Siddha and other natural therapies

Siddha and other natural therapies are becoming the order of the day

While gazing through the lifestyle and health magazine, one can get plenty of news and articles on Indian natural therapies. The recurrent buzz about the beneficial therapies has turned the complete scenario. The rousing health conscious attitude amongst varied generations have finally up surged the lost essence of the Indian remedies that include Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy, Siddha and Yoga.

Carrying the profound history for many centuries, these various therapies have been regarded as the core of Indian heritage and spirituality. Not only Indians but people from the western countries are also accepting the pathways of natural treatments. These days, yoga, naturopathy centers, Ayurvedic remedies, and Siddha medicines have become the major trends of the time. Instead of going for the heavy allopathic and other English treatments, people are moving their sides onto the traditional modes. Although, allopathy has a much bigger and widespread market, the natural therapies have their own standing amidst the hard sell.

The availability of these treatments is more easily accessible at its land of origin -‘India’. Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Unani and Siddha centers are widely located across various parts of India. While, Ayurveda has a strong presence in the northern parts of India, Siddha, naturopathy and Unani are the science of southern India. Though, Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani subsist commonly all over, Siddha is less popular in the northern parts of India. Among all, it is the oldest Indian Natural medical system and cures all diseases. There are many Siddha hospitals and dispensaries located in the southern parts of India.

These days, various new terms have been introduced into the market to advertise the Indian traditional medical systems. Medical tourism is a related term that has been introduced to enhance and popularize the Ayurvedic, naturopathy, yoga and Siddha systems amongst tourists. Furthermore, in some countries, the government has even tried to patent the various therapies under the chain. Recently, USA has stamped its patent on few yoga asanas. The news stirred huge agony among various Yoga teachers in India, which is the parent land of Yoga. The incident itself proves the powerful popularity all over.

These days, people are also running their lavish business, which includes these varied therapies. Even in the hotels along with spa, steam baths etc, the traditional Siddha and Ayurveda oil massages have become common prerequisites. Especially amidst the scorching summer heats of India, people bring out various special packages in various choices that are not only rejuvenating but also affordable. In this way, it has definitely helped to attract good revenue along with an increase in the number of tourists, who come to this varied land in search of such rejuvenating therapies.

Siddha Medicine: Science or Magic?

Medical science has progressed by leaps and bounds over the years. The last few centuries have seen some great innovations that have helped to decrease mortality rates and increase the overall well-being of people. The nineteenth century was an especially exciting time in the field of medicine due to important developments that took place in chemistry and experiment techniques. The study of bacteriology came into being and over a period of time, various kinds of vaccinations emerged to take care of all kinds of diseases, X-rays were developed, new kinds of medical practices made their way into everyday life. In the bargain, somehow, the older forms of medicine ended up falling by the wayside.

One of the medical systems that nearly got lost in the interim was the system of the Siddhars. The Siddhars were Indian saints who inhabited the area of Tamil Nadu and attempted to attain spiritual liberation through an unorthodox kind of spiritual practice. The Siddhars had access to the great Siddha traditions, which were used in case of illnesses and physiological problems. Many a time, these physical ailments were alleviated due to the wonderful effects of Siddha medicine.

It is the tendency of most of us to sideline ancient practices for being unrelated to the scientific standards of today. Everything that has to do with the past seems to have been grouped together under the spiritual or magical heads. Ancient Indian saints are often associated with magic and miracles — neither of which is believed to have a scientific basis. Ancient traditions may suggest that the ancient practitioners of Siddha medicine had magical powers. However, this should not prompt us to undermine the science and logic behind the Siddha way.

In the same way that other medical systems are based on the foundations of logic and scientific methods, so it is with Siddha medicine. The majority of the chemicals that are put into drugs all have natural origins. Taking this premise, the practitioners of Siddha medicine extract drugs from different kinds of plants that are said to have medicinal properties. The idea behind Siddha medicine is to purge the body of all impurities. Detox is such a popular word today. Yet, the spiritual gurus of ancient India had already stumbled upon the importance of detoxifying the body.

It is well-known that in the medieval times in Europe, the medical system was based on the theory of the four humours — sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic. These four humours were associated with the four natural elements — air, fire, water, and earth. The presence of these elements in immoderate proportions was believed to cause diseases and disorders. A similar theory was propounded by the Siddhars who believed that the body was made up of the elements of nature. It was believed that only through eating right could one hope to purify one’s system. Siddha medicine involved the intake of special herbs that would purge impurities and bring the physiognomy back into working order. Clearly, it was not just about magic. Siddha medicine had theoretical foundations as well and deserves to be called a science.