Siddhars tried for extraction from herbals. For example, kashayam (aqueous extract of polar compounds), nei/thailam/ennai (extrction of of non polar compounds using edible solvents), mooligai uppu (ash extract of heat stable polar compounds), kuzhi thailam (non polar compounds), thiraavagam/theeneer (volatile oils), madakku thailam (concentrating the highly polar compounds), etc. In kashayam itself, we have different methods such as ooral kudi neer (cold percolation), applying heat (hot percolation), adai kudineer, etc. We had used different combination of oils to extract phytochemicals from herbals (Eg: mukoottu ennai, ayinkoottu ennai). Similarly, in aniaml products and mienral products, Siddha do have extraction methods. Only difference from currently used western pharmacology is ; Siddha used the edible solvent systems (coconut oil, sesame oil water, cow ghee, iluppai ennai, etc), whereas modern pharmacology uses volatile solvents (petroleum ether, ethanol, methanol, n-butanol, etc). After extraction, these volatile solvents will be evaporated, thus we get concentrated herbal extracts. In Siddha, the concentrated extracts are dissolved in edible solvents, we consume it as scuh without removing the solvent. So, Siddha also used extraction and isolation of phytocompounds from herbals. Why cant we adopt modern technologies to do the same extraction? If I do it in Siddha drug, then why you call it as non-Siddha drug? Why modernization of Siddha drugs are not allowed? During snake bite and other unconscious conditions, Siddha used drugs in parenteral routes. Siddha used sharp objects like paddy or knife to make a small incision on scalp or on the snake bite site and applied Siddha emergency drugs on it. When it is rubbed, then the drug is absorbed into the blood. this is called as subcuatenous routes of drug administration, which is used in insuline injection and adrenalin inejction. Why cant we use the same syringes to administer Siddha injections after a research? We will get many emergency drugs from Siddha. Applying oil on scalp or on joint for sinusitis, urinary burning micturation, cooling the body, for giddiness, for pain, to induce sleep, etc. - all these are nothing but the special drug deliver system called as transdermal drug delivery system. We should talk this to the modern doctors. We too have the liposomal drug delivery technology. So, understanding the Siddha by its deep through science is important. Then, innovations and modernization in Siddha is the mandatory. otherwise, it will slowly die. During the innovative modernization, the science will lead it, not the religious philosophy. This leads to herbal injections or some plaster on joint to deliver Siddha drug, etc. All these should be accepted to develope Siddha.
Aadaathodai vaasica contains Bromhexine, which is responsible for the expectorant activity in cough. So, we use aadaathodai manappagu and somebody use isolated bromhexine tablet in cough. Both are same. We should selecte a safe, cheep and highly standared preparation for our clinical practice. According to patent law; bromhexine is derived from a Siddha herbal to use in cough, but, it is still the Siddha property. Since the aadathodai is already in use for cough, the isolated bromhexine can not be patented as a new invention. The isolation is the new invention, but the usage in cough is the Siddha property. In this context, why cant we ask governemnt to permit to use bromhexine tablet also in clinical practice? After consuming aadathodai manappagu, our intestine absorbs bromhexine into blood. We dont know the aadathodai plant collected in this region/climate/month will have bromhexine in the expected amount. So, what is wrong in using the standard bromhexine? The liver convert the bromhexine into ambroxol in blood, that also has expectorant property. So, allopathy company convert bromhexine into ambroxol in their lab and make as a new tablet. In you convert the paddy into Briyaani or gangi or dosa or idli, all belongs to/deriative of paddy. So, this is just an innovation and not the invention. According to me, using addathoda manappagu, tablet bromhexine, tablet ambroxol all are equall in the treatmet of productive cough. For other usage such as menorrhagea, I dont suggest bromhexame or ambroxol, but I support using aadathodai manappagu. Similarly, there are a lot of drugs derived from herbals/natural products being used by allopathy doctors. Strictly speaking, these drugs are our property. They are the innovative products of Traditional medical systems. We need to get official approval to use such products. In china, they have injections from herbal, that is used by a Chineese traditional doctor. Why we should always go bakwards, just try to move forwards. We are asking the drugs related to traditional system. Somebody can work out for it.
- By Dr.Arul Amuthan MD(S), MSc.Pharmacology, PhD.
