Siddha Medicine:

• The term ‘Siddha’ is derived from the root word ‘Siddhi’ which means an object to be attained’ or ‘perfection’.
• As Siddhi means perfection, the practitioners of Siddha medicine aimed at perfection of health.
• The Siddha system of medicine owes its origin to medicinal ideas and practices of a class of Tamil sages called the Siddhars —”perfected” or “holy immortals”—who were, and are still, believed to have superhuman powers as the word Siddhi itself also refers to supernatural powers.
• They had firm faith in the “deathless” physical body being in tune with the spiritual immortal “soul”.
• Significantly, one of the definitions of Siddha medicine is conquest of death: that which ensures preventive against mortality.
• Siddhars were men of highly cultured intellectual and spiritual faculties. They were well aware that the physical body is transient, that is, the only instrument by which a person can reach the ultimate goal, is to become one with the Lord. So they found Siddha system of medicine.
• It will not be wrong to say that Siddha medicine is the result of their search for reaching God.

Siddha Diagnosis:

• In Siddha system of medicine, eight tools are mentioned in the armamentarium of the Siddha physicians.
• They are as follows: Naadi (Siddha way of Pulse examination – Figure I), Sparisam (Touch and palpation), Naa (Tongue examination), Niram (Colour, complexion, discoloration etc.), Mozhi (Voice examination), Vizhi (Eyes examination), Malam (Stools examination) and Moothiram (Urine examination) including Oil on Urine Sign
• Oil on Urine Sign (Neikkuri Examination) Neikkuri or Oil on urine sign is a unique method in Siddha system of medicine to arrive at the diagnosis and prognosis Of the disease conditions.

Siddha Therapy:

• The word “marunthu” (drug) in Tamil language itself denotes scented ‘root’ or ‘leaf’.
• The foremost substance given for an imbalance of three humours or illness is of herbal origin.
• The commendable usage of herbs can be understood by a special method popularly known as ega mooligai prayokam.
• It means selecting and administering a single herb on the basis of five elements that is present in the herb to neutralize the affected humour.
• Moreover, the selection of herbs is based on many properties such as: taste, potency, class and action.
• In the armoury of Siddha Pharmacopoeia, 32 types of Internal and 32 types of external medicines are used to combat the imbalance of humours/disease.
• In addition, according to the Siddha maxim “Food itself is medicine and Medicine itself is food” incorporating a balanced healthy diet is also considered as medicine.
• Above all, Siddha medicine uses several mineral and animal products as second line of treatment for chronic intractable diseases.

Varmalogy:

• The science of Varmalogy was introduced by Siddha sages.
• Available written evidence support this, especially in Tamil Nadu, South India.
• Varmam can be understood as follows “Wherever vasi touches, there is varmam. Wherever the breath reaches, there is varmam”.
• In general, varmam is used as a general word to cover ‘vasi’, vital air and breath.
• These are all words that denote energies that operate in the body. Therefore, we must infer that varmam is an extremely subtle energy that operates inside the body.
• Varmam treatment can cure a whole range of ailments — from headaches, lumbar disc prolapse, cervical problems and even heart & brain related disorders.
• Varmalogy has several special features that make it truly unique. For example, more than 8000 Varmam points are described in varmam texts. Very detailed study of nearly 360 nerves is available. Fundamental treatment procedures such as purgation, vomiting and nasal application can be induced by stimulating varmam points alone.
• At the same time, even the most extreme medical emergencies can be handled through the use of life-saving techniques.
• In addition, Varmalogy has its own extensive herbal medicine repository.
• Thus, Siddha Medicine is a unique blend of therapies which provide holistic care and offer advice for a more natural healthy lifestyle.