IMPORTANCE OF MARINE ANIMAL RESOURCES IN THE SIDDHA SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

Abstract

Siddha system of medicine is one of the oldest traditional system of medicine practiced in south Asian regions of the world. This Siddha system of medicine is practiced based on the quotations provided by the ancient Siddhas for a wide range of health manifestations. The siddha pharmaceutical preparations were prepared from the plant and animal origin. In this divine system of medicine even the marine animal resources play a vital role for the healing and prevention of many diseases. This research work focuses on the marine animal resources utilized by the Siddha medical system in curing illness with the aid of siddha literature and quotations. Muththu, Muththu chitpe, Coral, Palakarai, Nandukal, Aamai, Killinjal and crab are the Vital resources for the medicinal preparation in Siddha pharmaceutical preparations. These marine animal resources are purified using different techniques based on the siddha quotations and prepared as different forms of medicines since they have a wide range of medicinal benefits to treat a wide range of health manifestations caused due to vatha, pitha and kapam. Also, these marine animal resources act as nutrient, cardiac and nerve tonic. Which strengthens and boost the immune system and prevents many health issues. These marine animal resources possess many pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-oxidant and anti-flatulent. With these varieties of pharmacological actions, they serve as potent medicinal resources in curing diseases.