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PRAISE BE TO SIDDHAS

A Literary Review of Kayakalpa Plants in Siddha

Literature

A. Rajalakshmi, S. Baby Malathi, S. Kanimozhi, N. Nilakkalli*

Siddha system of medicine A preamble:

The Siddhas are superhuman beings, the immortal masters of medicine and

meditation, also founders of the Indian Traditional Alchemical system of Medicine

namely The Siddha system. This system belongs to a very ancient period and it may be

roughly ascertained to the origin of Tamil civilization itself. According to Siddhas,

human body is a wonderful replica representing the entire universe.

The criteria by which an organism originates depends on 96 Thathuvas or

Constituent principles. To elevate the soul on its spiritual journey, the Siddhas formulated

an applied alchemy, theKaya Kalpam.

The Kayakalpa A Preamble:

Kaya Body, mind and psyche and

Kalpa - Transmutation.Kayakalpa is a transformative approach to health and consciousness to prevent

and free from chronic diseases. Besides rejuvenatingthe body, it also possesses

Prophylatic action. According to Siddha Materia Medica, Kayakalpa formulations

includeHerbs, Minerals and Animal kingdom also.

Classification:

In general karpam ramifies into two, namely

Pothu karpam: can be taken by any one at anytime for the sake of attaining

optimum health, beauty, longevity and consciousness.

Sirappu karpam: taken during the period of illness and physical imbalances.

* III B.S.M.S students, Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu. 627002.


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Kayakalpa Plants:

In the text Karuvoorar Vadha Kaaviyam it has been mentioned

that nearly 108 Herbs are termed as Karpa Mooligaigal.

Pothu karpam comprises of plants such as

Zingiber officinale (ginger),

Alternanthera sessilis (sessile leaf),

Azadirachta indica (neem),

Aloe barbadensis (aloe),

Withania somnifera (winter cherry) etc.,

Sirappu karpam comprises of plants such as

Phyllanthus amarus (Indian phyllanthus),

Semecarpus anacardium (marking nut),

Phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry),

Ocimum sanctum (sacred basil),

Acalypha indica (cats struggle) etc.,

Time of Consumption:

Predominantly, Morning is stated as the optimum time for

consumption of Karpam, whereas evening is also preferred for some preparations.

For example, Kadukkai (chebulic myrobalan) is preferred during evening.

Initiative measures on Consumption:

Before consuming Kayakalpam, primarily the body has to be prepared.

It is to be noted that consumption of kayakalpa along with some simple Yogasanas makesthe purpose fruitful.


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Compatible Diet:

According to Siddha literature, Food itself is a Medicine. Food in our diet

either enhances or disturbs the potency of the drug consumed. In accordance with that

some of the compatible diets are as follows.

Solanum trilobatum, dried fruit of Solanum nigrum, dried fruit of

chundai, Alternanthera sessilis, leaves of black neem, red gram, black pepper, Cumin,

Clove, bark of Cinnamom , fruits or seeds of Cardamom, Myristica fragrans, cane sugar,

cows milk, ghee, mango, Indian gooseberry etc.,

The above mentioned items are general and there are separate list of

varieties which can be added for each and every karpam. The references are

given in the text ofPathiya Vithi Pathiyam and Pathiya Nirnayam..

These are listed on the basis of the Arusuvaigal, the main criteria

namely Sweet, Salt, Sour, Astringent, Pungent, Bitter which was primarily based on

the Pancha Bhuthic Theory.

Pathiyam:

This refers the sort of food to be neglected. Salt, Tamarind, Mustard,

Ginger, Flesh, Fish, Ash pumpkin, Horse gram, Tobacco, Betel should be prohibited.

Sexual abstinence is also advised. This is for the purpose of Rejuvenation instead of

Generation which is very much needed. Each drug has its own diet restrictions. The

sort of diet to be restricted or added depends on various factors such as patients

physic, pathognomonic conditions, potency of medicine, period of drug consumption,

environmental changes etc., Uncertainty could be compensated with the guidance of

experienced physicians to select the diet.

Age Group:

There are certain age limitations. Kayakalpa hardly produces any remarkable

effect beyond Fifth decade of life due to degenerative changes in the body.


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Specialities of Kayakalpa:

Kayakalpa does not mean restoring old to youth, it means the maintenance

of youth without mere lethargy both physically and mentally. Kayakalpa prevents

and brings us to a state that the body could not only be healthy but also fulfills

the purpose of being healthy, becoming a person meaningful and very much in

Harmony with the nature.

Discussion:

Till now the Siddha medicines are being used for various ailments

for both physiological and psychological wellbeing. Though these are in written

forms by Siddhas, this system stands neglected and identified wrongly as unscientific

and superstitious. In addition a systematic analysis of these drugs based on recent

scientific methodology is also lacking, even though Multifarious actions have been

indicated in Siddha literature. Scientific investigations should be done to confirm

the Siddha claims to achieve the Siddha Goal(i.e.) to free Humanity from Diseases.

Conclusion:

With the help of kayakalpa the innate Rejuvenating powers of body

are awakened thus creating a magnetic and vital being. It helps us to live our life

to the fullest at the same time to understand what life is all about. This is only a

curtain raiser and a further evaluation has to be done with this work.

References:

1. History of Siddha medicine Ist edition, 1979 by Mr. N. Kandasamy Pillai,

Siddha science development committee, Govt. of Tamilnadu.

2. Heritage of Tamils Ist edition, March 1983 by Dr. S.V. Subramanian, V.R.

Madhavan, International Institute of Tamil Studies, Chennai, 113.


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3. Sattaimuni Gnanam, Ist edition December 2001 by Mr. S.P.

Ramachandran, Thamarai Noolagam, Chennai.

4. Dictionary of Medicine, Chemistry, Botany and Allied sciences (Based on

Indian medical science), volume II, IInd edition, 1992. By T.V. Sambasivam

Pillai, published by Department of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy,

Chennai 106.

5. Siddha Maruthuvam Sirappu by Dr. R. by Dr. R. Thiagarajan, IInd

edition, 1995, Published by The Directorate of Indian Medicine &

Homeopathy, Chennai, India.

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