Siddha System of Medicine
The Siddha science is a traditional treatment system generated from Tamil culture. Palm leaf manuscripts say that the Siddha system was first described by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati. Parvati explained all this knowledge to her son Lord Muruga. He taught all these knowledge to his disciple sage Agasthya. Agasthya taught 18 Siddhars and they spread this knowledge to human beings. Siddha system of medicine is believed to be the oldest medical system in the known universe.
Siddha - The Saga of Tradition
Siddhars are the ancient supernatural spiritual saints of India and the Siddha system is believed to be handed over to the Siddhar by the Hindu God - Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Siddhars were of the concept that a healthy soul can only be developed through a healthy body. So they developed methods and medication that are believed to strengthen their physical body and thereby their souls. They practiced intense yogic practices, including years of fasting and meditation. And believed to have achieved super natural powers and gained the supreme wisdom and overall immortality. Through this spiritually attained supreme knowledge, they wrote scriptures on all aspects of life, from arts to science and truth of life to miracle cure for diseases.
The word Siddha comes from the word Siddhi which means an object to be attained perfection or heavenly bliss. Siddha focused to "Ashtamahasiddhi" that is the eight supernatural power. Those who attained or achieved the above said powers are known as Siddhars. There were 18 important siddhars in olden days and they developed this system of medicine. Hence, it is called Siddha Medicine.
The Siddhars wrote their knowledge in palm leaf manuscripts, fragments of which were found in different parts of South India. It is believed that some families may possess more fragments, but keep them solely for their own use. There is a huge collection of Siddha Manuscripts kept by Traditional Siddha Families.
Today there are recognized Siddha Medical Colleges, run under the government universities where Siddha medicine is taught. But they are running the course with average syllabus compare to the knowledge of Traditional Vaidyas. In Siddha Vaidyam there are many toxic drugs and heavy metals are using for manufacture bhasmas and chindooras. Lake of proper purification will cause major draw-backs in health. Traditional Siddha Physicians are doing effective purification process. But they hide it as traditional secret and transfer only to the next generation.
Benefits of Traditional Siddha Medicine
- Traditional Siddha medicine upholds balancing, uprighting and eliminating the pathogens as the main principles of treating diseases and maintaining health.
- Traditional Siddha Medicine plays a good role in the fight against viral diseases, chronic inflammation, functional disorders, endocrine disorders and other diseases.
- Traditional medicine stresses "prevention before diseases rather than treating diseases". But Siddha Medicine give equel importance in prevention and curing.
- According to the Siddha medicine, various psychological and physiological functions of the body are attributed to the combination of seven elements.
- According to the siddha medicine system, diet and lifestyle play a major role, not only in health but also in curing diseases.
- Internal medicine was used through the oral route and further classified into 32 categories based on their form, methods of preparation, shelf-life, etc.
- External medicine includes certain forms of drugs and also certain applications (such as nasal, eye and ear drops), and also certain procedures (such as leech application). It also classified into 32 categories.