaveraceae . I t ,
one of the mos t he lpfu l and v ic icus drug , i s the dr ied ju ice
of la tex of unr ipe f ru i t s o f poppy p lan t . This p lan t i s an
annual herb wi th la rge showy f lowers , which i s cu l t iva ted
in Ind ia , China and o ther count r ies . For the prepara t ion
of op ium the unr ipe capsu le ( f ru i t ) a re inc i sed wi th a f ine
needle and the exuded la tex hardens to f rom the op ium.
T h i s o p i u m c o n s i s t s o f n e a r l y 2 5 a l k a l o i d s o f w h i c h
m o r p h i n e , c o d e i n e , n a co t i n e and t h e b a i n e a r e o f g r e a t
impor tance . This i s used to re l ieve pa in and induce s leep .
Opium be ing a po ison should be used by preconsul ta t ion
of a good phys ic ian .
Bes ides the above sa id drugs severa l more drugs may
be ob ta ined by seeds and f ru i t s . Among them the d rugs
obta ined f rom Barks a re used as medic ine .
Quin ine , the mos t impor tan t Ind ian drug , i s ob ta ined
f rom the bark of var ious spec ies of Chinchona , the fami ly
of Rubiaceae . 32
32. Velu,N., Siddha Vaithyamuraikal, Kumbakonam, 1969, p.20.
78
C i n c h o n a b a r k w a s k n o w n t o I n d i a n s s i n c e 1 6 3 8 ,
when the wi fe of the Viceroy of Peru was cured of Malar ia
af te r a l l o ther remedies had fa i led . This p lan ts a re na t ive
of South Amer ica and cu l t iva ted in Ind ia , Java and o ther
coun t r i e s . I n Ind i a t he p l an t s a r e g rown in Da r j ee l i ng ,
K h a s i , h i l l s o f A s s a m , O a t a c a m u n d , N i l g r i s , S i k h a m ,
S a t p u r a r a n g e a n d S o u t h I n d i a . I t r e q u i r e 6 0 t o 7 0 0F
t e m p e r a t u r e a n d 1 0 0 t o 1 5 0 0 a n n u a l r a i n f a l l . T h e b a r k
obtained f rom the t ree roots and s tems conta in about th i r ty
a lka lo ids , wh ich a re ve ry use fu l in med ic ine . The mos t
impor tan t use of qu in ine , p repared f rom bark of ch inchona
t ree , i s in the t rea tment of Malar ia . This i s a l so va luable
as a ton ic and an t i sep t ic in the t r ea tment o f fevers . 33 In
add i t ion to these , the re a re severa l o the r d rugs such as
ascara , Curare and S l ippery Elm having a dominent ro le in
the h i s tory of S iddha medic ine .
There a re cer ta in p lan ts p roducts which can he lp the
l i fe p rocesses of human be ing and g rea tes t enemy to the
insec ts , even to the po in t o f des t roy ing them. Many p lan t
ex t rac t ives o f th i s na ture se rved as insec t ic ides . Near ly
33. Velu,N., op.cit., pp.86-87.
79
1 2 0 0 p l a n t s p e c i e s h a v e b e e n r e p o r t e d a s h a v i n g
insect ic ida l va lue . The grea t major i ty of these are of s l ight
impor tance and even the be t te r among them tend to be over
shadowed by the ou ts tanding synthe t ic insec t ic ides such
a s D . D . T. a n i m a t e , b e n z e n e h e x a c h l o r i d e , c h l o r o d o n e ,
h e x a e t h y l t e t r a p h o s p h a t e a n d o t h e r s . T h e s e s y n t h e t i c
insec t i c ides a re no t enough , fo r a l l purposes . Bo tan ica l
i n s e c t i c i d e s a r e m a i n l y e x t r a c t i v e s f r o m t o b a c c o
( N i c o t i n e ) P y r e t h r u m a n d r o t e n o n e p l a n t s . I n m o d e r n
agriculture control of insects has become a problem. Many
botanical products f ind ample use in sprays as emulsifies,
adhesives , s tabi l izers and synergis ts in combinat ion with
rotenone, pyrethrions or other insecticides.
The Pyre thrum insec t ic ide i s ob ta ined f rom f lowers
c h r y s a n t h e m u m o f t h e f a m i l y c o m p o s i t e a e . T h e f l o w e r
heads of th is plant are the source of commercial pyrethrum.
P e r s i s t i n s e c t p o w d e r i s d e r i v e d f r o m C o c c i n e u m . T h e
ly re th r i vo l a t i l e o i l s s e rve s a s a con t ac t po i son and i n
paras i t i c ide lo t ic which qu ick ly para lyzes insec t s . 34
34. Velu,N., op.cit., p.92.
80
There are some other insecticide yielder plants which
are Anabasis aphylla belonging to the Family Chenopodiaceae,
Croton t igl ium belonging to the Family Euphorbiaceae,
Duloisia hapwoodii belonging to the Family Salanaceae,
Pinus palustnis belonging to the Family Pinaceae and
Seamuminalium belonging to the Family Pedaliaceae.
T h e i n v e n t i o n o f s o m e h o r m o n a l h e r b i c i d e s f r o m
p l a n t g r o w t h s u b s t a n c e s i s a n o t h e r o u t s t a n d i n g
d e v e l o p m e n t o f b o t a n y. T h e g r e a t u t i l i t y o f t h e s e
h e r b i c i d e s l i e s n o t s o m u c h i n t h e i r a b i l i t y t o k i l l
vege ta t ion , for many cheap chemica l compounds a re ab le
to do tha t bu t in the i r se lec t iv i ty o f the p lan t s a ffec ted
t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e i r n o t o x i c e f f e c t o n a n i m a l l i f e .
I t i s p r o v e d t h a t 2 - 4 d i c h l o r o p h e n o x y a c e t i c a c i d k i l l s
m o s t d i c o t u l e d o n o u s p l a n t b u t d o e s n o t a f f e c t m o s t
monocoty ledous a t the same concent ra t ion . I t se rves as a
convenien lawn spray, e l iminat ing dandel ion p lanta ins and
many o ther weed wi thout in jur ing the grass . Sprayed by
plane in whea t f ie lds , the ex t rac t , k i l l s mos t o f the weeds ,
bu t l eaves the gra in unharmed to g ive h igher y ie ld . 35
35. Velu,N., op.cit., p.86.
81
The modern hormonal herb ic ides a re ju ices squeezed
from the growing t ips of l iv ing p lants (ac t seedings) which
showed marked charac te r i s t ics of p romot ing growth . 2-4D
has proved to be one of the mos t e ffec t ive of the severa l
growth regula tors developed. In i t s mode of ac t ion i t offers
an en t i re ly new technique in p lan t cont ro l . Agr icu l tura l ly
or hor t i cu l tu ra l ly 2 -4-D may be app l ied in any fash ion .
2-4-D may be made by the ch lor ina t ion of phenol which
yie ld a mix ture of ch lor ina ted compounds f rom which the
compound wi th ch lor ine in 2-4 pos i t ion i s readi ly repor ted
by d is t i l l a t ion .
Mayi ladu pachi la i i s used for jo in t pa ins , red rashes ,
ur inary d i seases and rheumat i sm. I t reduces p i l l , p i tham,
va tham and phlegm. Mur ian Pachi la i cures cu t wounds . I t
jo in t s the cu t wounds immedia te ly. 36
B o n e s e t t i n g p r a c t i c e s p r e v a i l e d i n s i d d h a . Bo n e
se t t ing was done wi th much ease by the S iddha Medica l
Prac t ioners . They obta in X-rays f rom the pa t ien ts and se t s
the f r ac tu red bones wi th the he lp o f s l i ngs made up o f
e i ther Pa lmyra s tems or coconut s tems or bamboo s t r ings .
36. Armairaj,K., Adi Odi Murivu, Thiruvananthapuram, 1985, p.98-102.
82
Wi t h t h e h e l p o f t h e s e s t r i n g s t h e y a p p l y o i l s p e c i a l l y
prepared for th i s purpose ca l led Mur ivu Ennai . Thus se t s
the f rac tured bones in any par t o f the body. 37
Trea tment for Diabe t ics i s a l so prac t i sed in S iddha .
The S iddha Pha rmac i s t makes use o f t he he rbs tha t a r e
avai lable . One such herbs is s i rukur injan or Chakkaraikol l i
I l a i which i s used to t rea t sugar pa t ien ts . 38
A teaspoonfu l o f d r ied Ni lavembu leaf powder mixed
w i t h w a t e r t a k e n o r a l l y r e g u l a r l y r e d u c e s b l o o d s u g a r.
Thandr ikkara i f ru i t i s powdered and taken in warm water
r e d u c e s t h e b l o o d s u g a r l e v e l . N a v a l s e e d p o w d e r i f
c o n s u m e d r e d u c e s t h e b l o o d s u g a r l e v e l . D r i e d y o u n g
leaves of avarampoo and inf lorescence a re used as herba l
t e a t o r e d u c e b l o o d s u g a r . S i r u k u r i n j a n p o w d e r a n d
arakeera i a re usefu l medic ines for d iabe t ics . Aruganpul or
dog tee th grass ju ice reduces b lood pressure .
For the treatment of Jaundice, Vallarai juice mixed with sheep
milk and Keezhanelli extract is used. Small amount of Etti seed is
taken internally. It checks nervous disorder. Cooked nayaruvi leaves
cures internal piles.
37. Armairaj,K., op.cit., p.110.
38. Maruthuva Sanjeevi, Palm Leaf Manuscript, Madras, 1969, p.68.
83
There a re many o ther herba l medic ines in the S iddha
sys tem tha t cures s ickness of var ious k inds .
Prepara t ion of d rugs and doses i s c lear ly organised
f i r st of a l l t hey d ry the r equ i red d rug ma te r i a l s we l l i n
s h a d e p r o t e c t i n g f r o m d i r e c t s u n l i g h t . I f i t i s d r i e d i n
sunl igh t a l l the l iv ing ce l l s wi l l d ie and ge t d r ied . Af ter
suff ic ien t ly dr ied , g r ind and c rush i t and s ieve th rough a
f i n e c l o t h t o o b t a i n p o w d e r o f t h e d e s i r e d d r u g . O t h e r
method i s tha t c leaned p lan t and p lan t par t s a re g round
w i t h w a t e r . T h e e x t r a c t i s f i l t e r e d a nd f r e s h j u i c e i s
prepared . In case i f the drug i s in dry form i t should be
wel l soaked in water for some t ime before i t i s g round . 39
They a l so wash the drug to remove the unwanted d i r t and
dus t . Af te r c lean ing chop i t in to smal l p ieces and pound
wel l . Boi l the pounded medical p lants or leaves in the ra t io
of 1 :8 and reduce i t to one cup . F i l t e r the decoc t ion or
essence thus prepared before use . In the case of f resh green
herbs no water should be used . 40
The drug doses adminis te red to the pa t ien ts depended
on the body weight , age , sever i ty of d i sease . For in te rna l
39. Maruthuva Sanjeevi, Palm Leaf Manuscript, Madras, 1969, p.70.
40. Ibid., p.74.
84
use l iqu id drug 50ml to 200ml i s used . I f the medic ine i s
adminis te red in powder form 2 to 10 gram or 1 to 4 tab le
spoon is used. Dur ing the herbal therapy cer ta in food shi f t s ,
d r inks and in tox ica t ion a re prohib i ted . Usua l ly ch i l ly, sa l t
and tamar ind a re avoided for 3 days or seven days . 41
F o r d i s e a s e s l i k e c o l d , c o u g h a n d a s t h m a , a l p i n i a
ca lcara ta rosecoe or Chi thara tha i i s used a long wi th g inger
and pepper. Mixing a l l these s t rong juice i s p repared and
admin i s t e r ed th ree t imes da i ly ha l f a t umble r fo r t h ree
days . 42 Adathoda leaf pas te i s t aken to cure as thma. The
powdered leaf i s mixed wi th water and consumed in the
e a r l y m o r n i n g e v e r y d a y c u r e s c o l d . 43 N a l t h u l a d i l e a f i s
consumed for co ld and cough. Kandankath i r i o r Solanum
Sura t tense Burm, p lan t i s powdered and mixed in wate r
a n d t a k e n i n t e r n a l l y c u r e s c o l d a n d w h e e z i n g t r o u b l e .
Nochi or th ree leaved chas te t ree leaves are bo i led and the
v a p o u r i f i n h a l e d w i l l r e l i e v e c o l d a n d h e a d a c h e . 44
Toothuvala i soup re l ieve cough and co ld .
41. Maruthuva Sanjeevi, Palm Leaf Manuscript, Madras, 1969, p.76.
42. Ibid., p.78.
43. Government approved Siddha Medical Centres, Tamilnadu, 1985, pp.43-44.
44. Dinathanthi, The Daily Newspaper, dated, 12.03.2012, p.13.
85
Learning Centers & Hospi ta ls for S iddha Medic ine in
Tami lnadu
Government S iddha Medica l Col lege , Annexed wi th
A r i n g n a r A n n a G o v t . H o s p i t a l o f I n d i a n M e d i c i n e &
Homeopathy, Arumbakkam, Chennai . I t i s very usefu l and
did var ious services for the Heal th upl i f tment of the people
o f Ta m i l na d u and G o v e r n m e n t S i d d h a M e d i c a l C o l l e g e ,
Pa layamkot ta i , Ti rune lve l i , Nat iona l Ins t i tu te of S iddha ,
Tambaram, Chennai , Velu Maiy i l S iddha Medica l Col lege ,
S r i p e r u m b u d h u r, K a n c h e e p u r a m D i s t r i t and S r i S a i r a m
S i d d h a M e d i c a l C o l l e g e & R e s e a r c h C e n t r e , We s t
Tambaram, Chennai , Tami lnadu , Ind ia .45
Learning Centers of the Colleges and Other Institutes
National Insti tute of Siddha (NIS), Tambaram Sanatorium,
Chennai , Regional Research Ins t i tu te for Siddha, (RRIS)
Pond iche r ry, C l in i ca l Resea rch In s t i t u t e , (CCISS) ,
Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, Survey of Medicinal plants unit,
(SMPU), Tirunelvel i , Central Research Inst i tute (Siddha),
Aringar Anna hospital Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India, Govt.
Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai , Tirunelveli , Govt.
Siddha Medical College, Anna Hospital campus, Arumbakkam,
45. List of Government Siddha Medical Colleges in Tamilnadu, 1985, pp.3-5.
86
Chennai, Aringnar Anna Govt. Hospital Indian Medicine &
Homeopathy, Arumbakkam, Chennai, Velumayil Siddha Medical
Co l l ege & Resea rch Cen t r e , Banga lo re ma in r oad ,
Sriperumbudhur, Kaancheepuram District, Sri Sairam Siddha
Medical College, West Tambaram, Chennai, A.T.S.E. College,
Munsirai, K.K.Dist. , RVS Siddha Medical College, Soolur,
Co imba to re and S iddha Med ica l Co l l ege , Munch i r a i ,
Kanyakumari Dist.46 This is the most famous learning centres
and siddha colleges in Tamilnadu.
Private Hospi ta ls
Pharmacy Educat ion and Inst i tut ion
G o v t . S i d d h a M e d i c a l C o l l e g e , P a l a y a m k o t t a i ,
Ta m i l n a d u a n d A r i n g n a r A n n a G o v t . H o s p i t a l I n d i a n
Medicine & Homeopathy, Arumbakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu,
India is most one of the private hospitals in Siddha.
Private Hospi ta ls and Siddha Medical Centres
K a n y a k u m a r i D i s t r i c t o f Ta m i l n a d u i s f i l l e d w i t h
S i d d h a M e d i c a l C e n t r e s a n d p r i v a t e h o s p i t a l s w h e r e
t r ea tmen t i s g iven t o a l l k inds o f human d i s ea se s . The
fo l lowing a re the mos t conspicuous cen t res .
46. List of Siddha Medical and Research Centres, Government of Tamilnadu, 1985, pp.1-5.
87
Branches offered for Post Graduate course in Siddha Medicine
Branch Modern Terminology
Gunapaadam Department-II Pharmacology
Podhu Maruthuvam Department-I General Medicine
Sirappu Maruthuvam Department-III Special Medicine
Kuzhandhai Maruthuvam Department-IV Paediatrics
Nanju Maruthuvam Department-VI Toxicology
Noi Naadal Department-V Pathology 47
The Mecode Siddha Vaidyasala i and Hospi ta l
The Mecode Siddha Medical Centre is a noted medical
centre for Siddha Medical Training Centre and treatment. The
centre is noted for treatment to Vatha, Pitha and Kaba, joints
dislocation, fracture, diseases connected with spinalcord. and
all other diseases connected with human body. The medicines
are well prepared from the Indian herbals. Physiotherapy, oil
massage, Siddha medical steam bath are its speciality.48
Private Vaidyasalas
Mecode Narayana Vaidyasala was established long back. This
is one of the noted Vaidyasalas of this district where treatment is
given for orthopaedic problems. Treatment is given for all other
kinds of diseases too.49
47. List of Approved Medical Centres, Government of Tamilnadu, 1982, p.4.
48. Bronchure of Narayana Vaidyasala, Mecode, 2012, p.4.
49. Information Board at Narayana Vaidyasala, Mecode, 2012, p.10.
88
Apar t f rom these two , Ka t tukada i Asans , Anakuzh i
Va i d y a s a l a , M y l a d y S i d d h a Va i d y a s a l a a n d m a n y o t h e r
Va i d y a s a l a s i n t h i s D i s t r i c t a n d o t h e r d i s t r i c t s o f
Ta m i l n a d u t r e a t v a r i o u s d i s e a s e s . T h e s e Va i d h y a s a l a s
s t r i c t l y a d o p t s i d d a s y s t e m o f t r e a t m e n t a n d h a v e
succeeded . 50
The Siddha sys tem of t rea tment and publ ic hea l th i s
no t the on ly sys tem of t rea tment bu t another sys tem ca l led
the Ayurveda was a l so prac t i sed .
50. Information of Vaidyasala at Tamilnadu, 2012, p.13.