Siddha medicine: what it is, its history and its principles

Siddha medicine is a traditional system of health care of India, and most Siddha dispensaries in the country are in Tamil Nadu ^[1]. This article explains how the Ministry of Ayush in India describes Siddha, where it comes from, the main ideas behind it and what these ideas do and do not tell us. It uses the Ministry's own publications, the research council for Siddha and the World Health Organization (WHO).

1. Introduction

The Ministry of Ayush was created as a full ministry of the Government of India on 9 November 2014. It looks after the Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy, grouped under the name Ayush: Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy ^[1]. Siddha is one of these systems.

The Ministry describes Siddha as one of the ancient comprehensive medical systems of India. It says the system looks at physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, with an emphasis on preventive, promotive and rejuvenating methods, and that its medicines come from plants, metals and minerals, and animal products ^[1]. The Ministry also says it is committed to infuse the wisdom of traditional medicine with the methodologies of modern science ^[1].

2. History and origins

The Ministry names the sage Agasthya among the sages linked to the ancient scriptures that include Siddha. It also says that practices of other civilizations enriched this tradition ^[1]. The Ministry's text does not give exact dates for the system's beginnings, so it is best to treat any precise date you read elsewhere with caution.

Today Siddha has an official place in Indian health policy. The Ministry has a Siddha Pharmacopoeia Committee, and a research council and a national institute for Siddha, both based in Chennai ^{[1, 2]}. WHO has also published a 354-page set of standard terms for Siddha medicine, issued in January 2023, so that doctors, researchers and officials in different countries use the same words and definitions ^[3].

3. Main principles as officially described

The Ministry describes these main ideas ^[1]:

• Ninety-six principles. Siddha is said to have developed from ninety-six tools or principles, called Thathuvas.
• Three vital life factors. These are called Vali, Azhal and Aiyam. The Ministry says the main principle in treating illness in this system is to bring altered vital life factors back to normal.
• Rejuvenation. A rejuvenation preparation called Kayakarpam is described as a rejuvenation elixir that helps with preserving memory, intelligence and healthy ageing.
• Prevention and promotion. The Ministry says the system stresses preventive, promotive and rejuvenating methods, and it also lists cleansing therapies and external therapies.

These are ideas from within the Siddha framework. They are not the same as the findings of modern laboratory medicine, and the Ministry's own text does not offer them as proof. A reader should treat them as the traditional way the system explains health, and not as medical facts that have been confirmed by trials.

4. How Siddha is put into practice

The Ministry lists several ways Siddha is practised ^[1]:

• Diagnosis by traditional examinations, which are described in a separate article in this library.
• Medicines made from three groups of materials: plants, metals and minerals, and animal products.
• A set of 64 pharmaceutical dosage forms of medicine, 32 for internal use and 32 for external use.
• External therapies such as pressure manipulation, physical manipulation and bone setting.

5. Research and standards

The Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) is the apex body under the Ministry for Siddha research. The Ministry lists its work as clinical research, validation of the fundamental principles, drug standardisation and quality control, survey and cultivation of medicinal plants, and literary research ^[1]. The CCRS website adds that it carries out clinical and pre-clinical studies, including toxicology studies, and aims to develop drugs with quality, safety and efficacy ^[2]. The Ministry also lists validation of classical Siddha formulations and therapies in its mandate, which tells the public that this work is still part of ongoing research ^[1]. WHO also lists terminology and quality-related documents for traditional medicine ^{[3, 4]}.

6. Using Siddha alongside modern medicine

The Ministry's description does not say that Siddha replaces modern medical care, and no source used here says it can treat or remove any particular disease. If you are thinking of using Siddha, these steps are sensible:

• Choose a registered practitioner (see the article on choosing one in this library).
• Tell your own doctor and pharmacist about every Siddha medicine, oil or treatment you use, including those bought without a prescription.
• Do not stop or change a medicine your doctor has prescribed without asking them first.
• Tell both your doctor and your Siddha practitioner if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a long-term illness, or are giving anything to a child.

7. When to see a doctor

See a doctor promptly if you have a sudden, severe or worsening symptom, a high fever, a symptom that does not go away, or any symptom that worries you. Do not delay a visit to a qualified doctor because you are trying a traditional approach first. A medicine or treatment that you are using can sometimes cause its own harm, so go back to a doctor if you feel unwell after starting it.

In an emergency, call your local emergency number (112 in India, 911 in the United States).

8. Conclusion

Siddha medicine is a traditional system recognised and supported by the Ministry of Ayush, with its own principles, medicines, research council and national institute. Its ideas are described in its own terms, and validation is part of the research council's mandate. The safest way to use it is with a registered practitioner, with open communication with your doctor, and without delaying proper medical care.