Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and the burden is increasing day by day. This dreadful disease existed in our society from time immemorial and the way of management including therapeutic aspects has been widely described in classical siddha texts. The rationale of this paper is to highlight the clinical features, pathology, diagnosis and therapeutic management of various types of Cancers mentioned in siddha literature. Methods: The literature review on the aetiology, pathology, clinical features and therapeutic aspects of ‘Cancer like illnesses’ mentioned in Siddha system in the form of condensed poems is expressed in this Manuscript. The descriptive aspects of Cancer have resemblance with the clinical entities of Vippuruthinoipadalam (Carcinoma like illness), Mega Katti, Kandamaalai Rogapadalam (Lymphoma like illness), Kiranthinoigal, Pilavaiand Putrunoi(tumour)revealed in Siddha Literatures. This paper explicates the review of literature on herbal drugs indicated for cancer related ailments and the pre-clinical study review of Siddha formulations. Results: The formulations in Siddha system are deemed to work on multiple biochemical pathways and are capable of influencing several organ systems simultaneously; most of the Siddha medicines provide nutrition and reduce the side effects of conventional cancer therapy due to effective antioxidant activity. Conclusion: This review manuscript strongly emphasize that the ancient literatures are scientifically driven one and not simply unconventional.

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Introduction: Gymnosperms – a group of Spermatophytes are well renowned for their characteristic therapeutically roles in various medicinal systems such as modern medicine, folk and traditional medicinal systems. The present review describes the medicinal importance of gymnosperms used in Siddha System of medicine. Method: Literature survey has been done to document the application of gymnosperm species along with ethno-medicinal uses. The medicinal plants are enumerated with their local name, Siddha name and therapeutically actions mentioned in Siddha literatures along with ethno-medicinal properties for various diseases. Results: Gymnosperms have been performed a role in various medicinal systems such as modern medicine, folk and traditional medicinal systems. It has been found that, four species reviewed in the present papers are medicinally useful in the ailments such as asthma, cough, sore throat, diarrhoea, hypertension, rheumatism, fever, aphrodisiac, ulcer, diuretic, diabetes, kidney stone problems, bronchitis etc. Conclusion: The present study provides a comprehensive review on the medicinally important Gymnosperms with their therapeutic role in traditional system of Indian medicine. This may be helpful to know and conserve these plants for future perspectives.

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Introduction: The World Health Organization defines that communicable diseases are caused by microorganisms, fungi, insect bites, or contaminated water that can spread directly or indirectly, between persons. Chikungunya is an epidemic-prone vector-borne communicable disease caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Due to the lack of appropriate treatment and vaccination, symptomatic or supportive treatments such as antipyretics, oral and tropical analgesics, and long-term anti-inflammatory therapy are the choices to manage chikungunya. This review aims to emphasize the potential role of a poly herbal Siddha formulation “Vatha Sura Kudineer (VSK)” used for the management of viral diseases in Siddha. Materials and Methods: The scientific details including morphological description, phytochemical constituents, and their pharmacological studies along with Siddha perspectives were collected from books and published journals. Results: This article provides comprehensive information of the ingredients of VSK, and it revealed their antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties. Piperine and gingerol are the natural bioenhancers present in Piper longum Linn. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe, which may be enhancing the absorption and bioavailability of the formulation. Conclusion: As there is a lack of effective antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of Chikungunya, VSK would be a cost effective, potent drug which needs to be explored.

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AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a syndrome caused by Human immune deficiency virus (HIV). The disease alters the immune system making the patient much vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens if the syndrome progresses. HIV is a virus that attacks immune cells called CD-cells. A 34-year-old male with the complaints of hair fall, frequent cold, cough visited Siddha Clinical Research Unit, Outpatient department, Bengaluru on July 2017. History revealed that he was suffering from HIV since 2014, and he was under ART since then. He was subjected to CD4 count diagnosis once in 6 months after the initiation of ART, result showed no remarkable increase in CD4 count cells. The patient was treated with Siddha medicines - Nilavembu kudineer, Thiriphala chooranam, Aya bringarajakarpam, and Nellika ilehyam. There was a notable increase in CD4 count after 6-month treatment with Siddha medicines. This case study demonstrates that HIV as well as opportunistic infections can be well managed with Siddha medicines.

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Introduction: Siddha system which aims at both curative and preventive aspects is a holistic treatment methodology using herbals, metals, minerals and animal products. Medicinal plant conservation is one of global concerns because the consequence is loss of many species useful in the primary healthcare of mankind. These natural resources are dwindling, as nearly 80 to 85% of raw drugs are sourced from the wild. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. IUCN congresses have produced several key international environmental agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) etc. It is noted that raw drugs for making a good number of Siddha formulations are derived from plants falling under lUCN’s rare, endangered and threatened (RET) category. The current study is aimed at exploring the RET status of medicinal plants used in Siddha. Method: The data of medicinal plants used in various Siddha formulations and as single drugs were collected and the IUCN status of the plants was checked in the Red list. Result: Siddha medicinal plants like Aconitum heterophyllum, Aquilaria malaccensis, Adhatoda beddomei, Nardostachys jatamansi are some of the examples of critically endangered species of plants facing threat due to continuous exploitation from wild. CiroparaNivaranit Tailam, InciCuranam, NantiMeluku, PuraMattirai, Maka ElatikKulikai, Vallarai Ney, Cintil Ney, ArakkutTailam, Cantana Ilakam, Murukkan Vitai Mattirai, KaucikarKulampu etc are some of the highly demand Siddha formulations containing RET medicinal plants. Conclusion: Overexploitation, habitat degradation and unsustainable harvesting practices poses urgent need for alternative strategies for whole AYUSH industry.

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Introduction: Helminthiasis or worm infestation is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. It is one of the most serious problems in the developing countries. Anthelmintic plants are used traditionally to treat parasitic infections. Achyranthes aspera (Amaranthaceae) is an important medicinal plant found as a weed throughout India and tropical Asia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of A. aspera against Pheretima posthuma (earthworm). Methods: The anthelmintic activity was evaluated on adult Indian earthworms by reported methods. Results: The anthelmintic activity was studied using ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous extracts of the whole plant at a test concentration of 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/ml each. Albendazole was used as standard. All the three extracts have exhibited significant dose dependent anthelmintic activity at the tested dose level. Aqueous extract was found to have better activity followed by ethyl acetate extract and the least activity was reported for ethanol extract. Conclusion: Thus from the present study, it can be concluded that A.aspera extracts (Aqueous>Ethyl acetate> Ethanol) have potent anthelmintic activity when compared with the conventional drug, albendazole. Further studies are required to isolate the active principles and also to establish the pharmacological rationale for the anthelmintic activity of A. aspera.

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Introduction: Siddha system of medicine deals with the surgical as well as external application methods that are categorized under Pura Maruthuvam. In Siddhar Aruvai Maruthuvam, 32 types of treatment methods such as Kattu muraikal (splints), keeral (blood-letting), Komburinjal (Type of blood-letting through horns), and Attai vidal (Leech therapy) are described. The external therapy Suttigai (Cauterization) method is being practiced by Siddha physicians to cure chronic ailments which the internal drugs alone do not cure. There are many number of suttigai methodologies specified in Siddha Literatures and through inheritance by folklore practitioners. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to document the procedure of suttigai practiced by a traditional healer family in Pudukottai district, Tamil Nadu, which was being taught through their inheritance. They used to treat children with chest wall deformity in their surroundings for many generations. Results: The practitioner claims that as witnessed through their indigenous suttigai practices the treated children have not shown any significant post-treatment complications. The chest wall deformity is being rectified spontaneously along with the cauterized wound reconciliation. An image of a male aged 76 years, who was treated by his father of the practitioner, had a scar in his chest which was done at his age of 2 years for the congenital chest wall abnormality is illustrated here. Conclusion: In this paper, we attempt to substantiate the scientific rationale behind the traditional suttigai practice.

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Background: The traditional Tamil Siddha medical text ‘Agasthiyar Sūdamanikkayaru Sūtram’ exclusively discusses Manikkadai Nūl (wrist-thread) measurement as a continuous variable ranging from 4 to 10 fb with an interval of 0.25 fb between each value i.e. 4, 4.25, 4.5, 4.75 etc. and enumerates the corresponding disease conditions associated with each value, as a desk reference for physicians. The current study was aimed to study the distribution pattern of Manikkadai Nūl (MN) measurement of students studying in an undergraduate college in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala and to analyse the data statistically. Manikkadai Nūl measurement is the circumference of forearm which is measured four finger breadth above the wrist. Methods: The study group included 166 females and 37 males aged 18-28 years. MN measurement of the participants was recorded. The mean and standard deviation were calculated. The distribution of the MN measurement was generated. Correlation between age and MN measurement was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The sex difference with respect to MN measurement was assessed by t test. Results: The analysis shows positively skewed (theoretically symmetrical) distribution of MN measurement. The mean was 9.28, mode was 9, and the standard deviation was 0.83; MN measurement has no correlation with age and gender. As per the traditional Tamil Siddha text, only 8 out of the 203 participants are in their perfect health state. Conclusion: The distribution of the MN measurement was positively skewed (N=203) which could be considered as theoretically symmetrical distribution and if the number of study participants were increased, a perfect symmetrical distribution might be obtained. A thorough study on MN measurement and its correlation with body mass index, waist hip ratio, waist circumference and associated disease conditions will be helpful to develop a non-invasive diagnostic and screening tool for the lifestyle disorders referred in the classical Siddha text.

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Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by altered carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism which causes hyperglycemia resulting from insufficient insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The WHO projects that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death in 2030. Diabetes can be treated, and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication, and regular screening and treatment for complications. It has various synonyms (Verupeyar) in Siddha system of medicine such as Miguneer, VeguMoothiram, InippuNeer, MeghaNeer, and Madhumegham. The Siddha treatment guideline for diabetes discusses the following headings: Definition (Noi iyalbu), Synonyms (Veru peyar), Etiology (NoiVarum vazhi), Clinical features (Noi Kurikunangal), Disease classification (Noi Enn), Investigations (Ennvagai Thervu), Differential diagnosis, Humoral changes (Thirithoda Marupadugal), Management and treatment plan (Maruthuva Vazhimurai), Pharmacological treatment regimen, Non-pharmacological treatment regimen, Dietary regimen, Karpam, Varmam, Yogic practices, Prevention, Post-clinical care, and the single herbs used in the Siddha system of medicine which has a potent anti-diabetic, hypoglycemic activity.

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The body, which is the temple of the spirit is not an eternal one. However, the spirit and the mind can be made one through the practice of Yogam. Ashtanga Yogam or the Eight Limbs of yoga serve as the base for the proper practice of Yogam. The most commonly practiced yoga being the ‘Patanjali Yoga’, there were several other Siddhars who have made massive contributions in the field of Ashtanga Yoga. This article aims at throwing light on the concepts made by the various Siddhars on Yoga.

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Introduction: Siddha, traditional Tamil system of medicine, which has been prevalent in the ancient Tamil land, is the foremost of all other medical systems in the world. Its origin goes back to BC 10000 to BC 4000. The uniqueness of Siddha system is evident by its continuous service to the mankind for more than 5000 years in combating diseases and also in maintaining its physical, mental and moral health while many of its contemporaries had become extinct long ago. Methods: The present study was done to report the morbidity profile of patients attending out-patient department (OPD) of Siddha Regional Research Institute (SRRI), Puducherry. The hospital records were reviewed and the data of all patients who have attended the OPD of SRRI during April 2012 to March 2017 (5 years) were retrieved. Both new and old cases (patients) attending the OPD were included. Results: The results of the present cross sectional study has revealed that out of 13 system wise classification of diseases, five namely, Enbumootunoigal (Bone/ Joint diseases), Tholnoigal (Skin diseases), Swasanoigal (Respiratory Diseases), Unavupaadhainoigal (Gastro intestinal disorders) and Siruneeraganoigal (Urinary Disorders) were found to be the top 5 morbidities of patients attending the OPD. Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that degenerative diseases like AzhalKeezhVaayu (Osteo arthritis), Auto immune diseases like Kalanjagapadai (Psoriasis), Respiratory diseases like Irumal (Bronchitis) and Non-communicable diseases Gunmam (Acid peptic diseases) and Neerizhivu (Diabetes mellitus) were the common morbidities among the patients attending the OPD of SRRI, Puducherry.

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Varmam treatment is one of the unique external manipulation therapies in Siddha system.Varmam is the science which deals with the study of certain vital energy points in the body through which Pranan[life energy] flows normally. It gets blocked in case of any injury to the Varmam points and also in diseased condition. By stimulating these vital energy points in the affected area using fingersblocked,energy gets relieved and regains its normal flow in the body. Peenisam is the term mentioned in Siddha literature that can be correlated with Sinusitis in Modern science. Siddha system of medicine identifies trauma and associated injury in particular Varmam points of body as one of the causes of Peenisam[Sinusitis]. Injuries on Varmam points that cause Peenisam[Sinusitis], Varmam ilakkumuraigal[Therapy] specified for Peenisam [Sinusitis],Internal medicines in various Siddha Varmam literatures are discussed in this review.

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Kamalai which is also called as Manjal noi in Siddha literature is a disease caused by increase of Azhal kutram in body. The case study deals with a pediatric patient presented with the symptoms of Kamalai and the En vagai thervu diagnosis of Siddha system of medicine also confirmed the diagnosis arrived by considering the clinical history of patient. Siddha drugs that are indicated for Azhal kutra noigal and specific medicine for Kamalai were prescribed to the patient. The patient got relieved from the symptoms of Kamalai on third day of treatment. The parameters of Liver Function Test also came to normal range on 14^th day of treatment with drastic reduction in serum bilirubin level values on 3^rd day of the treatment. As Kamalai is a comparable with acute viral hepatitis, Siddha treatment for Kamalai may be followed for the treatment of acute viral hepatitis after evaluating the efficiency of treatment with large scale clinical studies.

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Yoga has gained popularity all over the world. Asanas are now focussed as the prime factor of Yoga. Currently this yogic posturehas been taken up by the spa industry too. But the Indian philosophy of Yoga differs with the current trend. Self-realization is the main motto of doing yoga. Siddha system of medicine describes yoga as one of the components of kaya karpam, i.e., rejuvenation. Even though many Siddhars have mentioned about yoga, this paper deals with the concepts of yoga by Siddhar Thirumoolar.

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Introduction: The quest for identification of novel compounds to treat disease conditions involves the conduct of proof of concept studies in laboratory animals. The experimental design often does not justify the animal numbers distributed across the various groups in an experiment. Materials and Methods: The prejudice to use a sample size 6 across all groups is out of sheer misconception that it can effectively inform the success of a treatment intervention. The statisticians however do not recommend the reliance on this misconceived notion and recommend the conduct of the power analysis for every biological experiment. Results: By employing power analysis, incorporating the effect size the sample size achieved can effectively prevent an experiment suffering from Type II error. The type II errors can frequently occur and can go unnoticed in biological experiments when novel treatments are tested. Conclusion: It therefore becomes a moral responsibility of an investigator to employ power analysis to estimate the sample size which can also benefit the investigator by alerting the investigator in not choosing more than recommended sample size which can result in saving monetary and manpower resources.

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Introduction: The plant Allium cepa belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae which is popularly known as Irravengayam in Tamil. A perennial herb usually grown as an annual, 15-50 cm high with ovoid, red, subterranean bulbs. Peptic ulcer disease is a problem of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by mucosal damage secondary to pepsin and gastric acid secretion. It usually occurs in the stomach and proximal duodenum; less commonly, it occurs in the lower oesophagus, the distal duodenum, or the jejunum. Signs and symptoms of Gunmam are comparable with the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer in modern aspect. Gunmam is a disease which is characterized by indigestion, burning sensation in stomach, vomiting, decreased body strength, emaciation and stress. This study is an observational open labeled clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of bulb decoction of Allium cepa in the management of peptic ulcer. It also determines the association of peptic ulcer with hereditary, food habits, physical activities and mental disturbances. Methods: In this research questionnaire was implemented to collect the data. Ten (10) patients were selected clinically during the period of Sep 2016- Nov 2016 at the Rural Ayurvedic hospital, Kopalapuram. Patients were treated with 40ml of root decoction. Evaluation visit were made at base line and once in a week for 06 weeks. Effect of treatment was evaluated on changes in the sign and symptoms. Clinical parameters were analyzed by scores as difference between the visits on first day of treatment and after treatment. Results: Statistically highly significant improvement (p<0.001) in heart burn, epigastric pain, indigestion, nausea and vomiting and eructation were observed in each visit while mean reduction also highly marked. Conclusion: On the basis of results and findings, this study shows remarkable reduction of degree of symptoms with highly significant improvement of the selected symptoms such as heart burn, epigastric pain, indigestion, nausea & vomiting and eructation.

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Rotator cuff syndrome is one of the most common cause of shoulder pain. Elderly population are more affected. The aim of the study is to describe the evaluation and management of rotator cuff lesion in an elderly female with varmam therapy. The patient reported gradual onset of pain. There was no history of fall or trauma. Pain was present on right shoulder and was sharp and deep on abduction and flexion of the left shoulder which reported a VAS of 9/10. The patient had tried all conservative treatments and was finally advised for surgery. In the OPD the patient were given varmam therapy for three months as per following the Siddha varma protocols. Within the treatment course the patient started to do normal daily activities slowly without pain. The uniqueness of this case is that it involves an elderly female who sustained multiple causative factors for rotator cuff lesions.

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Liver plays an important role in maintaining the metabolic function and excretion of toxins from the body. An injury or liver dysfunction caused by consumption of toxic chemicals, excessive alcohol and microbes result in a challenging condition called hepatotoxicity. Madhuca longifolia belonging to Sapotaceae family is found to possess pharmacological properties in the treatment of various diseases. The present review aims at compiling the hepatoprotective effect of Mahua flower based on various experimental studies. Methanolic extract of Mahua flower exhibited hepatoprotective property when administered at different dosages in rat was found to lower the levels of SGPT, SGOT, ALP and total bilirubin simultaneously increasing serum total proteins and albumin. The ethanolic extract also showed hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats when administered in dosage of 500 and 750 mg/kg body weight by stimulating the healing and regeneration of hepatocytes. Hepatoprotective activity might be due to the effect of extractsagainst the cellular leakage and loss of function of the cell membrane in hepatocytes. The protective effect might be due to the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolics. Future prospects include purification and characterization of phyto-compounds present in the Madhucalongifolia flower. Further studies on mechanism of action will lead to discovery of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment hepatic diseases.

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Introduction: Siddha system of medicine is an integrated part of Indian system, which is very potent and unique system. Treating disease with natural ingredient gives cost effective and less adverse drug reactions. Herbal formulations which are mentioned in Siddha text are helpful in the treatment of various diseases. Avuri Karpam is a poly herbal formulation which has 7 ingredients and it is mentioned in Siddha classical literature “Pathartha Guna Vilakkam”. Materials and Methods: All ingredients of the drug Avuri Karpam is briefly explained here in Siddha aspects, Actions, Chemical constituents, Pharmacolgical aspects. All the above informations were collected from various scientific articles. Results: This article provides a systematic review examined the effects of Siddha treatment for treating arthritis and also various diseases through Avuri Karpam and its active substances present in plants and their actions in a scientific way. However further clinical study is needed to prove the standard of the drug worldwide. Conclusion: It could be a choice of drug for treating arthritis in cost effective less adverse drug reactions.

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Background: This study has been conducted on confirmed COVID 19 positive patients (n = 55), who had come to Kallakurichi District of Tamilnadu state from one of the containment zones in Indian State of Maharashtra. Out of the 55, 8 (14.55%) patients were symptomatic and remaining 47 (85.45%) were asymptomatic patients. 47 patients who reached in their home land on 24^th May and rest on 25^th may 2020. All of them have been treated with integrated medicine treatment method. Materials and Methods: Everybody was quarantined from 27^th may to 7^th June 2020 at Mahabharathi Engineering College, Vasudevanur, Chinna salem Taluk, Kallakurichi District. Integrative Intervention Consisting of Vitamin C Tablet, Zinc tablet for 5 days, and Kabasura Kudineer 60 ml BD Before food for all days was the treatment given for all patients. Result: Among them, three of them had co -morbid conditions like diabetes and hypertension. 27.3% were female and 72.7% are male patients. Average age was 32.33 among the range of 14 to 65years. Conclusion: All patients including who has co-morbidity were completely relieved from the disease on the day of discharge. All symptomatic patients were asymptomatic with median time of 4 days IP admission.

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Attangayogam explained in Gnana noolgal (Philosophical texts) of Cittarkal are unexplored by scientific community as there is a common opinion that they deal only with spirituality and philosophy. The basic philosophy behind Siddha medicine and Siddha pharmacological preparations roots from the philosophies mentioned in Gnana noolgal. As these philosophies were framed by observing nature and interpretation of science behind the natural phenomenon. Immortality and longevity were the main goals of Cittarkal in their way to achieve the aim of Attama Citti. Gnana noolgal discuss in detail about the Attanga Yogam practices which are the main tools to attain immortality. The Samadhi nilai mentioned in Cittar texts (Gnana noolgal) mimics hibernation of mammals. This review focuses on comparing ‘Samadhi Nilai’ of Attangayogam with hibernation of mammals.

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