Determination of the success of traditional toxicology practice

NJQ Tharshanodayan^?1, P Rohini ²

^?1 PG Scholar, Department of Gunapadam, Government Siddha Medical college, (The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R Medical university Chennai, Tamilnadu, India), Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli(627002),Tamilnadu, India.² Medical Officer, District Siddha Hospital, Mannar, Srilanka.

 
Abstract

Traditional medicine is an inexpensive, safe and culturally accepted medical system. The World Health Organization has suggested to practice traditional medicine. Currently Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani and Deshiya sikitsai are practicing and existing in Srilanka. Nanjiyal (Toxicology) in Siddha system were consists of plant, metal and mineral toxins and animal’s venoms. Traditional practitioners rarely practicing the Siddha toxicology in northern and eastern part of Srilanka.  Dr.Mrs.K. Thavamanidevi is a traditional practitioner ,4^th generation Reg 7111, practicingVisakadi vaithiyam (V.V). Focus is to assess the favorable result through traditional toxicology practice. Data were collected from the practitioner orally and from the records which were maintained by her.Akaththiyar kulambu, Neelakandan maththirai and Thalankaai ennai are using in V.V by the practitioner. Out of 145 patients of both sex 13.1% of male and 17.24% of female were highly  affected by scorpion bite and 1.37% of male and 0.68% female were lessley  affected by the Snake bite. Taste of the plants using in animal venom  as follows, 57% of bitter and 19% of astringent  . Actions of plants as follows 13.04% of antidode action  and 10.1% of antiseptic action.According to the study effective of the above mentioned plants and the preparations by the traditional practitioner are showing effective for animal venom poisoning methods as indicated by pharmacological action, taste of ingredients, that are using by the practitioner and also cured patients’ statistics in various poisonous bite. Studies like this may through new light to standardize the traditional toxicology practice.

Key words: Nanjiyal, Akathiyarkulambu, Neelakandamathirai, Thalankai ennai

Introduction

        Traditional medicine is an inexpensive, not expose to danger and culturally accepted medical system. Because of that, the World Health Organization (WHO) was suggested to practice traditional medicine in worldwide ⁽¹⁾. At this moment in time Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Deshiya sikitsai (Srilankan Traditional medicine) are practicing in Srilanka ⁽²⁾. Siddha system of medicine is Unique to Tamilnadu and northern and eastern part of Srilanka. For several centuries, in Tamil’s populated in rural areas traditional healing practices happening. It relies substantially on plant, herbal based medicines ⁽³⁾. Nanjiyal (Toxicology) in Siddha system were made up of two types poisons. They are plant, metal and mineral toxins and animal’s venoms. Venom having animals are insects, scorpions, snakes, worms, rat and bees etc. The ancient people life was associated with jungle. To a greater extend of human being were touched by an animals and insects in their routine ^(4). In past centuries siddha toxicology was well established in Jaffna peninsula. Nowadays this tradition was diminishing by poor skills and practices. Traditional healing, however, may have serious consequences in terms of delays or added complications. Nowadays most affected patients access formal medical care, few patients only use traditional healers. The reasons for using traditional practitioners include difficulties with transportation, cost, inadequacy of ant venom in the formal health sector, and trust in traditional healing within the context of longstanding tradition ⁽⁵⁾.

History of toxicology in traditional medicine.

        Thevarsand Asuraswere try to get amirtham, unfortunatelyit processes produced visam. It is more different in character and shape. It was looks very bright and golden colour. The poison has shown it’s like a fire in eyes. After that, Barman destroyed them. Finally, the visam associated in to some plants and animals. Three branches in Visakadi vaithiyam (Toxicology) are Nidanam, Manthra and Sikitsai ^{(6), (7)}.  Traditional toxicology knowledge is orally-transmitted, or transmitted through imitation and demonstration. The consequence is that writing it down changes some of its fundamental properties. Traditional knowledge is local. It is rooted to a particular place and set of experiences, and generated by people living in those places. The result of this is that transferring the traditional toxicology practiceto other places runs the risk of dis-locating it. characteristically shared to a much greater degree than other forms of traditional toxicology practiceknowledge. Therefore, it is sometimes called `people’s science’. Specialists may exist by virtue of experience with traditional toxicology practice⁽⁸⁾. Now rarely few number of traditional practitioners still practicing in Siddha toxicology in Northern and Eastern part of Srilanka.  Dr. Mrs.Krishnamoorththi Thavamanidevi is a traditional practitioner ,4^th generation, S.L.A.M.C Reg. No7111 (Visesa vaiththiyam). She has been running her own clinic Velmurugan Siddha Ayurveda hospital in Valanthalai junction, Kaarainagar and another in Vaddukoddai. She is treating average 7 to 10 patients per a day who are affected by animal venom.

 Objective

        Assess the favorable resultthrough traditional toxicology practice.

 Methodology

        This is a cross sectional study. This study was conducted from 28^th of September to 28^th of December 2017 at   Velmurugan siddha ayurvedic Hospital, Valanthalai junction, Kaarainagar and the permission was taken to conduct the above study from Dr.K. Thavamanidevi, who was the in-charge of Velmurugan siddha ayurvedic Hospital. Data were collected from the practitioner orally and got information from the records which were maintained by the traditional practitioner.

 Prepared medicines used for Visakadi vaithiyamby traditional practitioner

1.               Akaththiyar Kulambu - Internal and external use

2.               Neelakandan maaththirai –Internal use

3.               Thaalangaai ennai - External use

Results and discussion

        Collection of prepared medicines which were used to treat the poisonous bite in traditional practice are Akaththiyar Kulambu, Neelakandan maaththirai and Thaalangaai ennai. Dosage ofAkaththiyar Kulambuwere varies from green gram size to coffee seed size. Should be taken in early morning empty stomach with rice water (Washed the red rice 2 time and get 2^nd water). Salt, sour and oil should be avoided in this period. Use as an external application on affected area. Neelakandan maaththirai as an internal medicine.1-2 mathhirai with various anupanam, itwas decided by the practitioner. Thaalangaai ennai was used as an external application on affected area.

        Herbs that were using in various poisonous bite as follows. Polygala elongateleave, Bryonia callosaleave, Aristolochia indicaroot, Polygala elongateleave and Musa paradisiacalstem were using internally for the snake bite. Bryonia callosa leave, Pavetta indica leave, Zingiber officinale rhizomes, Ocimum sanctum leaves, Gymnema sylvestre root, Pongamia pinata root, Aristolochia bracteolate whole plant andTrianthema decandra root were used for externally. Acalipha indicaleave,Daemia extensaleave, Indigofera tinctorialeave and root,Acalipha betulinaleave were using internally for the spiderpoison.Daemia extensaleaves and Pavetta indicaleaves were used for externally. Eclipta albawhole plant andIndigofera tinctorialeave were using in scorpion poisoning.Adenama hyssopifolialeaves andOcimum sanctumleaveswere used as an external purpose.Bambusa aurindinacialeave, Alangium salvifolium bark, Clitoria ternatearoot, Berberis aristataroot, Curcuma domesticarhizome andAcarus calamuswhole plant were using in rat scratch. Indigofera tinctoriaroot used in externally. Aristolochia bracteolateroot, Acalipha betulinaleaveOcimum sanctumleaves, Piper nigramseeds andIndigofera tinctoriaroot were using internally for the unknown bite.Acalipha indicaleaves, Curcuma domesticarhizome and Tamarindus indicusfruit were used as an external purpose.

 Conclusion

        Village people were commonly affected by animal venom. All aged people without any differences were affected by the different poisonous animals. Among the period of study 145 patients came to get treatment for different poisonous bite.

According to the study Akaththiyar kulambu, Neelakandan maththirai and Thalankaai ennaiwere plays a major role in treating Visakadi vaithiyam. Practitioner commence the treatment with Akaththiyar kulambu. Whengiven Neelakandan maththirai, giving different plants extracts for different poisonous bite as a vehicle. practitioner was applying the Thalankaai ennai at the site of bite then was fomented with steamed Vitex negundo(Nochchi) Pottani. Finally apply the various paste like aksthiyar kulambu on the site of bite.

Out of 145 patients of both sex 1.37% of male and 0.68% female were affected by the Snake bite , 14.48% of male and 11.72% of female were affected spider stringe ,13.1% of male and 17.24% of female were affected scorpion bite, 4.82% of male and 6.89% female were affected by rat scratch and 13.79% of male 15.86% of female were affected by rat scratch and 13.79% of male and 15.86% female were affected by unknown bite.

In poisonous bite ,sucess of  treatments were evaluvated by using the characters of herbs in the treatment, according to the Murukesa mudaliyar and Gunapadam mooligai iyal part -1. If we see the taste and therapeutic action of the medicinal plants which were used as Vehicle , 57% was having bitter taste and 13.04 % was having antidode action.

Taste of the plants using in animal venom  as follows, 57% of bitter taste 19% of astringent taste , 24% of pungent taste and actions of plants as follows 8.69% of astringent and stimulant action.13,04% of antidode action , 10.1% of antiseptic action , 5.79% of expectorent , purgative ,antispasmodic and antiperiodic action , 7.24% of alterative Stomachic, Tonic, analgesic and carminative actions. According to the study effective of the above mentioned plants and the preparations by the traditional practitioner are showing effective for animal venom poisoning methods as indicated by pharmacological action, taste of ingredients, that are using by the practitioner and also cured patients’ statistics in various poisonous bite.Studies like this may through new light to standardize the traditional toxicology practice.

 Acknowledgement

Contributions of Traditional practitioner Dr. Thavamanidevi , Velmurugan Siddha Ayurveda hospital is  sincerely acknowledged for providing valuable knowledge and facility to carry out the work.

1.     

Chaudhury RR, Herbal medicine for human health. World Health Organization Geneva, New Delhi: CBS publishers and distributors LTD, 1999.

2.      Kamal Perera, Current scenario of herbal medicine in Sri Lanka (PDF Download Available)Availablefrom:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224771841_Current_scenario_of_herbal_medicine_in_Sri_Lanka, 2017.

3.      Anadhan A R Et al. Special medicines in siddha, Department of Indian medicine and Homoeopathy, Chennai 600106, 2009.

4.      Subhalakshmi A, Thiruthani M. Centipede bite and its management – Over view in Siddha system, international journal of current research in chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences, ISSN: 2348-5213: DOI:10.22192/ijcrcps Coden: IJCROO(USA) Volume 4, Issue 6, 2017.

5.      Sivasanmugaraja, S. IrupathaamNootrandilElaththilSiddhamaruththuvam, SiddhamaruththuvavalarchiKalakam, Kantharodai, Chunnakam,2000.

6.      Velummajilum S.S, Visakadi Vaiththiya MuraikalumMoolikai maruththuvankalum, Araththamil Gnanam Vinaayakar tharma nithiyam, 1995.

7.      Munisamy Mudaliyar. Visa vaiththiya sinthamani, The progressive printers, South indian book depot, 1931

Determination of the success of traditional toxicology practice

NJQ Tharshanodayan^?1, P Rohini ²

^?1 PG Scholar, Department of Gunapadam, Government Siddha Medical college, (The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R Medical university Chennai, Tamilnadu, India), Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli(627002),Tamilnadu, India.² Medical Officer, District Siddha Hospital, Mannar, Srilanka.

 
Abstract

Traditional medicine is an inexpensive, safe and culturally accepted medical system. The World Health Organization has suggested to practice traditional medicine. Currently Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani and Deshiya sikitsai are practicing and existing in Srilanka. Nanjiyal (Toxicology) in Siddha system were consists of plant, metal and mineral toxins and animal’s venoms. Traditional practitioners rarely practicing the Siddha toxicology in northern and eastern part of Srilanka.  Dr.Mrs.K. Thavamanidevi is a traditional practitioner ,4^th generation Reg 7111, practicingVisakadi vaithiyam (V.V). Focus is to assess the favorable result through traditional toxicology practice. Data were collected from the practitioner orally and from the records which were maintained by her.Akaththiyar kulambu, Neelakandan maththirai and Thalankaai ennai are using in V.V by the practitioner. Out of 145 patients of both sex 13.1% of male and 17.24% of female were highly  affected by scorpion bite and 1.37% of male and 0.68% female were lessley  affected by the Snake bite. Taste of the plants using in animal venom  as follows, 57% of bitter and 19% of astringent  . Actions of plants as follows 13.04% of antidode action  and 10.1% of antiseptic action.According to the study effective of the above mentioned plants and the preparations by the traditional practitioner are showing effective for animal venom poisoning methods as indicated by pharmacological action, taste of ingredients, that are using by the practitioner and also cured patients’ statistics in various poisonous bite. Studies like this may through new light to standardize the traditional toxicology practice.

Key words: Nanjiyal, Akathiyarkulambu, Neelakandamathirai, Thalankai ennai

Introduction

        Traditional medicine is an inexpensive, not expose to danger and culturally accepted medical system. Because of that, the World Health Organization (WHO) was suggested to practice traditional medicine in worldwide ⁽¹⁾. At this moment in time Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Deshiya sikitsai (Srilankan Traditional medicine) are practicing in Srilanka ⁽²⁾. Siddha system of medicine is Unique to Tamilnadu and northern and eastern part of Srilanka. For several centuries, in Tamil’s populated in rural areas traditional healing practices happening. It relies substantially on plant, herbal based medicines ⁽³⁾. Nanjiyal (Toxicology) in Siddha system were made up of two types poisons. They are plant, metal and mineral toxins and animal’s venoms. Venom having animals are insects, scorpions, snakes, worms, rat and bees etc. The ancient people life was associated with jungle. To a greater extend of human being were touched by an animals and insects in their routine ^(4). In past centuries siddha toxicology was well established in Jaffna peninsula. Nowadays this tradition was diminishing by poor skills and practices. Traditional healing, however, may have serious consequences in terms of delays or added complications. Nowadays most affected patients access formal medical care, few patients only use traditional healers. The reasons for using traditional practitioners include difficulties with transportation, cost, inadequacy of ant venom in the formal health sector, and trust in traditional healing within the context of longstanding tradition ⁽⁵⁾.

History of toxicology in traditional medicine.

        Thevarsand Asuraswere try to get amirtham, unfortunatelyit processes produced visam. It is more different in character and shape. It was looks very bright and golden colour. The poison has shown it’s like a fire in eyes. After that, Barman destroyed them. Finally, the visam associated in to some plants and animals. Three branches in Visakadi vaithiyam (Toxicology) are Nidanam, Manthra and Sikitsai ^{(6), (7)}.  Traditional toxicology knowledge is orally-transmitted, or transmitted through imitation and demonstration. The consequence is that writing it down changes some of its fundamental properties. Traditional knowledge is local. It is rooted to a particular place and set of experiences, and generated by people living in those places. The result of this is that transferring the traditional toxicology practiceto other places runs the risk of dis-locating it. characteristically shared to a much greater degree than other forms of traditional toxicology practiceknowledge. Therefore, it is sometimes called `people’s science’. Specialists may exist by virtue of experience with traditional toxicology practice⁽⁸⁾. Now rarely few number of traditional practitioners still practicing in Siddha toxicology in Northern and Eastern part of Srilanka.  Dr. Mrs.Krishnamoorththi Thavamanidevi is a traditional practitioner ,4^th generation, S.L.A.M.C Reg. No7111 (Visesa vaiththiyam). She has been running her own clinic Velmurugan Siddha Ayurveda hospital in Valanthalai junction, Kaarainagar and another in Vaddukoddai. She is treating average 7 to 10 patients per a day who are affected by animal venom.

 Objective

        Assess the favorable resultthrough traditional toxicology practice.

 Methodology

        This is a cross sectional study. This study was conducted from 28^th of September to 28^th of December 2017 at   Velmurugan siddha ayurvedic Hospital, Valanthalai junction, Kaarainagar and the permission was taken to conduct the above study from Dr.K. Thavamanidevi, who was the in-charge of Velmurugan siddha ayurvedic Hospital. Data were collected from the practitioner orally and got information from the records which were maintained by the traditional practitioner.

 Prepared medicines used for Visakadi vaithiyamby traditional practitioner

1.               Akaththiyar Kulambu - Internal and external use

2.               Neelakandan maaththirai –Internal use

3.               Thaalangaai ennai - External use

Results and discussion

        Collection of prepared medicines which were used to treat the poisonous bite in traditional practice are Akaththiyar Kulambu, Neelakandan maaththirai and Thaalangaai ennai. Dosage ofAkaththiyar Kulambuwere varies from green gram size to coffee seed size. Should be taken in early morning empty stomach with rice water (Washed the red rice 2 time and get 2^nd water). Salt, sour and oil should be avoided in this period. Use as an external application on affected area. Neelakandan maaththirai as an internal medicine.1-2 mathhirai with various anupanam, itwas decided by the practitioner. Thaalangaai ennai was used as an external application on affected area.

        Herbs that were using in various poisonous bite as follows. Polygala elongateleave, Bryonia callosaleave, Aristolochia indicaroot, Polygala elongateleave and Musa paradisiacalstem were using internally for the snake bite. Bryonia callosa leave, Pavetta indica leave, Zingiber officinale rhizomes, Ocimum sanctum leaves, Gymnema sylvestre root, Pongamia pinata root, Aristolochia bracteolate whole plant andTrianthema decandra root were used for externally. Acalipha indicaleave,Daemia extensaleave, Indigofera tinctorialeave and root,Acalipha betulinaleave were using internally for the spiderpoison.Daemia extensaleaves and Pavetta indicaleaves were used for externally. Eclipta albawhole plant andIndigofera tinctorialeave were using in scorpion poisoning.Adenama hyssopifolialeaves andOcimum sanctumleaveswere used as an external purpose.Bambusa aurindinacialeave, Alangium salvifolium bark, Clitoria ternatearoot, Berberis aristataroot, Curcuma domesticarhizome andAcarus calamuswhole plant were using in rat scratch. Indigofera tinctoriaroot used in externally. Aristolochia bracteolateroot, Acalipha betulinaleaveOcimum sanctumleaves, Piper nigramseeds andIndigofera tinctoriaroot were using internally for the unknown bite.Acalipha indicaleaves, Curcuma domesticarhizome and Tamarindus indicusfruit were used as an external purpose.

 Conclusion

        Village people were commonly affected by animal venom. All aged people without any differences were affected by the different poisonous animals. Among the period of study 145 patients came to get treatment for different poisonous bite.

According to the study Akaththiyar kulambu, Neelakandan maththirai and Thalankaai ennaiwere plays a major role in treating Visakadi vaithiyam. Practitioner commence the treatment with Akaththiyar kulambu. Whengiven Neelakandan maththirai, giving different plants extracts for different poisonous bite as a vehicle. practitioner was applying the Thalankaai ennai at the site of bite then was fomented with steamed Vitex negundo(Nochchi) Pottani. Finally apply the various paste like aksthiyar kulambu on the site of bite.

Out of 145 patients of both sex 1.37% of male and 0.68% female were affected by the Snake bite , 14.48% of male and 11.72% of female were affected spider stringe ,13.1% of male and 17.24% of female were affected scorpion bite, 4.82% of male and 6.89% female were affected by rat scratch and 13.79% of male 15.86% of female were affected by rat scratch and 13.79% of male and 15.86% female were affected by unknown bite.

In poisonous bite ,sucess of  treatments were evaluvated by using the characters of herbs in the treatment, according to the Murukesa mudaliyar and Gunapadam mooligai iyal part -1. If we see the taste and therapeutic action of the medicinal plants which were used as Vehicle , 57% was having bitter taste and 13.04 % was having antidode action.

Taste of the plants using in animal venom  as follows, 57% of bitter taste 19% of astringent taste , 24% of pungent taste and actions of plants as follows 8.69% of astringent and stimulant action.13,04% of antidode action , 10.1% of antiseptic action , 5.79% of expectorent , purgative ,antispasmodic and antiperiodic action , 7.24% of alterative Stomachic, Tonic, analgesic and carminative actions. According to the study effective of the above mentioned plants and the preparations by the traditional practitioner are showing effective for animal venom poisoning methods as indicated by pharmacological action, taste of ingredients, that are using by the practitioner and also cured patients’ statistics in various poisonous bite.Studies like this may through new light to standardize the traditional toxicology practice.

 Acknowledgement

Contributions of Traditional practitioner Dr. Thavamanidevi , Velmurugan Siddha Ayurveda hospital is  sincerely acknowledged for providing valuable knowledge and facility to carry out the work.

1.     

Chaudhury RR, Herbal medicine for human health. World Health Organization Geneva, New Delhi: CBS publishers and distributors LTD, 1999.

2.      Kamal Perera, Current scenario of herbal medicine in Sri Lanka (PDF Download Available)Availablefrom:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224771841_Current_scenario_of_herbal_medicine_in_Sri_Lanka, 2017.

3.      Anadhan A R Et al. Special medicines in siddha, Department of Indian medicine and Homoeopathy, Chennai 600106, 2009.

4.      Subhalakshmi A, Thiruthani M. Centipede bite and its management – Over view in Siddha system, international journal of current research in chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences, ISSN: 2348-5213: DOI:10.22192/ijcrcps Coden: IJCROO(USA) Volume 4, Issue 6, 2017.

5.      Sivasanmugaraja, S. IrupathaamNootrandilElaththilSiddhamaruththuvam, SiddhamaruththuvavalarchiKalakam, Kantharodai, Chunnakam,2000.

6.      Velummajilum S.S, Visakadi Vaiththiya MuraikalumMoolikai maruththuvankalum, Araththamil Gnanam Vinaayakar tharma nithiyam, 1995.

7.      Munisamy Mudaliyar. Visa vaiththiya sinthamani, The progressive printers, South indian book depot, 1931