Preventive principles

SIDDHA PRINCIPLES OF DISEASE PREVENTION

(Prevention of Diseases through Siddha system of Medicine)

One of the salient feature of siddha system of medicine is that, prevention of diseases is given much importance than cure. This can be understood from the lot of space assigned to “Pini anugaa vidhi” (rules to keep diseases away) in siddha literatures.  Siddhars, the founding pillars of siddha system,   have recommended certain basic guidelines to be followed for healthy living. This includes observation of certain regimen, taking in to account of some factors like the habitat where a person lives, the seasonal changes and dietary habits etc. Their concepts pertaining to Thinai/Nilam ozhukkam (disciplines according to habitat), Kaala ozhukkam (seasonal discipline), Unavu (diet) and Naal ozhukkam (daily regimen) are highly specific and followed even today.

Along with this, the concept of “Kaayakarpam” mentioned by siddhars for prevention of diseases is highly admirable as it makes the body resistant to infections.

THINAI  OZHUKKAM (HABITAT DISCIPLINES):

Habitat was divided in to five types in ancient Tamil literature depending upon the landscape and landforms. Different types of habitats, common diseases and predominant humour which are prevalent among the people living in those habitats are described in siddha texts. For healthy living and prevention of diseases, preventive measures are to be taken depending upon the habitat.

The following table given below briefly explains this principle

Diet and drugs that normalize the increased humour are recommended by siddhars depending upon the seasonal changes as discussed in the following headings.

KAALA  OZHUKKAM (SEASONAL DISCIPLINES) :

According to Tamil as well as siddha tradition, whole year is divided in to six seasons as follows which are called as perumpozhuthu (larger periods) and each season consists of two months approximately.

The regimen that must be followed during each season is briefly tabulated below:

NAAL OZHUKKAM (DAILY DISCIPLINE)

A whole day is divided in to six parts known as sirupozhuthu (small periods), and each part of the day is dominated by a humour as follows:

1.A healthy person should wake up between 4 to 6 a.m. This will help the three humours to be maintained in the balanced state.

2.Drinking pure water immediately after waking will help to normalize, if any aggravation of pitham humour. It will also help to avoid constipation.

3.Evacuation of bowels in the morning is essential for appetite and balancing of three humours.

4.Brushing the teeth in the morning with twigs of trees like asokku (Saraca asoka), vembu (neem), aathi (beedi leaf tree), aal (Indian banyan), vel (gum Arabic tree) etc are recommended.

5.Oil bath, at least twice in a week will help in prevention of diseases. Also siddhars have specified the time hour during which oil bath should be taken during each month of a year.

6.Pancha karpam powder, which is a mixture of kasthuri manjal (aromatic turmeric), milagu (pepper), vembin vithu (seed of neem), kadukkai thol (skin of Terminalia chebula fruit) ,nelli paruppu (seed of gooseberry), mixed with boiled milk and applied on head before taking bath keeps the body cool and the humours static.

7.Food should be taken only after the previous diet has been properly digested. Only when hungry, one should take food and that too in right quantity depending upon the need.

8.While sleeping one should lie in the left lateral position keeping the left hand supporting the head and the left knee flexed and right leg extended over it. Day time sleep should be avoided. Sleeping bed should be used depending upon the season and the affecting disease.  For instance, sleeping in mat made up of screw pine leaves (Thazhampai padukkai) is advised for giddiness, vomiting and aggravation of pitham.

9.Natural urges should not be suppressed. They are flatus, sneeze, micturition, defecation, yawning, hunger, thirst, cough, rapid breathing, sleep, vomiting, tears, ejaculation and normal breathing.

10.Good virtues should be practiced, leaving all evil deeds and characters.

According to the siddhar Therayar, the following principles should be followed for long life, as mentioned in his classic poem,

“பாலுண்போம்; எண்ணை பெறின் வெந்நீரில் குளிப்போம்;

பகற்புணரோம்.............................

• Drink cow’s milk at night.
• Use warm water during oil baths.
• Avoid coitus and sleep during day time.
• Avoid sexual intercourse with women more than of your age.
• Avoid direct exposure to sun rays.
• Don’t suppress urination and defecation.
• Sleep on left side.
• Avoid any meat that causes piles disorder.
• Take plenty of curd.
• Avoid any food cooked on the previous day.
• Eat only when hungry
• Eat two times a day.
• Avoid having sexual intercourse frequently.
• Drink water only after finishing a meal.
• Avoid all tubers other than elephant foot (Yam).
• Do little walking after every meal.
• Use emetic once in six months.
• Have purgation once in four months.
• Apply nasal application once in one and a half month.
• Shave once in a week.
• Have oil bath once in four days.
• Avoid exposure to perfumes and fragrance from flowers in night.
• Avoid exposure to dust and other allergens.
• Revere God, cow with calf, elders and teachers.

UNAVU (DIET)

Siddhars have also recommended dietary habits to be followed for a healthy life. Food habits like time of diet, quantity, constituents of a healthy diet etc are mentioned in detail in siddha literature. Especially specific ingredients to be added in diet, for people with different body constitutions, are recommended. Few important ingredients can be found in the table below.

KAYAKARPAM

Kayakarpam is one of the special therapies in siddha system of medicine which deals with decreasing the morbidity and increasing the lifespan of an individual. Kayakarpa drugs are classified in to general (pothu karpam) and specific (sirappu karpam). The general karpam drugs can be taken by any one at any time for attaining optimum health, whereas specific drugs are meant for period of illnesses and physical imbalances.

The general drugs are very much beneficial in boosting the immune system, and thereby preventing diseases. According to Siddha Materia Medica, Kayakalpa formulations include herbs, minerals and elements of animal kingdom.

Some herbal kayakarpa drugs are mentioned here,

Note: Consulting a siddha physician is necessary for choosing the right preventive measure / diet/ kayakalpam drug, depending upon the body constitution and other factors for optimum results.

References:

• http://tkdl.res.in/tkdl/langdefault/Siddha/Sid_Principles.asp?GL=Eng
• http://siddham.in/prevention-of-diseases-through-siddha-medicine

• 1.Dr.K.S. Uthamarayan, Siddha Maruthuvanga churukkam, Directorate of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy, Chennai- 106, 2006, pages 253-313,386-434.
• 2.K.S. Murugesa Mudaliar, Siddha Materia Medica, Directorate of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy, Chennai-106, 2013.
• 3.A hand book of common siddha kayakalpa herbs for healthy life, Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, New Delhi- 58, 2008.