SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

Dr.G.Senthilvel, M.D.(s),
Research officer,
CCRAS,
Dept. of AYUSH

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“உடமப ர அழ ய ல உய ர ர அழ வர
த டமபட ம யஞ னம ச ரவம டட ர
உடமபப வளரககம உப ய ற நசத
உடமபப வளரதசதன உய ரவளரத சதசன.”
- த ர நத ரம

If the body perishes, Prana departs

Nor will the light of truth be reached
I learned the way of preserving my body
And so doing my Prana too.
- Thirumanthiram
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 Origin
• Siddha system with its Thamizh origin also is
associated with Thamizh language which is the
last surviving classical language of India.

• Siddha system has its origin about 10000 BC

according to recent archeological studies.

• Siddha system is nothing but a part of Thamizh

civilization which is the only civilization alive from
pre-historical periods.

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 Siddhars
• Siddhars are divine people as well as
scientists who have attained Siddhi. Siddhi
is nothing but enlightment.

• Siddhars developed the Thamizh medical

system and have written lot of literatures in
medicine, alchemy, astrology, life style,
dietetics etc.
• Siddhars with the help of their astanga
siddhic power and spiritual efficacy
developed single and compound medicinal
products from herbs, metals and minerals.
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 Antiquity of Siddha system
• Siddha system is built with special focus on food
habits consisting with six tastes. The six tastes
which are very much concerned with the Uyir
thathu ie. Vaatham, Pitham and Kabam.

• Derangement of Uyir thathu leads to diseases of

body and mind.

• Causes of diseases as per Siddha system are

– Unavu (food)
– Seyal (doings)
– Kaalam (climate and environment)
– Kanmam (by birth) www.similima.com 5
 Medicine
“ றபபத உடல சE ய ரநமதமனல கம
றபபத உளசE ய ரநமதனச லம
றபபத இன சE ய வ ர த ரகக
றபபத பவயம ரநமதனல ச .”
- த ர நத ரம

“One that cures physical ailment is medicine

One that cures psychological ailment is medicine
One that prevent ailment is medicine
One that bestows immortality is medicine.”
- Thirumanthiram
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Siddha system enumerated many herbal and
herbo-mineral formulations indicated for specific
disorders. Some of them are,
 Gastrointestinal disorders
 Respiratory disorders,
 Neurological disorders,
 Musculo-skeletal disorders
 Cardio-vascular disorders
 Psychomatic disorders etc.
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Importance for herbs in Siddha system

சவரப ர தபழப ர ஞ னகக ல

ம ளளம ளள பறப ம நதரம ப ர ப சர.

• In siddha system herbs are widely used as

a first drug of choice for any ailment.

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 Herbs containing quintessence of
metals
Herbs containing quintessence of lead
“ Rபதமதத ரககஞ ம வ மவளபளச றசவபள
ப தபகசவலபபரதத மதபதயம சக த லசபர
நத லவ ழத றபபள மவளளரகம
ஏநத பழய Rய மல.”

Herbs containing quintessence of copper

“மக வபவச வபபக மக டய ன றகRபர
ம வவலபகய ன ம நதர அய ஒவவ டம
மகக பபள கரப^ மசத பலககஞ ம
சதககவ மல பவ ம மப.”

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Usage of herbs in siddha system
• Charu (Juice)
• Surasam (Concoction)
• Chooranam (Powder)
• Kudineer (Decoction)
• Mathirai (Pill / Tablet)
• Lehiyam (Stirring Choornam with syrup)
• Thailam (Medicated oil)
• Theeneer (Distilled liquid)
• Karkam (Fresh ground herb)
• Manappagu (Boiling the kudineer with palm jaggery)

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 Herbs used for calcination in
Siddha system
Various herbs are used for purification and
calcination processes of various metals and
minerals in siddha system.
Eg.
• Maruthonri (Lawsonia inermis) purifies
Sulphur.
• Thulasi (Ocimum sanctum) used for
calcination of Lead.
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 Traditional parameters for
identification of a drug
Grouping of herbs based on their activity & nature

• பஞ மலம (பஞ - FIVE மலம - ROUTE of herb )

• த மலம (த - TEN மலம - ROUTE of herb )

• த கடக (த - THREE கடக - STIMULANTS / ACRIDS)

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 Active compounds from herbs
• Compounds extracted from the solution of the ash
obtained by burning the herbs.
Eg.
Salt of Achyranthes aspera (E யரவ உபப)
Salt of Cissus quadrangularis (ப ரணபட உபப)

• Compounds extracted from the solution of the herbs.

Eg.
Extract of Tinospora cardifolia ( Rநத ல தத)

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 Plants used for specific
diseases
Jaundice Venereal diseases
• Keezha nelli • Serankottai
• Karisalai • Seruppadai
• Nelli • Sivanarvembu
• Vilvam • Parangippattai
• Vembu • Ammanpacharisi
• Manjal • Thetran kottai
• Nerunjil • Akasagarudan
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 Plants used for specific
diseases
Diabetes mellitus Urolithiasis
• Aavarai • Sirupeelai
• Naval • Nerunjil
• Koshtam • Vellarivithai
• Venthayam • Nayuruvi
• Seenthil • Mookkarattai
• Sirukurinjan • Mavilingam
• Nellikkai • Neermulli
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 Plants used for specific
diseases
Hemorrhoids Arthritis
• Thutthi • Kadambu
• Nayuruvi • Merugan kizhangu
• Pirandai • Vathanarayanan
• Venthayam • Aamanakku
• Avuri • Milagu
• Kondrai • Vizhuthi
• Karunai • Malaivembu
• Kadukkai pinju • Amukkara

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Kaya karpam (Anti-ageing drugs)
In order to maintain sound physical well being and
strong mental balance, Siddha system advises
principled nature food intake, adaptation of Yogasanam,
Pranayamam (breathing exercises) and Dhyanam
practices to attain total body and life care.

It is a proven fact that Siddhars have cured patients by

administering plant products for relieving them not only
from infections but also from ageing.
Eg.
• மப றறபலக பகய நதகபர (Eclipta prostrata)
• மவளமளரகக (Calotropis gigantea)
• கRழ மEலல (Phyllanthus amarus)
• கடகக ய (Terminaliawww.similima.com
chebula) 17
• வ ஷணகரநபத (Evalvulus alsinoides ) Etc.
Home remedies in Siddha system
• As already told Siddha system is more
concerned about food and food habits
“Food itself is medicine
Medicine itself is food”
• Different types of foods are described in
Siddha system for different climates.
• So Siddha system of medicine is being
also practiced in every south Indian home
by the ladies as Veetu vaithiyam or Paati
vaithiyam . www.similima.com 18
Contd…
Home remedies in Siddha system
• Lot of simple preparations from plants are
available and practiced in south India.

• Some of the plants can be used in every

home are described here.

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ஆவ பர - Cassia auriculata

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 ஆவ பர - Cassia auriculata

“ச கதத ன சல வ பளநத லம மவடபடயனல

ஆகதத ன பணச^ டரஙக ர ^ - சப கதத ன
ஆவ பரப பஞ கஙமக ள அதத சரம த கமம சப ம
ஏவ பரக கண ட சத!”

• Diabetes mellitus
• Leucorrhoea
• Dysentery
• Tubercular fever

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உதத ^ - Pergularia daemia

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 உதத ^ - Pergularia daemia

“உதத ^ ய பலய ல உளவய றற கன ம ட

கதத ம வலயங கள ரமசப ம-பறற
இ ககம வலய பரபபம எததடபபம ஏகம
ப கக த நதமம சப ம ப ர.”

• Gastritis
• Spasmodic pain
• Bronchial asthma

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ஓ தழ த பர - Ionidium suffruticosum

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 ஓ தழ த பர - Ionidium suffruticosum

“த தபவயணட ககம தன ச கதபதத மத பலககம

ஆதரவ ச ன க கழகதரஞ- Rதமசப ம
R தழ த பரவ ழ ம யய டவனச
ஓ தழ த பரபய யண.”

• Loss of libido
• Leucorrhoea
• Immunomodulator

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ரத – Terminalia arjuna

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 ரத – Terminalia arjuna

“ஓதம ன ER ழ பவ சய டடம ப ரச கங
க தம ன சவ டக கடததஙக ண சப த
யகக ம டத க ற ச சரதத ன
தயகக றககம ரதஞ றற.”

• Diabetes insipidus
• Venereal diseases
• Fever

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தள Ocimum sanctum

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 தள Ocimum sanctum

“சப ல டட வ ததத ரப பணபன பப ^ பய

ச சல டட வ தத வ ளஙகச – ல
வரநத மடறகமவபப வர சல டடம
ப ரநதப பப ய தத யதபதப சபய”

• Psyco- somatic diseases

• Fever
• sinusitis

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வலல பர Centella asiatica

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 வலல பர Centella asiatica

“வலல பர ய ன பல ரவகறப யக மக ள
மவலல ப ப ^ கள ல ப ய ம யய ன ல”

• Rejuvenating drug
• Skin diseases

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வ லவம Aegle marmelos

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 வ லவம Aegle marmelos

“வ லலவதத ன சவரகக வறகன வ யகபம

ம லலமவ ண^ ப ததநமத டரச பப வலலகப
த கசரம ERசரறறஞ நE மய ட ம யவலயம
சவகம ட ERஙகச ”

• Gastritis
• Dropsy
• Respiratory disorders
• Delirium

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மEலல Phyllanthus emblica

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 மEலல Phyllanthus emblica

“மபபளக யநத^ தத ச கம ப றகக ள

பப ளபள சப சலயழக வ யககச - ச பபவரங
சக ய மறஙகற பய மக ளளவ ரணடபஙக
ய லக மண^மபற ய ல.”

• Loss of libido
• Rejuvenation

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அமககர Withania somnifera

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 அமககர Withania somnifera

“மக ஞ நதவரபப ங மக டயகயம சபலய

ஞசகரபப ன ப ணட மவபபதபப வ ஞ
மசவற சத டமம சப ச கம அனலணட ம
அசவகந த கமகன றற ”

• Skin diseases
• Respiratory diseases
• Anaemia
• Arthritis
• Loss of libido
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Rநத ல Tinospora cardifolia

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 Rநத ல Tinospora cardifolia

“மப ற Rநத ற க ழஙக மப ஙக தச கம

எசசகய சர கம இபளபபவ டம – பசப ய ய
ஓடரதத ப ததம உயரசரஙகபளக கபளயந
சதட ய ச ன தரஞ ச ர.”

• Diabetes mellitus
• Tuberculosis
• Fever

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கடகக ய Terminlia chebula

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 கடகக ய Terminlia chebula

“கடகக யந த யங கரத மல னமறன ற லங

கடகக யத த யககத கஙக ணER – கடகக யசE ய
ஓடட யடறசறறறம உறறவனபன சய சபவகள
ஊடடயடசறறற மவநத.”

• Alterative
• Rejuvenation

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கறற பழ (க ) Aloe vera

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 கறற பழ (க ) Aloe vera

“வறற க க தனபன வறறமலன வண^ னஞ Rர

மறற க க மயன மளச – Eறற ககந
த ணப ய லல ந மத பவயச ய ன ல
மணப க நற யள.”

• Rejuvenation
• Alterative

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ச ர ஙமக டபட - Semecarpus anacardium

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ச ர ஙமக டபட - Semicorpus anacordium

“ கடடங கயசர கங மக லலம வ டப கந

தடடநதரஙக ர சபலயம சப ம டடலரங
கநதன ய சல க ரநத க கடடம சப ஞ ம ஙபகய ல
ஏநதச ங மக டபடபத சய”

• Skin diseases
• Tuberculosis
• Arthritis
• Venereal diseases

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E யரவ – Achyranthus aspera

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 E யரவ – Achyranthus aspera

“ லக ரங பகபபள அப ரகக ய ன சவர ல வ யமணட ம

இபலமல உத ர நதம சபத க பமவ யரவதநத ய றஙக ச கம
பலசயறம படப ய மளள ப றறம வன மலம
பல தரகக களளழபக ERககவஙகச நதரம பணண சத ”

• Hemorrhoids
• Diarrhoea
• Leucorrhoea

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E லசவமப - Andrographis paniculata

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 E லசவமப - Andrographis paniculata

“ வ தசரம ERசரறறம றறஞ சரசத ட

க தம ன ஓடககடயஙக ண தரச
ப தத யககறககம ப னபமதள பவகமக டககம
சததE லசவமப ன மத ழ ல.”

• Fever
• Sinusitis

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 எடட Strycnos nux vomica

Even though it is
Poisonous, Siddha system
uses this drug for

• Delirium
• Loss of libido
• Skin diseases

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 மக டசவல Plumbago zeylanica
• Pubo
• Hemorrhoids
• Arthritis
• Venereal disease
• Fever
• Carcinoma

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கRழ மEலலPhyllanthus amarus

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 கRழ மEலல Phyllanthus amarus

“ Rத த ப ததவ டஞ ம வவ ழ ய ன சE யக கடடம
பதம ட சபய ரததப சப கககளம பதலததள
த ழவ யப ப^ நசதகநதபப த மப யயலசவ
கRழவ மயன மEலலகசக.”

• Eye diseases
• Hemorrhage
• Jaundice

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 VARMAM
• “Varmam”, a unique treatment method left by
the Siddhars, the great saints is a gifted branch
of Siddha Medicine.

• The term Varmam is otherwise called as

Kaalam, Swasam, Praanan, Kalai, Saram,
Yogam, Vaasi etc.,

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• “Varmam is nothing but Vital Energy centers
located in our body”.

• The study of Varmam is called “VARMALOGY”.

Varmam or Varmam Therapy is restricted to
Tamil Nadu State only.

• In Tamil Nadu also, it is more specific and

confined to Nagercoil and Kanyakumari Districts.

• An expert in Varmam physician is called

“Aasaan or Varmaani”.
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 CLASSIFICATION
According to Anatomical Locations
• Head to Neck
• Neck to Navel
• Navel to Anus
• Upper Limb
• Lower Limb

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According to Dhoshas (Humoral Classification)

• Vatha Varmam
• Pitha Varmam
• Silaethuma Varmam

Numerical Classification

• Unilateral – Located Unilaterally

• Symmetrical Varmam Points – Located on both the sides
(Left & Right)
• Midline Varmam points

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57
 Various types of points
• 1. Thodu Varmam - Minor Points (96)
• 2. Padu Varmam - Major Points (12)
• 3. Thattu Varmam - Activating the Varmam point by slapping
• 4. Inai Varmam - Stimulation of Two different Points (Paired Varmam)
• 5. Pakka Varmam - Proximity of Varmam Points
• 6. Natchathira Varmam – Points related with 27 Stars
• 7. Ellidai Varmam - Varmam Points located in between the joints
• 8. Oodhu Varmam - Stimulation of Varmam Point by Blowing
• 9. Nakku Varmam - Activation of Varmam point by means of
Licking
• 10. Noekku Varmam –Treatment given by without touching the Patient)
• 11. Kiraga Varmam - Varmam Points related to Planets
• 12. Patchi Varmam - Varmam Points related to Bio – Clock
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 METHODS OF TREATMENT
• Varmam Treatment may either be given alone or
combined with drug therapy
• Stimulation of Varmam Point alone
• Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of
Herbal Preparations
• Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of
Metallic Preparation
• Stimulation of Varmam Points and administration of
Preparations from Animal sources
• Stimulation of Varmam Points according to Individual
Stars/Planets
• Stimulation of Varmamwww.similima.com
Points by Tantric Energy 59
 Scope and Utilization of
Varmam Treatment
• No known side effects
• No specialized equipment is required
• Easy administration
• Cost effective
• Duration of treatment may be shortened, when combined
with the regular treatment procedures.
• Dosage of the drugs may be minimized, when is given in
addition to the conventional treatment
• improves the Quality of Life and gives a sense of well
being.
• provides a lot of scope in Clinical Research for various
chronic ailments www.similima.com 60
• Varmam can even help the Coma patients to
regain consciousness
• The Synovial fluid can be re-synthesized by
regular application of Varmam points, which will
be of great use in the cases of Osteo Arthritis
• It is useful in conditions like Hyperhidrosis/
Anhidrosis also.

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 Thank you
very much

and awaiting guidelines to shape up better….

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