Siddha Medicine – natural medicines

The Essence of Siddha Medicine
The Siddha tradition began in ancient India. The people who became the practitioners of Siddha medicine came to be known as siddhars. These were people who had undergone years of severe spiritual practice in an attempt to gain enlightenment and had succeeded. To these chosen people was bequeathed the knowledge that had been secret to the world, they gain the knowledge by awakening the serpent power lying dormant in the body. A state, which is described as the highest mental status where one, gains the ultimate knowledge. The traditions of Siddha medicine were written down on palm leaves for the reference of the next siddhar. We are fortunate that these records have survived the onslaught of time and have been handed down to us over the ages.

The tradition of Siddha medicine originated in Tamil Nadu, and its reach has, for a long time, been restricted to that area. However, in recent times, the increasing interest in alternative health therapies has led to a greater flow of information regarding Siddha medicine. What are the basics of Siddha medicine? It is a medical system that is based on natural substances. Siddha practitioners lay emphasis on healthy living and a balanced diet. People who follow Siddha medical practices rightly believe that good health is a result of good food habits and living well.

According to Dravidian tradition, there have been as many as 18 siddhars, each of whom has made a major contribution to the development of Siddha medicine. According to some sources, the following people who lived around 4000 years ago have been identified to be the eighteen famous siddhars who gave form to Siddha medicine: Thirumoolar, Ramadevar, Kumbamuni, Idaikadar, Dhanvanthri, Valmiki, Kamalamuni, Bhoghanadar, Machamuni, Konganar, Pathanjali, Nandidevar, Bothaguru, Pambatti Siddhar, Sattaimuni, Sundaranandadevar, Kudambaisiddhar, and Korakar.

These siddhars have compiled their own written records that hold the essence of Siddha medicine. Among them Kumbamuni, also known as Agasthiyar is belived to be the father of Siddha medicine. Thirumoolar is another most important among the eighteen siddhars. His work, the Thirumanthiram, talks about attaining moksha while listing out a number of medical processes. Later siddhars introduced various medical concepts. They talked about the importance of breathing correctly. They brought about advancements in pharmacology and toxicology. They came up with various kinds of drugs that were created through completely natural means.

The siddhars believed that the body was an embodiment of the world. Thus, they believed that the human body was made up of the five basic natural elements. These were earth, water, sky, air, and fire. Any imbalance in the body was said to be due to impurities that would have to be purged out. The siddhars had discovered the importance of detoxification much before the dawn of the modern age with its emphasis on detoxing the body.

Like the more popular ayurvedic system, the Siddha medical system is based on natural medicines. Siddha physicians encourage their patients to follow a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle that is devoid of impure habits. They offer medicinal substitutes prepared according to Siddha rules. These medicinal substitutes are generally extracted from plants and minerals. However, historically speaking, Siddha practitioners have also extracted medicinal substances from animal products.

The essence of Siddha medicine lies in its dependence on natural medicines and in the emphasis that it places on healthy living. It is no wonder that people today are discarding side-effect-ridden drugs and choosing Siddha medicines instead.

Incoming search terms:

  • kumbamuni
  • Bhoghanadar
  • contribution of siddhars in medical

Siddha Medicine the Need for Discipline

The fast food culture is fast spreading its tentacles all across the world. As more and more people fall prey to the wiles of fast food, the result is a rise in lifestyle-related diseases. As time progresses, more of us are choosing fast food options over the nutritional value of a complete balanced diet. In addition to this, we lack the discipline to exercise regularly and keep our bodies fit and fine. As and when we fall ill, we run to the drugstore and fuel our bodies with strong drugs that will keep the ailments away.

However, more often than not, the harsh nature of these medicines leads to long term consequences and side effects. As the limitations of regular prescription drugs become more and more obvious, people are seriously looking at other medical options, with Siddha medicine being one of them.

Siddha medicine has been gaining in popularity in recent years. Part of the reason has to be the fact that Siddha medicines are completely natural. They depend on plant, animal, metal and mineral extracts and are prepared by expert Siddha physicians themselves in the correct proportions to meet the needs of a variety of diseases. The great thing about Siddha medicine is that these medicines are mild in nature and do not cause any side effects. This is a welcome change from the harsh prescription drugs that have been part of our diets for so many years. It is said that even taking a small quantity of Siddha medicine can boost one’s health significantly.

However, Siddha medicine will not work just like that. If you have decided to go in for Siddha medicine to relieve your ailments, you will have to follow the kind of disciplined life that is required so that these nature-based medicines can have the desired effect. A lifestyle change may become necessary for many of us who decide to go over to this form of medicine. There are many things that you will not be allowed to do if you have started your intake of Siddha medicines. A strict lifestyle is extremely necessary if you want to make the most of your Siddha medicines.

Here is a list of some of the ‘DO’s and ‘DON’T's for people who have decided to go the Siddha way:

  • You cannot consume beverages like tea or coffee.
  • Alcohol consumption is a complete no-no. Smoking is also forbidden.
  • In one’s food, one should stay away from chillies.

According to Siddha tradition anything that we eat and drink is bound to have an effect on our bodies. That is why Siddha physicians encourage their patients to keep close tabs on their food and drink intake.

The need for discipline, however, is not just limited to the patients, but to the physicians as well. It is believed that a good and disciplined doctor will be in a better position to treat even the severest of diseases than a physician who is less disciplined.

Siddha medicine
and the need for discipline go together. The former will take effect only if one is disciplined about one’s lifestyle. This would mean that we would have to cut down on our dependence on fast food as well.

Incoming search terms:

  • can i drink coffee after taking siddha medicine
  • siddha discipline

Why Choose Siddha Medicine?

The word “Siddha” means “perfect“. Thus, if you happen to be looking for the perfect medicine to cure your ailments and put you on the road to complete recovery, Siddha medicine may be just what the doctor ordered. In this day and age, it is clear to all of us that allopathy is not the last word when it comes to medicine. The hype being given to alternative health in the world of today is an indication that people have recognized the limitations of the conventional modern medical system and are ready to look beyond the obvious to other medical options that have proven success records.

Why should you choose Siddha medicines? There are so many reasons that I can shower you with to persuade you to convert to the Siddha way. Let me enumerate a few of these reasons.

  • The first point that you should keep in mind is that this is no spiritual gumbo-jumbo. I agree that there are a lot of quacks who are doing their utmost to ensnare unsuspecting people who are looking for new ways to better health. But Siddha medicine is not an all-fluff concept. Rather, it has historical basis and has been around for centuries. It originated in ancient India in the Tamil Nadu region where it was practiced by spiritual gurus called the Siddhars. The rules for this medical system were recorded on palm leaves since the ancient past, and these records still exist, though deciphering and interpreting them has not been the easiest task. This lends credibility to this ancient science of the Siddhars and should be reason enough for you to take it seriously.
  • Legend has it that the Siddha tradition began from the Hindu God Shiva, who passed on the knowledge to Goddess Parvati, who then passed it on to Nandi, Nandi passed it on to Dhanvantri who then taught the knowledge to the great Siddhar – Agasthiyar, who is believed to be the father of this medical system. One factor that recommends the use of Siddha medicine is its completely natural character. There is nothing even remotely artificial about Siddha medicine. This form of medicine is extracted from herbs, the barks of trees, leaves, and sometimes, even from animal substances.
  • A consequence of the natural origins of Siddha medicine is the near complete absence of side effects. Siddha practitioners have been known to prescribe Siddha medicines to patients even while they are on other, more conventional kinds of medicines. This is because Siddha medicines do not interfere with the action of modern drugs. It is said that the intake of Siddha medicines in even small doses can have a good effect.
  • A lot of us are unwilling to go in for preventive drugs because we are afraid of possible negative consequences that these might have on our health. However, in the case of natural medicines prepared in the Siddha way, we need not worry about adverse consequences.
  • If you are seeking better health and are open to the idea of Siddha medicine, the Siddha way might be a good option.