{{Short description|Traditional medicine system originating in southern India}} {{protection padlock|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]]|small=yes}} {{Alternative medical systems| image= [[File:Agathiyar statue-1-JNTBGRI-kerala-India.jpg | thumb | right | Statue of Sage Agathiyar, a principle founder of The Siddha Medicine System | 280px]]}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Hinduism |schools}} {{Tamils}} '''Siddha medicine''' is a form of [[traditional medicine]] originating in southern India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Siddha medicine|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/Siddha-medicine|access-date=29 November 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> It is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="nis-o">{{cite web|url=https://nischennai.org/siddhamedicine.html|title=About Siddha medicine: Origins|publisher=National Institute of Siddha|date=2020|access-date=16 February 2020}}</ref> The [[Indian Medical Association]] regards Siddha medicine degrees as "fake" and Siddha therapies as [[quackery]], posing a danger to national health due to absence of [[evidence-based medicine|training in science-based medicine]].<ref name="ima14">{{cite web |title=IMA Anti Quackery Wing |url=http://www.ima-india.org/ima/left-side-bar.php?scid=291 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131193119/http://www.ima-india.org/ima/left-side-bar.php?scid=291 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-01-31 |publisher=Indian Medical Association |first1=KK |last1=Aggarwal |first2=VN |last2=Sharma |access-date=28 November 2019 |date=2014}}</ref><ref name=safi/> Identifying fake medical practitioners without qualifications, the [[Supreme Court of India]] stated in 2018 that "unqualified, untrained quacks are posing a great risk to the entire society and playing with the lives of people without having the requisite training and education in the science from approved institutions".<ref name="agrawal">{{cite web |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/2987190/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209170708/https://indiankanoon.org/doc/2987190/|url-status=dead |archive-date=9 December 2019 |title=Judgment by the Supreme Court of India: Kerala Ayurveda Paramparya vs State of Kerala|author=Justice RK Agrawal |date=13 April 2018 |publisher=Supreme Court of India |access-date=9 December 2019}}</ref>
In rural India, {{Transliteration|hi|italic=no|siddhars}} have learned methods traditionally through [[Traditional knowledge|master-disciple relationships]] to become local "healers" known as siddhars.<ref name=nis-o/> {{Transliteration|hi|italic=no|Siddhars}} are among an estimated 400,000 traditional healers practicing medicine in India, comprising some 57% of rural medical care.<ref name=ima14/><ref name="safi">{{cite news |author1=Michael Safi |title=Indian doctors protest against plan to let 'quacks' practise medicine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/02/indian-doctors-protest-against-plan-to-let-quacks-practice-medicine |access-date=28 November 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=2 January 2018 |quote=The government is giving sanction to quackery. If those doctors make mistakes and people pay with their lives, who is going to be held accountable?}}</ref> Siddha practitioners believe that five basic elements<ref name="ayush-basic">{{cite web|url=http://ayush.gov.in/about-the-systems/siddha/basic-concepts|title=Siddha medicine: Basic concepts|publisher=Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India|date=25 February 2016|access-date=16 February 2020}}</ref> – earth, water, fire, air, sky – are in food, [[Humorism#Four humors|"humours"]] of the human body, and [[herbalism|herbal]], animal or [[inorganic]] chemical compounds, such as [[sulfur]] and [[Mercury (element)|mercury]], used as therapies for treating diseases.<ref name="ayush-mm">{{cite web|url=http://ayush.gov.in/about-the-systems/siddha/materia-medica|title=Siddha medicine: Materia medica|publisher=Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India|date=25 February 2016|access-date=16 February 2020}}</ref>
The [[Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy]] of the [[Government of India]] regulates [[National Institute of Siddha|training in Siddha medicine]] and other traditional practices grouped collectively as [[Ministry of AYUSH|AYUSH]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ccras.nic.in/ | title=About the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences |publisher=Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India|date=2017}}</ref> [[Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University|The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University]] offers courses with advanced degrees, such as BSMS (Bachelor in Siddha Medicine and Surgery), MD (Medical Doctor, Siddha) or [[Doctor of Philosophy|Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)]].<ref name="mgr-uni">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tnmgrmu.ac.in/index.php/courses/indian-medicine-and-homoeopathy-courses.html|title=Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy Courses - The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University|website=www.tnmgrmu.ac.in|access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nischennai.org/main/phd-siddha/|title=PhD Siddha|date=28 August 2021|access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref> The [[Central Council of Indian Medicine]], a statutory body established in 1971 under [[AYUSH]], monitors education in areas of Indian traditional medicine, including Siddha medicine.<ref>[https://www.nhp.gov.in/UploadFiles/microsite/636150825210485897_1.pdf Central Council of Indian Medicine]</ref> Siddha degree holders can become registered Siddha practitioners and are allowed to prescribe drugs as per the standards recorded in the Siddha Pharmacopoeia of India (SPI) under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.<ref>[https://legislative.gov.in/sites/default/files/A1940-23.pdf Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940]</ref><ref>[https://pcimh.gov.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=1&ls_id=506&lid=6 Siddha system of medicine]</ref> However, modern medicine prescriptions by Siddha practitioners are also considered as quackery by the Indian Medical Association.<ref name="ima14" />
==History== Siddha is an ancient Indian [[traditional medicine|traditional treatment system]] which evolved in [[South India]],<ref>{{cite book|title=The SAGE Encyclopedia of Pharmacology and Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5HlRCwAAQBAJ|first=Sarah|last=Boslaugh|date = 15 September 2015|publisher=SAGE Publications|page=2492|isbn=978-1-5063-4618-2}}</ref> chiefly in [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Karunamoorthi |first1=Kaliyaperumal |last2=Jegajeevanram |first2=Kaliyaperumal |last3=Xavier |first3=Jerome |last4=Vijayalakshmi |first4=Jayaraman |last5=Melita |first5=Luke |date=2012 |title=Tamil traditional medicinal system - siddha: an indigenous health practice in the international perspectives |url=http://koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201217136624975.page |journal= Tang: Humanitas Medicine |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=12.1–12.11 |doi=10.5667/tang.2012.0006 |issn=2233-8985|doi-access=free |url-access=subscription }}</ref> According to ancient literature of Siddha, it is said that the system of this medicine originated from Hindu God [[Shiva]] who taught it to his consort [[Parvati]]. Parvati then passed it on to [[Nandi (mythology)|Nandi]] and Nandi taught about it to nine Devtas.<ref>{{cite book|title=Progress of diabetes research in India during 20th century|author1=S. K. Mukherjee|author2=A. M. Saxena|author3=Gyanesh Shukla|author4=Gian Singh|author5=Dr. T. K. Mukherjee|publisher=National Institute of Science Communication|year=2002|page=100}}</ref>
Though the origin of this system is considered to be divine, Siddhar Agasthyar is considered as the founding father of this medical system. There are 18 prominent siddhars who are the main contributors to this system of medicine.<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.nhp.gov.in/frequently-asked-questions_mtl | title=Frequently Asked Questions | National Health Portal of India }}</ref> The original texts and treatise for siddha are written in [[Tamil language]].<ref name="auto"/>
==Concept of disease and cause== Siddha views disease as a condition caused when the normal equilibrium of the three humors (collectively called ''mukkuttram'') – ''vaadham'' (airy), ''pittham'' (fiery) and ''kapam'' (watery) – is disturbed.<ref>Concepts of body constitution in traditional Siddha texts: A literature review, Kannan Muthiah et al. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2019 Apr-Jun.</ref> The factors assumed to affect this equilibrium are environment, climatic conditions, diet, physical activities, and stress. Under normal conditions, the ratio between Vaadham, Pittham, and Kapam are 4:2:1, respectively.<ref name="siddha remedies">{{cite web|author=Guruji Murugan Chillayah|publisher=[[Varma Kalai]] |title=Siddha Therapy, Natural Remedies and Self-Treatment|date=20 October 2012|url=https://silambam.com.my/ayurveda-siddha.html|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref>
According to the Siddha medicine system, diet and lifestyle play a major role in health and in curing diseases. This concept of the Siddha medicine is termed as ''pathiyam'' and ''apathiyam'', which is essentially a rule-based system with a list of "do's and don'ts".
==Herbalism== The [[herbalism|herbal agents]] used by the {{Transliteration|hi|italic=no|siddhars}} could be classified into three groups: ''thavaram'' (herbal product), ''thadhu'' (inorganic substances) and ''jangamam'' (animal products).<ref name="siddha remedies"/> The thadhu agents are further classified as: ''uppu'' (water-soluble inorganic substances that give out vapour when put into fire), ''pashanam'' (agents not dissolved in water but emit vapour when fired), ''uparasam'' (similar to ''pashanam'' but differ in action), ''loham'' (not dissolved in water but melt when fired), ''rasam'' (substances which are soft), and ''ghandhagam'' (substances which are insoluble in water, like sulphur).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/1023/1/IJTK%206%284%29%20%282007%29%20678-686.pdf|title=Herbs used in Siddha medicine for arthritis - A review|date=October 2007|publisher=Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge |access-date=10 November 2011}}</ref>
==Siddha today== Tamil Nadu state runs a 5.5-year course in Siddha medicine (BSMS: Bachelor in Siddha Medicine and Surgery). The Indian Government also gives its focus on Siddha, by starting up medical colleges and research centers like National Institute of Siddha.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nischennai.org/| title=National Institute of Siddha | publisher=NIS, Chennai | access-date=25 December 2010 | location=Chennai, India}}</ref> and Central Council for Research in Siddha.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ccras.nic.in/| title=Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha| publisher=CCRAS |access-date=25 December 2010 | location=India}}</ref> Commercially, Siddha medicine is practiced by {{Transliteration|hi|italic=no|siddhars}} referred in Tamil as {{Transliteration|ta|italic=no|vaithiyars}}.
==Regulation== Practicing Siddha medicine and similar forms of rural alternative medicine in India was [[ban (law)|banned]] in [[The Travancore-Cochin Medical Practitioners' Act, 1953|the Travancore-Cochin Medical Practitioners' Act of 1953]],<ref name="act">{{cite web|title=Travancore-Cochin Medical Practitioners' Act, 1953|url=http://www.medicalcouncil.kerala.gov.in/pdf/tcmpact1953.pdf|publisher=Medical Council of Kerala, Kerala Adaptation of Laws|date=1956|access-date=29 November 2019}}</ref> then reinforced in 2018 by the Supreme Court of India which stated that "A number of unqualified, untrained quacks are posing a great risk to the entire society and playing with the lives of people."<ref name=agrawal/><ref name="bstd">{{cite news |title=Quacks practising medicine great risk to society: Supreme Court |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/quacks-practising-medicine-great-risk-to-society-sc-118041301019_1.html |access-date=28 November 2019 |work=Business Standard|date=13 April 2018|quote=People having no recognised and approved qualifications, having little knowledge about the indigenous medicines are becoming medical practitioners and playing with the lives of thousands and millions of people. Sometimes such quacks commit blunders and precious lives are lost.}}</ref> The Act requires that qualified medical practitioners be trained at a recognized institution, and be registered and displayed on a list of valid physician practitioners, as published annually in ''[[The Gazette of India]]''.<ref name=act/> The Gazette list does not recognize practitioners of Siddha medicine because they are not trained, qualified or registered as valid physicians.<ref name=ima14/><ref name=bstd/><ref name=agrawal/>
==Criticism== Since 2014, the Supreme Court of India and Indian Medical Association have described Siddha medicine as [[quackery]],<ref name=ima14/><ref name=bstd/><ref name=agrawal/> and there is no governmental recognition of {{Transliteration|hi|italic=no|siddhars}} as legitimate physicians.<ref name=ima14/> The Indian Medical Association regards the Indian institutions that train people in Siddha medicine, the supposed degrees granted, and the graduates of those programs as "fake".<ref name=ima14/><ref name=agrawal/> Since 1953, the Indian national government has not recognized Siddha medicine or any alternative system of medicine as valid, and there is no proposal to integrate Siddha medicine into conventional medicine practiced in India.<ref name=ima14/><ref name=agrawal/>
There may be as many as one million quack "doctors", including {{Transliteration|hi|italic=no|siddhars}}, practicing medicine in the rural regions of India, a condition not actively opposed by the Indian government out of concern for serving some health needs for the large rural population.<ref name=ima14/><ref name=bstd/><ref name="pseudo">Sources that criticize AYUSH as a pseudoscience: * {{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/policy-and-issues/ayush-ministry-rails-against-global-study-on-homeopathy/article8561466.ece|title=AYUSH Ministry rails against global study on homeopathy|last=Krishnan|first=Vidya|work=The Hindu|access-date=24 May 2017|language=en}} * {{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/india/1492838/how-scientists-are-fighting-fake-news-and-superstition-in-india/|title=Indian academia is fighting a toxic mix of nationalism and pseudoscience|last=Kumar|first=Ruchi|website=Quartz India|date=13 December 2018 |language=en|access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="safi"/><ref name="novella">{{cite web |author1=Steven Novella |title=Indian doctors fight against quackery |url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/indian-doctors-fight-against-quackery/ |publisher=Science-Based Medicine |access-date=14 September 2019 |date=3 January 2018}}</ref> The Indian Medical Association emphatically opposed this position in 2014.<ref name=ima14/> In 2018, licensed Indian physicians staged [[demonstration (political)|demonstrations]] and accused the government of sanctioning quackery by proposing to allow rural quacks to practice some aspects of clinical medicine without having complete medical training.<ref name=safi/>
==See also== * [[Yoga]] * [[Naturopathy]] * [[Sowa Rigpa]] * [[Tattva (Siddha medicine)]] * [[Lehyam]] * [[Manual therapy]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Traditional Medicine}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Siddha Medicine}} [[Category:Siddha medicine| ]] [[Category:Tamil culture]] [[Category:Vedic period]] [[Category:Ancient Indian medicine]] [[Category:Massage therapy]] [[Category:Indian inventions]]