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Classification of 4448 Diseases in Siddha System of Medicine -A Review

Article  in  Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research · April 2020

DOI: 10.9734/jocamr/2020/v9i230140

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 Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical
Research

9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

ISSN: 2456-6276

Classification of 4448 Diseases in Siddha System of

Medicine – A Review
Rakulini Raveendran1*
1
Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai Affiliated with Dr. M. G. R. Medical University,
Sri Lanka.

Author’s contribution

The sole author designed, analysed, interpreted and prepared the manuscript.

Article Information

DOI: 10.9734/JOCAMR/2020/v9i230137
Editor(s):
(1) Assist. Prof. B. V. Suma, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, India.
Reviewers:
(1) Dennis Amaechi, Veritas University Abuja, Nigeria.
(2) Ramaiah Maddi, Hindu College of Pharmacy, India.
(3) Ochieng O. Anthony, Sumait University, Tanzania
Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/56224

Received 17 February 2020

Accepted 23 April 2020
Original Research Article
Published 30 April 2020

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Siddha Medicine is a system of Traditional Medicine originating in ancient Sri Lanka
and Tamil Nadu in South India. Traditionally, it is taught the siddhars laid the foundation for this
system of Medication. Agastyar is considered the first Siddhar and the guru of all siddhars. Siddha
system considers the human body as a collection of tri-humors & seven basic elements. Vatham,
Pitham & Kapham are the tri-humors which are the life constituents of the human body. The
equilibrium of humors is consider as health & its disturbance or imbalance leads to disease.
Aim and Objective: The aim of the study is to identify the 4448 diseases according to the Siddha
Literatures.
Results and Discussion: 4448 diseases are mentioned in Agasthiyar 2000, Angathipatham, Noi
Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal part I and Theriyar vaakadam. Siddhar Aruvai Maruthuvam book stated
that Head and neck diseases are 1008. Diseases are classified according to anatomical structures
of body parts, tri humors and diseases. Totally, 93 diseases are explained in all five books. In Noi
Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal Part II, 51 diseases and its types and In Yugi Vaiththiya Sinthamani, 27
diseases and its types are explained in the books. Totally, 544 and 431 Number of diseases are
explained in the text Noi Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal Part II and Yugi Vaiththiya Sinthamani
respectively.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected];

 Raveendran; JOCAMR, 9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

Conclusion: This study has given quite evidence about 4448 diseases. These collected
information are helpful for further studies in types of diseases.

Keywords: 4448 diseases; Siddha medicine; Siddha pathology.

1. INTRODUCTION Nonaatha veeramadi nonavani kuthalanal

Noikalut paththivaku noikal vinai vithaiyai
1.1 Background of Study Noikal vinai payalaimei noikal valar pajirai
Nojuthavu palanaaki noikal veku melam
Siddha Medicine is a system of traditional
medicine originating in ancient Tamil Nadu in Nothaka vuraiththanaminth noikalara mela
South India and Sri Lanka. Traditionally, it is Nojiniki lalar nonmaiyi thiniya.
taught that the siddhars laid the foundation for
this system of medicine. Siddhars were spiritual This stanza said that the common causes for a
adepts who possessed the ashta siddhis or the person to be afflicated with diseases. There are
eight supernatural powers. Agastyar is anger, very hard work, wearing wet dress, sexual
considered the first Siddhar and the guru of all contact with a person afflicted with diseases,
siddhars, the Siddha system is believed to have speaking loudly, talking too much, over eating
been handed over to him by Shiva [1]. Siddha and eating with aversion. Instead one should eat
system considers the human body as a collection the right quantum and right quality of food at the
of tri-humors & seven basic elements. Vatham, appropriate time [2].
Pitham & Kapham are the tri-humors which are
4448 diseases are mentioned in the Siddha
the life constituents of the human body. The
Literatures. 4448 diseases are not clearly
equilibrium of humors is considered as health &
mentioned in any, Siddha Literatures So the
its disturbance or imbalance leads to disease
researcher is going to identify the 4448 diseases
[2].
according to the Siddha Literatures.
Expecting the diseases caused by our previous
births, the diseases caused by our present birth 1.2 Aims and Objective
are due to our food habits. This has been rightly
quoted in the following verse by Saint The aim of the study is to identify the 4448
Thiruvalluvar: diseases according to the Siddha Literatures.

Mikinum kuraiyinum noi saium noolor

2. METHODOLOGY
valimuthala venniya moonru 2.1 Study Design
The food and actions of a person should be in It is a review of classification of 4448 diseases in
association with the nature of his body. Any relevant literatures.
increase or decrease in a humor Vali, Azhal,
Aiyam leads to the derangement of the three 2.2 Study Setting
humors. The agreement of actions means his
good words, deeds and actios. According to Government Siddha Medical College,
Thiruvalluvar the disease is caused due to the Palayamkottai from October 2019 to March 2020.
increase or decrease in the equllibrium of three
humors [2]. 2.3 Data Collection
Data for the literature review were collected from
The common causes for a person to be affiliated
Agasthiyar [3], Angathipatham [4], Noi Naadal
with diseases are mentioned in the following
Noi Muthal Naadal part I [5], 4448- Viyathikal [6],
verse of Theriyar in his Karisal:
Noi Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal Part II [7] and
Yugi Vaithiya Sinthamani [8] and websites.
Nokkarrena nadamaadi nokki nadamidalam
Noddakkaa rarinaadi nodda mozhi kurallal 2.4 Data Analysis
Novaiyar maatharodu nova maruvuvathal
Nonpuvira thathipala norkavaru melival Collected data were processed and statistically
Nonchaijena vanukunuvu novavayiluvathal analyzed by a simple statistical method using
Nondavari thenaverai nondiya ruthlal Microsoft Excel.

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 Raveendran; JOCAMR, 9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

3. REVIEW OF LITERATURES Naadal part I [5] and Theriyar vaakadam.

Siddhar Aruvai Maruthuvam [6] book
4448 diseases are mentioned in Agasthiyar [3], stated that Head and Neck diseases are
Angathipatham [4], Noi Naadal Noi Muthal 1008.

Table 1. Classification of 4448 Diseases according to the Siddha literatures

Classification of According to According to According According to According to

diseases Agasththiyar Angathipatham to Noi Theriyar Siddhar aruvai
2000 (B1) (B2) Naadal Part vaakadam Maruthuvam
1 (B3) (B4) (B5)
Total Number of 4448 4448 4448 4448 -
diseases
Common Vatha 1482 - - - -
diseases
Common Pitha 1483 - - - -
diseases
Common Kapha 1483 - - - -
diseases
According to tri
humor
Vatha Diseases 84 - 85 - -
Pitha Diseases 83 - 42 - -
Kapha Diseases - - 96 100 -
According to body
parts
Diseases in Eye 96 96 96 95 96
Diseases in ear 7 50 10 23 100
Diseases in Nose 27 27 10 30 86
Diseases in Neck 42 6 - 120 100
36
Diseases in head 307 97 - 210 -
Diseases in mouth 186 18 - 70 -
Diseases in Cheek 40 32 - - 49
Diseases in occipital 10 10 - - 88
region of head
Diseases in Thigh 201 91 - 30 -
region
Diseases in Lumbo 306 105 - 16 -
Sacral region
Diseases in Navel 35 108 - 320 -
Diseases in Upper 130 130 - - -
limbs
Diseases in Back 81 52 - -
Diseases in forehead 32 - - - 26
Diseases in Abanan 61 - - 24 -
(Moolatharam)
Diseases in Chest 63 - 21 -
Diseases in Anal 101 - 100 -
region
Diseases in Calf 47 - 20 -
muscles & Knee joint
Diseases in Heart 106 - 21 -
Diseases in Foot 25 - 63 -
Diseases in Abdomen 556 - - - -
Diseases in Male 185 - - - -

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 Raveendran; JOCAMR, 9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

Classification of According to According to According According to According to

diseases Agasththiyar Angathipatham to Noi Theriyar Siddhar aruvai
2000 (B1) (B2) Naadal Part vaakadam Maruthuvam
1 (B3) (B4) (B5)
genitalia
Diseases in Scrotum 25 - - - -
Diseases in Lower 190 - - - -
limbs
Diseases in 42 - - - -
Thanaththil
Diseases in rib cage 200 - - - -
Diseases in head 75 - - - -
Diseases in Under the 40 - - - -
arm
Diseases in 20 joints 51 - - - -
Diseases in sole of - 31 - - -
foot
Diseases in Shoulder - - - 18 -
Diseases in Intestine - - - 320 -
Diseases in small - - - 270 -
intestine
Diseases in bones - - - 100 -
Diseases in nerves - - - 228 -
Diseases in Jaw - - - - 36
Diseases in vertex - - - - 46
Diseases in Eyebrow - - - - 16
Diseases around the - - - - -
groin region
According to
Diseases
Thiddai (Palliru Noi) - - 6 16 37
Thudi (Lips) Noi - - 100 20 16
Sanni Patham 30 - - 13 -
Paandu (Anemia) 28 - - 10
Ascites (Mahotharam) 30 - 8 - -
Kaasa Noi - - 7 8 -
Soolai Noi - - 200 20 -
Peptic ulcer - - 8 8 -
(Gunmam)
Fever (Suram) - - 84 (64) 40 -
Leprosy (Kuddam) - - 20 18 -
Hemorrhoids (Moola - - 9 100 -
rogam)
Peenisam, Kadi visam - - 76 160 (Kadi -
vidam)
Athisaaram - - 25 6 -
Meha Neer - - 21 21 -
Pori (bird) visam - - 800 96 -
Tooth - - - 20 45
Tonsils - - - 6 20
Kudal Vaayu 88 - - - -
Kazhangam 37 - - - -
Skin diseases 66 - - - -
(Karappan)
Vippuruthi 4 - - - -

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 Raveendran; JOCAMR, 9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

Classification of According to According to According According to According to

diseases Agasththiyar Angathipatham to Noi Theriyar Siddhar aruvai
2000 (B1) (B2) Naadal Part vaakadam Maruthuvam
1 (B3) (B4) (B5)
Kuruvai 8 - - - -
Pilavai 40 - - - -
Fistula (Pavunthiram) 8 - - - -
Kirivai Veddi 9 - - - -
Vandukkadi 18 - - - -
Silanthi 81 - - - -
Veppu 20 - - - -
Neuritis in Hands 100 - - - -
Thikaippu 96 - - - -
(Breathlessness)
Veppup paavai 56 - - - -
Vai soori (Meseals) 63 - - - -
Kaamaalai (Jaundice) 8 - - - -
Sori (Skin Diseases) 60 - - - -
Vazhalai 4 - - - -
Maddil Noi 108 - - - -
Sengchali 61 - - - -
Cough, Suvasa 300 - - - -
Kaasam
Thanur vaayu - - 300 - -
Santhi - - 76 -
Eluvai, Kazhalai - - 95 -
Thalai Veekkam - - 5 - -
(Oedema in head)
Generalized oedema - - 16 - -
Paduvan - - 11 - -
Navel Diseases - - 7 - -
Peeli Noi (Liver - - 8 - -
Diseases)
Uru vasiyam - - 5 - -
Keel Noi (Joint - - 30 - -
Diseases)
Kathir (Alaku) - - 3 - -
Veechchu Noi
Sobai - - 16 - -
Isivu - - 6 - -
Moorchchai - - 7 - -
Padu (Kuvai)Noi - - 46 - -
Kirani - - 25 - -
Night Blindness - - 20 - -
Kaddi - - 12 - -
Kirumi - - 6 - -
Vomiting - - 5 - -
Chronic Diseases - - 20 - -
Kalladaippu - - 80 - -
Thimir Noi - - 10 - -

50
 Raveendran; JOCAMR, 9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

Classification of According to According to According According to According to

diseases Agasththiyar Angathipatham to Noi Theriyar Siddhar aruvai
2000 (B1) (B2) Naadal Part vaakadam Maruthuvam
1 (B3) (B4) (B5)
Neer Rogam - - 5 - -
Visa Paakam - - 16 - -
Vikkal - - 10 - -
Arosikam - - 5 - -
Kadi Thodam - - 500 - -
Kaajam, Kuththu, - - 700 - -
Veddu
Kiranthi - - 48 - -
Pura Neer Kovai - - 200 - -
Peadiatri Diseases - - 100 - -
Snake 27 - - - -
Animal toxin - - - 257 -
Herb - - - 120 -
Aquatic plants - - - 34 -
Thodam - - - 7 -
Vali - - - 8 -
Rasa rogam - - - 6 -
Respiratory Diseases - - - 9 -
Atputham - - - 5 -
Yanthirangal - - - 20 -
Pavanam - - - 40 -
Moolai Noi - - - 360 -
Iraichchi - - - 21 -
Blood - - - 205 -
Muscles - - - 80 -
Malam - - - 7 -
Narutham Porul - - - 9 -
Mandai vinai - - - 15 -
Antharap pinni - - - 6 -
Mayir - - - 30 -
Rana Noi (Surgical - - - 200 -
Diseases)
General - - - 59 -
Karuvikkal - - - 18 -
Others
All over the body 1008 - - - -
Tongue 1008 - - 49 -
Congenital 160 - - - -
Sanni Paatham 13 - - - -
Diseases in head & - - - - 1008
neck

Agasthiyar 2000, Angathipatham, Noi Naadal Noi are 4448. Diseases are classified according to
Muthal Naadal part I and Theriyar vaakadam anatomical structures of body parts, tri humors
books have been stated that types of diseases and diseases.

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 Raveendran; JOCAMR, 9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

Table 2. Description of disease types are explained in the Noi Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal part II
& Yugi Muni vaithiya sinthamani [7,8]

Diseases Noi Naadal Noi Muthal Yugi Muni vaithiya

Naadal part II sinthamani
1. Fever (Suram) 64 7
2. Mukkuttam 13 13
3. Ammai 14 -
4. Kuralkammal 6 -
5. Nasal blockage (Mookkadaippu 9 -
6. Hypertension (Kuruthi azhal noi) 8 -
7. Cough (Irumal) 12 5
8. Bronchial asthma (Iraippu) 5 -
9. TB (Elippu) 7 -
10. Ulai maanthai 4 4
11. Heart diseases (Thamaraga noi) 5 -
12. Suvai inmai 5 -
13. Thirst (Neervedkkai) 4 -
14. Indigestion (Seriyamai) 9 -
15. Hiccough (Vikkal) 5 4
16. Vomiting (Vaanthi) 11 5
17. Maantham 3
18. Peptic ulcer (Gunmam) 8 8
19. Soolai 15 15
20. Diseases in spleen (Manneeral noi) 4 -
21. Diseases in liver (Kalleral noi) 3 -
22. Anaemia (Velluppu) 5 5
23. Oothal Noi 4 4
24. Jaundice (Manchal Noi) 13 13
25. Ascites (Peruvayiru) 8 32
Diarrheal diseases
26,27,28
26. Kudal piddippu noi 4 -
27. Perum kazhichchal 4 25
28. Ninak kazhichchal 11 -
29. Ooli Noi 3 -
30. Hemorrhoids (Moola Noi) 21 21
31. Kidney stones (Kalladaippu noi) 4 4
32. Oliguria (Neer churukku) 4 -
33. Anuria (Soddu neer) 2 -
34. Gonorrheal diseases (Vellai) 21 21
35. Meha neer kaddikal 10 -
36. Cherukku noi 7 -
37. Veri noi 6 -
38. Mayakka noi 6 -
39. Vali Noi 21 -
40. Vazhi Noi 85 80
41. Joint diseases (Keel vayu) 10 -
42. Azhal vayu 42 42
43. Aiya noi 21 21
44. Kuddam 18 18

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 Raveendran; JOCAMR, 9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

Diseases Noi Naadal Noi Muthal Yugi Muni vaithiya

Naadal part II sinthamani
45. Meha noi - 20
46. Visa paakam - 8
47. Chayam - 12
48. Kaasam - 12
49. Vippuruthi - 7
50. Skin Diseases (Karappan) - 7
51. Fistula (pavunthiram) - 18
Total 544 431

In Noi Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal Part II, 51 Diseases are classified according to the
diseases and its types and In Yugi Vaiththiya anatomical structures of body parts such as
Sinthamani, 27 diseases and its types are head, ear, mouth, eye, neck, nose, cheek,
explained in the books. Totally, 544 and 431 forehead, occipital region of the head (Pidari),
Number of diseases are explained in the text Noi upper limbs, abdomen, male genitalia, abdomen,
Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal Part II and Yugi scrotum, lower limbs, thigh region, lumbo sacral
Vaiththiya Sinthamani respectively. region, navel, rib cage, thanaththil, arm, chest,
anal region, calf muscles and knee joint, heart,
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION foot, joints, shoulder, bones, nerves, eye brow
and groin region.
Agasthiyar 2000, Angathipatham, Noi Naadal Noi
Muthal Naadal part I and Theriyar vaakadam Diseases in ear, Diseases in eye and Diseases
books have been stated that types of diseases in nose are explained in number value in all 5
are 4448. In Agasthiyar 2000, 4448 diseases books. Number of diseases in eye is
further classified into 3. There are Vatha approximately same (B1, B2, B3, B5:96, B4:95).
Diseases: 1482; It is caused by disturbance of So, Number of eye disease is 96. Number of
Vatha Thosam, Pitha Diseases: 1483; It is nose diseases (27) is same in Agasthiyar 2000
caused by disturbance of Pitha Thosam. These and Angathipatham. Diseases in neck are
diseases increase the body heat and explained in number value in 4 books. Diseases
inflammation and Kapha Diseases: 1483; It is in head, Diseases in mouth, Diseases in neck,
caused by disturbance of Kapha Thosam. Diseases in cheek, Diseases in occipital region
of head (Pidari), Diseases in thigh, Diseases in
Diseases are classified according to anatomical lumbo sacral region and Diseases in navel are
structures of body parts, tri humors and explained in number value in 3 books. Number of
diseases. According to the tri humors, Vatha diseases in cheek are approximately same
diseases and Pitha diseases are mentioned in (B1:40, B2:32, B5:49). Number of diseases in
Agasthiyar 2000 and Noi Naadal Noi Muthal occipital region of head is equal in 2 books
Naadal part II. Number of vatha diseases is (B1:10 & B2:10). Diseases in fore head,
approximately same (B1:84, B3:85). But in Yugi Diseases in upper limb, Diseases in abanan,
Muni vaithiya sinthamani book is mentioned that Diseases in back, Diseases in chest and
vatha diseases are 80 in number so number of Diseases in anal region are explained in number
vatha disease is 80 -85. Number of pitha value in 2 books. Number of diseases in
diseases is not same in number (B1:83, B3:42). forehead is approximately same (B1:32, B5:26).
But in Yugi Muni vaithiya sinthamani and Noi Number of diseases in upper limbs is equal (B1:
Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal part I books are 130 & B2: 130). Number of diseases in anal
mentioned that pitha diseases are 42 in number region are approximately same (B2: 101 & B4:
so number of vatha disease may be 42. Kapha 100).
diseases are mentioned in Noi Naadal Noi
Muthal Naadal part I and Theriyar vaakadam. Totally, 93 diseases are explained in all five
Number of Kapha diseases is approximately books. In Noi Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal Part II,
same (96:100). But in Yugi Muni vaithiya 51 diseases and its types and In Yugi Vaiththiya
sinthamani book is mentioned that Kapha Sinthamani, 27 diseases and its types are
diseases are 21 in number so number of kapha explained in the books. Totally, 544 and 431
diseases is unable to state in actual number. Number of diseases are explained in the text Noi

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 Raveendran; JOCAMR, 9(2): 46-54, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR.56224

Naadal Noi Muthal Naadal Part II and Yugi ETHICAL APPROVAL

Vaiththiya Sinthamani respectively.
It is not applicable.
5. CONCLUSION
COMPETING INTERESTS
Agasthiyar 2000, Angathipatham, Noi Naadal Noi
Muthal Naadal part I and Theriyar vaakadam Author has declared that no competing interests
books have been stated that types of diseases exist.
are 4448. Diseases are classified according to
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© 2020 Raveendran; This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.

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