Introduction
Siddha medicine is among India's oldest medicinal traditions. Siddha is a Sanskrit word that means "confirmed truth." Siddhars were those who were involved in the establishment of such a Siddha school of thought.
What is Siddha?
Siddha medicine is a form of traditional medicine that originated in South India. That was one of India's most ancient medical systems. Owing to a lack of education in scientific medicine, the Indian Medical Association considers Siddha medicine certificates to be "false" and Siddha therapies to be quackery, causing harm to public healthcare.
The Supreme Court of India claimed in 2018 that "unskilled, unqualified and poorly trained quacks are presenting a severe risk to the entire community and interfering with the lives of individuals without getting the appropriate education and training in the science from accredited institutions," on identifying fake medical professionals with no qualifications.
In becoming local "healers," Siddhars throughout rural India have historically learned methods via master-disciple relationships. Siddhars were amongst India's approximate 400,000 traditional healers, accounting for roughly 57 per cent of rural medical services.
Siddha practitioners tend to believe that five basic elements, namely – earth, fire, water, sky, air, – are present in food, "humour" of the body of a human, and herbal, animal/inorganic chemical compounds, including sulfur and mercury. These can be used as therapies for the treatment of diseases.
The Homoeopathy of the Government of India, Yoga and Naturopathy, Ministry of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and governs practice in Siddha medicine and several other ancient traditions known as AYUSH. Siddhars are practitioners who have received rigorous training and hold professional degrees including MD (Medical Doctor, Siddha), BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery), or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). The Central Council of Indian Medicine is a regulatory body that oversees learning in rural Indian medicine, such as Siddha medicine, and was created in 1971 under AYUSH.
History
Siddha medicine seems to be an ancient Indian traditional treatment method that originated in South India and can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization in the third millennium BCE or earlier. The method of this medicine is shown to have derived from Hindu God Shiva, who introduced it to his consort Parvati, as per ancient Siddha vaidyam literature. Nandi instructed nine Devtas about that after Parvati handed it over to him.
The majority of Siddha medical practitioners are typically trained, generally in families and under the guidance of gurus (teachers). When the guru teaches martial arts, he is referred to as an ashan.
The Siddhars, according to legend, laid the groundwork for this method of medicine. Siddhars were ashta siddhis-wielding spiritual adepts. Nandhisar is known as the guru among all Siddhars and also the first siddha.
Concept of Disease and Cause
The disease occurs when the balance of the three humours – Vaadham, Pittham, and Kapam – is disrupted. Climatic conditions, physical activity, diet, and stress are thought to influence the whole equilibrium. The proportions of Vaadham, Pittham, and Kapam are 4:2:1 in normal circumstances.
Dietary habits and lifestyle, as per the Siddha medicine system, contribute significantly to health and disease cure. Pathiyam and apathiyam are terms used to describe the Siddha medicine principle, which is basically a rule-based system with a set of "do's and don'ts."
Siddha Treatment
Purgative therapy, Oleation therapy, Fasting therapy, Emetic therapy, Steam therapy, Physical therapy, Bloodletting therapy, Solar therapy, and Yoga therapy are some of the psychological treatments used in Siddha.
Herbalism
The Siddhars' herbal agents can be divided into three categories: thadhu (inorganic substances), thavaram (herbal product), and jangamam (animal products).
The thadhu agents have been further divided into uppu (water-soluble inorganic substances which release vapour when ignited), uparasam (equivalent to pashanam but has a different action), loham (not immersed in water but melts when ignited), pashanam (agents that are not dissolved in the water yet release vapour once ignited), rasam (soft substances), and ghandhagam (substances that tend to be insoluble in water).
Regulation
The Travancore-Cochin Medical Practitioners' Act of 1953 made it illegal to practise Siddha medicine and similar things of rural alternative medicine in India, and the Supreme Court of India upheld the prohibition in 2018, saying that "a number of unskilled, unqualified, untrained quacks are presenting a massive risk to the wider population and interfering with people's lives."
Registered health professionals must be educated at a recognised institution, register, and be included on a list of approved physician practitioners reports issued in The Gazette of India, according to the Act. Practitioners of Siddha medicine are not recognised on the Gazette list because they are not educated, certified, or licensed as qualified physicians.
Siddha System of Medicine
List of Siddha medicines and their uses in Siddha System of Medicine: Below mentioned in the List of Siddha medicines and their uses:
Kudineer: Kabasura Kudineer Chooranam is a typical Siddha remedy for treating common respiratory ailments including the flu and cold. Siddha vaidyam practitioners swear through this herbal concoction for relief of respiratory symptoms such as dry and wet cough, heavy phlegm, and fever.
Siddha Choornam: Choornam is a kind of internal medicine that could be used as a single or multi-herbal formulation. Throughout this case, a Siddha method poly-herbal formulation has been used to treat stress headaches (TTH).
Propitiatory Siddha Medicine
FAQs on Siddha Medicine
1. Who is considered the father of the Siddha system of medicine?
The sage Agastyar (or Agathiyar) is revered as the father of the Siddha system of medicine. According to tradition, he was one of the 18 primary Siddhars, who were spiritual masters primarily from the Tamil region of India. These Siddhars developed this system based on their profound knowledge of nature, spirituality, and the human body.
2. What are the three humours (Mukkutram) that form the basis of Siddha medicine?
The fundamental principle of Siddha medicine revolves around the balance of three humours, known as Mukkutram. These are:
- Vali (Vatham): Represents air and space, governing all movement, neurological, and respiratory functions.
- Azhal (Pitham): Represents fire, controlling metabolic processes, digestion, body temperature, and vision.
- Aiyam (Kapham): Represents earth and water, responsible for lubrication, stability, and nourishment in the body.
Health is maintained when these three humours are in equilibrium.
3. What is the main difference between the Siddha and Ayurveda systems of medicine?
While both are ancient Indian healing systems, the key differences lie in their philosophical origins and therapeutic focus. Ayurveda is based on the concept of Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), while Siddha is based on Mukkutram (Vali, Azhal, Aiyam). A significant distinction is Siddha's extensive use of metals, minerals, and animal products in its pharmacology, a practice known as Iatrochemistry, which is less prominent in classical Ayurveda. Furthermore, Siddha is intrinsically linked to the Tamil language and culture.
4. Can you give some examples of common medicines used in the Siddha system?
Siddha medicine uses a wide range of plant-based and mineral-based formulations. Some common examples include:
- Nilavembu Kudineer: A polyherbal decoction widely used for managing fevers and boosting immunity.
- Triphala Choornam: A powder made from three fruits, used to improve digestion and as a general detoxifier.
- Amukkara Choornam: A preparation from Ashwagandha, used as a rejuvenator and to combat stress.
- Parpam and Chendooram: Special preparations made from metals and minerals that are detoxified and processed for therapeutic use.
5. How does Siddha medicine diagnose diseases?
Diagnosis in Siddha is a holistic process that goes beyond just symptoms. A Siddha physician employs the "Envagai Thervu" or eight-fold examination method. This includes assessing:
- Nadi (Pulse): The most important diagnostic tool.
- Sparism (Touch): Examining the skin for temperature and texture.
- Naa (Tongue): Checking its colour, coating, and texture.
- Niram (Complexion): Observing the body's colour.
- Mozhi (Speech): Analysing the voice and speech pattern.
- Vizhi (Eyes): Examining the eyes for signs of imbalance.
- Malam (Stool): Observing its consistency and colour.
- Moothiram (Urine): Analysing its colour, density, and smell.
6. Why is the Siddha system considered unique for its use of metals and minerals?
The Siddha system's uniqueness stems from its advanced use of Iatrochemistry, which is the alchemical preparation of medicines. Siddhars believed that preparations from metals and minerals, such as gold, mercury, and sulfur, had potent healing properties and a longer shelf life. These substances undergo a rigorous purification process called "Suddhi" to remove toxicity and enhance their therapeutic effects. This results in highly potent medicines like Parpam (powders) and Chendooram (red powders), which are believed to work at a deeper cellular level.
7. What are some potential limitations or challenges associated with Siddha medicine?
Despite its long history, Siddha medicine faces certain challenges. A primary concern is the standardisation of medicines, especially mineral-based preparations, to ensure consistent quality and safety. There is also a need for more extensive scientific validation and clinical research to integrate its principles with modern medicine. Another limitation is the lack of widespread availability of trained practitioners and authentic medicines outside of its traditional regions, primarily Tamil Nadu.
8. Why is Siddha medicine so deeply connected to the Tamil language and culture?
Siddha medicine's deep connection to Tamil culture is because its foundational texts and knowledge were originally written in the Tamil language by the Siddhars of Tamil Nadu. The system's philosophy, terminology, and materia medica are all rooted in the cultural and geographical context of ancient Tamilakam. This linguistic and cultural origin makes it distinct from other Indian medical systems and ensures its preservation and practice are strongest within the Tamil-speaking world.
