IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS)

e-ISSN:2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 11, Issue 6 Ver. V (Nov. - Dec.2016), PP 43-48

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Basic Principles in Siddha Pharmaceutical Science- An Overview

Dr. Shyamala Rajkumar1, G. S. Lekha2
1
Research Officer (Siddha), Central Council for Research in Siddha; Chennai
2
Medical Consultant, Siddha Central Research Institute (SCRI), Chennai

Abstract: Pharmaceutics in Siddha system of medicine is an important component with scientific background;
the different aspects of this well developed discipline have been named as Gunapadam. As per the mode of
application and medicinal forms, the pharmaceutical products in Siddha system have been classified into 32
internal and 32 external formulations. Basically the formulations are designed as per the concept of five
elements and six tastes; employed the principles of synergism, antagonism and transformation into atomic or
ionic form for the production of effective molecules. This manuscript highlights the GMP and guidelines
exemplified in Siddha literature and address the scientific background of certain guidelines. One part of this
article is devoted to discussion on influence of different factors in the expression of pharmacological activity of
drug. Moreover this paper discusses the noteworthy endeavours in the standardization and commercialisation
of Siddha formulations and contemplates the quality control sector of pharmaceuticals. The aim of this review
article is to illustrate the scientific advancements in the ancient drug processing methods in Siddha system of
medicine.
Keywords: Synergism, Antagonism, Transformation, Standardization and Commercialisation.

I. Introduction
Siddha system of medicine is a complex system of science as it has included in the works of medicine,
an extensive set of pharmacopoeia and Alchemy. Siddha system has applied its own fundamental principles in
pharmaceuticals; various types of internal medicines and external therapies are in practice, with specialization in
iatro-chemistry well before the development of modern science.
As per Siddha concept, human body is the replica of Universe; food and drugs irrespective of their
origin are made of five basic elements namely, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. 1 The proportion of the
elements present in the drugs vary and their preponderance or otherwise is responsible for their actions and
therapeutic results.
According to basic Siddha concept the Pancha bhootham (five elements), Arusuvai (Six tastes) and
Uyirthathu (three humours) are interlinked. That is, predominance of fire and water element expresses salty
taste, fire and air element expresses pungent taste, both are having hot potency, intake of them results in
vitiation of Azhal humour. Similarly, the earth element with water element produces sweet tasted substance
which can vitiate Iyya humour.2 That’s why the formulations are designed as per the fundamental principles of
Siddha system.
The knowledge of plants and minerals from all the branches of science is used in preparation of
medicine. In Siddha system chemistry had been found well developed into a science auxiliary to medicine.
Moreover the knowledge in this system is not static and is inherently dynamic in nature and evolves in response
to challenges posed by the environment. The practitioners of Siddha applies several procedures divided into
processes such as calcinations, sublimation, distillation, fusion, separation, conjunction or combination,
fermentation, purification, incineration of metals, liquefaction and extraction for the preparation of formulations.

II. Drugs In Siddha System

The source of Pharmaceutical preparations in Siddha system comprises Thadhu (Metals, Minerals &
Arsenical compounds), Thavara (Herbs), and Jeeva (materials and products of Animal origin) elements.

Apart from the vast herbal sources, Gunapadam- Materia Medica describes the detailed classification of Thadhu
drugs.
Kaelappa kaaramodu...............................
......................... yirunoorodu yirupa thaache
-Bohar Karasarathurai

The verse denotes the types of Thadhu drugs; They are, 11 types of Metals, 25 types karasaram i.e, different
types of salts, 64 types of Pashana drugs that do not dissolve in water but emit vapours when put in fire, 120
Uparasa (mineral) drugs.3

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 Basic Principles in Siddha Pharmaceutical Science- An Overview

The system has a classification of metals and alloys, which melts on heating and solidifies on cooling.
These include gold, silver, copper, tin, lead and iron. These are incinerated by special processes and are used in
medicine after purification or ore dressing. There is a group of drugs that exhibit sublimation on heating, which
includes mercury and its different forms like red sulfide of mercury, mercuric chloride and red oxide of mercury
etc. Sulphur, which is insoluble in water, finds a crucial place in Siddha Materia Medica along with mercury for
usage in therapeutics and in maintenance of good health. In addition there are drugs obtained from animal
sources like milk and milkproducts, conch, bones, teeth, bile, etc.
Eventhough the usage of Thadhu ingredients are more advanced in Siddha system, it was mentioned
that the application of metallic preparations is preferred only after the use of herbal preparations. That was
mentioned as,
‘Vaerpaaru thazhaipaaru minjinakkal mella mella parpam chendhooram paaru’ 4

Siddhars applied the Pancha bhoothic principles in raw materials also, classified them as
Panchabhootha ulogam, Pancha bhootha uppu, Panchabhootha Pashanam, Panchabhootha uparasam, and
formulated the preparations according to the dominating Pootham, Suvai and Veeriyam.3 Basically the drugs are
explained in five characteristics namely Suvai (taste), Gunam (quality), Veeriyam (potency), Vibaham (class)
and Ceykai (action). The details regarding antagonistic- agonistic (chathru-mithru) compounds of drugs, dose,
duration, season for ingestion, its compliance with geographical location and food restriction are well explicated
in Siddha Materia Medica.
As per the key sorting in Siddha texts, based on their form, methods of preparation, shelf life, etc., 32
types of internal medicines and on account of modes of application 32 types of external medicines are being
elucidated and practiced since years.3 Certain form of medicine, method of preparation and therapeutic
procedures are elite and unique to Siddha system of medicine. Lakhs of formulations are available in Siddha
Literatures; though a few are documented, countless are still in scripts and palm leaves, classical in nature.

III. Designing of Formulations In Siddha

The formulations, treatment methods in Siddha system are tailor-made and should be modified in
accordance with the climate, habitat, body constitution and individual body conditions. Hence the quality
control of the final product as well as standardization of drug is an exigent task of this system.
Siddha formulations are in natural form and contain in unison the active principles, inactive fibers, debris
etc; they are not attempting to haul out the active principles and are disinclined to the concept of employing
drugs as chemicals. This adds on additional value to these drugs by way of either neutralizing the toxic material
if any or facilitating the excretion of unwanted chemicals by entrapping them with fibers, debris etc. 5
The Inorganic substances occurring in nature have to be brought into atomic form for their effective usage
as Medicine. The Siddhars developed the knowledge of transforming inorganic substances into atomic and ionic
form, through organized processes, which can be easily absorbed in the system and results in highly efficacious
product. The ideology behind the customized formulations which is being practiced in Siddha is the
circumvention of side effects / after effects.5
Siddhars have followed various methods for medicinal preparations. Important among them are: 1. Process
involving drugs based on combined ratio of five elements - Aeaga mooligai prayogam 2. Process involving
Antagonism and Synergism – Maarana prayogam 3. Process involving distilled acids (Dhravagam) 4. Process
involving Ceyneer and 5. Process involving Muppu.4
Uloga maaranam is the process for detoxification of metals and to increase the efficacy and potency of
metallic compounds. Certain drugs are combined systematically and changed into liquid form known as
Ceyneer. This Ceyneer helps to convert the drugs of combustible nature into non-combustible nature. The salt
Pooneeru, the melted salt prepared from fuller’s earth is converted into calcine powder form and used in Muppu
processing.4
Preparation of specialized drugs like Kattu, Urukku, Kalangu and Chunnam which are having long shelf
life and the medicinal forms - Chatthu, Gurukuligai of infinite life span, are being accomplished by these
processing methods.

IV. Factors Affecting the Pharmacological Actions of Drug

The pharmaceutical procedures for any drug involve various steps starting from identification and
collection of authentic raw material, application of standardized processing techniques for purification and
formulation, packaging and storage of prepared drug, usage of adjuvant on application. In each step, the factors
influencing and/or detaining the expression of pharmacological activity of drugs has to be considered.
The season of collection of raw drugs and geographical area of collection have great impact in the
expression of pharmacological activity. According to Ancient Tamil Classics, the geographical areas (Kurinji-

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 Basic Principles in Siddha Pharmaceutical Science- An Overview

Mountainous region, Mullai– Forest areas, Marutham- Cultivation area, Neithal- Sea shore and Palai- Desert
area)6 have features that are ethnic to that area.7 Commonly the plants collected in Marutham and Kurinji area
are highly nutritive and possess medicinal value; but the herb in other areas imbalances three humours and paves
the way for certain pathological conditions.4
Genetic variants (at gene level) leading to the variability in the chemical composition of the population.
Geographical, altitude, soil composition, microbial load/association, climate, temperature, season etc can cause
fluctuation in the phytochemical ratio. A variation in the alkaloid composition in the leaves of Adhatoda vasica
seasonally has been recorded. It is lowest in February and March and highest in the months of August,
September and October. Similarly variation of alkaloid contents based on the age of the plant is reported in
Holarrhena antidysenterica.8
The pharmaceutical processing of drug depends upon nature of the raw material- fresh or dry, solubility
and heat stability of ingredients, route of administration and shelf life of drug, etc. Alteration in drug processing
method is also having strong adverse impact on the formulations. The adverse effect of the drugs may be due of
mis-processing. For example, while processing Rasam, if the impurities namely Thodam/ Chattai are not
properly removed, it may leads to diseases like skin ailments, haemorrhoids, neurological ailments, respiratory
ailments and seldom death also.3
The adjuvant or vehicle used along with the drugs may not be inert but per se may produce significant
pharmacological activities. For example, usage of honey while treating anaemia supports the therapeutic
efficacy of drug. This is due to the presence of minerals like Iron and vitamins like ascorbic acid in it. 9 Most of
the adjuvants enhance the activity of drugs, some of them neutralizes the toxic reactions, balances the humour,
etc.
Hence while making changes in the classical formulation the impact factors should be noted; the
modification in classical formulations (form, ingredients, adjuvant, etc) should not be made without any valid
reason or supporting information.

V. GMP In Siddha Literature

The techniques and instruments used for the preparation of Siddha drugs are clearly explained in the
literature. Raw materials used in the manufacture of drugs should be authentic, of prescribed quality and free
from contamination. The impurities (Thodam) in each of the drug, methods for the purification of drugs are
exemplified in classical texts. The principles regarding the collection of raw drugs (Eg: Collection of root of
plant directed towards North (Vadakku ver)10 drug collection in the morning, etc), purification, preparatory
procedures, etc should be followed.

1. Standards with Instruments of Drug processing:

Kalvam (stone mortar) is being used for grinding drugs in Siddha pharmacy. As per the classical, black
coloured stone mortar is the better one for grinding process. This type of mortar will not release particles and
thus the medicines may be obtained without impurities.11 On the other hand, using of yellow or white coloured
mortar results in demolition of the activity of drug and ends with inactive substance. 3
Karandi (Spoon) is being used for scrapping the medicines from Kalvam, stirring or mixing of
ingredients while processing, of this steel/silver spoon is utthamam i.e, Good, Wood/Horny material spoon is
matthimam i.e, moderate; As Iron is the rusting natured material, usage of Iron spoon may reduce the
effectiveness of drug.3 The ladle made of coconut shell (akappai) should be used in the preparation of Oils and
Ghees; churning sticks for churning, spatula for the preparation of elagam. The ladle made of Iron should not be
used for preparing perfumed oils, medicated ghee, lime juice and decoction made of milk, butter milk, etc. This
should not be used in mercurial, arsenical and toxic herbal preparations also, because of demineralisation of Iron
on exposure to such chemicals.4
Mud pot being used for the preparation of decoction or distillation process is made by using astringent
and sour materials. In cases of sublimation, vapourizing, mezhugu processing, etc. the mouth of the processing
vessel should be narrow; for roasting process, the mud vessel used should be of shallow surface with brim and
the vessel for decoction preparation should have a deep bottom. Meanwhile the vessels made of Navaloga (Nine
metals) are not suitable for preparation of decoctions, medicinal ghee and for the distillation process. Further,
the vessel used for the preparation of one medicated oil, should not be used for other oil processing, because, it
not only spoils the medicine but also the health of the patient and the repute of the physician. In case of new pot,
initially it should be prepared in such a way that ghee does not percolate further 4.
Temperature for drug processing is also accomplished by various methods like Pudam – which can be
classified according to the number / type of dung cakes, as kaadai pudam– using of single cow dung cake,
kavuthaari pudam –3 cow dung cakes, kukkudapudam - 10 cow dung cakes, varaaka pudam –50 cow dung
cakes, Kejapudam–1000 cow dung cakes, manalmaraivupudam–90 cow dung cakes and Bhoomi pudam –using
of sheep or goat dung of 4 fingers length and breadth size; based on the source of fire, the processes namely,

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 Basic Principles in Siddha Pharmaceutical Science- An Overview

thanyapudam- keeping the drug immersed in grains, umipudam - keeping the drug immersed in husk/ chaff,
Pattaipudam – kept within Bark, Sooriyapudam - under Sunlight, Chandra pudam, panipudam and
paruvapudam- processing of drugs under Moon, dews, and seasonal variations; burning of firewood in hearth,
etc are in practice. 3 In the processing of medicinal preparations the source of fire, type of fire, and method of
exposure to heat is basically designed according to the nature of the drug material and the application of drug.
In Pudam processing method, the usage of naturally occurring dung material is vital. Dried cow dung
cakes from forest is good for preparing medicine, dung of buffalos secondary, using of dung mixed with straw
and dust will reduce the potency of drug. Based upon the necessity of temperature, calcium stones or sand or
soil or ash can also be used in the processing of heavy metals or arsenical compounds like yellow orpiment, etc. 3
While using firewood for Thailam processing, the type of fire (Dheepakkini, Kamalakkini,
Kathaliyakkini, Kaadakkini) shall be decided as per the stage of processing; the type of firewood shall also be
designed according to the ingredients of formulation. That is, the firewood of Neem, Coconut palm, Palmyra
palm is apt one for mercurial preparations; Indian Arabic tree and Indian Kino tree is suitable for Iron
containing preparations.3
On the other hand, the type of firewood shall also be designed as per the application of processing
drug. That is, firewood of tanner’s Cassia and country mallow is preferred for the processing of medicated oil
for Fever like illness. Firewood of Indian jujube and Black Sirrissa tree is ideal for the processing of Medicated
oil for auricular, nasal and ophthalmic applications. Firewood of South Indian Mahua and Tamarind is
applicable for the processing of external therapeutic oils. If the notified firewoods are unavailable, it shall be
determined on the basis of the character or contents of the processing oil. 12
Firewood of dead trees is of no use; firewood cut before three months is good and freshly cut wood will
spoil the drug. Pittha would aggravate if the firewood of very old tree is used for medicinal preparations; if the
bark is used, it may cause itching on application.4

2. Certain Guidelines in Drug processing:

While processing, the stages of drug should be assessed properly.
1. The preparations like Utkali, Maathirai should be in the non-sticky stage, i.e, the materials are not adhering
to the fingers while finishing the product.3
2. The stages of the processing oil will be expressed on the surface as froth, the sediment on rolling by using
fingers can roll like a thread without sticking between the fingers; sediment on exposure to fire burns
vigorously without any crackling noise.12
Eventhough there is general expression of stages; concluding should be determined on account of
application mode; oil processing shall be finished in three stages namely, soft stage (Mirudupakam), waxy
stage (Mezhugu pakam) and gritty stage (Karakarappu pakam).i.e, medicated oil of Mirudupakam is for the
internal application in Vali humour imbalance, medicated oil of Mezhugu patham is for external application
and for Azhal diseases and medicated oil of Karakarappu patham is for application in the scalp and for Iyya
diseases.12
3. As the effectiveness of drug depends upon the tiny or microscopic nature of the particles, the sieve of still
finer mesh is mandatory in the processing of chooranam. The chooranam prepared by the use of
mechanical devices like pulverizer should be allowed to cool down by way of spreading and then mixed
well for storage and packing.12
4. As there is a chance of plenty of microbes inhabiting on Choornam, it should be subjected to the process of
purification (Choorana thooimai) also. That is baking of Chooranam in suitable instrument and then
process into fine powder.3
5. While processing preparations like manappagu, large spatula or ladle is used to stir-up continuously,
otherwise it will deposit in the bottom and charring occur, this leads to burnt smell and bitter taste to the
product.
6. Whilst processing nei, at certain stage of boiling froth will appear on the surface of processing ghee, at that
moment the sediment should be analyzed by hands; if it is well processed the sediment shall be non-
sticking, ghee is filtered off and preserved.12
7. In the processing of elagam (Lehiyam), honey should be added only after removing the processed drug from
the oven and then mixed well into the elagam of suitable consistency.12
8. As the colour, characteristics and fineness of parpam is based on the quality of grinding process, it should
be done in proper way. While processing, if there is any moisture content in the tablet (villai) material, the
colour of the parpam may differ and hence proper drying is mandatory. 12
9. In Pudam method of processing, the cake materials should be placed in earthen bowl properly i.e, there
should be no gathering or one above the other; then only the temperature shall spread evenly. The size of
the bowl depends on the quantity of material; bowl of over depth and breadth should be evaded. 12

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 Basic Principles in Siddha Pharmaceutical Science- An Overview

10. Place of reasonable air circulation should be selected for pudam processing, crater of defined breadth and
depth is dig out in earth and the circumference is modulated by bricks to prevent the shed of soil, half of the
defined cowdung cakes are being filled-up in the crater, earthen bowl containing the material is placed on
that, remaining cowdung cakes spread on the said bowl and fired. 12
11. Eventhough the cowdung cakes are the usual burning materials in pudam processing, some herbal barks or
dung of Goats is being specified for the processing of certain drugs. Dung may also contain certain sand or
waste materials, hence the number or quantity shall be modified as per the necessity of temperature in the
process.12
12. Certain substances like Ganthagam (Sulphur), Thalakam (Yellow Orpiment) are insupportable to high
temperature, and hence ash or sand is being used for calcination / pudam process. Herein suitable quantity
of ash is spread on the bowl, the material in villai (tablet) form is placed on that, covered with ash and
another bowl, smeared, pasted, dried and processed. 12
13. The unfastening of setup is carried out only after the cool down of all materials.
14. Medicines once prepared should not be reheated. This principle applies for decoction, elagam, boiled juices,
etc.4

3. Quality Assessment of Drug

Quality of drugs like parpam, chendhooram shall be assessed by the analysis of physical
characteristics. Properly finished parpam, chendhooram is tasteless, so fine and smooth, devoid of shining or
glittering nature. Whilst analyzing, scrapping of finished parpam or chendhooram in between thumb and index
finger results in lodging of them into the ridges of the fingers, placing of a little amount on water shall show
floating i.e, it will not sink. If it is blowed in fire, it will not rebound to the base element. 12
The preparations like chooranam should be devoid of moisture content and tackiness. The particles of
chooranam should be minute and be in short of binding with each other. 11

VI. Standardization of Siddha Drugs

Standardization of Siddha formulations is one of the mandatory requirements in order to develop
quality drugs and also to conquer with adverse drug reactions on large scale production and marketing. The
quality of the formulations are completely depended on the quality of the raw materials used and the quality of
the drug indirectly signatures the quality of the processes. The raw materials such as herbs cultivated from
different environmental and geographical conditions possess different types of chemical constituents. Hence
harmonization of chemical constituents is complex in nature and therefore “finger-printing” profiles of phyto-
constitutents are the easiest and cost effective procedure to analyse raw drugs.
Also through the identification of chemical markers and their quantisation, the assay of the particular
chemical constituent can be achieved and analytical reference standard can be prepared. The macroscopic,
microscopic and physico-chemical parameters and aflotoxins are the routine tests in any quality control
laboratories pertaining to herbal drugs. Nowadays, sophisticated analytical tandem techniques such LC-MS and
GC-MS can be used to develop ”molecular finger printing” and also NMR metabolic profiling is one of the best
tools to the quantification of chemical markers without isolation. The volatile and low boiling chemical
constituents can be identified and quantified through GC-MS and non-volatile constituents can be profiled
through LC-MS.
The DNA finger printing methodologies can be effectively used for the raw materials of different
origin. Finally the content of heavy metals is one the major task and can be achieved through elemental analysis
techniques. The preparative HPLC techniques can be used to isolate major constituents and through
lyophilisation processes the purest single molecule can be obtained and complete characterization of the
molecule may help to identify the structure and it would enhance the possibility to study drug-drug interactions
and to find out the mode of action of drugs.
While attempting to commercialize a product belonging to Siddha system, the issues regarding
portability of the drug and shelf life of the drug arises, as most of the herbal medicines are in unsophisticated
form, having short shelf life and the addition of preservatives for the purpose of marketing results in the reduced
efficacy of the drug. Meanwhile, in the case of preparations like parpam, chendooram, karuppu, etc., there is no
critical issue regarding the shelf life and portability, but the issue is regarding the adjuvant of the drug and the
literal dosage of the drug, as most of these kinds of drugs are in nano-particulate form and the dosage should be
in micro or milligram level, excess of which generates unwanted reactions, and the efficacy of the drug is more
precise at that particular dose and whilst administering with particular adjuvant only. 5
Modification in route of administration, modification in the form of drug for portability and palatability
shows strong adverse impact in the activity of drug. Hence great research and development efforts are required
to optimize the formulations.

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 Basic Principles in Siddha Pharmaceutical Science- An Overview

VII. Conclusion
Pharmaceutics in Siddha system is essentially a personalized or customized scientific system; wherein
the collection of raw materials, purification, processing should be done as per strict guidelines, principally based
on experiential wisdom. Transformation of them into generalized and commercial system suffered greatly in
quality assurance. Thus great research and development efforts are required to optimize the formulation aspects
to ensure constant availability of standardized products with constancy of composition and efficacy.

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