Dr.Arun Baby

Journey to Chathuragiri to find Siddha Mooligai

Dr.Arun Baby

At the top of Chathuragiri (April 12th, 2009)

Arun Baby

Korakkar Siddhar Cave of Chathuragiri

Dr.Arun Baby

Wayanad

Dr.Arun Baby

Vishnu Uppu collected from Rameshwaram Sea

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Diagonosis in siddha medicine

Diagnosis in Siddha Medicine 

The Siddha System is said to have emerged in antiquity, from the highly evolved consciousness of the Siddhars.

The Diagnostic methodology in Siddha system is unique as it is made purely on the basis of clinical acumen of the physician. The diagnosis is arrived from the examination of sense organs, Interrogation, eight fold examination, wrist circumference sign, astrology & assessment of three derangement humours.

Examination of the patients on these principles is the first duty in Siddha as well as Ayurveda Physicians before he applies or employes any therapeutical remedy.

When at times there were no technological advancements around as of today, Sridhar’s tried to convey the art of diagnosing and the appreciation of prognosis to the contemporary world.

Diagnosis is made by means of (1) observation – observing smell, taste, features or facial expressions (2) Experiment – examination of sense organs; of urine, faeces, tastes, pulse and heart beat, (3) Questioning the patient on several points as regards duration of the disease, his sufferings and habit in respect of food and drink and the digestion and indigestion, sleep, vitality and strength, the state of mind and mental troubles.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Insomnia treatment in siddha systems of medicine

INSOMNIA
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder where the patient finds it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. This disease condition regularly affects millions of people worldwide. Published literature has reported nearly 30% population has difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, wakes up too early and/ or in some cases, non-restorative or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia significantly affects quality of life as it may lead to daytime sleepiness, lethargy, and a general feeling of being unwell, both mentally and physically. Commonly associated symptoms include mood swings, irritability, anxiety and a potentially higher risk of developing chronic diseases. In conventional system of medicine, antipsychotics and sedatives are used to combat insomnia that is often habit forming. However, insomnia can be successfully treated by integrated approach of AYUSH systems of medicine. In Siddha System of medicine, insomnia is referred as Thookaminmai.
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder that significantly affects the quality of life of the patient. The patient with insomnia complains primarily of dissatisfaction with the quality and/or quantity of sleep. This dissatisfaction may stem from the difficulty in falling or staying asleep throughout the night, or the number of times patients wake up during the night. The impact of insomnia on health has been studied from the epidemiological point of view, except for its relationship to psychopathology. However, several studies have shown an association of insomnia with a worse overall health status and a self-perception of poor health. Insomnia is usually associated with daytime fatigue and mood disorders such as irritability, dysphoria, tension, helplessness and depression [3,4]. At least one study suggesting that untreated chronic insomnia may be a risk factor in developing major depression [5]. In addition, patients with insomnia often have somatic complaints, typically gastrointestinal and respiratory, or headaches and non-specific pains.

During the day, patients with chronic insomnia may have problems that affect both their health and social and occupational functioning. They may complain of symptoms on the emotional, behavioural and cognitive level and of impairment in their social and working lives, with an increase in absenteeism . Moreover, they are more likely to have accidents. Published literature has reported nearly 30% population has difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, wakes up too early and/ or in some cases, non-restorative or poor quality of sleep. This result in a poorer quality of life: they are impatient, have difficulty concentrating, organising their work or are warned that their productivity is lower than expected. These patients also have more frequent health service consultations, which represent an increase in both direct and indirect health costs . Diagram 1 shows some of the health effects caused by insomnia, with both personal and social consequences.

Diagram 1. Effects of insomnia on health

When insomnia becomes chronic, it is associated with increased morbidity . Insomnia or typical manifestations have been associated in epidemiological studies with respiratory disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis), rheumatic diseases, cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, hypertension), cerebro-vascular conditions (stroke), diabetes and painful diseases, among others .

Causes
Insomnia can be caused by physical and psychological factors. There is sometimes an underlying medical condition that causes chronic insomnia, while transient insomnia may be due to a recent event or occurrence. Insomnia is commonly caused by:

Psychological issues - bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, or psychotic disorders.
Medical conditions - chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure, angina, acid-reflux disease (GERD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, sleep apnea, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, brain lesions, tumors, stroke.
Disruptions in circadian rhythm - jet lag, job shift changes, high altitudes, environmental noise, extreme heat or cold.
Hormones - estrogen, hormone shifts during menstruation.
Other factors - sleeping next to a snoring partner, parasites, genetic conditions, overactive mind, pregnancy.

Symptoms of insomnia:
• difficulty falling asleep, including difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position
• waking during the night and being unable to return to sleep
• feeling unrefreshed upon waking
• daytime sleepiness, irritability or anxiety
Sleep-onset insomnia is difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night, often a symptom of anxiety disorders. Delayed sleep phase disorder can be misdiagnosed as insomnia, as sleep onset is delayed too much later than normal while awakening spills over into daylight hours.
It is common for patients who have difficulty falling asleep to also have nocturnal awakenings with difficulty returning to sleep. Two-thirds of these patients wake up in the middle of the night, with more than half having trouble falling back to sleep after a middle-of-the-night awakening.
Early morning awakening is an awakening occurring earlier (more than 30 minutes) than desired with an inability to go back to sleep, and before total sleep time reaches 6.5 hours. Early morning awakening is often a characteristic of depression.

DSM-5 criteria for Insomnia
1. Predominant complaint of dissatisfaction with sleep quantity or quality, associated with one (or more) of the following symptoms:
a) Difficulty initiating sleep. (In children, this may manifest as difficulty initiating sleep without caregiver intervention.)
b) Difficulty maintaining sleep, characterized by frequent awakenings or problems returning to sleep after awakenings. (In children, this may manifest as difficulty returning to sleep without caregiver intervention.)
c) Early-morning awakening with inability to return to sleep.
2. In addition, the sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, educational, academic, behavioural, or other important areas of functioning.
3. The sleep difficulty occurs at least 3 nights per week.
4. The sleep difficulty is present for at least 3 months.
5. The sleep difficulty occurs despite adequate opportunity for sleep.
6. The insomnia is not better explained by and does not occur exclusively during the course of another sleep-wake disorder (e.g., narcolepsy, a breathing-related sleep disorder, a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder, a parasomnia).
7. The insomnia is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication).
8. Coexisting mental disorders and medical conditions do not adequately explain the predominant complaint of insomnia.

Siddha System of medicine one of the ancient traditional Indian system of medicine refers Insomnia as “Thookaminmai”. In the Siddha text Noiillaneri describes the effects of Insomnia i.e if the person doesn’t sleeps well he will experience heaviness of head, generalized body pain, opthalmalgia, ear will be normal but the person’s brain may not appreciate any sounds.
Varmam is a unique, special branch of Siddha medical system play a major role in the management Insomnia. From ages Varmam has been developed and used as martial or defensive art and also used in medical healing practice. According to the Siddha literature, Varma therapy is considered as Vital points therapy by which the disease are healed by manipulating some pressure points either by touch or massage in appropriate pressure.

Varma therapy is simple, cost effective, non invasive, drugless and can be done at anywhere. Varma is a complete naturalistic healing system to rejuvenate the body by eliminating toxic imbalances to restore resistance and good health in the highly stressful environment of modern times. There are about 108 major Varmam points located in the body, among these Kondaikolli, Patchi ner Varmam, Patchi Varmam, Thilartha kaalam, Vettrilai kaalam, Kuttri kaalam, Adappa Kaalam, Soozhiaadi Varmam, Saramudichu were applied over the patient with Insomnia.

Oil bath in siddha systems of medicine

OIL BATH

Siddha medicine have recommended certain basic guidelines to be followed for healthy living which includes observation of certain regimen as mentioned in “Pini anugaa vidhi” literally meaning rules that help prevent disease. Their concept of “Kaayakarpam” for prevention of diseases is highly admirable as it makes one’s body resistant to infections. Oil Bath is one among the therapy used  in Tamil Nadu . It is the practice of massaging the head with sesame oil heated with spices.
1. Regular practice of having oil bath relaxes and rejuvenates us. 2. Oil bath removes the heat from our body, especially during hot summers. 3. It helps us get a deep sleep, as we feel relaxed after an oil bath. 4. It prevents hair loss, especially if done with good quality oils. 5. It helps to reduce the redness in the eyes, especially people who spend a lot of time staring the computers will greatly benefit from oil bath and also it balances thiridosha. Siddha and Ayurveda ancient traditional system of Indian medicine has been mentioned about the procedure, directions to apply, significance of oil bath and also about pathyam and apathyam to be followed on the day of oilbath.
In South India people living in villages are having a traditional health habit from time immemorial of taking oil bath to improve and keep their good health. It is believed by the people of ancient time that oil is penetrating inside the body through the head, ears and feet, lowering body temperature and assisting an individual to endure the warm climate. But now it has been understood that applied oil dissolves the dusty, oily particles present in the skin pores which cause the body heat and strain the body organs, disorders in brain which in turn creates weaker kavasam (auric field). Later those impurities stuff will be removed by the application of herbal powder and warm water. This phenomena helps to make the skin to remove heat from inside of the body, which acts as a valve, to outside easily. Oil bath is the practising of massaging the head and the body with oil preferably sesame oil, coconut and castor oil also can be used. Commonly two varieties of oils such as coconut and sesame oils are used. But it is experienced by the people that sesame is more desirable than the other one.  About 50 - 70ml of oil heated slightly higher than body temperature is taken in a palm size bowl. Strictly avoid taking oil in plastic bowl just before the application as they might affect the medicinal properties of oils. Start putting the oil on the top of your head, in small quantities at a time, and rub it on your hair and scalp. Then you continue massaging and slowly scratch without hurting it on the rest of the head, including the face, around eyes and nasal passages. Go on massage all over the body, giving importance especially to all hairy areas, from the ears, armpits, navel, groin, anal opening and throughout whole body. The pores which are now soaked in oil will be easy to wash away the dirt that has clogged the skin later. You can soak with this oil on your body from 30 to 45 minutes. Shiyaakai powder is the right choice for to wash the oil instead of shampoo. (There is no man made chemical which is equal in washing capacity like the shiyaakai. it's a nut plucked from the shiyaakai tree). Take 5 or 8 grams of the powder in a bowl and you have to make a wet paste of it by slowly adding drops of water. After making the paste, you have to take the requisite amount of the paste in the palm and rub it with both palms; add little water if needed and then apply it on the head only first. Rub it till you see froth. Very quickly wash it with copious amount of water as shikaakaai should not be allowed to remain on the body after it removed the oil, then likewise wash face next and then body and then legs with groin area included. Every time wash the shiyaakai froth quickly with good amount of water. You have to apply half of it on top of the head and the remaining half to be smeared all over the body till you reach the toes and can be allowed to soak for 10-15 minutes normally and not more than that is required. Now rinse the shiyaakai with oil stuff in hot water. It is said as per Siddha Vaidyam that the vital energy in body such as vatham, kapham and pittham must be balanced for good health. Siddha maruthuvam treats a person on the assumption of disturbance to any one of the 5 vital elements in the body and making correctives to them. It is said when one takes oil bath, the balance of these is upset in the body. One can feel it also. Usually after an oil bath, one will feel sleepy. Avoid sleeping for atleast 3 to 4 hours from the time of oil bath.
Within 3 hours from Sun rise is most suitable time to take oil bath

- Taking oil bath on Saturday best suits the nature of the day influenced so, by Saturn.

- As per astrology, chathurthasi (4th tithi) is ideal for oil bath.

- In a week Saturday is ideal for oil bath for men and Friday for women.
So the days chosen for oil bath are those ruled by planets that give long life, to offset the supposed fall in the balance of vital energies of the body.
BENEFITS OF OIL BATH
1. It clears oily substances from the skin of total body and facilitate the same to transfer heat from its inside to outside. This will enhance your kavas am / auric field and strengthen your spirit's anatomy to attract prosperity and spiritual energy.

2. By giving healthy cold to our body we can have good appetite and feeling of taste.

3. Healthy cold prevailing in our body prevents many diseases like migraine, depression, stomach disorder, diabetic, sexual disorder, jaundice, cancer and other viral diseases.

4. We can get healthy, deep sleep and good concentration in our daily activities.

5. The quality of the skin like complexion and colour improves. The hair grows thickly and greying of hair gets delayed. Glowing and radiant Skin and healthy hair can be maintained as it removes surface tension on the mind and body.

6. Highly beneficial for the eyes since it improves vision and removes dusty particles. It also removes the reddishness colour of the eyes that comes with stress

7. The nerves in the body improve and your body gets rejuvenated

In the area of actually improving general good health, the use of oil baths helps to keeps skin and
its pores open, supple and radiant, and in reality does help cool the body temperature by allowing perspiration to flow freely. Oil baths have a similar impact on keeping hair manageable and healthy, and prevents dry skin build-up on elbows, knees, feet and hands. In many instances circulatory issues can be aided greatly by the use of Indian bath oils and massage in helping blood flow to extremities. It is also a very common practice in southern India for a woman following childbirth to partake of oil baths to calm strained muscles, and it is even believed to improve the amount of a nursing mother's breast milk.

Perhaps the greatest benefit attributable to those who use Indian bath oils lies in the tremendous benefit associated with the reduction of stress. The deep muscle massage combined with healing herbs and a warm bath provides an excellent source of relaxation, lowering blood pressure and enabling healthy heart rhythms. This aspect of using Indian bath oils also has a positive impact upon the ability to sleep soundly, allowing an individual to gain deep and restorative sleep patterns that may otherwise be beyond reach. This benefit of Indian bath oils is especially useful in those with ill health or suffering from chronic medical conditions.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
          Avoid using hot/warm water bath if you have nerves problems.
       - People above the age of 65-70 may avoid taking oil bath
Avoid oil bath during rainy days
- don't sleep during the day after taking oil bath. Sleep will further lower the body temperature and you may get sick (but not necessarily).
- After taking bath, dry the hair in the open sun (for a few minutes) if possible or under the fan. Do this especially if you have long hair and ensure that water is removed from hair and scalp.
- People having disc wear problem in their vertebra or having worn disc in the neck should not take oil bath

Dr.L.JANANI M.D(S)
Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre, vellore

Focus

To rejuvenate the medical system of the most ancient civilization and most ancient language of the indian subcontinent in God's own counry which originated from the Kamandalu(Sacret pot) of Agasthiyar who lived in Agasthiyarkudam and attained Samadhi in Ananthasayanam (Thiruvananathapuram)

Siddha Medicine - A gift for the human being from Siddhars !

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