Lord Siva is considered as the first Siddhar. He taught Siddha to his consort Parvathi and in turn she handed it down to Nandhi who has taught the Siddhars. Nandhi taught the Sage Agasthiyar and Agasthiyar to Pulathiyar, Bogar, Theraiyar and others of Pothigai Hills. At Siva temples in various parts of Tamil nadu, the lord is named as Vaideeswaran and Marundeeswaran. The sages of south India, who practiced tantrism contributed and established a medical system to serve the humanity in general and their own society in particular. Those sages were called as siddhars and the medical system used by them is called as SSM. Though the creation of this system is ascribed to lord Siva, the creator of the universe, the sage Agasthiyar is considered as a father figure of siddha medical system.
The introduction of modern medicine in India has had a profound impact on traditional healing practices like Siddha. It is a considerable group of people continues to rely on Siddha as a basic healthcare modality.
Despite the challenges and issues that Siddha System of Medicine faces, it remains one of the most ancient indigenous health practices in India. To preserve and revitalize this valuable traditional system, it is essential to acknowledge its historical significance, ensure that its principles are not lost, and promote its continued use among the population. Siddha’s unique contributions to healthcare deserve recognition not just within India but also on the international stage.
The Siddha System of Medicine stands as a testament to the enduring power of traditional healing systems. With its deep-rooted history, unique principles, and continued use in certain communities, Siddha remains an essential aspect of India’s healthcare landscape. Efforts to preserve and revitalize this ancient system should be a priority to ensure its legacy continues to benefit humankind for generations to come.
Introduction:
The application of Indigenous medicine encompasses a diverse array of practices, spanning from physical healing through the utilization of herbal remedies and other traditional treatments, to the nurturing of psychological and spiritual well-being by drawing upon the accumulated wisdom of elders. In the context of South India, the preparation and dispensing of herbal medicines stand out as one of the most prevalent forms of Indigenous medicine.
The readily available and culturally embraced traditional remedies serve as the cornerstone of accessible and cost-effective healthcare solutions, while also playing a pivotal role in sustaining the livelihoods of indigenous and rural communities.The practice of using plants as medicinal agents dates to early human history.
The Indian systems of medicine, whether native to India or absorbed from outside and assimilated into Indian culture, define the medical landscape. India boasts a highly pluralistic medical environment, blending traditional and conventional systems, deeply intertwined with nationalistic sentiments. Traditionally trained healers play a vital role in delivering basic healthcare to rural communities.
Traditional medicine encompasses diverse health practices, beliefs, and knowledge, including the use of plant, animal, and mineral-based remedies, spiritual therapies, manual techniques, and exercises, employed both individually and in combination to maintain well-being and address or prevent illness.
Siddha medicine focuses on slowing cellular degeneration and emphasizes control of breathing, dietary practices, meditation, and yoga.
The Siddhars documented their knowledge on palm leaf manuscripts, with fragments discovered in different parts of South India. It is believed that some families may possess additional fragments but keep them exclusively for their own use. Traditional Siddha families have preserved a vast collection of Siddha manuscripts.
Siddha Medicine:
The Siddhars firmly believed in the idea of a “Deathless” physical body aligned with the immortal “Soul.” A key concept in Siddha medicine is the conquest of death, often expressed as “that which ensures prevention against mortality.” Thirumoolar, a revered Siddhar, is credited with this statement in his treatise “Thirumanthiram.”
Foundations of Siddha Medicine:
According to Siddha System of Medicine (SSM), the human body comprises 96 factors (Tamil: Thathuvas), encompassing physical, physiological, psychological, and intellectual aspects. These include 72,000 blood vessels, 1,300 nerves, and 4,444 diseases. Additionally, there are 10 main arteries, 10 vital pranas (Tamil: Vayu), and 10 natural functions (Tamil: Vegangal), all playing vital roles in the body’s functions. Siddha practitioners are expected to understand four core concepts: Alchemy (Tamil: Vaatham), Medicine (Tamil: Vaithiyam), Yoga (Tamil: Yogam), and Philosophy (Tamil: Thathuvam).
Siddha medicine posits that matter and energy, represented as Siva and Sakthi, are the dominant entities influencing the universe’s nature. Matter and energy are inextricably linked, with both being essential. Siddha medicine is a psychosomatic system that examines the connection between the mind and body to maintain physical, mental, and moral well-being.
Siddha medicine regards the living human as a microcosm of the macrocosm, the universe. It identifies three humours (Tamil: Three thodam/mukkutram): vaatham, pitham, and kabham, seven basic tissues (Tamil: Sapthadathukkal), and five primordial elements (Tamil: Panchabhootham) – earth (Tamil: Mann), water (Tamil: Neer), fire (Tamil: Thee), air (Tamil: Katru), and space (Tamil: Aahayam). A harmonious blend of these elements is responsible for the body’s structures and functions, known as the theory of “five-fold combination” (Tamil: Pancheekaranam).
UyirThathukkal, or “life forces,” consist of vaatham, pitham, and kabham, representing air and space, fire, and earth and water, respectively. These three humours are essential for creating, preserving, and maintaining the human body’s health. Their balance, with a ratio of 4:2:1, keeps the body healthy.
Vaatham governs mind and body movements, including motor and sensory activities.
Pitham sustains body heat and primarily influences the chest and abdomen.
Kabham, forme by earth and water elements, contributes to strength, joint movements, body build, and endurance, predominantly in the head and neck regions.
Siddha System of Medicine identifies seven essential tissues that support all other tissues in the body:
Lymph (Tamil: Rasa) is responsible for carrying nutrients and is vital to the digestive process.
Blood (Tamil: Kurudhi) plays an integral role in human life.
Muscle (Tamil: Thasai) provides strength for bodily activities.
Adipose Tissue (Tamil: Kozhuppu) has multiple functions in the body, including its role in cell membranes.
Bone (Tamil: Elumbu) serves as a foundation for the human body and stores calcium.
Marrow (Tamil: Majjai) is crucial for blood cell formation and a strong immune system.
Semen and Menstrual Fluids (Tamil: Sukkilam and Artavam) are essential and highly conserved tissues.
Siddha medicine postulates that an imbalance in the three humours (vaatham, pitham, and kabham) leads to disease. Various factors like environment, climatic conditions, diet, physical activities, and stress can affect this equilibrium. Diet and lifestyle play pivotal roles not only in health but also in treating diseases, a concept known as “pathya” and “apathya.”
Siddha diagnostic methods rely on clinical examinations. Siddha physicians diagnose based on three humours (Tamil: Mukkuttram) and eight vital tests (Tamil: EnnvagaiThervu). The diagnosis involves eight key tests, including pulse reading, urine examination, examination of feces, eye examination, voice analysis, body color, tongue examination, and assessing the body’s sensations.
Siddha medicine is therapeutic and encompasses elements of alchemy, philosophy, yoga, mantra, and astrology. The practice has been a closely guarded, scientific, and highly respected heritage passed down through generations. The classification of Siddha drugs includes both compatible (potentiating the action of one drug by another) and incompatible (one drug antagonizes another) substances. Siddha materia medica comprises herbal, inorganic, and animal products, with each characterized by taste, quality, potency, post-digestive taste, and specific action.
Herbal drugs (Tamil: Mooligai/Thavaram) are emphasized in Siddha medicine, with an extensive array of herbs employed.
Inorganic substances (Tamil: Dhathu) include various minerals and metals used liberally.
Animal products (Tamil: Jeevavaguppu) have a place in Siddha medicine, with some unique applications like the use of human and canine skulls for specialized ash formulations.
Kaya Kalpam, a transformative approach in Siddha medicine, aims to rejuvenate the body, mind, and psyche. It includes the use of herbs, minerals, and animal products to prevent and treat chronic diseases.
Siddha medicine seeks to maintain the balance of the three humours and the seven elements in the body. It emphasizes proper diet, medication, and a disciplined lifestyle for health and equilibrium restoration. The treatment is categorized into samana and sodhana therapies, with the latter incorporating some aspects of panchakarma therapy.
Siddha medicine offers ethical guidelines for treatment based on auspicious days and months. Some days are considered better for commencing treatment, while others are seen as unfavourable. Certain months are considered optimal due to their potential to remove toxins.
Siddha medicine is believed to be effective in treating various ailments, including chronic conditions like liver disorders, anemia, prostate enlargement, piles, peptic ulcers, skin diseases, and arthritis. Scientific research has supported its efficacy in managing conditions like HIV/AIDS, demonstrating its potency in treating debilitating diseases.
Siddha treatment is an ancient holistic healing system rooted in traditional Indian medicine, emphasizing natural remedies, herbal medicines, yoga, and meditation to restore balance in the body and promote overall well-being.
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