Division of Siddha

Overview

About the Department

Division of Siddha was a part of Center for Integrative Medicine and Research, established during December 2015. It involves in clinical services, preclinical and clinical researches, and academic activities.

About Siddha

Traditional Siddha Medicine is one of the Indian AYUSH medical systems, where S stands for Siddha. There were 18 ancient Indian Yogis (Siddhas) such as Agastya Maharishi, Patanjali, Thirumoolar, Bogar, etc. who developed this medical system. They documented 6000 medical manuscripts in the palm manuscripts. They have classified disease into 4448 based on clinical features and specific herbal remedies are described for each one. The patient is diagnosed based on naadi (pulse), neikkuri (oil on urine examination), manikkadai nool (wrist thread measurement), abnormality in saram (nasal cycle), etc. With these detailed clinical as well as Siddha examinations, we could diagnose and manage challengeable diseases such as AIDS, cancers, dengue, COVID, etc.

Siddha advices dietary and life style modifications, home remedies, Siddha yoga practices and herbal remedies. Varmam (trigger point manipulation therapy), kaayakalpam (anti-ageing therapy), 32 types of external therapies, 32 types of oral formulations and broad spectrum drugs are the unique therapies in Siddha. Simplified cleansing (detoxification therapy), balancing thridhoshas, correcting 10 naadis/vaayus are the special methods for preventive care.

Every year, the birthday of Agastya Maharishi on the aayilya natkashra is celebrated as World Siddha Day.

Clinical Services Offered

o Psoriasis and eczema

o Warts, skin tags

o Fungal skin infection

o Chronic skin diseases

o Sinusitis

o Renal stone

o Male and female infertility

o Women health

o Cancers

o Joint, muscle and bone diseases

o Autoimmune diseases

o Spine diseases including disc diseases

o Siddha naadi (pulse) examination

o Personalized diet therapy

o Cleansing therapy

o Varma therapy

o Siddha Yoga therapy

o External therapies

o Herbal therapy

Our clinicians are well trained in integrative approach, hence provide best care from Siddha without compromising the active conventional treatment.

Specialty Integrative Traditional Siddha Medicine OPD (SISMO)

This was inaugurated on 16 June 2023 by Dr. P.Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE in presence of Dr. Meenakumari, Director, National Institute of Siddha, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India. The SISMO OPD is functioning all the days except Sundays and third Saturdays from morning 8.30 to 5.00 pm. Special focus is given to diabetes and its complications like foot ulcers, cancers, kidney stones, chronic skin diseases like psoriasis, liver diseases, sinusitis, infertility, back pain, and joint pain. Patient needs to pay Rs. 500 in the first visit and Rs.450 in the subsequent visits for 15 days medicines. Whereas senior citizens (≥ 60 age) will pay Rs. 350 and Rs.315 in the first and subsequent visits respectively.

Programs

1. One month Elective course on Traditional Siddha Medicine

o This is the course jointly conducted by Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta, USA), Health India foundation (Chennai) and MAHE for the 4^th year medical graduates of USA and Canada.

o This course is approved under Global Health International Program and students matriculated at an LCME accredited U.S. medical schools are eligible to apply for elective courses at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM).

o Those whoever wish to take this course, please contact the course director Dr. Rajagopala Sridaran, Ph.D. Professor, Morehouse School of Medicine, USA through rsridaran@msm.edu, (404) 752-1684.

2. Post Graduate Certificate Course in Siddha Varmam Therapy (PGC SVT – full time course)

o Siddha Varmam Therapy (Varma vaidyam) is a unique traditional drugless healing method by manipulating energy (varma) points located along the 12 energy (naadi) channels of the human body.

o Ancient Siddhas (Yogi) like Agastyar, Thirumular, Bogar developed this art of healing and authored >120 literature. Varma therapy is used in pain management, Musculo-skeleto-neuronal disorders, chronic diseases, post-trauma, sports injuries, etc.

o This course is the first of its kind in India, trains the healthcare professionals to use this ancient healing technique. Experienced Siddha Varma physicians are going to teach students.

o The course includes fundamentals of Siddha Varmam science, identification of important varma points, traumatic sequale of each point, manipulation techniques of each point, health benefits of each point, Siddha varma external therapies, Siddha Yoga, Varmasanam, spine alignment, treatment protocol for common conditions, etc.

o In this 6 month course, students need to attend the classes from 9 am to 5 pm that includes practical sessions and clinical postings.

o Eligibility: Any UG health professionals such as MBBS, BDS, BSMS, BAMS, BNYS, BUMS, BHMS, BPT and other allied Health Sciences, BSc. Nursing, Yoga therapy, etc.

o For Application: https://manipal.edu/cimr/program-list/Post-Graduate-Certificate-course-in-Siddha-Varmam-Therapy.html

3. Post Graduate Certificate Course in Siddha Varmam Therapy (hybrid mode)

o This is the one year course in which students will be attending online classes and in-person practical sessions. The compulsory one-week internship at Manipal is mandatory to complete the course.

o Eligibility: Private Practitioners/ PG students/ Faculty members of health professionals with MBBS, BDS, BSMS, BAMS, BNYS, BUMS, BHMS, BPT, BOT, BSc. Nursing, BSc./MSc.Yoga therapy or any equivalent full-time degrees.

o For Application: https://sis.manipal.edu/CertificateCourses.aspx

4. Introductory Certificate Course in Siddha Varmam Therapy (open elective course for one semester)

This course is for the MAHE students that carries 3 credits.

5. Introductory Certificate Course in Siddha Varmam Therapy (evening course for 3 months)

This is for the publics or anybody who wish to know the Siddha Varmam Therapy.

For further details, contact arul.amuthan@manipal.edu

6. Introductory Certificate Course in Siddha Varmam Therapy (one month, full time)

This course gives opportunity for healthcare professionals or anybody else who wish to learn the basics of Siddha Varmam therapy.

For further details, contact arul.amuthan@manipal.edu

Research:

The department actively encourages students in research activities providing guidance and support to interested students including presentation in CMEs/Conferences. There are limitless opportunities for postgraduate trainees, Ph.D. candidates and faculty to pursue research projects in the areas of their interest.

We have MoU with the following Institutions for research activities:

o Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS – Ministry of AYUSH) - https://siddhacouncil.com

o Global Center for Siddha Medicine and Research (North Carolina, USA) - https://globalcenterforsiddha.org/

o MoU with National Institute of Siddha (Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India), Chennai - https://nischennai.org/

o MoU with Morehouse school of Medicine, Atlanta, USA - https://www.msm.edu/RSSFeedArticles/2022/September/SiddhaMedicine.php

Completed Research:

o Anthropometrical Proportion Based on Index Finger Breadth among Student Population

o Effect of different edible oils on serum lipid profile in rats

o Physiochemical assessment of mineral based Siddha nano-formulations for their bio efficacy

o Effect of Kadukkai Mathirai (Siddha herbal preparation) in experimentally induced liver disease in rats

o Effect of Serankottai nei (Siddha drug) on induced endometriosis in rats

Ongoing Research:

o A study to evaluate and compare efficacy of Vetpalai thailam and Sivanar vembu kuzhi thailam in mouse model of psoriasis like inflammation

o Molecular mechanism of antipsoriatic drugs, vetpalai thailam and sivanar vembu kuzhi thailam and influence of certain dietary factors on the development of psoriasis using imiquimod induced inflammatory mice model

o Discovery of natural special stains for diagnosis of pathological lesions.

o Preparation and physico-chemical analysis of red Rasamani (solidified mercury-copper alloy), a unique traditional Siddha metal drug

o Clinical and patient-reported outcomes in patients receiving Siddha standard of care and allopathic standard of care for psoriasis: A prospective cohort study.

Grants and funds:

o “Discovery of natural special stains for diagnosis of pathological lesions” from Health India Foundation, Chennai (2019-2023)

o Global Center for Siddha Medicine and Research (North Carolina, USA) sanctioned for the research on Siddha, Varmam and Integrative Medicine (2022 – 2026)

o Investigating the role of adjuvant Siddha medication in reducing recurrences in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy – A pilot study by metabolomoics approach. (Under CSR Fund from Roots Industires Limited, Coimbatore, February 2023 and Sivasailam Family, USA, March 2023)

o Individual Philanthropists have donated for the Siddha research activity on male infertility, cancers and varmam.

Publications:

1. Amuthan A, Dhas SI, Bhandarkar AP, Devi V. The cost effective cure without scar: three cases of warts successfully treated with Kaalaani Kalimpu (a Traditional Siddha drug). International Research Journal of Pharmacy 20156:294-8.

2. Mekala, Sathish, Amuthan A. Physico-Chemical Evaluation of Pavalasilasathu Parpam, a Marine based Traditional Siddha Drug used in Leucoderma and Infectious Conditions . Int J Pharmacol and Clin Sci. 2015;4(3):44-47.

3. Bhat V, Amuthan A, Rosli BBM, Khairuddin NAB, Md. Isa FSB. Effect of Kungiliya vennai and Kalchunnam thailam on excision wound healing in albino Wistar rats. Int J Pharmacol and Clin Sci. 2015;4(3):52-57.

4. Senthilvel G, Amuthan A, Kumar KNS. Phytochemical Standardization of Serankottainei (a Siddha drug from milk extract of Semecarpus Anacardium nuts) and its in-vitro antitubercular activity against H37Rv strain. Int J Pharmacol and Clin Sci. 2016;5(1):17-24.

5. Senthilvel G, Amuthan A, Jasphin S. Pediatric liver diseases and its management by herbals: A Traditional Siddha Medicine treatise. Int J Pharmacol and Clin Sci. 2016;5(1):32-40.

6. Amirthalingam M, Kasinathan N, Amuthan A, Mutalik S, Reddy MS, Nayanabhirama U. Bioactive PLGA - curcumin microparticle-embedded chitosan scaffold: in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. 2017;45(2):233-241.

7. Amuthan A, Devi V, Shreedhara CS, Rao V, Puri K, Jasphin S. Vernonia Cinerea (Neichitti Keerai) Regenerates Proximal Tubules In Cisplatin induced Renal Damage In Mice. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Clinical Research. 2019;12(1):332-5.

8. Amuthan A, Devi V, Shreedhara CS, Rao V, Lobo R. Cytoprotective Activity of Neichitti (Vernonia cinerea) in Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK293) Normal Cells and Human Cervix Epitheloid Carcinoma (HeLa) Cells against Cisplatin Induced Toxicity: A Comparative Study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2019;13(2): KC01-KC06.

9. Amuthan A, Santhi M. Cost effective management of chronic psoriasis using safe Siddha herbal drugs – a case report. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2020:6(1):9-11.

10. 36. Amuthan A, Santhi M. A Case Report on removal of Filiform Warts using Siddha Kaalaani Kalimpu. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2020:6(1):12-14.

11. Ramachandran J, Amuthan A. Neerizhivu kudineer (a traditional siddha polyherbal antidiabetic medicine) inhibits α- amylase enzyme and α-glucosidase enzyme. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2020:6(1):21-25.

12. Shajahan S, Amuthan A. Comparative in-vitro anticancer activity of thanga parpam (siddha gold drug) in breast, liver, prostate and lung cancer cell lines. Int J Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. 2021;12(1):64-67.

13. Amuthan A, Devi V, Shreedhara CS, Rao V, Jasphin S, Kumar N. Vernonia cinerea regenerates tubular epithelial cells in cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in cancer bearing mice without affecting antitumor activity. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2021(11):279-286.

14. Shiva S, Mari S, Amuthan A, Shanmugam. Repurposing Siddha mercurial drug for mild to moderate COVID-19 - Case series and exploration of its chemical profile. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 2022:13(2).100469.

15. Chockalingam A, Kumar S, Ferrer MS, Gajagowni S, Isaac M, Karuparthi P, Aggarwal K, Shunmugam S, Amuthan A, Aggarwale A, Hans CP, Krishnaswamy K, Dorairajan S, Liu Z, Flaker G. Siddha fasting in obese acute decompensated heart failure may improve hospital outcomes through empowerment and natural ketosis. Explore 2022: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2021.12.003.