Siddha medical system consists of Yogam (yoga), Gnanam (gnana), vatham, vaithiyam (treatment), jothidam (astrology), manthrikam (magic) and so it is connected to spirituality and a way of life. To diagnose diseases that arise out of disharmony of Vatham, Pittham, Kapham, (tridoshas) is the treatment part of the system. It is claimed that there is no disease that cannot be cured by this system. It adopts the principle of “food as medicine, medicine as food” to translate literally the Tamil maxim. This system advocates vegetarianism.
This system not only cures diseases, it also prevent diseases and help in living a long and healthy life. For this purpose the Siddha system advocates a life style of dhyana (meditation), thavam (ascetic practices), pranayama, and kayakalpa. The Siddhas by their wisdom found that man is the microcosm and part of the macrocosm the Universe. What is there is in the Universe is what is within man (woman) and by knowing oneself one knows everything. This principle was expounded by the Siddhas in their works.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
HISTORY OF SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
Archeological excavations in Mohenjadaro, Harappa in the Sindh plains found inscriptions relating to medicinal uses of Neem, deer horn, pearl, etc were found. These products are extensively used in Siddha system of medicine. This goes on to say about the rich tradition of Siddha system.
This system was popularized eons ago by the famed 18 Siddhars (18 Saintly people who by their meditation and ascetic practices attained mystical powers). These Siddhars or Siddhas are found to have lived between 1000 BC and 500 AD. They had their own teams and traveled from villages to villages curing people for free from their physical ailments.
The 18 Siddhars are
Thiruvarutchitthar Agathiyar
Thirumoolar Siddhar
Kolangi Siddhar
Bogar Siddhar
Pulippani Siddhar
Sattamuni Siddhar
Macchamuni Siddhar
Ramadheva Siddhar
Kamalamuni Siddhar
Sivavaakiyar Siddhar
Karuvoor Siddhar
Edaikaadar Siddhar
Sundharanadhar Siddhar
Azhukanni Siddhar
Paambatti Siddhar
Therayar Siddhar
Konganar Siddhar
Korakkar Siddhar
All these Siddhars or Siddhas were Saivaite Tamils who have authored wonderful books on various aspects of Siddha system of medicine.
This system was popularized eons ago by the famed 18 Siddhars (18 Saintly people who by their meditation and ascetic practices attained mystical powers). These Siddhars or Siddhas are found to have lived between 1000 BC and 500 AD. They had their own teams and traveled from villages to villages curing people for free from their physical ailments.
The 18 Siddhars are
Thiruvarutchitthar Agathiyar
Thirumoolar Siddhar
Kolangi Siddhar
Bogar Siddhar
Pulippani Siddhar
Sattamuni Siddhar
Macchamuni Siddhar
Ramadheva Siddhar
Kamalamuni Siddhar
Sivavaakiyar Siddhar
Karuvoor Siddhar
Edaikaadar Siddhar
Sundharanadhar Siddhar
Azhukanni Siddhar
Paambatti Siddhar
Therayar Siddhar
Konganar Siddhar
Korakkar Siddhar
All these Siddhars or Siddhas were Saivaite Tamils who have authored wonderful books on various aspects of Siddha system of medicine.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
My Tryst With Siddha System of Medicine
It happened some 20 years ago when I was down with typhoid.
A family friend suggested a Siddha physician nearby and I was quite reluctant to try his system.
Anyway I met him and his concoction had a startling effect on me. I was back to normalcy within a week.
From then on I had a liking for this system which is the oldest medical system on earth.
Over the past years I collected a lot of tips, news and everything I could get from various libraries and other sources.
Remember, there was no much reception for this system then. It is only now that alternative systems have made a come back.
In the coming days I would share these tips with you, tell you about certain strange and out of the ordinary preparations peculiar to this age old system.
A family friend suggested a Siddha physician nearby and I was quite reluctant to try his system.
Anyway I met him and his concoction had a startling effect on me. I was back to normalcy within a week.
From then on I had a liking for this system which is the oldest medical system on earth.
Over the past years I collected a lot of tips, news and everything I could get from various libraries and other sources.
Remember, there was no much reception for this system then. It is only now that alternative systems have made a come back.
In the coming days I would share these tips with you, tell you about certain strange and out of the ordinary preparations peculiar to this age old system.
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