Siddha medicine originated in Tamil Nadu, India during the 1st Tamil Sangam period (6-7th century BC). It is based on the principles that the universe and human body are made up of five elements - earth, water, fire, air and ether. When the three doshas (humors) of vata, pitta and kapha are in balance, the body is healthy, but imbalance causes disease. Treatment focuses on restoring balance through herbal preparations like decoctions, calcinated metals, ghee and alkaline preparations. Siddha utilizes preparations derived from the five elements to treat imbalances of the three doshas.

1. Siddha
Dr.U.Srinivasa, M.Pharm., Ph.D

2. Introduction
• Ayurveda and Siddha systems are truly
Indian in their origin and development .They
differ very little in theory and practice. While
Ayurveda practiced through out India and
Siddha restricted to Tamil Nadu.

3. • It is exclusively linked with Tamil culture and
civilization .
• Origin of Siddha system - Siddha system was
flourished during first Tamil Sangam Period ( 6
and 7 century B.C). The earliest references on
Siddha medicine are in the Sangam literature
such as Tholakapium and Thirumandiram

4. Principle of system
• The universe consists of two essential entities
matter and energy. The siddhas call them Siva
(male) and Shakti ( female, creation). Matter
can not exist without energy inherent in it and
vice versa. The two co-exist and are
inseparable. They are the primordial elements
Bhutas.

5. • Bhutas consists of five elements munn( solid),
neer ( fluid),thee ( radiance), vayu (gas), and
askasam (ether). These five elements are
present in every substance , but in different
proportions. The human body is made up of
these five elements in different combinations
The physiological function in the body is
mediated by three substances ( dravyas)

6. • Which are made up of the five elements.
They are vatham, pitham and karpam. In
each and every cell of the body these three
doshas co-exist and function harmoniously.
• Vatham is formed by Akasa and Vayu. It
controls the nervous actions such as
movement, sensation etc

7. • Pitham is formed by Thee and controls the
metabolic activity of the body , digestion,
assimilation, warmth etc
• Karpam is formed by Munn and Neer and
controls stability.
When their equilibrium is upsets disease sets in.

8. • Method of treatment –
• The treatment for the imbalance of the
Tridoshas are made up of the five elements.
The drugs are made up of five elements By
substituting a drug of the same constituents
(guna) the equilibrium is restored.

9. • Preparations of Siddha medicines
• Bhasma ( Calcinated metals and minerals)
• Churna
• Khasaya (Decoctions)
• Lehya
• Ghrita (Ghee preparations), taila
• Chunna (meatlic preparations which
becomes alkaline )
• Kattu ( Preparations that are impervious to
water and flames)

10. • Preparations of Siddha medicines
• Bhasma ( Calcinated metals and minerals)
• Churna
• Khasaya (Decoctions)
• Lehya
• Ghrita (Ghee preparations), taila
• Chunna (meatlic preparations which
becomes alkaline )
• Kattu ( Preparations that are impervious to
water and flames)