Siddha medicine is considered the oldest medical system in the world. It was born in India a very long time ago.
In the ancient times, India has given birth to two types of medical systems. The two systems were connected to two different geographical areas in India. The first system was found in the north of India. This system was known as Ayurveda. The other medical system is Siddha. And this system was found in the south of India.
The word Siddha comes from another word – Siddhi. Siddhi means an object to attain heaven or perfection. And this was actually the aim of this medicine. The definition of health in the dictionary of Siddha medicine is as follows – state of perfection of the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of life. So, the aim of Siddha medicine is related originally to the meaning of the word Siddha. On the other hand, the Siddha medicine was formed and developed by 18 “Siddhars” who supported this medical system till it was brought to life. And these “Siddhars” are another reason why this medical system is known by this name.
It is not the only ancient Indian system of medicine. There were other systems of medicine in the ancient times. These medical systems spread all over the world in many different areas and places. However, the Siddha medicine was like the crown over all these other systems. It proved itself to be the most simple, and yet the richest among all. It also dominated the other medical systems. The other popular system, which is Ayurvedha, couldn’t be as powerful as the Siddha medicine in the field of using herbs, metals, animals, and also minerals. It is also even older than Ayurveda.
Providing the human body with enough powers and strong immune system has given a new definition and another goal for Siddha medicine. The “Siddhars” supposed that the body can be made as strong as a stone, and this is a way it can resist all kinds of diseases. Not only diseases were the catastrophes that the body can resist, but even old age and “death” were defined as resistible by the Siddha medicine vocabulary.
All the other medical systems in the world are concerned with two different aspects. Those aspects are mainly – The preventive methods, not to be affected by diseases, and the treatment if the patient has already passed the stage of prevention. On the other hand, the Siddha medicine doesn’t only pay attention to the preventive and curative methods, but it’s focused on the physical, mental, spiritual and psychological well being thus living up to its name in giving a total perfection in life. Thus, this medical system is very unique as compared to the rest of the medical systems.
Siddha medicine is based upon a fact that man is nature, and nature is man. Everything that takes place in the internal environment of man is also taking place in the external environment in nature. There are five elements essential to life of man. One of these elements is the ether, and it’s considered to be the characteristic of the mental and spiritual portions of man.
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