Liver disorders and Siddha

LIVER CARE & MANAGEMENT OF LIVER DISORDERS IN SIDDHA

Dr. K. Jagannathan, MD (Siddha), PhD

Reader & HOD, Dept. Of Maruthuvam,

Dr. G. Mohanambigai, MD (Siddha)

Reader & HOD, Dept. Of Udalkoorugal,

Santhigiri Siddha Medical College & Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram

drjagan.siddha@gmail.com, www.siddhaglobal.blogspot.com

Siddha system of medicine developed by ancient Siddhars some thousands years ago, recognizable among the Dravidian population that prevails in South India. Siddha system, primarily based on 96 thathwas, offers better solutions to 4448 diseases supposed to be affecting mankind and everything have been portrayed in the literatures. This exceptional traditional system, contributed quite number of liver tonics, liver corrective and liver protective agents, of herbal and mineral origin for the benefit of mankind. In fact, this concept, laid an incredible platform for the researchers to identify/ establish/ develop praiseworthy drugs for liver disorders. Though modern medicine is providing few innovative measures and medicines, Siddha proved its uniqueness with number of effective formulations for years in combating liver disorders.

Role of Liver in human physiology: - Since liver is being considered as the largest gland and one of the vital organs of the body, it is mandatory for us to review the importance of this organ. It has a wide range of activities including a) Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and hormones. b) Storage of glycogen, amino acids, iron, folic acid, vitamins etc. c) Synthesis of glucose, clotting factors, proteins, steroids, and heparin d) Secretion of bile. e) Excretion of cholesterol, bile pigments, heavy metals, bacteria, virus etc. f) heat production g) Synthesis of haemopoietic factor. h) Thrombopoietin production. i) Destruction of aged RBC. j) Inactivation of toxins and hormones k) Detoxification of foreign bodies etc. The above mentioned information itself a self explanatory about the value of this vital organ and the necessity of maintaining it in a healthy manner.

Incidence of liver disorders and damaging agents: -It is not surprising that diseases of liver are the major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout world in the present scenario, for example cirrhosis. In the developing countries like India, infections caused by hepatitis viruses and parasites are responsible for most of the chronic liver diseases and hepato-biliary carcinoma. In developed countries, in contrast, alcohol and obesity become major causes. Auto immunity, drugs, genetic factors, metabolic disorders are the other reasons standing beside in accelerating liver disorders. “Unavathi seyal marupadu (altered food habits, environment and lifestyle) and Karma vinai (Genetic reasons) “are the elementary factors which provoke liver diseases, as far as Siddhars point of view. Recent studies and available documents and reports are substantiating the same. “Pitham” one among three vital forces regulating all physiological functions of human body, deliberately affects liver in its impaired state. To normalize this vitiated “Pitham”, simple purgatives and emetics like papaya juice, Keezhanelli juice or drakshadi kudineer are commonly prescribed. “Vyanan”, a subclass of vatham accountable for nourishment of Saptha thathus, deranged by the deteriorated Pitham in liver disorders also gets corrected concurrently by this practice.

Kalleeral thetri (Liver tonic) in Siddha: - Keezhanelli (Phyllanthus amarus), Karisalai (Eclipta alba), Manjal (Curcuma longa), Athimadhuram (Glycirrhiza glabra), Kadugurohini (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Seenthil (Tinospora cordifolia), Kadukkai (Terminalia chebula), Nerunjil (Tribulus terrestris), Thandrikkai (Terminalia bellerica), Katrazhai (Aloe vera), Aamanakku (Ricinus communis), Jeeragam (Cuminum cyminum), Chukku (Zingiber officinale) are some of the vital medicinal plants frequently used in Siddha to tonify liver and to correct liver problems. Bitterness in the tongue, anorexia, indigestion, water brash, nausea, vomiting are the premonitory symptoms projected in all form of Liver disorders and the medicines made up of the above mentioned plants found to be beneficial in clinical practice to correct such setbacks.

Scientific vision of Siddhars: - Keezhanelli pointed out by Siddhars, is an outstanding anti- viral drug used in Jaundice from time immemorial, and is a good example for Siddhar’s scientific vision. Recent studies reveals that chemical component of this plant, inhibits DNA- polymerase activity in Virus (which is responsible for speedy replication of virus) and consequently protects liver from further damage by reducing viral load and cures jaundice. Keezhanelli yield better results even in HBV and HCV infections to some extent, when given with buttermilk. Immuno modulating effect of Kadugurohini, both on cell mediated and humoral immunity helps the patient to get rid of viral hepatitis. Reduced liver enzyme level in the administration of polysaccharide contents of Athimadhuram (Glycirrhiza glabra) reveals the hepato protective effects of the plant in viral and drug induced hepatitis. Likewise we can list out plenty of experimental study reports to endorse the complete knowledge (Siddham) of Siddhars.

Siddha remedies for Liver problems: - Karisalai (Eclipta alba) karkkam, iron preparations like Aya jambeera karpam, Annabedi chenduram, Ayakantha chenduram, Ayabringaraja karpam are found to be useful in anaemia and swelling seen in liver disorders. Nerunjil (Tribulus terrestris) kudineer and Vediannabedi chenduram, Vediuppu chunnam reduces generalised edema, swelling of lower extremities and abdomen due to its diuretic property. Preparations like Mandoorathi adai kudineer, Loga Mandooram, and Sarakkondrai puli patru (external) reduce the size of enlarged liver and portal hypertension clinically. Adhathodai (Adathoda vasica), Imbooral (Oldenlandia umbellate), Mathulai odu(Punica granatum) preparations, Naga parpam, Padigalinga chenduram, Papaya leaf juice, Nellikkai (Emblica officinalis), Aruvatha (Rutea graveolens) preparations rectifies thrombocytes related issues due to its haemostatic properties. Handling of Inji (Zingiber officinale) and other liver tonics in fatty infiltration of liver and pre cirrhotic condition also will be advisable. Some traditional practitioners are using Kadugurohini in alcohol induced liver problems. Karisalai karkkam, Keezhanelli karkkam, Poovarasilai(Thespesia populnea) karkkam, Aamanakkilai (Ricinus communis) karkkam, Pidangunaari(Premna tomentosa) kudineer, Shikaikkai kudineer are some of simple Siddha preparations found to be efficacious in viral hepatitis/ jaundice. Poonaikkali (Mucuna puriens) choornam, Amukkara (Withania somnifera) choornam, Nerunjil choornam, Nilappanai (Curculigo orchioides) nei may be the better solutions to counteract oestrogen induced problems seen in liver disorders.

Beside herbs, minerals (Iron, Kantham, Chembu, Nagam, Mandooram, Gold, Annabedi), animal sources like Nathai (snails), Nandu (crabs), also indicated for liver problems. Extensive research should be done on these plant materials and herbo-mineral combinations to establish its utility and credibility and develop new set of combinations in the light of ancient/ available literatures and experience of experts /LHT.

Measures to maintain healthy liver: - Some simple measures are available to maintain normal function of liver, correct liver disorders and protect from damaging agents and they are: - 1. Take easily digestible food items. 2. Encourage ingestion of plenty of vegetables, fruits and green leaves. 3. Avoid high intake of oily and fatty diet, particularly non vegetarian food items and fast food. 4. Take adequate and protected/ boiled water. 5. Avoid intake of drugs and expose to irradiation needlessly. 6. Smoking, alcohol, tobacco derivatives, chemical enriched soft drinks etc. strictly to be avoided. 7. Maintain hygiene in food. 8. Intestinal parasites should be treated promptly. 9. Medicines should be taken only under medical direction. 10. Regular health check- up always to be entertained. 11. Regular exercise or daily practices of yoga- dhyana- pranayama are valuable. 12. Controlled and safer sex always sensible.

Kaya karpam and Longevity in Siddha: - As per Siddha, to maintain good physique; to maintain physiological condition of organs; to maintain youth; to prevent age related/ lifestyle related/ acquired health problems, everyone should take kayakalpa preparations at regular intervals, by following kalpa vidhi. Though Siddha dictates 108 kayakalpa procedures, here we are pointing out one simple method. “kaalayil inji; nanpakal chukku; maalayil kadukkai”- In the morning have ginger(Zingiber officinale); in the noon- chukku (Zingiber officinale); in the night- kadukkai (Terminalia chebula)”. If we are ready to follow the guidelines given in Siddhar –Therayar’s “Pini anuga vidhi”, Naal ozhukkam, Kaala ozhukkam and Siddha way of regulating vital forces, diet and personal habits, we can lead a healthy life.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------