Siddha medicine is a centuries-old therapeutic system that is thought to predate Ayurveda. Ayurveda, along with Allopathy and Homeopathy, is widely practised and used today, but the Siddha system of medicine is only practised in Tamil Nadu, South India, and is now confined to the state of Kerala. People are once again curious about Siddha medicine, as the Tamil Nadu government has been promoting it as an antidote to COVID-19. According to the state administration, COVID-19 patients have a 100 percent recovery rate when treated with Siddha therapy. In this context, it’s critical to understand this traditional and natural therapy method.
How different is Siddha from Ayurveda?
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Ayurveda is more concerned with diseases, while Siddha is more concerned with health. It invigorates the whole body. As a result, compared to Ayurveda, which has a distinct treatment for each disease, Siddha’s variety is limited. In Siddha, there isn’t a cure for every ailment. It focuses on developing the body’s internal resources and stimulating the body in a specific way. Ayurveda and Siddha are not the same thing. Siddha comes closer to the body’s energy system than Ayurveda. In a nutshell, Ayurveda is more concerned with diseases, while Siddha is more concerned with health.
Although the basic principles of Siddha medicine are extremely similar to those of Ayurveda, a closer examination reveals a distinction between the two. Siddha’s traditions and distinctiveness are linked to Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian civilization. The most significant distinction between Siddha and Ayurveda is that Siddha medicine includes metals and minerals such as sulphur, mica, and mercury, in addition to plants.. The treatment is carried out with the body’s seven organs in mind.
Insomnia, obesity, and high blood pressure are more typically treated with Siddha medication. Skin diseases such as psoriasis, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections (UTIs), gastrointestinal infections, liver ailments, anaemia, diarrhoea, arthritis, and allergies are a few of the diseases that Siddha can treat. Siddha, like Ayurveda, has three Doshas, viz. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Siddha Medicine’s History and Principles
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From the 3rd to the 10th century BC, it flourished in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Siddha systems use plants as medicine. Lord Dhanvantari is regarded as the founder of Ayurveda, while Rishi Agastya is regarded as the creator of Siddha medicine.
Sage Agastya, known as the father of both Tamil and Siddha medicine, write many things on Siddha medicine, medicine, and surgery, which are still utilised by many Siddha practitioners today.
7 aspects of the human body, according to Siddha:
- Saaram, i.e Plasma is the substance that gives life to the human body and allows it to grow and develop.
- Senneer refers to the blood that nourishes and reaches all regions of the body.
- The muscles that mould the human body are referred to as Oon.
- Kozhuppu is a type of tissue that lubricates and protects the joints of bones from wear and tear.
- Enbu refers to the bones that give the human body its structure and posture.
- The nerves that keep the body connected are known as Moolai.
- Sukkilam, i.e. Semen, is responsible for reproduction.
8 ways to diagnose an illness
The condition is identified using these eight kinds of testing, with the pulse examination receiving the most attention.
- Keep an eye on the patient’s pulse.
- Feel the skin.
- Examine the tongue.
- The appearance of the face.
- To way of speech.
- Checking eyes.
- Urine examination.
- Stool examination.
3 types of Siddha medicines:
- Mooligai vaguppu is a herb-based medicine.
- Thathu vaguppu is an inorganic substance-based medicine.
- Seevam vaguppu is a type of medicine that is manufactured from animal ingredients.
Different medicines, as well as yoga and pranayama, are used in Siddha medicine to ensure that a person lives a long life by making him entirely healthy.