Introduction To Siddha System of Medicine

Siddha System of Medicine
Siddha Medicine
Siddha is an ancient system of medicine that originated in the south

India. This system is believed to have originated several centuries ago
or even since the beginning of the history of mankind. Many
ingredients used for preparing Siddha Medicines are same as used in
ayurveda.
WHAT IS SIDDHA?
Siddha is one of the oldest systems of medicine discovered in the
South India as a part of the trio, the other two being
the Ayurveda and Unani. It is based on the principles similar to
Ayurveda. According to the ancient Siddha texts, a human body is
made up of several elements. It is a microscopic component of the
universe. The elements that form a human body are the earth
(MUNN), fire (THEE), water (NEER), air (VAYU) and space
(AKASAM). Additionally, there are three humors or
the DOSHAS called the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Siddha medicine
believes that diseases occur when there is a disequilibrium or
imbalance in these humors or if their individual harmony is disturbed.
The balance can be restored by correcting the underlying dosha by the
application of the Siddha medicine system.
These three Doshas co-exist in all the cells of the body. They function
in a harmonious manner to create a balance. Vata is formed
by VAYU and AKASAM. It controls the sensory and motor functions
of the nervous system such as sensation and movement. Pitta is
formed by THEE (fire). It controls the metabolic processes in the
body such as digestion, and assimilation, and helps to maintain the
warmth of the body. Kapha is formed by NEER (water)
and MUNN (earth) and controls stability.
The three doshas are considered the three pillars of health and support
the structure and functions of the body. These Tridoshas are involved
in regulating all the functions of the body, and maintain the balance in
the physical, emotional and mental spheres.
ORIGIN OF SIDDHA
Siddha system that originated in the South India derives its name from
the term ‘Siddha’ which means an achievement. The practitioners of
this medicine system are called the Siddhars. They need to attain the
physical and spiritual excellence to be able to treat people.
Eighteen Siddhars have been believed to have contributed towards the

development of this system. The Siddha texts are in Tamil language
and the system is practiced mainly in the Tamil-speaking parts of the
world.
HISTORY OF SIDDHA
It is believed that the place for the beginning of the human civilization
as allotted to the mankind by the Creator was in the temperate zone
and the fertile regions of the East, which includes India. Human race
evolved in this region. Hence, India is considered the first country
from which the human civilization began and spread.
According to the Indian history, the Dravidians were the first
inhabitants of India among whom the Tamilians were quite
prominent. The Tamilians were also the earliest civilized humans.
They made considerable progress in the civilization than the other
ancient people.
During those times, the languages of India were grouped largely into
two classes: Sanskrit in the northern regions and Dravidian language
in the southern regions. So, the Siddha science of medicine, which is
of fundamental importance for the well-being and survival of humans
and has its literature in the Dravidian Tamil language, is believed to
have originated in the South India during the period the mankind
evolved and developed as the civilization spread.
The Siddha system was prevalent in the south India and

the Ayurveda, which was largely in the Sanskrit language, developed
in the north. However, instead of giving the name of any human as the
founders of these medicine systems, our ancestors attributed the
creator for their origin and development. Hence, Siddha medicine is
considered to have been created by Lord Shiva, who unfolded the
knowledge of medicine to his concert Parvati, who later handed it
down to the Nandi Deva and the Siddhars. The Siddhars were
considered scientists in ancient times.
Though it is difficult to determine the exact point of time when this
system originated, it is considered eternal. It began with the mankind
and is expected to end with it.
BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF

SIDDHA
The fundamental and applied principles of Siddha system of medicine
have a close similarity to the principles of Ayurveda. According to the
Siddha system, a human body, as well as the plants and other living
species, are the replica of the elements of the universe irrespective of
their origin. This system believes that all the objects in the universe
are made of five basic elements which are:
1. Earth
2. Water
3. Air
4. Fire
5. Sky
The food we consume and the medicines we take are also composed
of these five elements. The amount and proportion of these elements
in the medicines vary. It is their preponderance that is responsible for
the medicinal actions and therapeutic results they produce.
Siddha system considers a human body as a conglomeration of 3

doshas, 5 elements, and 7 basic tissues together with waste products
such as sweat, feces, and urine.
The food, which is the basic building material for the human body,
gets processed into these body tissues, humors, and waste products to
determine the balance of the doshas in the body.
The equilibrium of humors ensures optimum health while any

disturbance in these results in diseases. Siddha system also deals with
the concept of salvation in life. Siddhars propose that the state of
salvation can be achieved through the use of natural Siddha medicines
and meditation.
MODE OF ACTION OF SIDDHA MEDICINES

Siddha Medicine works by revitalizing and rejuvenating the organs.
This helps to correct the dysfunctions responsible for causing the
diseases. It restores the normal functioning of the organs and
maintains the ratio of the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha,
thereby providing a healthy state of equilibrium in the body. No
artificial chemicals are involved in Siddha medicine.
Siddha medicine also believes that the universe consists of two

entities.
1. Matter
2. Energy
The Siddhars call these energies, the Siva (male) and Shakti (female,
creation). It proposes that matter cannot exist without the energy
inherent in it and vice versa. Thus, the two co-exist and are
inseparable.
MATERIA MEDICA OF SIDDHA MEDICINE

The Siddha system has developed a rich treasure of medicinal
knowledge that includes the use of herbs, metals, and minerals.
Depending on the nature and duration of the illness, the results with
these medicines may take a variable time to be noticeable. Siddha
Medicine can provide an instant relief in some cases, whereas in other
cases, the results may take a longer time. Once the disorder is
completely cured, the patient can stop taking the medication. Here are
the basic forms of medicines in this system:
 Siddha medicine has 25 varieties of inorganic and water-soluble

compounds like alkalis and salts that are called ‘UPPU.’
 It has 64 varieties of drugs prepared from minerals. These medicines
are not soluble in water and are vaporized when put in the fire. Out of
these, thirty-two are natural and the rest are artificial.
 Some medicines exhibit properties like sublimation on heating. These
medicines contain mercury and its different forms such as mercuric
chloride, red sulfide of mercury, and red oxide of mercury.
 The system has a separately classified group of medicines prepared
from metals and their alloys, which liquefy when heated and solidify
upon cooling. These medicines are prepared from metals like gold,
silver, lead, copper, tin, and iron that are incinerated by special
processes.
 Sulfur, which is insoluble in water, is also used for treating several
ailments owing to its therapeutics properties.
EFFICACY & LIMITATION OF SIDDHA
MEDICINE
The Siddha system can help in treating several diseases although its
use in the emergency cases is limited. This system is effective in
treating most skin problems including psoriasis as well as urinary
tract infections, hepatic diseases, general debility, digestive disorders,
arthritis, allergic disorders, postpartum anemia, and fever. It is also
effective in the management of viral infections, chronic inflammation,
endocrine disorders, and functional disorders.
DIAGNOSIS IN SIDDHA MEDICINE

Siddha medicine relies on the examination of pulse, eyes, urine,
tongue, voice, skin color, and the status of the digestive system to
diagnose diseases. This system provides a detailed procedure for the
examination of urine including the study of its color, density, smell,
oil drop spreading pattern and quantity to determine the cause of
illness. The system advocates a holistic approach and the diagnosis is
based on the study of the person as a whole and not just the
examination of the affected parts of the body.
SIDDHA MEDICINE TREATMENT

The Siddha System emphasizes that the treatment of a patient should
be based not just on the disease but also his physical, mental and
spiritual state. It also takes into account the environment, age, gender,
habits, habitat, mental frame, and the meteorological considerations
while recommending the treatment. It also considers the appetite, diet,
and physiological constitution of the patient. This means the treatment
is individualistic and aimed at removing the root cause of the illness.
WHAT ARE BENEFITS OF SIDDHA

MEDICINE?
1. Traditional Siddha medicine upholds maintaining the equilibrium of
elements in the body and eliminating pathogens for treating diseases
and boosting the health.
2. It stresses on the importance of prevention of diseases rather than
treating them.
3. According to the Siddha medicine, diet and lifestyle play an
important role in maintaining health and curing diseases.
4. The medications are aimed at restoring balance in the body.
5. Siddha medicines do not react adversely with the modern
medications. Hence, patients who are using allopathic medicines can
continue using the same while taking Siddha medicines, but keeping
at least 3 hours gap between both.
6. All Siddha medicines are natural and do not produce any side effects.

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Siddha System of Medicine

Siddha is an ancient system of medicine that originated in the south

Eighteen Siddhars have been believed to have contributed towards the

The Siddha system was prevalent in the south India and

BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF

Siddha system considers a human body as a conglomeration of 3

The equilibrium of humors ensures optimum health while any

MODE OF ACTION OF SIDDHA MEDICINES

Siddha medicine also believes that the universe consists of two

MATERIA MEDICA OF SIDDHA MEDICINE

 Siddha medicine has 25 varieties of inorganic and water-soluble

DIAGNOSIS IN SIDDHA MEDICINE

SIDDHA MEDICINE TREATMENT

WHAT ARE BENEFITS OF SIDDHA

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