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The Siddhas have their own manuscripts or basic works, written
in secret code. Some of the treasured treatises on medicine are poems in palm
leaf manuscripts which are now preserved in the Saraswathi Mahal Library,
Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu. They were the pioneers in the use of metals and minerals
in the treatment of diseases.
The systems of Siddha and Ayurveda
are very much similar. In both systems, the basis of treatment is the three
element theory or 'tridosha' (three humours). The three humours are Vatha (air),
Pitta (bile) and Kapha (phlegm). It is believed that without these humours an
individual cannot exist and imbalance of these may cause diseases. There are
number of medicines common to both Siddha and Ayurveda. In both systems
medicines are prescribed to set right the imbalance in the three life factors.
In
Siddha, diseases are diagnosed mainly
with the help of signs and symptoms of diseases. Other factors that help to diagnose
diseases are touch, examining the pulse, tongue, colour, speech, eyes, faeces
and urine.
The
main aim of Siddha is to assure a
healthy life to man kind.
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