title: Siddha medicine--background and principles and the application for skin diseases.
abstract: Siddha medicine is one of the most ancient medical systems of India. Siddha is the mother medicine of ancient Tamils/Dravidians of peninsular South India. The word Siddha means established truth. The persons who were associated with establishing such a Siddha school of thought were known as Siddhars. They recorded their mystic findings in medicine, yoga, and astrology in Tamil. Fundamental Principles of Siddha include theories of Five Elements (Aimpootham), and Three Forces/Faults (Mukkuttram). The Eight Methods of Examination (Envakai Thervukal) is used to determine diagnosis, etiology, treatment and prognosis. Siddha has safe herbal and herbo mineral treatment for psoriasis, eczema, alopecia, diabetic ulcer, warts, vitiligo, pemphigus, pompholyx, leprosy, and many more very common and rare diseases. Lifestyle modifications including diet are important.
authors.affiliation: Friends of Siddha Medicine 78, Trivandrum Road, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627 002, India. emmuthas@sancharnet.in <emmuthas@sancharnet.in>
authors.forename: J Joseph
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Thas
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D028321:Plant Preparations