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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 1 | Page : 11-17 |
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Standardization of the traditional Pudam (calcination) process used for higher-order medicine preparation in the Siddha system of medicine
Indhu Pudhur Mahendramani, Thiruvancheeswaran Soruban, Sherin Nisha Arul Dhas, Sivakkumar Shanthirappan, Meenakumari Ramasamy
Department of Gunapadam, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| Date of Submission | 11-Mar-2023 |
| Date of Decision | 20-May-2023 |
| Date of Acceptance | 24-May-2023 |
| Date of Web Publication | 29-Aug-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Indhu Pudhur Mahendramani
Department of Gunapadam, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai – Trichy Hwy, near Government Hospital, Tambaram Sanatoruim, Chennai 600 047, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jrsm.jrsm_5_23
Introduction: Higher-order Siddha medicines such as Parpam and Chenduram are mainly prepared by the Pudam (calcination) process. The Pudam process is measured by the number of cow dung cakes (Varatti) used for the calcination process. The commercially available cow dung cakes are in various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. Hence to overcome these difficulties, an attempt has been made to standardize the cow dung cake used for the Pudam process. Materials and Methods: An aluminum ring-like mold was made with the dimensions of 30 cm diameter and 1.25 cm height as a mold for preparation of cow dung cakes. In this study, Kaadai Pudam, Kowthari Pudam, Kukkida Pudam, Varaga Pudam, Manal maraivu Pudam, and Gaja Pudam were done, and standardization of heat generation during the Pudam process is recorded by the digital thermo-sensor and validated for different types of Pudam processes by using standard size cow dung cakes. In addition, the time duration of the Pudam process, peak temperature, and the sustain of peak temperature was also noted. Results: The time duration of the entire Pudam process of the aforementioned pudam processes was noted as about 4 h 50 min, 6 h 20 min, 8 h 40 min, 9 h 55 min, 10 h 35 min, and 17 h 50 min, respectively. Conclusion: The obtained results of temperature and time duration for each variety of Pudam process may help to establish the modernized technology-based instruments to prepare higher-order Siddha calcination medicines, without compromising the standard and quality of medicines. Keywords: Digital thermo-sensor, heat generation, Pudam (calcination) process, size of cow dung cakes (varattis)
How to cite this article:
Pudhur Mahendramani I, Soruban T, Arul Dhas SN, Shanthirappan S, Ramasamy M. Standardization of the traditional Pudam (calcination) process used for higher-order medicine preparation in the Siddha system of medicine. J Res Siddha Med 2023;6:11-7 |
How to cite this URL:
Pudhur Mahendramani I, Soruban T, Arul Dhas SN, Shanthirappan S, Ramasamy M. Standardization of the traditional Pudam (calcination) process used for higher-order medicine preparation in the Siddha system of medicine. J Res Siddha Med [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 Oct 3];6:11-7. Available from: http://www.jrsm.in/text.asp?2023/6/1/11/384579 |
| Introduction | |  |
Higher-order Siddha medicines such as Parpam, Chenduram, Pathangam, and Chunnam play an important role in treating challenging diseases such as hemiplegia, cancer, chronic arthritis, and skin diseases. These higher-order medicines are prepared by the Pudam (calcination) process. Pudam is a process of preparing medicine by burning something inside two pots hermetically closed after placing one upside down over the other. Traditionally in the Pudam process, cow dung cake (varatti) is used for burning sealed raw materials or processed materials. In this process, the raw materials are ground or processed with juices or decoction, or distillate and made into coin-shaped cakes (villai) and allowed to dry. The villais are placed in a mud pot (agal), closed with another suitable mud pot, and sealed with clay paste. The entire setup is subjected to Pudam (calcination) process with a specified number of cow dung cakes in suitable Puda kuzhi (Pit for calcination process).
In Siddha, different Pudam types are used for medicine preparation. In calcinating medicine, different measures are given according to the drugs used in the medicine. The Pudam measure is measured by the number of cow dung cakes used for the calcination process.
For example, a single cow dung cake for Kaadai pudam, 3 cow dung cakes for Kowthari pudam, 10 cow dung cakes for Kukkida pudam, 50 cow dung cakes for Varaga pudam, and 100 cow dung cakes for Gaja Pudam.[1]
Siddha medicines such as Thurusu chenduram,[2]Vediuppu chenduram,[3]Manosilai parpam,[3]Pavala chunam,[4]Gowri chindamani chenduram,[5] and Abraga chenduram[5] are prepared from Kaadai, Kowthari, Kukkidam, Varagam, Manal maraivu and gaja pudam, respectively. Nowadays, the usage and need for higher-order Siddha medicines are tremendously increased. At the same time, the preparation of higher-order medicine is more difficult because there is no possibility to procure suitable size of cow dung cakes (the recommended size is 30 cm diameter and 1.25 cm thickness).[6] The commercially available cow dung cakes are in various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. When these cow dung cakes are used for higher-order Siddha medicine preparation, the process could not be completed because of insufficient heat generation from these cow dung cakes. Due to these facts if it is not properly done or finished it will be resubmitted to the calcination process.[7] Hence to overcome these difficulties, this study aimed to standardize the cow dung cake used for Siddha medicine preparation and the Pudam process for ensuring successful higher-order medicine preparation.
| Materials and methods | | |
Apparatus for cow dung cake preparation
An aluminum ring-like mold was constructed with the measurement of 30 cm diameter and 1.25 cm height. It was used for the preparation of cow dung cakes [Figure 1].
Preparation of Puda Kuzhi
A pit with the measurement of 3 feet (90 cm) in diameter and 3 feet (90 cm) in depth has been already established at the National Institute of Siddha to pile up cow dung cakes for the calcination process [Figure 2].
Preparation of Varatti
The fresh cow dung was collected from the indigenous cows and molded by using an aluminum ring (30 cm × 1.25 cm) like mold which was made as per the measurement mentioned in the literature for the preparation of medicines. The obtained wet flat circular cake was allowed to dry in sunlight over a clean open space till the moisture content evaporates. The dried varattis were stored [Figure 3]. The size of dried varatti was 27 cm × 1 cm.
The average weight of Varatti
Ten numbers of dried varattis have been taken and individual weight was calculated, from this, the average weight was calculated. The average weight of the dried varatti is 455 grams.
Thermo-sensor
The volume of generated heat when burning the cow dung cake and the time duration for completion of the burning of Varatti in the calcination process was estimated by using a digital thermos-sensor which was developed by NIS with the help of Anna University Manufacturing Engineering Department [Figure 4].
Evaluation of the Pudam process
Varattis were weighed, and the weight was noted down. Then it was subjected to incineration to record the temperature generated. The entire temperature generated in Pudam was recorded from the initial temperature to the cooling temperature by using a specially designed thermo- sensor and also noted the time duration for the completion of the incineration process. This process is repeated for different types of Pudam processes.
Evaluation of temperature in Pudam
For documenting the temperature generation while burning the cow dung cakes in the Pudam process, a digital thermo-sensor was used. It senses the temperature liberated from the Pudam ignition [Figure 5]. The peak temperature and the time taken for the completion of the Pudam process were noted.
According to the Gunapadam Thathu seeva vaguppu,[6]Marunthu sei iyalum kalaiyum,[8]Siddha maruthuvanga surukkam,[9] and Deivega rasamani[10] following 6 types of Pudam processes have been done and the temperature in addition to the time duration of each Pudam process was recorded.
Types of Pudam and the number of varattis used in this study are listed in [Table 1].
| Results | | |
According to Siddha’s classic literature Gunapadam Thathu Seeva Vaguppu,[2] the synthetic cow dung cake’s (Varatti) size is mentioned as 30 cm in diameter and 1.25 cm in thickness.
Kaadai Pudam
A single varatti has been used for the Kaadai Pudam process. The weight of the varatti was 460 grams. The time taken for complete incineration to settle down the temperature of Pudam was found 4 h 50 min. The temperature value range is from 38°C to 630°C. The peak temperature of Kaadai Pudam was observed above 500°C and it was maintained continuously for 35 min [Figure 6].
Kowthari Pudam
Three varattis have been used for the Kowthari Pudam process. The average weight of the varatti was 458 grams. The total time duration of Pudam was 6 h 20 min. The temperature value range is from 38°C to 901°C. The peak temperature of Kowthari Pudam was observed above 800°C and it was maintained continuously for 30 minutes [Figure 7].
Kukkida Pudam
Ten varattis have been used for the Kukkida Pudam process. The average weight of the varatti was 455.6 grams. The total time duration of Pudam was found 8 h 40 min. The temperature value range is from 39°C to 930°C. The peak temperature of Kukkida Pudam was observed above 800°C and it was maintained continuously for 40 minutes [Figure 8].
Varaga Pudam
50 varattis have been used for the Varaga Pudam process. The average weight of the varatti was 457.3 grams. The time taken for complete incineration to settle down the temperature of Pudam was found 9 h 55 min. The temperature value range is from 37°C to 1244°C. The peak temperature of Varaga Pudam was observed above 1000°C and it was maintained continuously for 50 minutes [Figure 9].
Manal maraivu Pudam
90 varattis have been used for Manal maraivu Pudam process. The total time duration of Pudam was found 10 h 35 min. The average weight of the varatti was 452.5 grams. The temperature value range is from 25°C to 1123°C. The peak temperature of Manal maraivu Pudam was observed above 1000°C and it was maintained continuously for 90 minutes [Figure 10].
Gaja Pudam
As stated by Deivega Rasamani,[4] 500 varattis have been used for the Gaja Pudam process. The average weight of the varatti was 450.6 grams. The time taken for complete incineration to settle down the temperature of Pudam was found 17 h 50 min. The temperature value range is from 28°C to 1239°C. The peak temperature of Gaja Pudam was observed above 1000°C and it was maintained continuously for 3 h [Figure 11].
| Discussion | | |
In Siddha, different Pudam types are used for higher-order medicine preparation. In calcinating medicine, different measures are given according to the drugs used in the medicine. The Pudam measure is measured by the number of cow dung cakes used for the calcination process. These indicate the amount of heat required and the period of incineration for different medicines.[11]
In this study, the entire temperature generated in each Pudam was recorded from the initial temperature to the cooling temperature with the help of a specially designed thermo- sensor and noted the time duration for the completion of the incineration process.
On comparison of the obtained results, the heat generation of Pudam, the time duration of the entire Pudam process and the peak temperature of Pudam, and its time duration are fluctuated depending upon the number of cow dung cakes used.
For instance, time duration of the entire Pudam process of Kaadai, Kowthari, Kukkidam, Varagam, Manal maraivu, and gaja pudam was noted as about 4 h 50 min, 6 h 20 min, 8 h 40 min, 9 h 55 min, 10 h 35 min and 17 h 50 min, respectively.
The peak temperature of each Pudam varied and there is a difference in the sustainability of peak temperature. The peak temperature of Varaga Pudam was 1244°C and was observed above 1000°C, in addition, it was maintained continuously for 50 minutes. As well as the peak temperature of Manal maraivu Pudam was 1123°C and was observed above 1000°C, then it was maintained continuously for 90 minutes whereas the peak temperature of Gaja Pudam was 1239°C and was observed above 1000°C and was maintained continuously for 3 h. These values show the amount of required heat and the period of incineration for different types of Pudam.
The application of specific heat and duration of that maintained heat alters the metals and minerals into small particles and helps in the more therapeutic efficacy of the given medicine. For example, Parpam, chenduram, and chunam are the type of medicinal powders made through the calcination of gems, minerals, or metals. These are used in traditional systems of medicine to treat many types of ailments. One of the studies stated that the process of Pudam and the mineral conversion into bhasma or chenduram by application of specific heat using traditional methods converts the drug into nano-sized particles of therapeutic efficacy for easy assimilation into the body.[12]
At present there is no documented data for deducting the temperature of the Pudam process and calculating the total duration of the Pudam process in Siddha medicine. This research study engenders basic information about the generated heat, peak temperature, and total time duration of every Pudam process mentioned in Siddha. This data may help to establish the technology-based machinery in the future for the utilization of the Pudam process.
| Conclusion | | |
In this present study, standardization of heat generation during the Pudam process was recorded by using a digital thermometer attached to the sensor and validated for different types of Pudam processes by using standard-size cow dung cakes (Varattis). The obtained results of temperature and time duration for each variety of Pudam process may help to establish the modernized technology-based instruments to prepare higher-order Siddha calcination medicines without compromising the standard and quality of medicines. It is more useful for pharmaceutical industries.
Acknowledgement
The authors acknowledge with thanks the Director General, CCRS, Arumbakkam, Chennai for granting this mini-project and the director, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai for encouragement, guidance, and support.
Financial support and sponsorship
This mini-project was funded by Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
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| 8. | Samuvel DA Marunthu Sei Iyalum Kalayum. 1st ed. Chennai: Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy; 2014. |
| 9. | Uthamarayan KS Siddha Maruthuvanga Surukkam. 3rd ed. Chennai: Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy; 2003. |
| 10. | Ramesh AP Deivega Rasamani. 1st ed. Vadapazhani, Chennai: Thamarai Noolagam; 2011. |
| 11. | Thiyagarajan R Siddha Materia Medica (Mineral & Animal Section). 1st ed. Chennai: Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy; 2008. |
| 12. | Senthil Velu Kanthal N, Chitra V, Rahul VA, Usha S, Jeeva Gladys R Scientific evaluation of Siddha formulation muthuchippi parpam: A review. Int J Ayur Pharma Res 2017;5:46-9. |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6], [Figure 7], [Figure 8], [Figure 9], [Figure 10], [Figure 11]
[Table 1]
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