Probiotics and Prebiotics in Siddha System of Medicine

Chapter 1

Abstract

Worldwide Siddha system is one of the longstanding traditions in treating with safe and effective methods by Siddhars, who are experts in living a healthy life from dietetics, life style modifications and preventing, curing diseases in a holistic way. In the methodology of science, definitions are distinctly established, with the International Scientific Association for probiotics and prebiotics (ISAPP). Generally, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and other lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) have been used in probiotics, foremost isolated from fermented by products of milk and microbiome present in faecal materials. Siddha medicines are prepared from herbs, minerals, herbo-mineral, metals, and animal products. Primarily some of the herbs and several animal products are purified using buttermilk before they are formulated into medicine. Chooranam (Medicinal powder) particularly Thayirchundi chooranam that prepared using five kinds of salts, dried ginger, sour curd in greater quantity, is repeatedly dried in sunlight and powdered that is best used in diarrhoea with undigested food particles. Most of the Siddha medicines are prepared using dairy products milk and ghee are aswagandha legium (Withania somnifera), panchadepakini legium, thettrankottai legium (Strychnos potatorum), venpoosani legium (Benincasa hispida). Medicines used in paediatric diseases are prepared with ghee, butter, butter milk, milk, curd are veliparuthi nei (pergularia damia), paruthi (Gossypium arboreum), othiyampattai (Lannae cormandelica). Ayajambira karpam is fermented with gingely oil for 40 days then is given for anaemia and rejuvenating the body. Bhavana kadukkai (Terminalia chebula) is prepared by purifying with fermented rice washed water for three days, and is treated for many of disease like asthma, anorexia, splenomegaly, sinusitis, vomiting, diarrhoea, anaemia, pitham, and rathapitham.