AYUSHDHARA ISSN: 2393-9583 (P)/ 2393-9591 (O)

An International Journal of Research in AYUSH and Allied Systems

Review Article

NON INVASIVE COST EFFECTIVE SIDDHA DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS FOR SIDDHA AILMENTS
Shyamala Rajkumar1*, Shree Devi M S2, Muralidass S.D2, Vasudevan R2
*1Research Officer, Central Council for research in Siddha, Arumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Medical Consultant, Siddha Central Research Institute, Arumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Article info ABSTRACT

Article History: The medication of normal procedure shall be extra legitimate if the
Received: 22-08-2015 ailment is identified by using it’s possess viewpoint. So the be taught was
once aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Siddha
Accepted: 26-09-2015
diagnostic methodology. Siddha strongly advocacies every physician to
KEYWORDS: Siddha system, eight seem into “what type of person is suffering from an ailment is most
fold examination, Siddha diagnosis. important than what variety of health problem he has”. This holistic
standpoint devises the protocol of each medication in Siddha. This
distinctive primary is the delicate force and motive in the back of the
existence of this method considering antiquity.
Having the above mentioned unique standards in intellect, this paper tried
to fully grasp the complexity and core basics of Siddha diagnostics which
indeed pave solution to unique therapeutics. The medication of normal
*Address for correspondence system shall be more legitimate if the disorder is diagnosed via its own
Dr. Shyamala Rajkumar point of view. So the learn was once aimed to check the sensitivity and
Research Officer (S), specificity of the Siddha diagnostic ways. Eight fold examinations displays
Central Council for Research in particularly pulse studying, tongue, complexion, voice, eyes, physique
Siddha, Chennai -106, Tamil examination, stool and urine. These instruments provide the framework
Nadu, India. in phrases of immediate and individualized prognosis and medication to
Email: [email protected] the patient and support to recover from diseases in a timely fashion
without leaving any hazardous impact on the physique.

INTRODUCTION
Siddha medicine refers to the knowledge, skills diagnosis is based on patient examination for signs and
and practices based on the theories, beliefs and symptoms and its correlation with environment and
experiences indigenous to different cultures, used in chronology. This system states that the Human body is
the maintenance of health and in the prevention, made up of Vaḷi, Aḻal and Iyam. Vaḷi (Humours) is
diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and formed by combination of air and space, possessing
mental illness. their own characters. Aḻal is formed by fire called to be
Siddha, an empirical and experiential force of preservation. Iyam is formed by earth and
knowledge diagnosed various ailments based on the water called to be destructive force [1]. Siddha diagnosis
eight fold assessment, which are non-invasive; is having its own unique speciality to confirm the
fortunately still cost effective. Every ailment should be vitiation of three humours according to individual`s
diagnosed based on eight fold assessment and constitution and not for generalized [2,3,4,5]. There are
substantiate by modern investigatory gadgets. Some few procedures for interpretation and the outcomes of
may arise strong condemn how Siddha diagnostics can spreading pattern of oil on urine[6]. Other examination
be validated by modern tools? It’s not because of any which includes tongue, complexion, voice, eye, stool,
prejudiced thoughts. Some complexity of Siddha tools body temperature[7].
are still not understood and exploited thoroughly. Few The present learn used to be deliberate to
of the concepts behind is still look like metaphysics. validate diagnostic methods of Siddha procedure with
Few not able to visualized to the analytical eyes of the help of conventional medical diagnostic systems.
western science. So we hypotheses, till the meeting Today's gadgets of diagnostics can now capable to
point of Siddha understanding and modern inference is establish the protein particle dependable for the
come closer, it is ideal to validate each other, to genome, which is underneath stress. A nano sized
authenticate each other is vital and essential. Siddha abnormality will also be brought beneath the light to

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 Shyamala Rajkumar et al. Non Invasive Cost Effective Siddha Diagnostic Tools for Siddha Ailments
have an understanding of the pathology in the back of. Pulse diagnosis
Establish the pathogen and malfunction even in its Pulse diagnosis is the unique and non-invasive
primitive degree, in keeping with cutting-edge diagnostic method that determines the state of vital
understanding of physiology is the core competence of forces. However, this is only justifiable if pulse
brand new medical system. The exorbitant cost and diagnosis yields a consistent result. Many studies have
science pushed intellect made the biomedical method a been reported that low to very good level according to
ways away from original man’s reach. The unfortunate the doctors. Pulse diagnosis may be improved by
original man nonetheless competent to arrive standardizing the pulse taking procedure and by
essentially the most evolved gadget simplest on the proper training.
time of last breathe or when last penny in hand. In the
following part, we will be able to talk about physique Salient features in Siddha Diagnostic tools in
constitution, pulse reading, and tongue analysis selected ailments
experiences from traditional remedy and their The table below will explain certain salient
implication in study, schooling, and practice. features of selected Siddha diagnostics tools which
require only intense observation to arrive confirmative
Siddha diagnosis.
Table 1: Siddha diagnostics tools[6,7]
S.No. Name of the disease Naadi Constitution Tongue Speech Mind/attitude
1. Mathumegam 1st stage - 1.Obese, well 1. Dry and 1.Normal 1.Tensed but
(Diabetes Mellitus) Aḻal ↑ Iyam↓ built coated 2.Wet and normal
2nd stage- 2. Lean / bit 2. Wet subtle 2.Weak fatigue
Iyam ↑ emaciated congested 3.Weak 3.Fatigue with
3rd stage 3. Weak and 3.Dry irritability
Aḻal ↓ floppy look
Iyyam↓
Vaḷi ↑
2. Keel vayu (Arthritis- Aḻal ↑ Iyam↓ Lean / firm / (varies) No specific No specific
Rheumatoid Vaḷi,↑ moderately
Oseteo) (varies) built /obese
3. Eraippu irumal Aḻal ↓ Iyam↑ Lean / not firm Congested Husky and Euphoric/tense
(Bronchial asthma) Vaḷi,↑ / moderately / Bulky low pitched d/fatigue/
built / Obese voice
4. Peenisam (Sinusitis) Aḻal ↑ Lean / Dry High / Low Fatigue with
Iyam ↑ moderately pitched irritability
built Voice Varies
5. Veluppu noi Aḻal ↓ Iyam↑ Lean / Dry / Pallor No specific Tired and give-
(Anaemia) Vaḷi,↓ moderately up attitude
built / Obese
6. Kalladaippu Aḻal ↑ Iyam↓ No specific Dry No specific No specific
(Urolithiosis) Vaḷi,↑
7. Manjal Kamaalai Aḻal ↑ Iyam↓ No specific Dry / yellow Dull Fatigue
(Jaundice) Vaḷi,↑ pigmented /
pallor
8. Gunmam Vaḷi,↑ Aḻal ↑ Lean &Thin Dry Anxious Tensed /
(GERD/ Gastric Ulcer) Iyam↓ anxious /
perfection
9. Penn Maha Iyam↑ PCOS – Obese PCOS – Dull Fatigue and
peirinmai Aḻal ↓ Congested anxious
(Female infertility- PCOS-Dull
PCOS Tubal Block)
10. Karuppai Sathai Aḻal ↑ Lean / Dry Dull Fatigue /
Kattigal Iyam↑ Obese Proactive
(Fibroid Uterus)

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Table 2: Siddha criteria vs Modern biomedical criteria[6,7]
S.No. Disease Siddha criteria– to be observed Modern biomedical criteria
to substantiate
1. Madhumegam Polydipsia, Polyuria, Polyphagia, Burning GTT, Fasting Blood sugar,
(Diabetes Mellitus) sensation, Sweetness in urine, Ants in the Post prandial Blood sugar,
voided urine, Delayed wound healing, HbA1C,
emaciation (occurs during worsening), weak Lipid Profile
pulse especially Aḻal naadi.
2. Keel vayu Pain, Swelling, Fever, Stiffness, Constipation, Rheumatoid Arthritis
(Arthritis- Anorexia – Symptoms differs depends on the RA Factor,
Rheumatoid type of arthritis. Increased Vaḷi naadi. X-ray
Arthritis, Osteo Arthritis
Osteo Arthritis) X-ray Knee joint
3. Eraippu erumal Dyspnoea, exaggerated dyspnoea during Chest X-ray,
(Bronchial asthma) exposure to chill weather. Lung function assessment,
Peak flow rate, ECG
4. Peenisam Nose block and congestion, Head ache, X-ray – Para nasal view
(Sinusitis) Sneezing
5. Vellupu noi Feeling tired, weakness, shortness of breath or Complete Haemogram,
(Anaemia) a poor ability to exercise. Serum Iron,
Serum Ferritin, Peripheral
smear
6. Kalladaippu Pain from loin to groin, oliguria, voiding of X- ray – KUB,
(Urolithiosis) microliths USG Pelvis & Abdomen
7. Manjal kamalai Icterus, fever, anorexia, sluggish vague pain in Liver Function Test,
(Jaundice) abdomen, Discolouration of urine USG Abdomen
8. Guṉmam Pain in the epigastric region, increased Vaḷi GERD
(GERD/ Gastric naadi. Barium meal X-ray,
Ulcer) Oesophagoscopy
Gastric Ulcer
Barium meal X-ray,
Endoscopy
9. Peṇ mahaperinmai Delay in the conception, Sobai, reduction in PCOS
(Female infertility) Aḻal naadi Serum Insulin,
Lipid profile,
USG –Pelvic & Abdomen
Tubal block
USG –Pelvic & Abdomen
10. Karuppai catai Fullness of pelvis with pain, menorrhagia Trans vaginal Sonogram
Kaṭṭkal followed by amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea,
(Fibroid Uterus) anaemia
Treating the cause should be the bottom - line the management of Eraippu erumal. Pavaḻam and
of eradicating disease. The mere existence of this Sirungi, though they are anti Iyam medications, will not
system is because of its holistic intervention and improve Aḻal instead it will reduce Aḻal. Those
targeting the reason behind and not managing the medicines are helpful in the management of Peenisam.
symptoms. To eradicate any ailment, understanding the Selection of Seenthil chooranam, which is an anti Iyam
clear bottom line of each ailment according to Siddha medicine for Peenisam, would be the apt choice because
system is very essential. A narrow difference can vary it will reduce the Aḻal, simultaneously reduce the Iyam
the entire treatment protocols. too. At the same time it won’t be helpful in the
In Eraippu erumal, the basic requirement is to management of Eraippu erumal.
improve the Aḻal and to reduce the Vaḷi and Iyam. This Selection of drug for erectile dysfunction is
is the bottom line of the treatment. To reduce the Vaḷi, different from selection of drug for oligozoospermia.
initial purgation and subsequent laxative medications The latter one needs reduction of Aḻal, if the suffer has
are vital. In that case, the treatment should start from more Aḻal prominence in the constitution and Naadi. At
Akattiyar kuḻampu and regular intake of Tippili the same time person with ED needs drugs which
Rasayanam is the good choices. Drugs like Thalaga increase Aḻal. Selection of drug for Senai pai kattigal
chendooram or Poorna chandrodhyam which can (PCOS) need drugs which increase Aḻal such as
improve the Aḻal are the first choice; whereas Pavaḻam Ashokapatti, and not Kumari. Selection of drug for
paṟpam or Sirungi paṟpam is not the choice of drug for Tubal block or Endometriosis should reduce the Aḻal.

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 Shyamala Rajkumar et al. Non Invasive Cost Effective Siddha Diagnostic Tools for Siddha Ailments
So mere prescribing all aphrodisiacs for male infertility Indian Journal of History of Science. 1984. 19 (1)
and uterine tonics for female infertility is not sufficient 43-53.
and correct. 2) Shanmugavelu, M., 2003: Nōi nādal nōi mutal
Invasive techniques and modern diagnostics nādal Tiraṭṭu, Part II, Indian Medicine and
are based on reductionist approach. That can show the Homeopathy Department, Tamil Nadu State
changes in the cellular level and many times fails to Government, Arumbakkam Chennai-600106. 156.
understand the person’s holistic perspective. The costs 3) Bhushan, P., Kalpana, J., and Arvind, C.
of that technique are also becoming exorbitant and lead Classification of Human Population Based on HLA
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as per modern science many times it is not a conclusive 4) Ghodke, Y., Joshi, K., and Patwardhan, B.
tool to arrive a Siddha diagnostics. So it is the need of Traditional Medicine to Modern Pharmaco-
the hour to validate our diagnostic tools and use it in genomics: Ayurveda Prakriti Type and CYP2C19
our day to day practice. Gene Polymorphism Associated with the
Metabolic Variability. Evidence Based Comple-
CONCLUSION mentary and Alternative Medicine. 2011. 2011;
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Siddha way of understanding through Siddha gadgets Brahmachari, S.K. Indian Genome Variation
are very vital. If we have confusion or difficulty to Consortium, Mukerji M Whole Genome Expression
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based on modern biochemical changes and modern
diagnostics will pacify the symptoms and not pave way 6) Shanmugavelu, M., 2003: Nōi nādal nōi mutal
to cure! It is an attempt to find light on this area and nādal Tiraṭṭu, Part II, Indian Medicine and
this is not the conclusive statements. It might be a good Homeopathy Department, Tamil Nadu State
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REFERENCES 7) Shanmugavelu, M., 2003: Nōi nādal nōi mutal
nādal Tiraṭṭu, Part II, Indian Medicine and
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Cite this article as:

Shyamala Rajkumar, Shree Devi M S, Muralidass S.D, Vasudevan R. Non Invasive Cost Effective
Siddha Diagnostic Tools for Siddha Ailments. AYUSHDHARA, 2015;2(4):265-268.
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared

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