Herbal seeds used for anthelmintic activity in siddha medicine– a review

Nithyamathi R¹, Yashika M², Thiruthani M³

^1-2 PG scholars, Government Siddha Medical College, Tirunelveli

³ Head of the Department, Department of Siddha Toxicology, Government Siddha Medical College, Tirunelveli

(Affiliated to the TamilnaduDr.MGR Medical University, Chennai)

ABSTRACT

When we go through the Siddha Literatures we will be able to understand the

greatness of the Siddhars’ vision in documenting the Prophylactic and Therapeutic properties

of single Herbs and compound preparations.Worm infection occur in the one third of the world

population. Vermifuge causes worms to be paralyzed and then eliminated in the stool. In Siddha

Vermifuge is mentioned in the name of Pulukolli and Kirumikolli, defined as drugs which kill

such parasitic worms as infest alimentary canal. In siddha system lots of herbs are indicated and

practiced for anthelmintic action. Hence this review particularly focuses on seeds used for

anthelmintic action. Here, Seeds are tabulated with their families and chemical constituents.

KEYWORDS:

Worms, Herbal seeds, Anthelmintic activity,Pulukolli, Kirumikolli, Siddha medicine

INTRODUCTION

Siddha system of medicine is an Indian classical medicine system, continued from our ancient days to treat and heal the diseases. Parasitic infections are most wide spread among humans. The worm infections are especially prevalent in developing countries in association with poor management. Anthelmintic is used against Nematoda, Cestoda and Trematoda. Infection of these worms causes significant problems like frequently profuse diarrhea, anemia, liver, lungs damages etc. Here, this review plant seeds which have been used in anthelmintic activity are listed out.

Intestinal worm infestations are widely prevalent in tropical and sub – tropical countries and occur where there is poverty and poor sanitation. Soil - transmitted helminth( STH) infections form the most important group of intestinal worms affecting two billion people worldwide and the main species which infect are Ascarislumbricoides (Round worm), Trichuristrichiura ( Whip worm) and Necatoramericanus/ Ancylostomaduodenale( Hook worm). According to World Health Organisation (WHO), globally there are 1221 – 1472 million cases of Ascariasis, 750 – 1050 million cases of Trichuriasis and 740 – 1300 million cases of Hook worm infestations.

These STHs are also considered Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) as they inflict considerable morbidity and mortality, though entirely prevalentable.

Approximately 10,500 deaths each year are due to complications of Ascariasis and 65,000 deaths per year are due to anemia caused by Hook worm infection. In Siddha system worms or parasites are defined in the name of “ Kirumi” generally.

They are various in shapes which germinate or grow in a living organism in the different parts of the human body. The different kinds that have their origin in feces, phlegm, blood, etc. Particularly worms in the feces as termed as kudarpuzhu, kudarkirumi, kudarpoochi, vayitrupulu, vayitrukirumi, vayitrupoochi.

Classification:

The three common varieties of worms infesting the human intestines viz:-

1.Naadapoochi, tape – worm

2.Naakkulipoochi, round – worm

3.Keeraipaambu, thread – worm or maw – worm

The drugs which kill such parasitic worms as infest alimentary canal is called in the

name of Pulukolli or kirumikolli..

SEEDS USED FOR ANTHELMINTIC ACTION IN SIDDHA:

USES:

· Akkurottu – Gives seed oil internally to remove intestinal worm.

· Aadutheendapaalai – Give Seed powder 4gm with ½ - 1palam castor oil internally.

· Karunjeeragam–Give seed powder internally with vinegar to remove intestinal worm.

· Kalyanamurukku – Give 65 – 130 mg seed powder with sugar internally before going to bed and drink castor oil next morning for remove worms.

· KaattuSeeragam – Gives 3gm seed powder internally with honey or ghee twice a day.

· Kottaikarandhai – Gives seed powder with honey internally.

· Kollukkaaivelai – Seed 1% , water 10% make decoction and gives one teaspoon internally, thrice a day for children.

· Palaasu - Soak the seed in water and remove outer skin, powder the inner seeds. Give 260mg powder with honey, thrice a day for three days and take castor oil on fourth day morning to remove intestinal worms by diarrhea.

· Manipungu – Scrubbing the seed with water and filter, give internally.

• Maa – Gives seed powder internally.

· Vaaividangam – Gives seed powder 4 – 16gm with honey internally 2-3 times per day and take castor oil next day to remove intestinal worms.

· Velai(Nalvelai) – Gives 2-4gm seed powder internally with sugar, twice a day for two days and gives 17-34gm castor oil on third day to remove intestinal worms.

CONCLUSION:

This review on the herbal seeds, which described as anthelmintics in siddha system, will helps to understand the importance of seeds used to deworming. The data collected will also leads to discover the new drugs from the traditional medicine and integrate them into clinical practices.

REFERENCE:

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