European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A REVIEW ON SELECTED EXTERNAL THERAPIES IN SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

Risvan M. Y.*, Jeeva Gladys R., Balagurusamy K.

ABSTRACT

In traditional Siddha system, many diseases can be cured with external and internal therapies. Compared to internal therapies, external therapies offers holistic therapeutic approach reduces the disease burden in providing relaxation to both body and mind and it can be prescribed for all ages especially in emergencies. Siddhars knew well about these 32 external therapies, which are more important especially when the patients are unconscious and in serious conditions like trauma, snake bite etc. Ancient physician found these external therapies by keenly observing the core connection between the brain and sense organs. The thirty-two external therapies include ophthalmic application, nasal application, aural application, oleation, steam therapy, physical manipulation therapy, heat therapy, other topical applications, bone setting, bloodletting etc. The main aim of these 32 external therapies is to maintain the balanced state of tridosham and seven sapta dhatus. Likewise, some external therapies such as kalikkam, nasiyam, poochu, pugai, mai and peechu are discussed in this article for the prevention and management of eye diseases, snakebite, sinusitis, ear defect, diabetic problems, infertility etc.

Keywords: External therapy, kalikkam, nasiyam, poochu, pugai, mai, peechu.