Siddha Medicine

The present study is designed to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of Pavalamalli leaves (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.) on formalin induced hind paw oedema in rats. Indomethacin is the standard drug taken.The percentage of inhibition of 300mg/kg of Pavalamalli leaves methanolic extract is found to be 83.08% (P<0.001), significant, proving its antiinflammatory activity.

Analysis of body constitution has been in practice in most complementary and alternative systems of medicine. Siddha system of medicine practiced in South India consists of fundamental classical literature that stress on the importance of tri-humoral makeup of individuals. Guidance has been given in the classics for identifying specific types of body constitution, various dietary recommendations and disease susceptibility. In validating such important traditional fundamental aspects, analytical systematic literature framework is the first robust step. The present study has been conducted to provide an updated integrative framework of information about body constitution given in various Siddha literatures in quantitative systematic method by using Whittemore and Knafl's five stage approach. This descriptive account may be useful to construct a suitable questionnaire for Siddha based udaliyal assessment.

Attai vidal (leech therapy) is one of the way of bloodletting which comes under the external therapies of Siddha. Leeches have been used for therapeutic purposes before 2000 years by ancient renowned Siddhars. Speckled leech has many active compounds in their saliva. Thus, remove toxins and impure blood and cures many diseases efficiently. This paper discuss about Siddha principles of attai vidal, possible mechanism, guidelines and uses of attai vidal in various ailments narrated in Siddha books and other sources, are concisely discussed in this paper.

Background:
                      Pranayamam – Prana + Ayamam, which is the regulation technique of breath. It is the fourth limb of eight-limbed yoga system called the Astanga Yogam. There are lots of siddha literature that speak about the importance and beneficial effects of pranayamam. There are also many clinical trials went and ongoing on the aspect of this concerned yogic breathing thus proving the fruiting effects of Pranayama.
Aim:
This study is here to discuss about the beneficial health effects of pranayamam with the possible physiological mechanisms which could be the underlying causes for the fruiting effects of pranayamam.
Methods:
Data obtained by searching the online pubmed, Google scholar, science direct by using keywords. Textbook of K. Sembulingam's essential of medical physiology and some siddha literatures are kept for base. Controlled clinical trials which used pranayamam as intervention on humans to evaluate the health related outcomes are selected and included.
Conclusion:
Available evidences of clinical trials show the physiological benefits of pranayama. Which shows that there should be a proper underlying mechanisms that is aiding the results. However, high quality trials are required for definitive evidence.

Indian flora is one of the richest in the world. Siddha system of Medicine greatly depends on this enrich flora to treat diseases. Among them one is the Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (Night Jasmine or Pavalamalli), a small tree with its aroma flowers. The leaves of Nyctanthes are given for arthritis, fever, laxative in Siddha. The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the acute toxicity potential of Nyctanthes leaves ethanolic extract (NEE) in Wistar albino rats. NEE is evaluated at multiple dose of 100, 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kgbw among four groups for 24 hours orally. While rats in the control group treated with normal saline (5ml/kg). Observations include changes in body weight, irritability, tremor, laboured breathing, staggering, convulsion and death. At the end of the study, biochemical parameters were also estimated. The results indicates safety of oral administration at 100mg/kg bw dose of Nyctanthes leaves and is proved statistically significant (p>0.05). No death is observed in any of the animals.

Siddha is one of the Ancient Traditional Medical systems of India.  Siddhars’ are the founders of this ancient Science.  The word Siddhi means ‘Perfection, a goal to be attained’.  Siddha system of Medicine offers Holistic approach towards a healthier Life style in harmony with the nature. The specialty also lies in the fact that they are not only therapeutic, but also prophylactic in nature.  This system of medicine which is being practiced in the Tamil speaking areas of the world offer time tested, safe and many ethical guidelines to lead a disease free life. Changes in Diet, Environment and Occupational Hazards etc, plays a vital role in inducing stress related conditions. This is in contrary to the Healthier Life style which our forefathers enjoyed centuries back.  In that way, the authors of this review paper has compiled Ten ethical commandments as found in Classical Siddha texts such as Therayar Yemaga Venba, and Siddha Maruthuvanga Churukkam.  The Ten Ethical commandments deals with aspects of food as Medicine, Sleep, Rest and relaxation techniques, Thamboolam (Conventional Betel chewing), Criteria of Physician, required qualities of drinking water, Information about the accompanying person of a patient and Messenger inviting a physician, Ethical aspects of Nuptial relationship, essentials of Siddha psychiatry, Dress code, Relavence of Yoga and Pranayama to the present day and the concept of ‘Kayakarpam’ (panacea).  Individual guidelines regarding the Ten Commandments and the ill-effects of deviating away from these ethical issues are also discussed in detail.

In Siddha system of medicine, Yogam (Yoga) forms an important part. Among the Siddhars dealt with yogam, Thirumoolar is notable. Siddhars have advised Yogam for all categories of people. Siddhars have strong knowledge in embryological growth and foetal development. They have advised do's and don'ts of pregnant women. The Yogam mentioned by Siddhars are all beneficial among pregnant women. This paper reviews about the types of Asanas beneficial for women in all the stages of pregnancy.

Indian food cuisines greatly depends on traditional cultures, habits, climate, and seasonal variations, individual's profession, faith and cultivated food stuffs. The art of Indian intellectual customs of nutriment solely rely on Nature which is much advanced and distinguished similar to India's unique Siddha Medicine as man is the minuscule of the sphere. Siddha Medicine notably italicizes on the dietary patterns derived from the creation. According to them, the three fold combination of the humours (uyir thathukkal) and the object of five senses (Panchabootham) in food, influence the body constituents (udal & uyir thathukkal) and things assimilated in panchabootha human. Through the rules of comestibles, the people can be healthy and defend against illness and deterioration. By visualizing them, a food framework design through Siddha can be created for a perfect eating based on thegi (body type). This article is an effort to bring the Siddha's concepts of diet, their flavors, properties and its related principles into limelight.

https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/hssa/index.php/hssa/issue/view/6

History of Science in South Asia,
Vol 5 No 2 (2017): Special Issue
Guest editors:
Dagmar Wujastyk, Suzanne Newcombe, and Christèle Barois

Wild and diverse outcomes are associated with transmutational practices: the prolongation of life, the recovery of youth, the cure of diseases, invincibility, immortality, enlightenment, liberation from the cycle of rebirths, and unending bliss. This range of outcomes is linked to specific practices taught in separate traditions and lineages in medical, alchemical, yogic and tantric milieus across South and Inner Asia. These practices can be individual or collective, esoteric or secular, and occur in different places from hospital to village to monastery; they involve transmutations of substances as well as transmutations of the body. Every expression by a particular lineage has a distinguishing articulation. Yet there are also very clear commonalities and interconnections between the traditions’ aims, methods and expected results. In this special issue of HSSA, we examine transmutational practices and their underlying concepts in this wider context of South and Inner Asian culture. How do these practices and ideas connect and cross-fertilise? And conversely, how are they delineated and distinct?

Table of Contents:


Editorial

    Transmutations: Rejuvenation, Longevity, and Immortality Practices in South and Inner Asia
    Dagmar Wujastyk, Suzanne Newcombe, Christèle Barois
    i-xvii

Articles

    Acts of Improvement
    Dagmar Wujastyk
    1-36

   
    Stretching Out Life, Maintaining the Body
    Christèle Barois
    37-65

   
    On the Meaning of Rasāyana in Classical Yoga and Āyurveda
    Philipp Maas
    66-84

   
    Yogis, Ayurveda, and Kayakalpa (link is external)
    Suzanne Newcombe
    85-120
   
    Mastering Deathlessness
    Ilona Barbara Kędzia
    121-142

   
    Tibetan Bonpo Mendrup
    Anna Sehnalova
    143-180

   
    Reflections on Rasāyana, Bcud Len and Related Practices in Nyingma (Rnying Ma) Tantric Ritual
    Cathy Cantwell
    181-203

   
Tibetan Precious Pills as Therapeutics and Rejuvenating Longevity Tonics
    Barbara Gerke
    204-233

   
    The Flame and the Breeze
    Projit Bihari Mukharji
    234-264

Siddha Medicine is an ancient Medical system which is in the
Tamil language flourished more in southern part of India. This
medical system has its own school of terminologies (TNs) in the
Tamil language to describe signs and symptoms, diagnostic
methods, pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies.
For a better understanding of these TNs, we have to know its brief
exposition. To bring the Siddha system globally, analogues modern
medical term for these TNs have to be derived. The brief
exposition and analogues modern medical term for these TNs
are available in T.V.S. Siddha Medical Dictionary written by a
great scholar, Maruthuva Agaraadhi Thandha Maamaedhai (Man
of cyclopaedia Dictionary) T.V. Sambasivam Pillai. In order to honour
his contribution of Siddha cyclopaedic dictionary, Hon'ble
Prime minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi, had released
commemorative postal stamp of T.V. Sambasivam Pillai on 30th
August 2019. This article reviews this T.V. Sambasivam Pillai Siddha,
Cyclopaedic Medical Dictionary.

“Pugai (Fumigation)” is one among the various methods of treatment available in Siddha system of medicine. In ancient times people used fumigation as a preventive measure to protect themselves from epidemic diseases. It is usually prepared from herbal products, minerals and animal by-products. Nowadays people are more attracted towards the words “herb” and “herbal process” because of its easy availability, less side effects and marvelous results.  This paper gives an overview of ‘Pugai’, methods of application, mechanism of action, Specialties, herbs used etc.