Fundamental Principles

1. Five elemental theory
2. Three humours
3. seven thathus
4. Fourteen natural urges

Five elemental theories:

Siddha Vaidya physicians believed in three major life governing forces or doshas. These life-governing forces were deduced to be the extensions of the component elements that made life. These are not abstract concepts as many authors believe. These doshas—namely vatta, pitta and kapha—stand for some fundamental aspects of life: form, energy and movement.

Siddha Vaidya considers that the body is constituted mostly of the earth element and it is located in the space element. The elements of water, fire and air help it to function. These three elements that confer functions to the body are called Tri Dosham (three functional elements). In general, the health and illness of the body is evaluated as an imbalance of just these three elements of water, fire, and air.

Dosha Corresponding element

• Vatta Air
• Pitta Fire
• Kapha Water

 

The knowledge about the balances and imbalances of these functional elements are used in disease classification and in preventive health applications. The doshas are further classified into sub - doshas. Vatha is divided into ten, Pitha is divided into five, and Kapha is divided into five sub-doshas. When diseases are classified, the dosha that predominantly is involved may be mentioned. Therefore, a particular disorder can be a Vatha type, a Pitta type, a Kapha type, or a blend of all three.

Relative Proportion of the Five Elements:

The body is composed mostly of the earth element. The location of the body is in space. Think of your hand, the thumb standing for the earth element, the little finger standing for space, then the elements of water and fire and air, which are necessary for bodily functions, are represented by the pointer finger—Vatta (air), the middle finger—Pitta (fire) and the ring finger—Kapha (water) , respectively. The basis of Siddha Vaidya understanding is body-bases and we can see this knowledge in our hands. Excess or deficiency of one or more of these elements causes diseases and disorders, since it reflects functional disabilities.

Summarizing in a chart may make the element/body/plant associates clearer, each element being stationed in a particular part of the body and corresponding to a particular part of any plant. This basic understanding in Siddha Vaidya assumes that, on an elemental level, humans and plants and animals are all the same, for each of them possess the same five elements in the same ratios.

 

Element Quality / In Nature In the body In plants

• Earth Form / Solid Limbs Roots
• Water (Kapha) Motion / Liquid Abdomen Stem
• Fire (Pitta) Heat / Plasma Chest Leaves
• Air (Vatta) Breath / Gas Neck Flowers
• Space Location / Head Seeds Emptiness

Therefore, Siddha Vaidya, based in the natural world, employs corresponding aspects of plants; for example, in human beings who have too much of the fire element, balance can come from eating the leaves of a specific plant. We, it is obvious; owe so much to plants (and to animals). In this way, there is no higher or lower, for all the three classes of plant, animal and human are equally important and, elementally and essentially identical.

Siddha Vaidya pre-supposes that the body is primarily structured out of the earth element. This body is located in space. Once its structure and location are established by earth and space elements, then its functions are determined by the elements of air (Vatta), fire (Pitta) and water (Kapha). It is these three functions that are susceptible to imbalance, which we experience as illness. Siddha Vaidya uses these elements or doshas in the classification of diseases and disorders.

Sapta Dathu or the Seven Tissue Types:

Siddha Vaidya recognises seven types of essential tissue in the body which support all other tissues in its life and functions. These tissue types are called the seven dathus, which are the following:

Rasa (lymph):

The importance of lymph was recognised by Siddha physicians from very early periods. Lymph is considered to be the carrier of nutrients from the digestive process, and disorders of the lymph is dealt with in a serious manner.

Kurudhi (blood):

Blood and human life are inter-woven with one another. Disorders of blood or its reduced ability to function is a prime cause of disease according to Siddha Vaidya.

Tasai (muscle):

Muscles are important to give strength to body activities. Loss of muscle strength causes immobility and imbalance in the body. Conversely, an imbalance of Vatta can cause muscle tissue to suffer from immobility imposed on it due to symptoms such as pain.

Kozhuppu (adipose tissue):

Fatty tissue plays a very important role in the human body. The human body in balance should have a certain amount of fatty tissue. Fat is part of lipoproteins and many hormones. It is the other half of proteins in the make up of the cell membrane, the most intelligent entity in the cell next to DNA.

Elumbu (bone):

Bone provides the primary physical foundation for a human being. Bone also acts as a safe area for the marrow tissue and is a depot of calcium, without which muscular activities are impossible.

Majjai (marrow):

A healthy marrow is important not only to manufacture healthy blood but also for a strong immune system, since bone marrow is the area of blood-cell formation—red, white and platelets.

Sukkilam and Artavam:

These are highly conserved tissues in the body according to ancient Siddha Vaidya teachings. Siddha Vaidya maintains that the emission of sperm should not happen more than once a day. This gives rest for the testis and adequately conserves valuable resources. Emissions more than once a day can cause many diseases and disorders generally called disorders of Madam. The same is the case of Arthavam or the menstrual fluids. A heavy menstrual flow or passing clots is considered a sign of imbalance and should be corrected without fail.