Frequently asked questions about Siddha medicine
What is Anupanam?
Anupanam is the medium or vehicle in which a drug is given. A drug should be administered along with suitable anupanam (medium) which enhances the efficacy of the drug. Examples for anupanams are milk, honey, ghee, water, palm jiggery and herbal juice. A single drug has varied effects with different anupanams. For example, Thamira parpam is administered with water for treating kaba diseases; similarly ghee is used as a medium for treating pitha diseases.
What is the basis of Siddha medical system?
The Siddha system of medicine is based on the principles of Panchabootham (Five basic elements), 96 Thathuvas (Factors), Mukkuttram (Three humors) and Arusuvai (Six tastes).
What are the sources used for Siddha medicine?
The medicines are prepared from Mooligai (Plants and Herbs origin), Thathu (Metals and Minerals) and Seevam (Animal origin).
What is Suddhi?
It is the purification process of raw drugs aimed at both purification as well as concentration of raw drug. This is usually by processing like cleaning, drying, soaking and grinding with herbal juice(s). No medicine is prepared without suddhi process. This process increases the efficacy of drugs and helps loses its undesirable properties or toxic effects.
What are the modes of Siddha treatment?
Siddha deals with treatment that includes 32 types of internal medicines and 32 types of external applications. Internal medicines are in the form of Choornam (Powder), Leghiyam, Mathirai (Tablet), Thailam (Oil), mineral preparations in the form of parpam (white calcinated powder) and Chendooram (Red in color). The external applications includes the Thokkanam (Massage therapy) and surgical methods like Attai vidal (Leech therapy) and Karanool (Medicated thread) used for the treatment of piles and fistula.
Does Siddha medicines have diet restrictions?
It depends on the medicine intake. Certain medicines need strict diet control like while in the course of arsenic and metallic derived preparations, foods with sour taste, sea food and non-vegetarian must be avoided.
Does Siddha medicines make side effects?
Medicines are purely natural and are prepared according to proper procedure mentioned in the literatures and hence do not produce any adverse effects. Some persons body condition may be allergic to few medicine(s) and might incur no to mild side effect symptoms. If it happens we will change the medicine immediately but this case is rare.
Does Siddha medicines are slow?
Not always. It is gradual steady healing medicine from the root cause of the disease(s). But the time span depends on the disease, intensity level and body constitution of the person. Since the result of treatment is holistic in nature, it is permanent rather than quick temporary relief.
What are the special treatments in Siddha?
Varmam (Stimulation of vital points), Thookkanam (Massage therapy) and Kayakalpam (Rejuvenation therapy)
How is diagnosis done?
Diagnosis is based on the basis of Envagaithervu (Eight parameters), of which Nadi (Pulse reading) is given special importance. Nadi helps to learn about the body condition, the imbalance or predominating disease. Now a days, the modern reports like blood test, Scan, X-ray etc. are considered before treatment.
Are Siddha medicines safe for childrens?
Siddha medicines are absolutely safe for children after consultation with qualified Siddha physician.
Does Siddha medicines are safe during pregnancy?
Not all medicines are safe during pregnancy. Siddha has some restrictions and consult a Siddha doctor before going-on for treatment.
How could be the pricing of Siddha treatment?
In India, the Siddha treatment pricing is based on the city where you undertake and depends on the treatment center. Since the treatments and medicines are very natural and free of side effects, its cost effective but purely affordable price range.