Siddha Medicine Pre amble: The Sangam age is considered to be primitive and relics of ancient Tamil culture are being excavated from it. The Antiquity of Siddha Medicine system lies in the Dravidian culture and has its deep roots in Sangam literature. Tolkappiyam, Ettuthogai,Pathinen keel kanakku,Pathu Pattu, twin epics(Silambu/Manimekalai), Asarakovai, (Elathy,Siru pancha moolam, Thiri kadugam Publications of Kadai sangam) ,Agananuru,Purananuru are some of the Sangam texts which describe about the plants which are used
medicinally
contemporarily in Siddha . Tantrism is a pre Vedic cult and laid a foundation stone to many of the religious thought forms. The healing system evolved from tantrism is Siddha medicine. Lord Siva is considered as the founder of Tantrism.Naadi tharpana a text book on Naadi paritchai describes about reflections and inspirations of Tantrism laid foundation for pulse reading in Ayurvedam.Even Tantrism laid basic philosophies to Pulse reading.
Ilangovadigal call the physicians as
ayulvedhargal. Tolkappiyam mentioned about uyiriyal kolgai. It differentiated life forms
according the rationale of sensual perceptions. Silappathikaram quoted about Basic principles used in Siddha (Five senses, five sensory perceptions, 10 vayus, 10 naadis etc.). Tolkappiyam /Agam / Puram mentioned about Habitats for human living (Kurinchi- Hilly tract / Mullai wooded area / Marutham- Agricultural tract / Neithal Coastal tract/ Paalai Arid Tract). Asarakovai Said about rules and regulations for a healthy life. Even though there is a lot of mention about plants their medicinal properties are little described because all the Literature of Sangam period deals with love Emotions and Human behaviors. Establishment of Usage of Medicinal plants in Sangam age may be helpful for tracking behind the age of Siddha medicine the medical system of Dravidians.
Medical Information in Ancient literature and its congruences with Siddha system Vembu and Kadukkai Tolkappiyam Vembu and Kadukkai are bitter and astringents which are not palatable to taste but yields a lot of Medical benefits in Post digestion. These plants are equated with hard advices which are non-palatable initially but yields betterment later and also annotated as when you use them in need words are worthy.
Tolkappiyam also describes about usage of flowers of Medical benefits as logos in War front. Cherans used Flower from Palmyrah (Panam poo), Cholas used Aathi flower (Bauhinia racemosa) and Pandyas used Neem flower. Neem leaves are used along with Manjal (Iravam) for Quarantine in epidemics which is a habit mentioned in Purananuru.
Kadugu Brassica juncea
Usage of Kadugu for post war wounds are in practice as a bed .Fumigations with narandam and cleaning with Lotus stem are mentioned.
Conservation of Medicinal plants
People of Sangam period are very cautious and adopt conservation practices which are evident from Versions of Nattrinai that trees of medicinal values are to be sparingly used.
Cosmetology In Silambu the medicated water used by Madhavi for bathing consists of 10 astringents, Five Seeds and 32 types of fragrant substances called omalikaikal. She washes her hair with application of Javadhu, Maan madham, and Kasthurimanjal. Medicated herbal seats for people attaining Siddhis Nachinarkiniyar who has written annotations for Silambu quoted that people who have attained Siddhi (Meiunarvu) are made to be seated in seat made of Lotus petals/ Ambal petals and Samai.
Pulses and Grains
People of Sangam age used eight types of pulses which clearly indicate the present day health advice of Multi Grain theory.
Aquatic medicinal plants
Cultivation of Aquatic plants and ponds are mandates of NMBP today. These practices were traditionally present which is evident from Manimekalai which Narrates about cultivation of these plants in the Agali (Neeraran). Nelli Nelli finds its place in Kurunthogai, Agananuru, Purananuru, and Nattrinai and is mentioned for goodness and longevity. Milagu There were mentions about Milagu in various literatures.
11
Malai padu kadam
Inji manjal Painkari piravum
12
Milagu exported from Tamilnadu is used as Levy paid by people of Rome to vacate a king. 13
Conclusion The literary references quoted above establishes the mention of Many medicnal plants and Basic Siddha Philosophies in Sangam Literature and Further studies may discover many medical prescriptions and Evidences for the Antiquity of Siddha system the chattels of Dravidians and Tamils.
