Siddha Medicine is flourished with medicinal knowledge of numerous floras, metals and minerals and the contribution of Siddha literature with its boundless therapies and pharmaceutical preparation is acclaimed excellence even in modern era. Siddha treatment is not only curative, but also preventive, endowed with philosophical thoughts which enrich the mind and body. The refined natural remedies designed in Siddha Materia Medica, states the uses of herbs, minerals, animal products and metal ores in combating diseases. The Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipakam of each and every drug defines the individualistic character of the medicine prepared.
- Rasa is the six-taste perceived which are inippu, pulippu, uvarppu, kasappu, kaarppu, thuvarppu. The taste balances the imbalanced doshams, fortifies and strengthens the physical body.
- Guna reflects the bio availability of the medicine.
- Veerya is the hot and cold potency of the drug.
Metals and Minerals are made into parpams, chendoorams and chunnams after careful specified purification of the raw drugs, to promote longevity, as well as to treat a variety disease including even Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The process of incineration converts the metallic salts into extremely fine emulsified particles, so that the body can absorb and process them. The parpam, chenduram and chunnam form of medicines are broken down nano-sized particles with effective therapeutic efficacy which is testified in countless research studies.
Recent studies imply the application of nanotechnology in cancer research and treatment, such forms of medicines have been in use in Siddha Medicine since ages. Another specific practice in Siddha medicine is that each and every medicine is given along a specific anupanam (medium) which increases the potency of the medicine and acts as a catalyst. Kaya Kalpam is a distinct branch of Siddha medicine which bestows a healthy and long life. Anti-oxidants rich kaya kalpam medicines protects the body from oxidative stress injury and confers a healthy living.