Hemorrhoids Treatment in Siddha System

The veins in the rectal region enlarge due to many reasons and this result in hemorrhoids. Some experts are of the opinion that due to the excessive pressure and strain exerted during bowel movements this increases the pressure on the veins which eventually swell up. Mainstream medical system classifies this condition broadly into two categories namely internal and external hemorrhoids.

Statistics reveal an increase in the number of people who suffer from this condition. Changes in food habits and lifestyle especially of people living in large cities result in constipation. Constipation is considered to be the main culprit. When stool stays longer than usual in the large intestines, it loses most of its fluids and gets hardened. The hardened stool has to be evacuated with pressure which injures the anal region. When this turns into a regular feature, the veins enlarge and result in this condition.

Symptoms

One of the chief symptoms is the pain and bleeding when passing stools. In case of external hemorrhoids, the engorged veins might stick out after a bowel movement. Due to leaking of fluids, there will be itching in the anal region. This is confirmed with the help of a thorough medical examination including an anoscopy. This also helps to rule out other causes of rectal bleeding like polyps, colon cancer etc. Hemorrhoids are graded as first, second, third and fourth degrees. The first degree bleed but do not prolapse, second degree would prolapse but retract, third degree need to be pushed in after a prolapse, and the fourth degree remain external.

Causes

• Constipation is considered to be the chief cause.

• Heredity, this can run in families.

• Less or no intake of fibers.

• Eating spicy and hot foods too often.

• Excessive intake of meat.

• Eating too much resulting in straining the digestive system.

• Spending too much in traveling, like salesmen, businessmen etc.

• Sitting on a hard surface for hours together each day.

• Cycling too much everyday.

• Working in a hot environment, for example near boilers, etc.

Cure in Siddha

The Siddha medicinal system classifies this condition into 21 different categories based on various signs and symptoms.

Symptoms according to Siddha System

• Frequent constipation.

• No bowel movement even when you have the sensation.

• Pain in the anal region with defecation.

• Eliminating in bits and pieces.

• Sensation of heaviness in lower abdomen.

• Distended lower abdomen with pain.

• Itching of anus.

• Thirsty feeling.

• Loss of taste and sour taste in mouth.

• Loss of appetite.

• Black tarry stool.

• Blood in stool, dripping of blood after bowel movement.

• Night sweats and shivering of hands and legs.

When the above-mentioned symptoms are found, it is time to see a Siddha specialist who will feel your pulse and prescribe a treatment regimen according to your nature.

Advanced cases cannot be reversed to normalcy. So it would be prudent to avoid constipation which causes this condition. Seek medical help in the early stages lest it may worsen the condition.

Fresh fruits and vegetables should be taken in plenty and should form part of your daily menu. Raisins soaked in water the previous day can be taken next day morning to aid easy bowel movement. Fibrous vegetables and fruits play a major role in preventing constipation. Also reduce the intake of processed foods and oily substances. Keep away from fast food and junk food. Meat should be avoided as far as possible. It may be taken once in a month in moderate quantity. Mutton is preferred to chicken or beef.

My subsequent posts will describe some ways to prevent this painful condition, and some treatments in the early stages.

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Constipation Treatments in Siddha

All of us would have experienced constipation at one time or other in our lives. When we are away from home for a couple of days, most of us would not have a comfortable bowel movement till we get used to the new environment. Though occasional constipation causes no harm except for the uneasy feeling associated with the condition, it would be a cause for concern if the frequency of constipation increases. Siddha and Ayurveda systems regard constipation as the root cause of most of the diseases.

When the stool remains for longer periods in the large intestines, all the fluids in it gets removed and the stool gets hardened. Violent and prolonged suppression of the urge for a bowel movement is not good and if this is repeated enough number of times, the urge then stops eventually. Similarly applying pressure to defecate when there is no urge for a bowel movement can lead to constipation. Leading a sedentary life with no physical activity leads to lesser muscular movement of the ribs and stomach. This reduces the movement of food through the intestines. This can result in constipation. Constipation can also be a side effect of certain drugs. Some experts are of the opinion that the posture adapted for defecating also plays a significant role in constipation. They suggest a squatting position is better than sitting position for easy elimination. People with hemorrhoids suffer from frequent constipation.

There are two types, one is the sudden onset constipation and the other the regular one. Regular or the usual constipation is the frequently recurring constipation almost on a daily basis with the usual symptoms. This condition can be set right by some changes in diet and exercise.

Our body processes the food we eat, takes in the necessary nutrients and expels the waste matter out in frequent intervals. When this cycle is disturbed it would lead to loss of appetite, loss of taste, hemorrhoids, lethargy, tiredness, disturbed sleep, a cloudy sensation, joint pains etc.

Green gram, coconut, tender coconut, whey, milk with skin, fresh buttermilk, bananas, fresh greens especially cilantro, fenugreek greens, solanum nigrum or black nightshade, fruits like grapes, green leafy vegetables etc should form the major part of your diet. Chicken or mutton soup with less pepper and chillies, raw egg etc can also be taken.

Alcohol, pungent and spicy substances, sour buttermilk, pickles, beef etc should be avoided.

Brisk walking both in the mornings and evenings would benefit. This provides the much needed exercise to all muscles in the body and helps in toning up the internal organs.

On getting up early in the morning, drink one or two glasses of water and walk for a few minutes.

Establish a routine of going to the rest room in the mornings at a set time. Even if you do not have the sensation to evacuate, sit on the toilets. While seated calm your mind and visualize easy bowel movement. Even if you have not had one at the moment, going to the toilets at the set time will train your minds and would eventually result in daily bowel movement over time.

Making these changes in your day to day activities can help you in getting rid of constipation fast. Only in case of stubborn constipation should you resort to medicines. Taking laxatives can lead to dependency and should be avoided as far as possible.

One of the time tested constipation remedies is triphala choornam available at all Siddha and Ayurveda stores. 5-10 gm of this preparation is mixed in a spoonful of ghee and honey and taken at bedtime. This helps in facilitating easy bowel movement. This preparation also benefits the eyes. You can continue to take this till you are out of constipation. I will share some more simple remedies for constipation relief in my subsequent posts.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Moringa Oleifora Drumstick

Moringa oleifera or Murungai is regarded as an aphrodisiac in Tamil Nadu. In order to seduce the hero, the heroine in the film ‘”Mundhanai Mudichu” would prepare dishes made of murungai leaves and drumstick. Some say that the very tender murungai kai should be eaten raw for this purpose. But there are no records to testify this.

The moringa leaf is rich in beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, protein, iron, and potassium. The tree can cure malnutrition in children and lactating mothers of the third world. It grows well in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, Central America and Africa.

There are a number of folk remedies that have the moringa as their main component. All parts of the moringa tree have medicinal value. Dishes made of moringa flower are nutritious as well as tasty. Fresh flowers are collected and allowed to soak in honey for a week or so. These honey soaked flowers are used in treating cough. The bark of the tree has immense medicinal value too and its decoction is used in treating worm infestation. It is also used to treat hemorrhoids. For this purpose, the patient uses a sitz bath with decoction of the moringa bark.

Dishes made with the leaves are useful in treating mouth ulcers. Frequent intake of the leaves in various forms should decrease the severity of the ulcers and gradually heal them. The leaves can bring down swelling and inflammation. For this, the leaves are ground to a fine paste and mixed with sesame oil and applied on swellings and inflamed areas.

The drumstick takes care of digestive disorders. The drumstick grows to a length of 30 to 40 cm and in some cases even 60 cm. The drumstick or murungai kai sambar is a very well known dish of South India.

The juice of murungai leaves and honey mixed together can be applied on acne, black spots etc for a quick cure. It brings back the skin’s radiance with regular use.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Ammaan Pacharisi

Ammaan Pacharisi is the Tamil name of the herb Euphorbia Hirta, the commonly known asthma weed/snake weed. Since there are a good number of snake weed varieties, due care should be exercised in identifying this Euphorbia Hirta. It has a whitish, reddish tinge and grows lusciously during the rainy seasons.

The herb looks like a climber and can be found in plenty in the banks of rivers and lakes and damp places. This herb is found in India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Philippines and most of the East Asian countries.

The Siddhars are in praise of this herb’s curative properties. It is used extensively in both Siddha and Ayurveda preparations.

Collect a handful of the fresh leaves of this herb and sauté with ghee and green gram. The sauté leaves is an excellent remedy for mouth ulcers, chapped lips and ulcers of the stomach. It is also effective in treating anal fissures.

The flower of this herb is useful for lactating mothers. For this the flowers are collected and ground to a fine paste using milk. This is then mixed in a glass of milk and taken in the mornings alone for a week. This is found to help in improving milk secretion.

The leaves of the herb are sauté along with garlic and shallots. Make a fine paste of this. This paste (thuvaiyal in Tamil) is taken with rice. This is found to cure constipation and bring down the body ‘heat’.

Application of the paste of the leaves on boils and swellings is found to cure them rather quickly.

White discharge in women can be cured with this herb. Leaves of the herb are ground to a paste and then mixed in a glass of buttermilk. This should be taken on empty stomach in the mornings for five days. This is found to cure white discharge.

The herb secretes a white substance when cut. This substance is applied on warts and they fall off in a couple of days.

These are some uses of the amman pacharisi herb.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Oridazh Thamarai

Oridazh thamarai is a tiny herb that grows in the wilderness. All parts of the herb have medicinal value.

The great Siddhas had left behind a great repository of herbal knowledge for the benefit of mankind. They intuited the uses of different kinds of herbs through their penance and had detailed them in palm manuscripts. The remedies were useful in curing the diseases that afflicted mankind throughout the ages. With the advent of conventional medicine it very quickly dethroned the folk remedies and herbs and soon they were regarded as quackery. The onslaught went on for almost the whole of twentieth century and herbal medicines were looked down upon. People in big cities ignored the herbs, they were considered as weeds and promptly cleared.

Though the quality of life had improved, mortality rate has decreased, though people lived longer on an average, they seemed to be affected by newer and unknown diseases, they had lesser immunity. This prompted people to turn to herbal remedies and alternative systems. And during the tough times, the tough and resilient alternative systems have come back with a bang.

For instance, my niece had jaundice a few months back. Her allopathy doctor prescribed kizhanelli (a herb prescribed by Siddha system for jaundice) paste along with some vitamin tablets. Surprise!

Now back to oridazh thamarai. One of the herbs that can help convalescing people to regain their lost strength, oridhazh tamarai is also a well known aphrodisiac. The name thamarai may be misleading. This herb does not grow in water. The botanical name is Ionidium Suffruticosum. In Malayalam it is ‘orilai thamarai’. The leaves, stem, root, flower all have medicinal value. The whole plant is dried in shade and powdered. This teaspoon of this powder is then mixed in milk and taken in the mornings and evenings. This strengthens the body and helps in regaining the lost vitality.

For people suffering with high fever, the kashayam made of the herb is very effective in bringing down the fever.

Most youngsters due to the pent up sexual urge, ejaculate while asleep. Siddha regards semen as energy and loss of semen is said to weaken an individual. In such cases, the powder of this herb is mixed with honey and taken internally before going to bed. This is said to compensate the loss.

For people who have lost their sexual urge, the powder of this remedy is taken with milk for a mandalam (48 days). This is found to help them in regaining their lost vigour.

Thus oridazh thamarai is an excellent Siddha herb that helps one to regain the lost health.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Adathoda Vasica Part II

Couple of my earlier posts on cough, cold and asthma contain preparations made using adathoda. Along with thippili (piper longum), chukka (dry ginger), pepper, adathoda, thoothuvalai (tri lobatum)are the common herbs used in treating all conditions related to lungs, airway passage, throat etc. Of this, adathoda holds a vital position in treating asthmatic conditions.

Adathodai kudineer and manappagu are the two time tested Siddha remedies used in treating asthma. Kudineer is tamil word for decoction. Adhatoda kudineer is prepared by boiling adathoda leaves in water and then cooling down the water for consumption.

Now for the ingredients needed to prepare the kudineer or decoction. Adathodai leaves, chukku or dry ginger, and pepper are taken. They are crushed and put in 1 litre of water and allowed to boil. Once it boils for 3-5 minutes, remove from the stove and allow it to cool. When it reaches a lukewarm state, drink this. This is done three times a day for 3-4 days. This is found to be helpful in clearing cough, cold and phlegm in chest.

One other preparation for treating cough is to follow the above-mentioned process using adathoda root and kandankathiri root. Piper longum powder is added to this decoction. This is taken three times a day after food.

In case of chronic wheeze, the following time-tested preparation can be used. Prepare a decoction using adathoda leaves, terminalia chebula (kadukkai), and grapes. Add honey and palm candy to this decoction and take it three times a day after food. Continue this till there is no wheezing.

Another combination is to prepare a decoction of adhathoda root, kandankathiri root, dry ginger, horsegram and adding powder of alli kizhangu (nymphaea rubra) tuber. This is also effective in curing wheezing.

The juice obtained from the leaves can be used to treat bloody stool and mucus in stool.

The dry leaves can be rolled and smoked as a cigar to treat wheezing. The flower of adathoda can be used to treat ailments of eye. For this, the flowers are slightly shown on fire and then placed on the eyelids. Regular application is said to cure eye irritation and other minor ailments.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Adhatoda Vasica

Adhatoda vasica (Adathoda in Tamil and Adalodakam in Malayalam) is a medicinal plant used extensively in treating cough and cold. It is a native of the Asian continent. The flowers, leaves, bark, root are used in preparing Ayurvedic and Siddha medicines to treat various bronchial and lung diseases. It has a bitter taste. It is an expectorant and bronchodilator. Alternative systems use preparations made from this plant to treat asthma.

The general areas of treatment where it would be of use include vata diseases, fevers, stomach diseases, cough, wheeze, vomiting, etc. It improves the tone of your voice.

Juice of the leaves 10-20 drops with honey is found to cure the above mentioned diseases, especially cough, wheeze, fevers.

A decoction made of the leaves plus honey can also do the trick.

Three leaves of adathoda cut to pieces along with a cardamom is soaked in 400 ml hot water. After two hours, filter out the leaves and cardamom.  50 ml of this water is given three times a day for fever and cough due to phlegm.

One time tested preparation for bringing out phlegm in chest as well as treating cough and cold is mentioned below.

Three leaves of the plant are cut into very small pieces.  Using a fresh mud put, fry these finely cut leaves using 2-3 teaspoon honey. Frying will give rise to a nice aroma. Once you get this smell, add finely ground athimathuram 2 gm, thippili 2 gm, thalisapathiri ½ gm, sitrarathai ¼ gm, to the adhathoda leaves along with a litre of water and reduce it to ¼ litre.  This preparation can be given morning and night for a day or two for expelling the phlegm from chest.

More remedies using the adathoda plant to follow.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Some More Medicinal Uses of Arugampul

Bermuda grass or arugampul juice has wonderful medicinal properties. It acts as an excellent detoxifier.

The credit for increase in the lifespan of human beings can undeniably be attributed to the conventional system of medicine. With its excellent diagnostic methods and thorough knowledge of human anatomy, allopathic system has virtually eliminated most of the dreaded diseases from the planet earth. In the process, more potent and powerful drugs were made to combat more virulent variations. The expensive medicinal system burnt a hole in the average Joe’s pocket. Also these drugs had dangerous side effects. What were once hailed as wonder drugs were later derided and shunned within a couple of years due to the side effects. This forced people to look into the direction of alternative systems. In Siddha system of medicine, arugampul is used to detoxify the body of these dangerous drugs. For this purpose, arugampul is collected and the knots in the grass are removed. Ten grams of this grass is then ground to a fine paste along with white pepper. This paste is then added to butter and taken on empty stomach early in the morning for three consecutive days. This is said to neutralize and remove toxins from the body. This also useful in cases of itching due to allergies.

Bad eating habits, environmental pollution, contaminated water, air etc can cause many diseases especially, skin problems. Skin diseases that manifest as a result of impurities in blood can be cured by Bermuda grass. For this turmeric, arugampul, basil leaves, rock salt and chebulic myrobalan are collected in equal quantities, ground to a fine paste, applied on the affected areas and after half an hour, can be washed away. Regular application of this paste helps in curing these diseases.

Bermuda grass is also found to be effective in curtailing blood loss. Be it blood loss due to an injury, or nosebleed, or excessive menstrual flow, these all can be treated with Bermuda grass or arugampul. In case of injury, arugampul paste can be applied on the wounded area. A couple of drops of Bermuda grass juice can help nosebleeds. Regular intake of arugampul juice is found to cure excessive menstrual flow.

Consumption of oily substances is a strict no, no for heart patients. They are advised to take chapattis. While preparing chapattis, arugampul juice can be used instead of water. This is also an ideal diabetic diet. Also 10-15 neem leaves along with a handful of arugampul can be ground to a fine paste with a few drops of water. This juice is effective in curing diabetes if it is of recent onset. In chronic case of diabetes, this juice helps in keep the sugar levels in control.

Research is going on in the western world on the medicinal effects of arugampul.

This grass is indeed a blessing to the ailing humanity.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Arugampul

Arugampul or Bermuda grass grows abundantly in the surroundings of our household. It has wonderful medicinal properties. It occupies a prime position among the Siddha herbs along with basil, neem, vilva etc.

In South India Arugampul is regarded as a holy herb along with basil and neem. Arugampul is the herb of Lord Ganapathi, the Hindu God whom people worship before starting anything important.

Now for some medicinal uses of Arugampul.

It is well known for its medicinal properties, notably its action in regulating the vitiated doshas. It is a diuretic. It quenches thirst. It tastes sweet and is regarded as a moderator of doshas. Juice obtained from arugampul can be used as eye drops to cure eye irritation. When applied on fresh wounds it helps the blood to clot fast. It helps in healing old wounds too.

It helps in detoxifying your body. Take juice of arugampul every morning on empty stomach. It helps in removing toxins from your body.

A paste made from arugampul and turmeric can be applied on skin to treat problems like scabies, eczema etc. Regular application is found to cure the eczema and scabies.

Boil arugampul 10 gm , white pepper 2 gm, in 50 ml water and reduce it to 25 ml. Allow this preparation to cool and add a spoon of butter. This preparation can be taken to treat anal itch, urinary tract infection, painful urination, and side effects of medicines etc.

Make a paste of arugampul and mix it in a cup of yoghurt (curds). Women suffering from white discharge can benefit from this, they can take this for a week for complete cure.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Kuppaimeni (Acalypha Indica)

One simple herb that is used for treating skin diseases like eczema, ringworm and rashes both for human beings and pets alike, is Kuppaimeni. An Indian counterpart of Catmint or Catnip of Europe, cats of peninsular India love Kuppaimeni very much. It is a fun to watch them nibble at the root and treat it like a sweet in the hands of a child!

Kuppaimeni or Acalypha indica is a common weed that comes up in Chennai after the rain in the open areas. It grows luxuriously on heaps of manure or rubbish (kuppai) and thus it was called Kuppaimeni in Tamil. This plant is of the Euphorbiacea family.

Kuppaimeni is weed that grows to a height of about a foot. The leaves are serrated at edges and look deep green oval to round in shape. When viewed from above the leaves look like arranged petals of rose. There is no mention of this plant in Ayurvedic texts.

The root spreads wide and do not go deep which makes it easy to pull it out. This weed grows fast after rains and finishes its lifecycle before the hot April and May .

Siddha texts do mention the properties of Kuppaimeni and the ways to use it medicinally. The root, leaves and the total plant are used. It is of bitter taste. The leaves are useful in treating burns, itch, stomachache, haemorrhoids, etc.

Two to three teaspoons of decoction of kuppaimeni leaves when taken internally can help in expelling tape worms from the intestines.

The leaves are ground to a fine paste and applied on rashes, ringworms etc. Adding salt to the paste increases its potency.

The paste mixed with lime can be applied on boils. In case of earache, this paste can be applied around the ear.

The paste mixed with turmeric can be applied at the site of poisonous insect bites.

Juice of the leaf can be applied on forehead and temples in case of headache.

To treat dogs that suffer from rashes, the paste of the whole plant with turmeric is applied on the rashes with a comb. Application of this paste for a couple of times can cure your pet dog.

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Causes of Asthma

Experts of both mainstream allopathic system as well as alternative systems agree that allergy is one of the reasons for asthma and sinusitis. Allergy occurs when one consumes foods that trigger histamines, or when one inhales polluted air. When you consume food that triggers the histamines, it results in asthmatic symptoms. People who live in cities, near factories, inhale carbon monoxide and other toxic gases and this in turn affects the airways. The airways become inflamed, that airway passage reacts to triggers like smoke, dust pollen, cockroach, mold spores etc. The narrowed airway produces excessive mucus, which results in difficult breathing.

When there is mucus in the airway passage, when there is inflammation of the airway passage, when the smooth muscles of the lungs contract, the airway passage gets constricted, resulting in difficulty breathing.

Some fear that asthma can lead to cancer or tuberculosis. This is wrong. Some suggest change of environment as a cure but it is not so. Asthma is not a contagious disease. Some people ostracise asthmatic patients fearing they may contract the same. This is also not true.

There can be many reasons for constriction of airway passage. In some cases, cancer tumour in the airway passage can block free flow of air and can manifest asthmatic symptoms. The inner walls of the bronchial airways become inflamed. Mast cells and lymphocytes abound and pressurise the walls resulting in panting and difficult breathing.

Allopathic system uses antihistamines and nebulizers to control asthma. Prolonged usage can result in increased tolerance to medication, necessitating increased dosage. The side effect of medications is a concern that cannot be wished away.

Herbal remedies on the other hand are less riskier, have no side effects when consumed as prescribed by the physician.

Some herbs that are used in treating asthma, sinusitis etc are neem, vilvam, thulasi (basil), atthi, adathoda, thoothuvalai, kandankathiri, karpooravalli.

There are excellent time-tested Siddha and Ayurveda herbal remedies for asthma. I will elaborate more on herbal remedies for asthma in subsequent posts.


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Siddha Home Remedies for Asthma

Asthma is a condition where the patient experiences difficulty to breathe, and it is the primary symptom. It starts with cough, inability to breathe, and tightness in chest.

Persons afflicted with asthma suffer from difficult breathing and exhalation would be more difficult than inhalation. During a flare up they may even find it difficult to speak.

Children and grown up alike are prone to asthmatic attacks. It is not a contagious disease, you won’t contract asthma by talking to a asthmatic patient.

People with asthma urinate a lot and the urine might look salty. They may not be able to sleep at night. During flare-ups, the patient’s face would become pale, the body chill and the pulse racing.

Some may experience the attacks in the mornings, while the majority suffer at night.

Though it is not contagious, heredity and environmental pollution are the main causative factors. If it runs in your family, the probability of you getting it is very high.

Siddha Remedies for Asthma

Adathodai kudineer and adathodai manappagu are excellent remedies for asthma. Regular intake two times a day for a month can bring about a drastic reduction in the symptoms.

Thippili chooranam is yet another time tested remedy for asthma.

Ingredients

Arisi thippili
Siru nerunjil
Chukku
Kandankathiri seeds
Athimathuram
Akkarakaram
Sitrarathai

30 gm of each of these are taken and powdered to a coarse consistency and stored in a bottle.

Take a pinch of this powder with honey thrice a day after food.

Dietary restrictions: Avoid cold items like banana, ash gourd, radish, lemon, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower etc during the intake of medicine.

More siddha home remedies for asthma to follow.

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Siddha Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

Some Siddha home remedies for cough and cold are given below.

Chitharathai kudineer or infusion

The ingredients are chitharathai (alpinia officinarum) 10gm, perichan (phoenix dactylifera) 10 gm, chukku (zingiber officinale) 10 gm, and athimathuram (glychyrrhiza glabra) 10 gm.

These are powdered coarsely and bundled in a cloth. This mixture is boiled in 50 ml milk adding 50 ml water to it. Continue heating at a low heat for sometime and then decant it. Add 10 gm of palm candy to this.

This should be taken (25 ml) twice a day for five days.

Over the counter preparations

Thalisaathi vadagam – One three times a day.

Korojanai mathirai – Two tablets three times a day with honey or milk.

Siddha Herbal Remedies for Asthma

Some symptoms of asthma are difficulty breathing, tightness in chest, wheezing and unproductive cough.

Adathodai kudineer is an excellent siddha herbal remedy for asthma.

This is explained in one of my earlier posts ‘Siddha Herbal Remedies for Cough and Cold’.

Adathodai manapagu is also useful in treating this.

Pavala parpam is a Siddha remedy available at Siddha stores useful in treating this condition. 100mg three times a day with milk or ghee is the standard dosage.

These are some Siddha home remedies for Cough, cold and asthma.

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Shaiju Joseph is an alternative system enthusiast. His interest in Ayurveda, Siddha and other systems led to interaction with many experts in those fields. He shares his experiences and tips with you in this blog.

He can be contacted at ayurvedichomeremedies@gmail.com

Siddha Herbal Remedies for Common Cough and Cold

There are excellent remedies that can be made using Siddha herbs to treat cough and cold. I will explain below some of the herbs and preparations.

Adathoda Zeylanica

Adathoda or adathodai is the herb for the lungs. It is used in treating almost all ailments that afflict the lungs like asthma, tuberculosis, wheezing, etc.

Athimathuram

A decoction of adhimathuram bark soothes the throat and relieves dry cough.

Thippili or Piper Longum

This is an excellent expectorant and brings out the phlegm in chest.

Common symptoms of Cough

Cough with expectoration, phlegm in chest, pain in chest while coughing, sore throat due to irritating cough, slight rise in temperature at times.

Adathoda decoction or kudineer

Collect a couple of adathoda leaves and fry them with honey. Add powdered thippili, thalisapathiri (Taxus baccata) and athimathuram 4 gm each to the fried leaves and add 500 ml of water. Let the water boil and reduce to a fourth of its volume. Remove from heat and let it cool. 50 ml of this decoction three times a day is the standard dosage. Prepare the decoction fresh each day.

Adathoda syrup

Collect 200 gm of adathoda leaves and cut them to small pieces. Boil them in 2.5 litres of water and reduce to 75 ml. Filter out the leaves. Add 200 gm of sugar to this decoction and boil the water again to a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat and let it cool. Take 15 ml of this syrup with warm water three times a day.

Some of the preparations available at Siddha pharmacies are ‘thalisaathi choornam’, ‘kasthuri karuppu’, ‘ pavala parpam’ etc.

Common symptoms of Cold

Sneezing, postnasal discharge, stuffy nose, sore throat, cough are some of the common symptoms.

Pepper Decoction for Cold

4 gm of powdered pepper is added to 450 ml of water and heat. Reduce to one fourth volume. The dosage is 40-50 ml three times a day. This is also useful for pain in abdomen.

Thirikadugu

To prepare this lehyam, take dried ginger, pepper and thippili of equal quantity by weight say 50 gm each. Also take cumin seeds, cardamom seeds, cloves 25 gm each. Powder all of these separately. Prepare a syrup after adding 200 gm of palm candy to this combination. On this reaches a syrupy consistency add 200 ml of ghee and 40 ml honey. Standard dosage is 3 gm twice a day after food.

Neerkovai maathirai

This preparation is available in Siddha pharmacies. Take two of these tablets in a plate and add few drops of warm water. Grind the tablets to a fine paste with your fingers. Apply the paste on forehead and temples. This is said to clear retention of fluids in the sinuses and relieve heavy headedness.

These are some of the Siddha home remedies prepared with Siddha herbs for cough and cold.

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Siddha Herbs Frequently Used

Siddha maruthuvam or Siddha vaithiyam is the process of using herbs and minerals as prescribed in the Siddha manuscripts to treat various diseases.

Given below are some frequently used Siddha herbs.

Arugampul
Adathoda
Ginger
Lemon
Oridhazh Thamarai
Akkirakaaram
Aloe Vera
Karisalankanni
Cumin seeds
Basil
Curry leaves
Kumkum (saffron)
Kizhanelli
Kuppaimeni
Jaadhikkai
Siriyanangai
Amman pacharisi
Amukkura
Thoothuvalai
Sirukurinjan
Seenthil
Nanjaruppaan
Nilaavaarai
Vallarai
Vettiver

I will dwell upon the remedies that can be prepared using these herbs as well as their uses in subsequent posts. These herbs are available online too. Check the genuineness of the companies before buying them.

The list of frequently used Siddha herbs will continue.

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Some More Fenugreek Uses

One website that details the uses of fenugreek and fenugreek sprouts, and sprouts in general is 'Herbs are Special'. The website is about Isabell Shipard's passion, the herbs and sprouts. Isabel has an extensive knowledge and experience in growing herbs and she is a sought after authority on herbs in Australia. In her book "How can I grow and use Sprouts as living food?" she describes the benefits of sprouts. The numerous health benefits of fenugreek are described in detail. People in search of better health will find this site very useful.


Another webpage that I came across is from MIT's news office, which is about an US born Indian girl Kavita Shukla's invention using fenugreek. To quote from the page


"Shukla has been developing her innovative fenugreek paper for the past five years. She first became interested in fenugreek after accidentally drinking contaminated water while visiting her grandparents in India. Her grandmother gave her a homegrown remedy of ground fenugreek seeds and, remarkably, she did not become ill.

Through her research, Shukla learned that fenugreek could not only remove toxic substances from aqueous solutions but could also inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. When she noticed spoiled strawberries her mother had bought, she wondered whether fenugreek might exhibit the same protective properties with fruit as she had experienced in India, perhaps in a packaging paper. She observed that food wrapped in fenugreek-treated paper lasted four to six weeks longer than food protected by traditional wrapping.

There are added advantages of using fenugreek: it's natural, non-toxic, biodegradable and easily produced in large quantities, making it ideal for developing countries. "


The potential uses of fenugreek seem endless!!


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