Wound care in Siddha system of medicine and importance of external application

Abstract

Siddha system of medicine has been an inseparable part of Tamil culture since time immemorial. Siddhars were pioneers of the Siddha system of medicine and they excelled in all dimensions like metaphysics, metallurgy, geology and phytochemistry. They have used all kinds of herbs, metals, minerals, and animal products to treat diseases. Sage Agathiyar classified 4448 diseases in the Siddha system of medicine. Since the sangam age (a period in Tamil history), wound care management has been a well-established portrait in classical Tamil literary works like tholkappiyam and puranaanooru. Wound care comes under aruvai maruthuvam of Siddha medicine. Wound (pun), were described in detail with their characteristics and specific treatment protocol. The preparatory phase and post-wound care schedules were well described. Literature evidence depicts the surgical management for certain wounds and the utility of ancient surgical instruments in battlefield wounds. Various classical Siddha preparations used by Siddhars and vaidyars, depending on the tridosam concepts, were formulated and designed for specific wounds. Most of the external wounds were treated with external applications e.g., mathan tailam. Moreover, chronic wounds need internal medicine too e.g., meghanatha tailam. In the modern era, many classical Siddha preparations have been adapted through scientific analysis and global standardization. SCRI and government agencies focus on the modern documentation process to help the newer generation witness the magnitude of the Siddha medicinal treasure to mankind.