Siddha Home Remedies: Medicinal benefits of Greens

Greens (keerai in Tamil) had been part and parcel of South Indian diet from time immemorial. It is considered an easily digestible food than flowers, vegetables, and tubers. Though taking greens everyday is a healthy habit, it should not be taken at night. Taking greens at night can lead to formation of gas in the stomach and other gastric inconveniences.

Care should be taken in selection of greens. Greens with dark black patches should be avoided as they may be contaminated with heavy metals. Also avoid worm infested greens.

Pasalai keerai (Spinach)

This is said to have blood cleansing properties. It strengthens the liver and pacifies pitta. It is a well known remedy for diseases related to the urinary system. People with painful or difficult urination can benefit from taking spinach on a regular basis.

Sirukeerai (Amaranthus Polygonoides)

This greens belong to the amaranthus family. Singers can benefit from taking cooked Amaranthus polygonoides regularly. This is found to preserve and improve their voice. It also works wonders in the case of mouth ulcers and stomach ulcers. Regular consumption of this greens also benefits those with hemorrhoids. Skin conditions like scabies and eczema respond well to consumption of this herb.

Mulai keerai (Amaranth)

This is a tasty green consumed extensively in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Recipes made of this green are very tasty as well as healthy. It cools and energizes the body. The more mature greens of this family is the ‘thandu keerai’. A very good blood cleanser, this green is also strengthens the heart. It loosens stools and helps treat painful and difficult urination due to increase in body ‘heat’.

Pulicha keerai

Known as gongura in Andhra Pradesh, there are numerous tasty recipes made using this green. Consuming this green helps constipation, stomach ulcers and digestive disorders.

Pannai keerai (Celosia argentea)

Pannai keerai has immense medicinal value. Regular consumption of this greens helps ward off ulcerative colitis, stomatitis, sore throat and similar conditions. This has a sweetish-sour taste and is found to be useful in treating eczema and venereal diseases. It loosens the stool and helps in easy bowel movement.

Ponnanganni keerai

Ponnanganni (Alternanthera Sessilis) is an excellent coolant. It neutralizes excessive acidity in the body. It helps keep away bad breath. It is useful in treating skin conditions like scabies, eczema etc and improves the skin tone and texture. It is an excellent herb for hair growth. Application of coconut oil boiled with ponnanganni leaves, shoeflower (hibiscus), arugampul helps in luscious hair growth.

Manathakkali keerai

This greens action on ulcers is well known. It has been very effective in treating all types of internal ulcers, stomach and mouth ulcers. Taking this greens twice or thrice a week keeps the body alkaline and takes care of acidosis, which is considered to be the root cause of all modern diseases.

Thoodhuvalai keerai

This green is an excellent remedy for people suffering from sinus related conditions. Thoothuvalai leaves can be ground to a fine paste adding a bit of tamarind and salt for taste. This paste is taken with hot rice twice or thrice a week. This green has a tendency to increase ‘heat’ in the body and hence should be taken in moderation.

Mint

Mint is well known for its action on gas. It adds strength to the body and improves digestion. Kashayam made of dried mint leaves is found to help with jaundice, stomach aches, headaches, hiccups, nausea and vomiting. Dried and powdered mint leaves can be used to treat mouth ulcers. It is also a well known breath freshener.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Medicinal Benefits of Cumin Seeds

Cumin seed is used extensively in Indian cuisine to add taste and aroma to the recipes.  The Tamil word for cumin seed is seeragam ‘the one that regulates and keeps the body healthy’.  It is an excellent coolant.  It adds vitality and freshness to those who take it regular.  Cumin seeds hold a special place in Siddha medicinal system.

A handful of cumin seeds can be taken either raw or in powered form in the mornings.  Regular consumption helps get rid of worms from the intestines.  Some may experience a sort of burning sensation in the stomach region.  This kind of persists even after drinking good amount of water.  Consumption of gassy foods (potato, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, broccoli, cheese, cream, beer etc) can lead to such conditions.  Or this can be due to indigestion.  To treat such conditions, a paste made by grinding cumin seeds to a fine consistency using a few drops of water, is applied on the stomach as a thin layer.

Pregnant women can tackle morning sickness and other similar problems with the help of cumin seeds.  During the early stages of pregnancy women tend to suffer from nausea and vomiting.  This pregnancy sickness can be a very debilitating and distressing one.  This occurs at any time of the day.  A handful cumin seeds powdered and taken with lemon juice is found to be helpful in dealing this condition.  Women who suffer from excessive menstrual bleed can benefit from taking cumin seeds. 

100 gm of cumin seeds is added to 2 litres of sesame oil and allowed to boil.  As the seeds start to break, the oil is removed from and heat and then stored in bottles.  Regular application of this oil onto the scalp is found to be helpful in treating headache, vomiting, vertigo etc.

Cumin seed is used in treating scorpion stings.  For this purpose a paste of powdered cumin seeds, salt, honey and butter is used.  This mixture is placed on the sting spot.  This helps to neutralize the toxin present in the venom.

Cumin seeds is helpful in treating constipation.  Patients suffering from chronic constipation should chew a few cumin seeds thoroughly and swallow down the juice.  This helps in curing indigestion as well as constipation.  A pinch of powdered cardamom and cumin seeds taken in equal quantity is found to benefit people who suffer from gas.  This can be taken three times a day for better results.  Also cumin seeds taken with palm candy, is an excellent rejuvenator.

Cumin seed water is a common drink in South India, especially Kerala.  This is prepared by adding a teaspoon of cumin seeds to boiling water (around 5 litres).  The water is boiled for a minute or two and then allowed to cool.  This cumin seed water is an excellent natural immune enhancer.  It is recommended for colic, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion etc.  It has antibacterial and antifungal properties.  It induces sleep.  Cumin seed water can help singers improve their voice.  It also helps them keep cough, throat irritation etc at bay.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Flowers

Sapota Flower

Sapodilla or sapota (chikoo in Hindi) fruit grows in plenty in India. Both young and old love this exceptionally tasty fruit. It is rich in minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidant tannins. This fiber rich fruit is a good laxative and helps in relieving constipation. Ripe sapota is a storehouse of potassium, copper, iron, folate, niacin etc. Because of the carbohydrate content, people with diabetes should take this fruit in moderation.

The sapota flowers are rich in medicinal value. The flowers are small and have a bell-like appearance. You can find these flowers on the tree throughout the year. These flowers can be taken raw. A couple of these flowers when cleaned and taken raw can induce appetite.

Taking water steeped with well-dried sapota flowers helps in strengthening the gut and intestines. Similarly fresh flowers are soaked in honey for a few days and taken in the mornings and evenings. This is said to provide a nice glowing, sheen to the skin.

The sapota flower is ground to a fine paste using a few drops of water. This finely ground paste is then mixed in buttermilk. Taking this buttermilk is found to heal throat ulcers. This should be taken once everyday, till the symptoms disappear.

Guava Flower

Guava is yet another fruit that young and old love to eat. A very common fruit found in the Asian countries, this is available almost throughout the year. Guava is rich in folic acid, potassium, copper and manganese. It has a high concentration of Vitamin C. Due to its high fiber content, it relieves constipation and helps in easy bowel movement. The guava flower has numerous medicinal properties.

The flowers can be made to a thick chutney (thuvaiyal) with boiled split peas and taken with rice. This is said to have high nutritive value. Similarly fresh guava flowers are dried and then crushed and steeped in warm water. Drinking this water helps in relieving itchy skin, eczema, rashes etc.

Custard Apple Flower

Custard Apple is a tasty fruit rich in nutritional value. Custard apple is rich in Vitamin C. It also contains magnesium and potassium. The dietary fiber of the fruit helps in easy digestion. It also helps in curing vomiting, diarrhea, vertigo etc. The flowers of custard apple can be used in treating various health conditions.

Well dried custard apple flowers help in getting rid of lice and dandruff. For this the dried flowers are ground to a fine powder. While bathing the powder is applied onto the scalp and left for 5-10 minutes. The flower is also an excellent laxative. Taking custard apple flower steeped warm water in the mornings and evenings will help in easy bowel movement and prevent constipation.

Drinking custard apple flowers soaked milk is said to be helpful in treating diseases of the lungs. 5-10 flowers are to be soaked in a glass of milk for 2-3 hours.

Rectal prolapse in children is a very painful condition. To treat this, custard apple flowers are boiled in water and then allowed to cool to a bearable level. This water is used in cleaning the rectum after evacuation.

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Siddha Home Remedies: Medicinal Use of Plantain flower

Plantain is the third of the ‘mukkanis’ of Tamil Nadu, the other two fruits being mango and jackfruit. Plantain fruit or banana flower is the main ingredient of some of the tastiest dishes of Tamil Nadu. The whole plantain tree has medicinal properties. The plantain pith is an excellent detoxifier. People with burns are made to lie on big plantain leaves. Food served in banana leaves has a distinct flavor. Bananas taste good as well help in preventing constipation. People in South India take couple of plantains after food to aid easy digestion as well as elimination.

Some of the medicinal preparations as well as benefits of plantain flower are given below.

Plantain flower is generally cool in nature. Cooked pulse and plantain flower are ground to a coarse paste and taken with rice. This helps to cure stomach ulcers.

Drinking plantain flower soup mixed with cumin seed powder can cure inflammation of eyes.

Regular intake of dishes made of plantain flowers help in treating eye afflictions.

Plantain flowers cut to small pieces and sauté in sesame oil can be taken for treating throat ulcers, phlegm in chest etc.

Plantain flowers dried and powdered and taken with honey can help in treating vata diseases. When taken with buttermilk it cures nervous debilities.

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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: 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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