Abstract

MEDICINAL PLANTS USED FOR TREATING SEVI NOIGAL (EAR DISEASES) IN SIDDHA CLASSICAL LITERATURE – A REVIEW

Vinothinee R.* and Antony Duraichi R.

ABSTRACT

The Siddha system is a treasure house of secret science, embodying the results of the rodent pursuit thereof by the ancient Siddhars. It consists of preparations of medicines, adjuvant, alchemy, rejuvenation therapies and astrology. Ear is an unique organ due to its role in hearing and sense of balance to our body. WHO stays that about 430 million people requires rehabilitation to address their hearing loss. In Ancient Siddha practice there has been surgical, non-surgical, Internal and external medicines, were been used in Siddha Otology. Siddhars have explained many simple and herbal remedies, diet, lifestyle modifications and ear care procedures for prevention and treatment of ear diseases. So an attempt has been made to document therapeutic uses of medicinal plants for ear diseases in Siddha medicine. All of the available information on ear diseases and their treatment in Siddha medicine were collected from the rich collection of ancient Siddha books held in the library, Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. Electronic searches also made. Information on medicinal plants, part used, chemical composition and route of administration were collected. Many therapeutic formulations were collected. Of these medicated ghee, powder and medicated oil are mostly used to treat ear diseases. This is followed by juice, ear drops, karpam, extract, tablet, medicated oil and poultice. Leaves are the mostly used plant part, followed by seed, unripened fruit, flowers and resins. This documentation provides the baseline information about the siddha otology. This study will be useful for further researches.

Keywords: Ear diseases, Siddha medicine, Siddha otology, Medicinal plants.