Siddha system of medicine is one among the indigenous medical systems of India which evolved from the Dravidian civilization. Literary evidences of Sangam Era state the origin of this system to around 10,000 BC. The term Siddhais derived from the root word ‘siddhi’ which means attainment of perfection and the system emphasise health as the perfect state of physical, psychological, social and spiritual components of a human being.
Siddha medicine is said to have originated from the Shiva cult and the great sage Agasthiyar is said to be the Father of Siddha Medicine. A few among the Pathinen Siddhars (18 siddhars) are Thirumoolar, Bogar, Yugimuni,Theraiyar and they have contributed a lot to the system. They firmly believed that the physical body is an instrument to attain “veeduperu” or “mukthi” (to become one with the Universal soul) and so preserved it by the practice of vatham (alchemy), vaidhyam (treatment), yogam (Ashtangayogas) and gnanam (knowledge).
Siddha system is based on the fundamentals of "anda pinda thathuvam" (the relationship between the universe and human body) and 96 thathuvas (basic principles) which includes the concepts of five elements, three humours and seven physical constituents. The annamaya kosa or the physical body is made up of these seven physical constituents.
Three humours (Three dosha)
The uyir thadu (functional units of the human body) are the three humours namely Vali ( vatham – air+ space), azhal (pitham - fire) and iyyam (kapham - water + earth). When the humours are in natural equilibrium and harmony, a person enjoys the best of health. When they are deranged, they are called as kutram or dosha and diseases are produced.
In physiological conditions, vatham is said to have one mathirai (unit), pitham half and kapham quarter in pulse diagnosis. But there may be small fluctuations even in the healthy body. The first phase in human life is attributed to vatha, the middle to pitha and the last phase to kapha
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Pharmacology (Gunapadam)
Based on their origin, raw drugs are categorized as materials of medicinal plant (Mooligai vakuppu), mineral (Thathu vakuppu) and animal origin (Jeeva vakuppu). Siddha literatures describe 220 minerals which include Metals (ulokam – 11), Salts (karasaram – 25), Mercury and Arsenic compounds (Paatanam - 64) and other minerals (uparasam – 120). Coral, conch, horn of deer, musk, honey etc. are some of the animal products utilised.