SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

Dr.G.Senthilvel, M.D.(s), Research officer,

CCRAS, Dept. of AYUSH

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“உடமப�ர அழ�ய�ல உய�ர�ர அழ�வரத�டமபட ம�யஞ�னம ச�ரவம ��டட�ரஉடமபப வளரககம உப�ய �ற�நசத உடமபப வளரதசதன உய�ரவளரத சதசன.”

- த�ர�நத�ரம

If the body perishes, Prana departsNor will the light of truth be reached I learned the way of preserving my bodyAnd so doing my Prana too.

- Thirumanthiram

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Origin• Siddha system with its Thamizh origin also is

associated with Thamizh language which is the last surviving classical language of India.

• Siddha system has its origin about 10000 BC according to recent archeological studies.

• Siddha system is nothing but a part of Thamizh civilization which is the only civilization alive from pre-historical periods.

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Siddhars• Siddhars are divine people as well as

scientists who have attained Siddhi. Siddhi is nothing but enlightment.

• Siddhars developed the Thamizh medical system and have written lot of literatures in medicine, alchemy, astrology, life style, dietetics etc.

• Siddhars with the help of their astanga siddhic power and spiritual efficacy developed single and compound medicinal products from herbs, metals and minerals.

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Antiquity of Siddha system• Siddha system is built with special focus on food

habits consisting with six tastes. The six tastes which are very much concerned with the Uyir thathu ie. Vaatham, Pitham and Kabam.

• Derangement of Uyir thathu leads to diseases of body and mind.

• Causes of diseases as per Siddha system are– Unavu (food)– Seyal (doings)– Kaalam (climate and environment)– Kanmam (by birth) 5www.similima.com

Medicine

“�றபபத உடல சE�ய �ரநமதமனல�கம�றபபத உளசE�ய �ரநமதனச��லம�றபபத இன�சE�ய வ�ர�த�ரகக�றபபத ��பவயம �ரநமதனல�ச�.”

- த�ர�நத�ரம

“One that cures physical ailment is medicine One that cures psychological ailment is medicineOne that prevent ailment is medicineOne that bestows immortality is medicine.”

- Thirumanthiram6www.similima.com

Siddha system enumerated many herbal and herbo-mineral formulations indicated for specific disorders. Some of them are,

Gastrointestinal disorders Respiratory disorders, Neurological disorders, Musculo-skeletal disorders Cardio-vascular disorders Psychomatic disorders etc.

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Importance for herbs in Siddha system

சவரப�ர தபழப�ர ��ஞ��னகக�லம�ளளம�ளள பறப ம�நதரம ப�ர ப�சர.

• In siddha system herbs are widely used as a first drug of choice for any ailment.

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Herbs containing quintessence of metals

Herbs containing quintessence of lead

“�Rபதமதத�ரககஞ ம�வ�மவளபளச ��றசவபளப�தபகசவலபபரதத� மதபதயம சக�த�லசபர��நத�லவ�ழத� ��றபபள மவளளரகமஏநத�பழய��Rய மல.”

Herbs containing quintessence of copper“மக�வபவச ��வபபக மக�டய�ன ��றகRபரம�வவலபகய�ன���� ம�நதர�அய ஒவவ��டமமகக�பபள�கரப^ மசத���பலககஞ�மசதககவ�� மல��பவ ம�மப.”

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Usage of herbs in siddha system• Charu (Juice) • Surasam (Concoction)• Chooranam (Powder)• Kudineer (Decoction)• Mathirai (Pill / Tablet)• Lehiyam (Stirring Choornam with syrup)• Thailam (Medicated oil)• Theeneer (Distilled liquid)• Karkam (Fresh ground herb) • Manappagu (Boiling the kudineer with palm jaggery)

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Herbs used for calcination in Siddha system

Various herbs are used for purification andcalcination processes of various metals andminerals in siddha system.Eg. • Maruthonri (Lawsonia inermis) purifies

Sulphur.• Thulasi (Ocimum sanctum) used for

calcination of Lead.11www.similima.com

Traditional parameters for identification of a drug

Grouping of herbs based on their activity & nature

• பஞ�மலம (பஞ� - FIVE மலம - ROUTE of herb )

• த�மலம (த� - TEN மலம - ROUTE of herb )

• த���கடக (த��� - THREE கடக - STIMULANTS / ACRIDS)

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Active compounds from herbs

• Compounds extracted from the solution of the ash obtained by burning the herbs.Eg. Salt of Achyranthes aspera (E�யரவ� உபப)Salt of Cissus quadrangularis (ப�ரணபட உபப)

• Compounds extracted from the solution of the herbs.Eg.Extract of Tinospora cardifolia (�Rநத�ல �தத)

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Plants used for specific diseases

Jaundice• Keezha nelli• Karisalai• Nelli• Vilvam• Vembu• Manjal• Nerunjil

Venereal diseases• Serankottai• Seruppadai• Sivanarvembu• Parangippattai• Ammanpacharisi• Thetran kottai• Akasagarudan

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Plants used for specific diseases

Diabetes mellitus• Aavarai• Naval• Koshtam• Venthayam• Seenthil• Sirukurinjan• Nellikkai

Urolithiasis• Sirupeelai• Nerunjil• Vellarivithai• Nayuruvi• Mookkarattai• Mavilingam• Neermulli

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Plants used for specific diseases

Hemorrhoids• Thutthi• Nayuruvi• Pirandai• Venthayam• Avuri• Kondrai• Karunai• Kadukkai pinju

Arthritis• Kadambu• Merugan kizhangu• Vathanarayanan • Aamanakku• Milagu• Vizhuthi• Malaivembu• Amukkara

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Kaya karpam (Anti-ageing drugs)In order to maintain sound physical well being and strong mental balance, Siddha system advises principled nature food intake, adaptation of Yogasanam, Pranayamam (breathing exercises) and Dhyanam practices to attain total body and life care.

It is a proven fact that Siddhars have cured patients by administering plant products for relieving them not only from infections but also from ageing. Eg. • மப�றறபலக பகய�நதகபர (Eclipta prostrata) • மவளமளரகக (Calotropis gigantea)• கRழ�மEலல (Phyllanthus amarus)• கடகக�ய (Terminalia chebula)• வ�ஷணகரநபத (Evalvulus alsinoides ) Etc.

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Home remedies in Siddha system• As already told Siddha system is more

concerned about food and food habits“Food itself is medicine Medicine itself is food”

• Different types of foods are described in Siddha system for different climates.

• So Siddha system of medicine is being also practiced in every south Indian home by the ladies as Veetu vaithiyam or Paati vaithiyam . Contd…

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• Lot of simple preparations from plants are available and practiced in south India.

• Some of the plants can be used in every home are described here.

Home remedies in Siddha system

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ஆவ�பர - Cassia auriculata

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ஆவ�பர - Cassia auriculata

“ச��கதத�ன�சல வ�பளநத�லம மவடபடயனலஆகதத�ன பணச^� டரஙக�ர�^� - சப�கதத�னஆவ�பரப பஞ�கஙமக�ள அதத�சரம த�கமம சப�மஏவ�பரக கண�ட�� சத!”

• Diabetes mellitus• Leucorrhoea• Dysentery• Tubercular fever

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உதத��^� - Pergularia daemia

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உதத��^� - Pergularia daemia

“உதத��^�ய�பலய�ல உளவய�றற கன�ம��டகதத�ம வலயங கள�ரமசப�ம-பறற�இ��ககம வலய�பரபபம எததடபபம ஏகமப��கக�த� �நதமம சப�ம ப�ர.”

• Gastritis• Spasmodic pain• Bronchial asthma

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ஓ��தழ த��பர - Ionidium suffruticosum

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ஓ��தழ த��பர - Ionidium suffruticosum

“த�தபவயணட�ககம தன�ச�கதபதத மத�பலககமஆதரவ� ச�ன�க கழகதரஞ-�Rதமசப�ம�R��தழ த��பரவ�ழ ம�யய �டவனச�ஓ��தழ த��பரபய யண.”

• Loss of libido• Leucorrhoea• Immunomodulator

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�ரத – Terminalia arjuna

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�ரத – Terminalia arjuna

“ஓதம�ன ER��ழ�பவ சய�டடம ப�ரச�கஙக�தம�ன சவ�டக கடததஙக�ண சப�த�யகக ம��டத�க ��ற�ச சரதத�னதயகக �றககம �ரதஞ ��றற.”

• Diabetes insipidus• Venereal diseases• Fever

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தள�� Ocimum sanctum

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தள�� Ocimum sanctum

“சப�ல�டட வ�ததத�ரப பணபன� �பப�^�பயச�சல�டட வ�தத வ�ளஙகச� – ��லவரநத மடறகமவபப வர��சல�டடமப�ரநதப�பப ய�தத�யதபதப சபய”

• Psyco- somatic diseases• Fever• sinusitis

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வலல�பர Centella asiatica

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வலல�பர Centella asiatica

“வலல�பர ய�ன�பல �ரவகறப ��யக மக�ளமவலல�ப ப�^�கள ��ல�ப�ய� ம�யய�ன�ல”

• Rejuvenating drug• Skin diseases

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வ�லவம Aegle marmelos

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வ�லவம Aegle marmelos

“வ�லலவதத�ன சவரகக வறகன� வ�யகபமம��லலமவ�ண^�ப�ததநமத�டரச��பப வலலகபத�கசரம ERசரறறஞ �நE�மய�ட ம�யவலயமசவகம��ட ERஙகச�”

• Gastritis• Dropsy• Respiratory disorders• Delirium

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மEலல Phyllanthus emblica

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மEலல Phyllanthus emblica

“மபபளக� யநத^�தத ச��கம ப�றகக��ள��பப�ளபள சப�சலயழக வ�யககச�- ச�பபவரஙசக��ய மறஙகற�பய மக�ளளவ� ரணடபஙக�ய��லக மண^மபற ய�ல.”

• Loss of libido• Rejuvenation

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அமககர� Withania somnifera

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அமககர� Withania somnifera

“மக�ஞ�நதவரபப�ங மக�டயகயம சபலய����ஞசகரபப�ன ப�ணட மவபபதபப வ�ஞ�� மசவற சத�டமம சப�ச��கம அனலணட�மஅசவகந த�கமகன றற�”

• Skin diseases• Respiratory diseases• Anaemia• Arthritis • Loss of libido

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�Rநத�ல Tinospora cardifolia

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�Rநத�ல Tinospora cardifolia

“மப�ற�Rநத�ற க�ழஙக மப�ஙக �தச�கமஎசசகய சர�கம இபளபபவ�டம – பசப�ய�யஓடரதத ப�ததம உயரசரஙகபளக கபளயநசதட��ய ச�ன�தரஞ ச�ர.”

• Diabetes mellitus• Tuberculosis• Fever

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கடகக�ய Terminlia chebula

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கடகக�ய Terminlia chebula

“கடகக�யந த�யங கரத�மல�னமறன ற�லஙகடகக�யத த�யககத�கஙக�ணER – கடகக�யசE�யஓடட யடறசறறறம உறறவனபன சய�சபவகளஊடடயடசறறற மவநத.”

• Alterative• Rejuvenation

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கறற�பழ (க���) Aloe vera

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கறற�பழ (க���) Aloe vera

“வறற�க க���தனபன வறறமலன வண^�னஞ�Rரமறற�க க���மயன மளச� – Eறற�ககநத�ணப�ய �லல�ந மத��பவயச� ய�ன�லமணப� ��க நற��� யள.”

• Rejuvenation• Alterative

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ச�ர�ஙமக�டபட - Semecarpus anacardium

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ச�ர�ஙமக�டபட - Semicorpus anacordium

“ கடடங கயசர�கங மக�லலம வ�டப�கநதடடநதரஙக�ர�� சபலயம சப�ம �டடலரஙகநதன�ய�சல க�ரநத�க கடடம சப�ஞ ம�ஙபகய�லஏநதச�ங மக�டபடபத சய”

• Skin diseases• Tuberculosis• Arthritis• Venereal diseases

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E�யரவ� – Achyranthus aspera

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E�யரவ� – Achyranthus aspera

“�லக�ரங பகபபள அப��ரகக�ய�ன சவர�ல வ��யமணட�மஇபலமல உத�ர�நதம சபத�க பமவ�யரவதநத� ய�றஙக ச�கம�பலசயறம படப��ய மளள���� ப����றறம வன� மலமபல��தரகக களளழபக ERககவஙகச ��நதரம பணண�சத�”

• Hemorrhoids• Diarrhoea• Leucorrhoea

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E�லசவமப - Andrographis paniculata

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E�லசவமப - Andrographis paniculata

“ வ�தசரம ERசரறறம ��றறஞ சரசத�ட க�தம�ன ஓடககடயஙக�ண ��தரச�ப�தத�யககறககம ப�னபமதள�பவகமக�டககமசததE�லசவமப�ன மத�ழ�ல.”

• Fever• Sinusitis

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எடட Strycnos nux vomica

Even though it is Poisonous, Siddha system uses this drug for

• Delirium• Loss of libido• Skin diseases

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• Pubo• Hemorrhoids• Arthritis• Venereal disease• Fever• Carcinoma

மக�டசவல Plumbago zeylanica

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கRழ�மEலலPhyllanthus amarus

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கRழ�மEலல Phyllanthus amarus

“ �Rத�த� ப�ததவ�டஞ ம�வவ�ழ�ய�ன சE�யக கடடமபதம��ட சபய�ரததப சப�கககளம பதலததளத�ழவ�யப ப^�நசதகநதபப�த மப�யயலசவகRழவ�மயன மEலலகசக.”

• Eye diseases• Hemorrhage• Jaundice

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VARMAM

• “Varmam”, a unique treatment method left by the Siddhars, the great saints is a gifted branch of Siddha Medicine.

• The term Varmam is otherwise called as Kaalam, Swasam, Praanan, Kalai, Saram, Yogam, Vaasi etc.,

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• “Varmam is nothing but Vital Energy centers located in our body”.

• The study of Varmam is called The study of Varmam is called “VARMALOGY”“VARMALOGY”. . Varmam or Varmam Therapy is restricted to Varmam or Varmam Therapy is restricted to Tamil Nadu State only. Tamil Nadu State only.

• In Tamil Nadu also, it is more specific and In Tamil Nadu also, it is more specific and confined to confined to NagercoilNagercoil and and KanyakumariKanyakumari Districts. Districts.

• An expert in Varmam physician is called An expert in Varmam physician is called ““AasaanAasaan or or VarmaaniVarmaani”.”.

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CLASSIFICATION

According to Anatomical Locations• Head to Neck • Neck to Navel • Navel to Anus • Upper Limb • Lower Limb

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According to Dhoshas (Humoral Classification)

• Vatha Varmam• Pitha Varmam• Silaethuma Varmam

Numerical ClassificationNumerical Classification

• Unilateral – Located Unilaterally Unilateral – Located Unilaterally • Symmetrical Varmam Points – Located on both the sides Symmetrical Varmam Points – Located on both the sides

(Left & Right) (Left & Right) • Midline Varmam points Midline Varmam points

Classification57www.similima.com

Various types of points

• 1. Thodu Varmam - Minor Points (96)1. Thodu Varmam - Minor Points (96)• 2. Padu Varmam - Major Points (12)2. Padu Varmam - Major Points (12)• 3. Thattu Varmam - Activating the Varmam point by slapping3. Thattu Varmam - Activating the Varmam point by slapping• 4. Inai Varmam - Stimulation of Two different Points (Paired Varmam) 4. Inai Varmam - Stimulation of Two different Points (Paired Varmam) • 5. Pakka Varmam - Proximity of Varmam Points5. Pakka Varmam - Proximity of Varmam Points• 6. Natchathira Varmam – Points related with 27 Stars6. Natchathira Varmam – Points related with 27 Stars• 7. Ellidai Varmam - Varmam Points located in between the joints7. Ellidai Varmam - Varmam Points located in between the joints• 8. Oodhu Varmam - Stimulation of Varmam Point by Blowing8. Oodhu Varmam - Stimulation of Varmam Point by Blowing• 9. Nakku Varmam - 9. Nakku Varmam - Activation of Varmam point by means of Activation of Varmam point by means of

LickingLicking• 10. Noekku Varmam –Treatment given by without touching the Patient)10. Noekku Varmam –Treatment given by without touching the Patient)• 11. Kiraga Varmam - Varmam Points related to Planets11. Kiraga Varmam - Varmam Points related to Planets• 12. Patchi Varmam - Varmam Points related to Bio – Clock12. Patchi Varmam - Varmam Points related to Bio – Clock 58www.similima.com

METHODS OF TREATMENTMETHODS OF TREATMENT• Varmam Treatment may either be given alone or Varmam Treatment may either be given alone or

combined with drug therapycombined with drug therapy• Stimulation of Varmam Point aloneStimulation of Varmam Point alone• Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of

Herbal PreparationsHerbal Preparations• Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of

Metallic PreparationMetallic Preparation• Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of

Preparations from Animal sourcesPreparations from Animal sources• Stimulation of Varmam Points according to Individual Stimulation of Varmam Points according to Individual

Stars/PlanetsStars/Planets• Stimulation of Varmam Points by Tantric EnergyStimulation of Varmam Points by Tantric Energy 59www.similima.com

Scope and Utilization of Varmam Treatment

• No known side effectsNo known side effects• No specialized equipment is requiredNo specialized equipment is required• Easy administration Easy administration • Cost effectiveCost effective• Duration of treatment may be shortened, when combined Duration of treatment may be shortened, when combined

with the regular treatment procedures.with the regular treatment procedures.• Dosage of the drugs may be minimized, when is given in Dosage of the drugs may be minimized, when is given in

addition to the conventional treatmentaddition to the conventional treatment• improves the Quality of Life and gives a sense of well improves the Quality of Life and gives a sense of well

being.being.• provides a lot of scope in Clinical Research for various provides a lot of scope in Clinical Research for various

chronic ailmentschronic ailments 60www.similima.com

• Varmam can even help the Coma patients to regain consciousness

• The Synovial fluid can be re-synthesized by regular application of Varmam points, which will be of great use in the cases of Osteo Arthritis

• It is useful in conditions like Hyperhidrosis/ Anhidrosis also.

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Thank youvery muchvery much

and awaiting guidelines to shape up better….and awaiting guidelines to shape up better….

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