Siddha

Herb capsella, medicinal herb

Introduction:

Siddha is an ancient system of medical treatment that was commenced in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. It is a lore that revolves around the fact that Siddhars who had attained the status of Siddhi have been credited to have designed the Siddha system of medication. The Siddhars are endowed with eight supernatural powers.

According to the Tamil traditional myth, Agastha was a spiritual leader and the first Siddha who was handed over the legacy of knowledge about Siddha system of medicine is Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva and Pārbati. The Government of India through its designated ministry coordinates and promotes the growth of research and development in the domain of Siddha system of medicines.

History:

siddha medical treatment (2)

The Siddha system of medicines originated during Indus Valley Civilization and is an inseparable part of the traditional Dravidian culture and medicinal concepts. As per the earliest records deciphered in palm leaf manuscripts, the legend goes that the first Siddha system of medicine was explained by Lord Shiva to his wife Pārbati. Devi Pārbati taught the secrets of Siddha to her son Murugan. From Murugan, the knowledge spread to Agastha and from him to his 18 disciples all who have attained the status of Siddhars.

From these Siddhars, the knowledge was propagated to the entire human race. The eighteen Siddhars who were blessed with supernatural powers had written all about the Siddha medication system on palm fronds the fragments of which were salvaged in south India.

However, the distribution of the salvaged manuscripts was not uniform. Some of the families in south India collected mote fronds than the others and selfishly retained them for the sole use of their family alone so that the benefits are enjoyed by only a few.

According to Manikandan, there were 22 major Siddhars among which Agastha was the guru. It is he who composed the Siddha medicine system for onward propagation among human kind. Gradually, with the passage of time the Siddha system of medicine was upgraded and found way to the mainstream of Indian medical science. Currently, Siddha medicine is taught in colleges affiliated under recognized universities. The students pass out and make a successful career in the practice of Siddha medicine.

Principles:

Shiva and Shakti are inseparable

The Siddha system of medicines is guided by certain fundamental concepts which have a close similarity with that of Ayurvedic principles. According to Siddha concept, the human body and the food and fluid it consumes including various drugs are simply the replica of the universe. Background or the origin doesn’t really matter. The universe on the other is believed to hold two fundamental entities, the matter and energy.

The male and female units namely Shiva and Shakti are inseparable. Matter cannot exist without energy. Matter represents Shiva and Shakti represents energy. Besides all matter including the human body is made up of five elements. The solid (Munn), fluid (Neer), radiance (Thee), gas (Vayu) and Veli (ether) which exists in human body in different proportions. When this mix gets disrupted, the body is invaded by ailments.

Methods:

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Almost around thousands of years back, Siddha medicines were formulated and prepared after a thorough research work. Flora, fauna and rich mineral resources of mother Earth were the subject matters of medical research. The medicines are empowered by recitation of slokas and hymns.

The Siddha medicine cures the body and brings tranquility to mind. From extraction of juice from herbs to synthesis of higher medicines like parpam and chendooram Siddha covers a wide range of medicines. Method and purification of raw drugs is crucial to the efficacy of medicines. The technique of preparation is explained in version of ancient Tamil verses and poems. There are 32 internal and external Siddha medicines in total.

Benefits:

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The traditional Siddha medicine brings in balance in the disease producing pathogens inside human body and eliminates unwanted pathogens altogether.

-The medicines combat viral diseases, chronic inflammation, functional and endocrine disorders.

-They first aim at prevention of disease from infecting the body. But once the body has been invaded by the disease, cure becomes the prime objective.

-The emphasis of Siddha medicine on diet and lifestyle plays a significant role in maintaining sound health and curing disease.

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