Differences & similarities between Siddha and Ayurveda medicine
As many of us are aware Siddha and Ayurveda are chief traditional medicine systems of India formulated by noble men, known by different names like Sages, rishis, Siddhas etc. These people were the knowledge hubs of our culture. These noble men, Siddha’s and Sadhu’s imparted various manuscripts of different genres such as medicine, alchemy, astrology, yoga etc. In India most of the scripts were destroyed during foreign rule. Only a few of the crafts survived and one among them would be Siddha and Ayurveda medicine system
There have been queries in our mind like
- What is Siddha ?
- What is Ayurveda ?
- What is the similarities and difference between siddha and Ayurveda system of medicine ?
Siddha and Ayurveda system of medicines have many similarities like humoral pathology, usage of herbs and diagnostic methods to name a few. Despite similarities they do have differences in various aspects. We have tried to shed some light on this topic with excerpts from medical literatures available.
Siddha vs Ayurveda
Language & region The medium of treatise and texts are in Tamil language. The Siddha system of medicine is an old system of medicine said to be originated and followed by Dravidian culture i.e. today’s South India. Language & region The medium of treatise and texts are in Sanskrit. The Ayurveda system of medicines is part of the Atharva Veda the fourth book of Vedas. Charaka Samhita & Susruta Samhita are the two foundational texts of Ayurveda.
History: The exact age of Siddha medicine is not exactly known. As it was used by Dravidians and related with Indus valley civilization so age can be around 3rd century B.C. History: Ayurveda also has been the medicine system of Indus valley civilization. There are evidences that prove it has been in practice in 6th & 7th century B.C.
Principles: Considers humans as a universal entity i.e. Macrocosm and microcosm. Any change in the environment has an influence on human existence and living. Five elements of Siddha system ஐம் பூதம் ● Air or Vayu வாயு ● Sky or Agayam ஆகாயம் ● Fire or Theyu தேயு ● Water or Appuஅப்பு ● Earth or Prithvi பிருதிவி Three vital humors முக்குற்றம் ● Vadham ● Pitham ● Kabam Principles: Preaches the same theory of Macrocosm and microcosm as Siddha system of medicine. Five elements of Ayurveda system ● Ether or Akasha ● Air or Vayu ● Fire or Agni ● Water or Jala ● Earth or Prithvi Three vital humors tridoshas ● Vata ● Pita ● Kapha
Philosophy In Siddha system, the fundamental functions of Vatham, Pitham, and Kabam are Creation, protection and destruction respectively. Philosophy In Ayurveda, function of Vatha, Pitha, and Kaba are destruction, protection and creation respectively. These changes can be attributed to the seasonal and environmental factors of the landscape.
Exchanges of ideas Siddha system of medicine exchanges formulation ideas with both Ayurveda and Chinese folk medicine. For example சீனக் காரம் i.e. Chinese salt , சீனக் கற்பூரம் i.e. Chinese camphor are few products mentioned in Siddha literature that has to be brought from China. The reason is that Siddhars travelled many places like Siddhar Bogar & Pulipani travelled to China, Siddhar Ramadevar travelled to Arabia and got the name Yacob.Siddha medicine shares few information from Ayurveda also. Exchanges of ideas Ayurveda has some of the features from Siddha medicine like “rasa Shastras” and metal preparations. Ayurveda also has shared some of its pathological investigations of diseases to Siddha system. For e.g. Siddhamaharathvajam an Ayurvedic preparation holds Siddha name in its prefix, that helps us understand the exchange of knowledge between the two system.
Metallic Medicines The Siddha system has many literatures about metallic preparations. Siddha system has a special literatures emphasizing on alchemy. Metallic Medicines Ayurveda system also has metallic medicines as in Siddha system. Ayurveda system treats deadly diseases with various metallic preparations like “bhasmas”.
Pulse(Naadi) diagnosis Pulse diagnosis or Naadi diagnose in Siddha system has been strictly followed from ancient days. Siddha system has literatures with main stream focus in pulse diagnosis. These literatures help the physicians in understanding body disorders. Pulse diagnosis Ayurveda system also follows naadi diagnosis system with limited techniques. But modern day Ayurveda has improved some of the features in its diagnostic perspectives.
➢ Rejuvenation The so called karpamarunthu (Rejuvention Therapy) is unique for its advanced use of herbal, metallic, herbo-mineral, and metallic oxides for rejuvenation. Rejuvenation Ayurveda system follows rejuvenation therapy with panchakarma treatment. There are also “Suga chikilsa” for retaining the youth in oneself.
➢ Varmam & Girigai in Siddha The treatment methods like varmam “வர்மம்” for nervous and neurological problems, girigai “கிரிகை” மருத்துவம் for psychological problems are only used in siddha system. In Varmam of Siddha system speaks about 108 Varmas in human body. It is also an ancient martial art. Chinese folk medicine also speaks about similar body points that are used in acupuncture treatments. Marmam in Ayurveda Marmam insists on 107 points in the body. These points control activities of the body. These Marmam techniques are used in martial arts like “Kalari payatu”. It is an ancient war art used to defeat enemies and as well as in medical science.
