Siddha Vaithyam

Siddha medicine is practiced largely among Tamil speaking people. The term Siddha means achievements. As the medicine is an  achievement by the Siddhars (saintly persons), it is called as Siddha Vaithiyam (Medicament by great achievers). There were 18 Siddhars in our traditions. They were the scientist of the ancient times (recorded 2500 years ago) who have contributed towards the development of this medical system.

             It is largely therapeutic and individualistic in nature. It is capable of treating all type of diseases. The medicine is effective even on curing chronic diseases such cancer, liver failure, psoriasis, rheumatism, anaemia, piles, peptic ulcer and thyroid problems. It also slows the process of aging - inside out. The diagnosis of diseases starts with the examination of pulse, urine, eye, voice, body colour, tongue and digestive system.

           

According to the tradition, it was Lord Shiva who first unfold this knowledge to Parvathi. Parvathi handed down the knowledge to Nandi Deva and then, from him to Siddhar Agasthiyar. The Siddha knowledge then was enrich and enliven by the following Siddhars of the times. They were the great scientist of the ancient southern people. Many of their works are booked and practiced till today by modern Siddha medical practitioners.

Similarities in Siddha medicine and Ayurvedha medicine

*Human body is the replica of the universe *Human body is composed with 5 basic elements  earth, water, air, fire and space. *Food and drugs for human development are from these 5 basic elements. *Proportion of the  5 elements  in the drugs used vary according to the nature of body. *Medicine used therapeutic in nature. *Human body is the mass of :-   a. 3 humors (vata, pitta, kapha)                                             b. 7 basic tissues (plasma, blood, muscle, fatty tissue, bone, brain and semen)   c. wastes products (faeces, urine and sweat) *It talks about concept of moksha (salvation of life) through medicine and meditation

The system has unique drug knowledge consist of plants, minerals, metals and animal sources. It has a detailed drug classification in the field of mineral, metal and materia medica. The knowledge also evolved through time for treatment.

Besides medicine, the Siddhars also aware of several alchemical operations. such as calcinations, sublimations, distillation, fusion, separation or combination, congelation, cibation, fermentation, exaltation, purification, liquifaction, extraction and etc. They also had the knowledge of boiling, dissolving, precipating and coagulating chemical substances.

The presence of 72 000 nadis in human body, the details of each nadi's actions and and the location also become part of the discoveries of the Siddars. They also have described in details of 108 varmam (vital points) that can be used to heal or harm a human body through touch, pressure and striking. Varmam usually being taught to virtuous martial art students.

All their knowledge were recorded in songs, hymns, olaichuvadi (palm leaves books) and inscriptions but in the form of ciphers, symbols, signs and cryptograms. Modern researchers having a very hard time to break their secret code to reveal the knowledge. More research in revealing the knowledge of these system is presently in progress by some Siddha medical colleges and universities in India.