SIDDHA PERSPECTIVE OF SWINE FLU
Symptoms of swine flu, which are very much similar to seasonal flu, can be compared to the symptoms mentioned under Iyasuram or kabasuram, one of the 64 types of surams mentioned in siddha texts like Theran karisal, Suravagadam, Yugi chinthamani etc. Though the texts slightly differ in the symptoms, the common and major symptoms mentioned in all the texts are body ache, fever, cough, fatigue, diarrhoea, sore throat, shortness of breath, chest pain and sometimes leading to neurological symptoms like confusion and even death. Thus the symptoms mentioned in these texts match the symptoms and the complications that follow swine flu.
CAUSE AND PATHOLOGY
According to siddha principles of causation of diseases, any type of suram (fever) occurs due to the accumulation of kabam humour in the intestine. In Iyasuram or kaba suram, kabam humour is increased much more than its normal state and this favours the infection to occur. Usually kabam humour is increased due to factors like food habits and lifestyle which increase kabam. For example as per siddha text, when food substances which are cold in nature are taken in excess quantity especially during cold weather, kabam exceeds its normal range and causes this disease. Since siddha system of medicine deals with the root cause of diseases, kaba suram (swine flu) is said to occur due to the increase of kaba kuttram (humour), which makes the body favourable for this viral infection.
MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION:
The increased kabam humour should be normalized by giving diet and drugs which possess varatchi (dry) and veppam (heat) characteristics. Some food constituents and drugs that reduce kabam humour are milk, arathai (Alpinia officinarum), mullangi (radish), honey, omam (Carum copticum), vilam pazham (fruit of Limonia acidissima). Adding these food items in regular diet will help to prevent the increase of kabam kuttram and thereby makes the body resistant against the infection.
Administration of emetic is also suggested in siddha texts, but care should be taken that to adjust the dosage as per the severity of the disease and condition of the patient.
Some of the decoctions recommended for kabasuram include
Appropraiate decoction is recommended by a siddha physician, depending upon the body constitution of the patient and severity of the disease.
Boopathi pills can be given along with thippili powder and juice of 6 herbs namely uthamani (Pergularia daemia), nochi (Vitex negundo), kandankathari (Solanum surattense), viral mulli, Ingi (Zingiber officinalis), adathodai (Justicia beddomei).
The accumulated kabam (phlegm) in the chest is reduced by giving medicines like Thalisathi vadagam, Thalaga parpam etc.
Other herbo-mineral drugs used in the treatment of kaba suram to control the infection and cure the affected part, the respiratory system are Emathanda kuzhigai in karpooravalli (Anisochilus carnosus) juice, Vasantha kusumagara mathirai in goat’s milk, Bramanandbairava pills in elaikkali (Euphorbia ligularia) juice, Korosanai karuppu in kothumalli (Coriandrum sativum) juice and Veera chendooram in breast milk etc.
During the convalescent period Amukkara tablet or chooranam is given to rejuvenate the depleted tissues (udal ththukkal).
Note: All medicines should be taken under the supervision of a qualified siddha medical practitioner. References:
