summary of the classifications of Siddha medicine

summary of the classifications of Siddha medicine

1. Uppu (Lavanam): drugs that dissolve in water and decrepitate when put into fire giving off vapours. (water soluble inorganic compounds). There are 25 varieties and are called kara-charam, salts and alkalis.
2. Pashanam: drugs that do not dissolve in water but give off vapours when put into fire(water insoluble inorganic compounds)
3. Uparasam: drugs that do not dissolve in water (chemicals similar to Pashanam but differing in their actions) such as mica, magnetic iron, antimony, zinc sulphate, iron pyrites, ferrous sulphate.
4. Loham: metals and minerals alloys (water insoluble, melt in fire, solidify on cooling)such as gold, silver copper, iron, tin and lead
5. Rasam: drugs which are soluble, sublime when put in fire, changing into small crystals -mercury amalgams and compounds of mercury, arsenic.
6. Gandhakam:sulphur insoluble in water , burns off when put into fire
7. Ratnas and uparatnas: thirteen varieties are described-coral, lapis-lazli, pearls, diamonds, jade, emerald, ruby, sapphire, opal, vaikrantham, rajavantham, spatikam harin mani.It is important to know the compatibility of the drugs that produce synergistic effects or antagonistic effects-hence do not self prescribe Siddha medicines.In Siddha materia medica, metals are divided according to the Bhutas. The Siddha have also given the following proportions of the Bhutas (see second table).Anatomical division
(legs)-Prithvi, ( abdomen) -Appu , (chest)- Theyu , (neck)- Vayu, (head)-Akayam Physiological division
faceces-Prithvi ,urine-Appu, blood-Theyu, saliva- Vayu ,sex hormones-AkayamBhutas ( proportion) and metalsPrithvi (1 ½) Appu (1 1/4) Theyu (1) Vayu (3/4) Akayam (½)
gold lead copper iron zinc
It is advised that all pharmaceutical preparation follow these proportion of the Bhutas.The common preparations of Siddha medicines are, Bhasma (caclined metals and minerals ), churna (powders), Kashaya( decoctions), Lehya (confections ) Ghrita (ghee preparations) and Taila (oil preparations). Siddha have specialized in Chunna (metallic preparations which become alkaline), mezhugu (waxy preparations) and Kattu (preparation that are impervious to water and flames).
Diagnosis
The eight methods of diagnosis (sthanas) are nadi (pulse), kan (eyes), swara(voice), sparisam(touch), varna (color), na(tongue), mala (faeces) and neer (urine).