Abstract

Siddha is one of the oldest systems of medicine discovered in the South India. According to the ancient Siddha texts, a human body is made up of several elements (microscopic component of the universe). The elements that form a human body are the earth (MANN), fire (THEE), water (NEER), air (VAYU) and space (AKASAM). Additionally, there are three humors or the DOSHAS called the Vatha, Pithaa, and Kapha. Siddha medicine believes that diseases occur when there is a disequilibrium or imbalance in these humors or if their individual harmony is disturbed. The balance can be restored by correcting the underlying dosha by the application of the Siddha medicine system.             Siddha system is the unique system which works based on the principle of ANDAPINDA THATHUVAM i.e. Andam and pindam are composed of five boothas in variant ratios. Those boothas merge with one another in some ratios to form humors. According to siddha concept, Derangement in ratios of boothams in pindam cause derangement of humours which cause diseases.             It is assumed that when the normal equilibrium of the three humors — Vaadham, Pittham and Kapam — is disturbed, disease is caused. The factors assumed to affect this equilibrium are environment, climatic conditions, diet, physical activities, and stress. Under normal conditions, the ratio between Vaadham, Pittham, and Kapam are 4:2:1, respectively. According to the Siddha medicine system, diet and lifestyle play a major role in health and in curing diseases. This concept of the Siddha medicine is termed as pathiyam and apathiyam, which is essentially a list of "do&