Abstract

“Traditional Medicine is the sum total of the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness” says WHO. It has been evolved according to the special geographical feature of the region as well as the culture and language of the natives. The same way, Siddha system is also native to tamil speaking regions. Siddha medicine derives its medicinal ingredients from plants, animals and minerals etc. The reason for the popularity of the system is attributed to its effective cure with minimal side effects. Siddhars, the founders of this system of medicine possessed Siddhic powers (supernatural power). In Siddha system Padaanam are group of metals and minerals which are considered as toxins if it is in un-purified state and they are around 64 drugs. “Kanthagam ”or Sulphur is one among the Padaanam. Sulphur is most widely used in Siddha system for dermatological problems and venereal diseases. Several present-day research studies has been done in sulphur for its target drug therapy process for many diseases. This paper deals with the recent scientific facts and traditional usage of Kanthagam in detail.