LESSON - 3

Introducing folk medicine, this lesson classifies and distinguishes medical systems in vogue such as naturopathy, Siddha and mantra, distinguishing between them. Faith and conventions concerning folk medicine are also described. Expressed through the unique properties of folk medicine Tamil medical tradition is signified in this lesson.

The six central units deal with the ancientness of folk medicine and its classification. The focus units on naturopathy, siddha medical system, mantric medicine based on divine - faiths, different practitioners of folk medicine, and proverbs, songs and medical faiths referring to folk medicine.

The most ancient folk medicine is infact a social institution. Natural medicine is concerned with food, traditional practices, medicine for children, treatment for poison and general medicine. Folk medicine categorises diseases as tropical, stomach, phlegm, cough, rheumatic, piles, swollen leg, untimely graying of hair and dearth of mother’s milk. Similarly pains treated under folk medicine include, headache, earpain, toothache, stomach pain and disc prolapse and fractures. Siddhars are considered as possessing rare capacity using medicinal plants and in alchemy etc., converting metals, iron and copper into silver and gold known. They are considered as capable of extending the longevity of people. Thirumoolar is noted as the first Siddhar. Palmscripts concerned with Siddha medicine identify the causes of human diseases. Balancing the three called Vaatham, Pittam and Kabam is the characteristic of good health. These stages respectively refer to gaseous ingredients of human growth, heat evolved from digestion to maintain human life in the body and the cold nature of normal healthy humans. Diseases are diagnosed by pulse test only. Human pulses can be Vaathanaadi or Pithanaadi. Siddha medicines are in the forms of Sooranam, Kuzhambu, Maathirai, Ennai and Kalimbu. Most Siddha medicines while being taken require certain conditions called Pathiyam, i.e., diet restrictions.

On learning this lesson you will be able to appreciate how folk medicine is based on faiths and beliefs, keen observations and age-old experiences, natural and man-made conditions, and rituals. You can draw comparisons between modern and folk medicines and other systems.

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