Medicines in Siddha

Fractures of the bone are set right by traditional bone -setters, who have learnt the art orally from generation to generation.It is a separate science prescribed by the Siddhars. It is known as 'Varma Treatment' by them. It deals with the various kinds of fractures and their cure.

There are about 64 types of medicines in Siddha. The common preparations are Bhasma (calcined metals and minerals), Churna (powders), Kashaya (decoctions), Lehya (confections), Ghrita (ghee) and Taila (oil).

Oil is used for external application by Siddhas. Bathing regularly after being anointed in the oil (in which the essence of the herb 'Karisilanganni' is added) is an antidote to skindiseases.  For body pain, Marma Thailam, an oily preparation from herbs is applied to the body before going to bed. After a hot bath in the following morning, symptoms of relief are said to be marked.

Herbs are used to treat Asthma. According to mythology, some of the herbs are stated to have the power to transform old men into youth. 

Powdered gold, silver and other metals extracts from pearls and corals, and juices of herbs are made use of by the manufactures of Siddha medicines. Even today, people are said to consume 'Thanga Bhasmam' or powdered gold to get over the handicaps of old age.

Cooked raw flour mixed with turmeric powder is boiled and used as bandage material to cure abscess formed  in any part of the body.

Piles and eczema are cured by the Siddhas. 

The Siddha system included not only medicine and alchemy but also yoga and philosophy. Siddha science acknowledges 64 kinds of yoga.

Some common home remedies

A few drops of castor oil are let into the nose to cure cold.

For various bodily ailments, gingerly oil is boiled with small quantities of chillies and turmeric and the body is anointed with this liquid compound and given a warm bath. 

Boiled nutmeg is powdered and consumed with a plantain -fruit to stop dysentery. 

The skin of the fox is heated in the oven and devoured with honey to relieve whooping cough.

 For sore-throat, leaves of the drumstick tree are powdered, the juice extracted and applied to the throat along with 'chunam' -the lime consumed with betel leaves.

Ginger, turmeric, onion, mustard, nutmeg, cloves and other spices are consumed along with food for their medicinal properties. 

The water content of rice kept overnight is drunk with salt, turmeric and asafoetida every three hours as a tonic. 

The stem of the banana plant is used for urinary troubles and prostrate enlargements.

Cow-dung is used as a disinfectant in house holds.