Siddha medicine

Siddha   medicine 

 “Siddha”,  which originated from Tamil Nadu, a south-east state of India and practiced mostly in and around areas of its  origin.  Siddha medicine has  been  in  existence  and  is scientists of Tamil Nadu who explored and explained the reality of nature and its relationship to man by their yogic awareness and experimental findings. They postulated the concept of spiritualism for self-improvement, and the practices initiated by them came to be known as the "Siddha System”. It is believed that Siddhi was obtained by 18 highly experienced and intuitive Siddhars ,who were believed to cure innumerable diseases.

Agasthiyar, one among the 18 Siddhars is believed to have contributed more in the development of Siddha, whose life period is approximately between fifth to sixth centuries. He is considered as the ‘’Hippocrates of Siddha medicine and also one of the greatest philosophers of India. Some of his works are still in standard books of medicine and surgery, which are in the daily use among the Siddha medical practitioners. The siddha is mainly concerned with the development of drugs, which have high potency and long life for their use in future. It also aims to activate the generation of cells and to maintain the longevity.

Siddha system is based on 96 principles (thathuvams) which are broadly classified under the following categories: 5 elements (pancha bhutam), 5 sense organs (pori), 5 functions of sense organs (pulan), 5 motor organs (kanmenthiriyam), 5 perception of senses with the help of five sense organs (gnanenthriyam), 4 intellectual faculties (karanam), 1 wisdom of self realization (arivu), 10 channels of life force responsible for the dynamics of prana (naadi), 10 vital nerve forces which is responsible for all kinds of movements (vayu), 5 visceral cavities (asayam), 5 five states of the human body or sheath (kosam), 6 stations of soul (aatharam), 3 regions (mandalam), 3 impurities of the soul (malam), 3 humours (tridosham/ tridosha siddhantam), 3 physical bindings (eadanai), 3 cosmic qualities (gunam), 2 acts (vinai), 8 passions (ragam), 5 states of consciousness (avasthai).

The common specific features of these two systems are: tridosha siddhantam;wind (vatham), bile (pittam) and phlegm (siletuman), pancha bhuta theory; space (aakasam), air(vayu) ,fire (thee) , water (neer) ,earth (munn), three gunas; subtle (sattva), activity (rajas), gross (tamas), and six kinds of tastes (arusuvai).

 

1.Caesalpinia bonduc (Caesalpiniaceae); Siddha name: Kaliccikkai The seeds of Caesalpinia are used in the treatment of asthma and also in intermittent and chronic fevers, colic, acute arthritis, palsy, painful and swollen testicles . There is no scientific investigation of this plant on any respiratory diseases. Other activities such as anti-microbial and mosquito larvicidal effects have been reported..          Kaliccikkai

                   
Calotropis gigantea
 (Asclepiadaceae); Siddha name: Erukku The flowers of Calotropis gigantea are used in cough, asthma, catarrh and loss of appetite. The powdered root bark is soaked in its own milky juice from which bougies are prepared and their fumes are inhaled to treat cough in Siddha medicine. The flowering tops pounded and boiled with molasses are given every morning for treating asthma (Pandanus database of plants). Its leaf juice is used in external swellings. The aqueous stem bark extract had been found to be effective on bronchial irritation by ammoniac in guinea pig. Exposure of the latex of this plant may cause some toxic effect such as corneal endothelial cytotoxicity and local inflammation.

Adhatoda vasica Nees (Acanthaceae); 

Siddha name: Adathodai The leaf extract of Adhatoda vasica is used in Siddha mecidicin to cure bronchial asthma, eosinophilia and cough . In some areas the traditional healers use the leaves of this plant orally along with the flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis to treat asthma . The relief of bronchial obstruction by its leaf extracts may be attributed even if partially, to the presence of alkaloids . The plant also consists of antiinflammatory , antiulcer , hepatoprotective ] and antitussive  properties. 

Apium graveolens L. (Umbelliferae);

Siddha name: Celery-keerai The seeds and leaves of Apium graveolens are used in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis as well as liver and spleen diseases. Seeds are also
used in the treatment of chronic skin disorders including psoriasis. One of its compound apigenin (flavonoid) has been proven to possess vasodilatory action in thoracic aorta of rat .The another compound apiin (flavonoid) showed significant inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production in-vitro and reduces inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in-vivo . The seeds and leaf extracts have been shown to reduce the drug induced toxicity  in rats. Its root has been reported for some side effects such as allergy and irritation .

Boerhavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae);

Siddha name: Mukaratee

Mukaratee:
The roots of B. diffusa are used in Siddha medicine for the treatment of asthma and also in other diseases such as dropsy, ascities, heart disease, kidney stone and colitis . Recent molecular studies have shown that the ethanolic extract of B. diffusa has immunosuppressive effect including reduction of nitric oxide and superoxide in vitro which are associated with asthma and COPD. It has also been demonstrated to have spasmolytic , anti-bacterial anti-microbial , antidiabetic and antifungal activities. There is no toxic report on this plant; rather it has been shown to have chemopreventive activity in mice .

Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae);
Siddha name: Kuppaimeni

Kuppaimeni:
The Leaves, roots, stalk and flowers of Acalypha indica are used in Siddha Medicine  for its medicinal properties. The leaf powder cures respiratory diseases. Its other actions include cathartic,anthelmintic, expectorant, emetic, anodyne,hypnotic, antimicrobial and wound healing properties . Recently, the ethanolic leaf extract of this plant has been shown a potent snake venom neutralizing property in the experimental animals  which indicates its detoxification effect. There is no specific study on its toxicological aspect; however, one clinical report indicated its hemolytic effect in glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficient individuals.

aeBorassus flabellifer L. (Arecace);Siddha name: Panaimaram

The seeds and whole plant are used in cough and pulmonary affections. It is also used in several other conditions such as hiccup, gastric catarrh, diabetes,pthisis, gonorrhea, indolent ulcers, carbuncles and enlarged spleen .Fresh sap has diuretic, cooling, antiphlegmatic,laxative and anti-inflammatory activities. The ash of dry spadix has antacid and antibilious (used in heartburn) properties . The oral feeding of mice with B. flabellifer flour induced the generation of T suppressor cells which were able to suppress the delayed type hypersensitive
response to serum red blood cells. Some toxic effects of the shoot of this plant have been observed in experimental and subclinical studies.