Siddha, an indigenous medical system of peninsular India

Abstract

South India is also known as Peninsular India encompassing states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana as well as the union territories of Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. India is known for its traditional system of medicines including Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. Ayurveda and Unani system of medicines are familiar among Indians, unlike Siddha. Siddha system of medicine is also one of the primogenital systems of medicine practised in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. In, Siddha system, herbs are used primarily along with animal and mineral substances. The name of ‘Siddha’ medicine was coined by sages called Siddhars, and those are the origin of medicinal practices. The objective of Siddha medicine is to make the positive health, and imperishable and harmonious blending of physical, mental, social and spiritual welfare of an individual to promote longevity. The Materia Medica of Siddha system includes drugs of plants, metals/minerals, marine products and animal products. This system is mainly based on the relationship between the universe and human body by interlinking five basic elements such as air, fire, water, earth and ether (Panchakarmas). In both Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of medicines, herbs play an important role in healing diseases. The subcontinent of India has well-known biodiversity centres with about 45,000 plant species which include 15,000 medicinal plants. The objective of this chapter is to discuss the importance of indigenous medicinal herbs used in southern part of India and current perspectives.