Righteous living

Siddha System of medicine not only depends on the material facts and scientific proofs but on spiritual and social facts. Siddha is the first system of medicine to emphasize health as a perfect state of physical, psychological, social ans spiritual component of human being. This doctrine was declared by WHO in the famous Alma- ata conference. To Quote Saint Thirumoolar,

 

"One that cure physical ailment is medicine

One that cures psychological ailment is medicine

One that prevents ailment is medicine

One that bestows immortality is medicine"

It is necessary to keep some daily regimen, good food habits, good personal hygiene and good social conduct for smooth living in this world. All these things, which are to be followed by the human beings, are discussed in their books by the Great saints of Ancient India. These 'code of living' is said in various areas. Some of them are

 

• Waking up early in the morning- helps to improve the clarity of thoughts
  
• Proper diet according to the digestive fire, age of the individual, seasons prevents illness.
  
• Don't control defecation or urination
  
• Doesn't indulge in excessive sexual activity.
  
• While eating
  

Use boiled water as drink

convert the curd into buttermilk and melt the ghee and eat. People following these will be free from disease.

• Bath in hot water while taking oil bath.
  
• No sex in the morning.
  
• Should not have any interest in women elder than us.
  
• It is better to sleep on left lateral position.
  
• Avoid vegetables which aggravate piles.
  
• Fermented sour curd should be converted to buttermilk and ate.
  
• Avoid old food items.
  
• Should eat to your appetite.
  
• Eat only twice a day; not thrice.
  
• Do not sleep in the day; only sleep in the night.
  
• Shouldn't drink water in between eating food; even if the thirst is more.
  
• After having balanced diet have a small walk.
  
• Do not smell scented flowers at midnight.
  
• Avoid contact with the dust from goat, donkey, broom etc.
  
• Avoid sleep under trees, closely to people and near lamps.
  
• Avoid untimely eating, sleep, defecation, micturition and sex
  
• Use clean cloths.
  
• Remember and respect the God, ancestors, and the Guru (The real teacher).
  
• Combing the hair in the evening is not good.
  
• Proper exercise or yoga practice essential for good health.
  

Diabetes And Siddha

 

According to the World Health Organization, Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by inherited and/or acquired deficiency in production of insulin by the pancreas, or by the ineffectiveness of the insulin produced. Such a deficiency results in increased concentrations of glucose in the blood, which in turn damage many of the body's systems, in particular the blood vessels and nerves. Diabetes Mellitus is commonly called as Diabetes.

The main signs and symptoms of this disease are polyuria (excessive urination),Polydipsia(excessive thirst) , polyphagea (excessive appetite), and offen accompanied by unusual weight loss. 

There are mainly three types of diabetes mellitus. That are:

Type I – Generally called as Juvenile diabetes as it mainly affecting the young people and children. In this type the insulin production in the cells of islets of Langerhans of pancreas is insufficient for the glucose metabolism or it is nil. This may be either due to functional or structural deficiencies of the insulin producing cells. This can only be managed by direct insulin administration.

Type II – It is the commonest form found among. It is due to the resistance or loss of sensitivity of the cells towards insulin. Here the insulin level in the body may be normal but the blood glucose level will be high.

Gestational diabetes: It mostly resembles like the type II diabetes. It is found in 2-5 % of the pregnant ladies. This may disappear after the delivery or sometimes it continues.

The International Diabetes Federation estimates that more than 250 million people around the world have diabetes. This total is expected to rise to 380 million within 20 years. Each year a further 7 million people develop diabetes. Presently there is no complete cure for diabetes, but fortunately it can be managed without complications by using proper medication.

Diabetes and Siddha

 Diabetes Mellitus is a condition which can be compared with Neerizhivu in Siddha. The other names described in the texts are the Madhumegham and Inippuneer. The signs and symptoms explained are increased urination both in frequency and quantity, there will be flies surrounding the urine voided place, weigh loss, dryness of the skin, etc.

Various diagnostic methods in Siddha system like Naadi (The Pulse reading), Moothira parisothanai (Urine Examination) etc are used to diagnose the condition. The disease comes under the Megha diseases.

 

Management

In siddha the management of a disease not only depends on the medicine but the modification of food, habits, and lifestyle also. There are several medicines said in the literatures and practiced successfully by Siddha practitioners. The regulations in food, daily habits etc. are the specialty of most of these medicines. Some commonly used medicines are

1. Madhumegha choornam
   
2. Seenthil choornam
   
3. Naval chornam
   
4. Seenthil Kudineer
   
5. Aavarai kudineer
   
6. Abraga Parpam
   
7. Vanga parpam etc
   

In addition to the prepared medicines there are several herbal cominations said in the texts for the management of this disease. All these medicines are to be used with the prescription of a Siddha medical practitioner and with proper regimen. These medicines include several plants with anti- diabetic property like

Jambolinor Naval (Syzygium cuminii)

Sarkarai Kolli (Gymnema Sylvestre)

Kadalazhinjil or Eganayakam (Salacia reticulate)

Seenthil or Amrithu (Tinospora cordifolia)

Vilwam (Aigil marmalose) etc.

Regimen

The regulations in the daily habits, food and other activities are called as regimen. Even if there is so many do's and don'ts it is said that food that necessary for the sustaining of the vitality of the body should be consumed without fail. It is said that one should avoid day sleep and the sexual intercourse in the daytime.

November 14^th is considered as World Diabetes Day. In this occasion let us hope more researches will aim to the Indigenous systems of medicine which all have lot of resources.

Geriatric Health-care and Siddha

Let us care our parents, who are in there second childhood.

In every year on October 1st it is considered as International Day for the Elderly. According to United Nations, One out of every ten persons is now 60 years or above; by 2050, one out of five will be 60 years or older; and by 2150, one out of three persons will be 60 years or older. This aging of population is more marked in developed countries.

Geriatric is a branch of modern medicine like pediatrics, gynecology etc, which deals with the health-care of the elderly people. It not only aims the treatment but also the prevention of diseases and disabilities. To Know more about Click the link below, which will direct you to my old blog about geriatrics.

Click here           Geriatrics and Siddha



Some useful websites:

http://www.geriatricindia.com/
http://www.jiag.org/
http://www.healthinaging.org/caregiver/geriatric.asp
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seniorshealth.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0689/is_n3_v34/ai_12029940/
http://www.healthandage.com/
http://www.geriatricsatyourfingertips.org/front-back/agsinfo.asp
http://www.iahsa.net/default.asp
http://www.ficcdat.ca/TheFestival/default.aspx?lang=en-US

Alzheimers Disease

Today (21st September) is the world Alzheimer's Day and this week is observed as Dementia Awareness week.
 
This progressive, fatal and degenerative disease was named after a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer who first described this  in 1906.This is a disease with memory loss as its main symptom and mostly affecting the old age people. But there is exceptions.It is estimated that there is about 70416 deaths per year  in India by this disease.

number of deaths | 395318 deaths per year
cause of death probability | 1 in 144 ~~ 0.69%
rate of death | 6 deaths per 100000 persons per year
DALY | 10.4 million life years lost per year
(2002 estimates; DALY: Disability-Adjusted Life Years)

                                                                     Computed by Wolfram MathematicaSource information


The course of this disease is particular for each person. The early symptom is the memory loss. But most of the times this memory loss associated with this disease is early considered as a memory loss due to stress or loneliness. The difficulty to memorize the recently learned facts is the typical nature of the memory loss. When the disease is suspected it is diagnosed by   behavioral assessment, cognitive tests and by brain scan.Long term memory loss, even forgot the language, higher levels of irritability, extreme levels of confusion etc are the symptoms in later stages. The bodily functions are reduces gradually and leading to death.

The exact cause for the disease is still a mystery and there is not a an effective medicine to cure this disease  or even delays the progression of the the disease.By realizing these facts it is necessary to care the people with Alzheimer. So the treatment comes to palliative in nature.In the early stages of this disease the person can be well-managed by changing the living environments and life style. This will provide an easy look-after for the person. As this is mostly an old age disease (geriatric), the care givers must be the son or daughter or a spouse. It may be somewhat difficult, but it should be remembered that the same condition may happen to us in the old age.

Researches are going on this regard. This include finding out medicines for suppress the progression of this disease, which can be used in the early stages of the disease.  Even though there is not current cure for this disease, the related symptoms may be treated successfully.

Alzheimer and Siddha

As Alzheimer is a new found Disease, the old traditional medical system has no word 'Alzheimer' in its dictionary. But many symptoms of this disease like mental confusion, memory loss, irritability etc are described well and the treatment of the same are also explained. It is also said that at-most care should be given to these type of  patients. Early diagnosis and management is emphasized in the course of treatment of diseases of these kind. Both internal and external medicines are used in the management of disease.

There is a special method known as Kayakalpa, which means the rejuvenation therapy. By this it is not meant that the reversal of old age, but it is the process to extent the youth. 'Prevention is better than cure', While considering this, kayakalpa will be beneficial in the management of the Alzheimer's Disease.

Let us pray for Alzheimer's patients........

Healthcare Tips

1. For Sinusitis
The bark of 'chunda'( a plant very common in backyards of Kerala houses) is burned and the fumes can be inhaled to cure sinusitis.


2. For Tooth Ache
The root bark of 'Konna' (Casia fistula), (a tree with golden coloured beautiful flowers) can be chewed for tooth ache. In literature it is quoted that one should not speak while chewing this for better result.