This document provides an overview of the Siddha system of medicine, which is one of the ancient traditional medicinal systems practiced in South India. Some key points: - Siddha system is believed to be one of the oldest medical systems developed by 18 siddhars. It recognizes that an imbalance of vatham, pitham, and kapam causes disease. - Diagnosis examines eight factors including the tongue, color, voice, eyes, touch, stool, urine, and pulse. Treatment includes herbal products, inorganic substances, and animal products. - The system also recognizes 18 types of abnormal behavior believed to be caused by karma, increased pitham, sleeplessness, or

1. WELCOME
Alternative
therapies –by
karishma singh
Rajput

2. INTRODUCTION

3. DEFINITION
A ‘complementary and alternative medicine’ is a
broad domain of healing resources that
encompasses all health systems, modalities,
practices and their accompanying theories and
beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically
dominant health system of a particular society or
culture in a given historical period. CAM includes
all such practices and ideas defined by their users
as preventing or treating illness or promoting
health and well-being.
Cochrane Collaboration

4. COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE
MEDICINAL SYSTEMS
CAM can be broadly divided into seven major
categories
• mind–body medicine,
• alternative medical systems,
• lifestyle and disease prevention,
• biologically-based therapies,
• manipulative and body-based systems,
• biofield, and
• Bioelectromagnetics.

5. SIDDHA SYSYTEM OF MEDICINE

6. SIDDHA SYSYTEM OF MEDICINE
Siddha is one of the ancient traditional medicinal
systems like ayurveda, which is practiced in South
India and a part of trio Indian medicines -
ayurveda, siddha and unani. This system of medicine
was popular in ancient India, Due to the antiquity of
this medical system, the siddha system of medicine is
believed to be one of the oldest medical system. The
system is believed to be developed by the 18 siddhas
in the south called siddhar. They are the ancient
supernatural spiritual saints of India and the Siddha
system is believed to be handed over to the Siddhar by
the Hindu God.

7. DEFINITION
• The term Siddha literally
means one who has
attained perfection in life
or the heavenly bliss
which is a boon for
chronic ailments like
asthma, ulcer, arthritis,
diabetes, aids, infertility
etc., for which allopath
does not have permanent
cure . Siddha also have
preventive measures and
doesn’t yield any side
effect.

8. MEANING
Siddhars were of the concept that a healthy soul can
only be developed through a healthy body. So they
developed methods and medication that are believed
to strengthen their physical body and thereby their
souls. Men and women who dedicated their lives into
developing the system were called Siddhars. They
practiced intense yogic practices, including years of
fasting and meditation. And believed to have achieved
super natural powers and gained the supreme wisdom
and overall immortality. Through this spiritually
attained supreme knowledge, they wrote scriptures on
all aspects of life, from arts to science and truth of life
to miracle cure for diseases.

9. BASIC CONCEPT
• The siddha medicine recognizes predominance
of vatham, pitham and kapam in childhood,
adulthood and old age respectively, whereas in
ayurveda it is totally reversed: kapam is
dominant in childhood, vatham in old age and
pitham in adults.
• According to the Siddha medicine various
psychological and physiological functions of the
body are attributed to the combination of
seven elements:

10. • First is saram (plasma) responsible for growth,
development and nourishment;
• Second is cheneer (blood) responsible for nourishing
muscles, imparting colour and improving intellect;
• Third is ooun (muscle) responsible for shape of the
body;
• Fourth is kollzuppu (fatty tissue) responsible for oil
balance and lubricating joints;
• Fifth is elumbu (bone) responsible for body structure
and posture and movement;
• Sixth is moolai (brain) responsible for strength;
• Seventh is sukila (semen) responsible for
reproduction.
Like in Ayurveda, in Siddha medicine also the
physiological components of the human beings are
classified as vatha (air), pitha (fire) and kapha (earth
and water).

11. CONCEPT OF DISEASE AND CAUSE
• It is assumed that when the normal equilibrium of
three humors (vatha, pitha and kapha) is disturbed,
disease is caused. The factors, which assumed to
affect this equilibrium are environment, climatic
conditions, diet, physical activities, and stress.
Diagnosis
In diagnosis, examination of eight items is required
which is commonly known as "enn vakaith thervu".
These are:
• Na (tongue): black in vatha, yellow or red in pitha,
white in kapha, ulcerated in anaemia.
• Varna (colour): dark in vatha, yellow or red in pitha,
pale in kapha;

12. • Svara (voice): normal in vatha, high pitched in
pitha, low pitched in kapha, slurred in alcoholism.
• Kan (eyes): muddy conjunctiva, yellowish or red
in pitha, pale in kapha.
• Sparisam (touch): dry in vatha, warm in pitha,
chill in kapha, sweating in different parts of the
body.
• Mala (stool): black stools indicate vatha, yellow
pitha, pale in kapha, dark red in ulcer and shiny in
terminal illness.
• Neer (urine): early morning urine is examined;
straw colour indicates indigestion, reddish yellow
excessive heat, rose in blood pressure, saffron
colour in jaundice and looks like meat washed
water in renal disease.
• Nadi (pulse): the confirmatory method recorded
on the radial art.

13. Drugs used by Siddha
• The drugs used by the Siddhars could
be classified into three groups:
• Thavara (herbal product),
• Dhathu (inorganic substances)
• Jangamam (animal products).
The drugs used in siddha medicine were
classified on the basis of five
properties: suvai (taste), guna
(character), veerya (potency), pirivu
(class) and mahimai (action).
According to their mode of application
the Siddha medicine could be
categorized into two classes:
a) Internal medicine
b) External medicine

14. ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND ITS REMEDIES IN THE VIEW
OF SIDDHA MEDICINE
The abnormal behaviors described in the name of Kirukai
Vaithyam. According to Kirusa Nithanam 50 the symptoms
for the psychological disorders as follows:
 standing with upper limbs,
 restlessness,
 singing meaninglessly,
 dancing, laughing, changing postures,
 sleeplessness, embracing others,
 loose talking, murmuring,
 spitting on others, wandering,
 sexual aggression,
 rolling on the floors,
 standing naked, removal of clothes.

15. Classification of abnormal
behaviors:
Saint Agasthiyar describes
about 18 disorders in the
name of ‘Kirukai’ as
follows:
• Anal Kirukai
• Pitha kirukai
• Echi kirukai
• Vatha kirukai
• Chilerpana kirukai
• Natha vinthu kirukai
• Boothak kirukai
• Chalak kirukai
• Mohini kirukai
• Kalleri kirukai
• Kumbidu kirukai
• Mananka kirukai
• Alar kirukai
• Maruttu kirukai
• Moodu kirukai
• Vali kirukai
• Neer kirukai
• Mayana kirukai

16. Reasons for the abnormal behavior:
Siddhars believed that the root cause of the abnormal
behaviors are
• Evil desire, disordered thoughts, passions, morbid
imaginations, excessive fear, envy, anger, and immoral
activities.
• ‘The Karma’ or off-shoots or chronic disease are mainly
caused by the Man’s previous actions. The Law of Karma’
describes that Sin actions of man are the root cause of
the present life. Present life is guided by our karma.
• Siddhars believed that the mental abnormalities are
caused by the evil karmas of the man or his/her
ancestor’s karma.
• If the Pitham increased, the mental abnormalities
occurred. Siddhars also believed that the abnormalities
may occurred due to sleeplessness and breaking of
Varma points, traumatic disorders may occur.

17. Remedies recommended by the siddhars for
abnormalities
Siddhars prescribed Aviztham (Medicines) as well as Manthiram
(Psychotherapy). Some of the medicines are
• Thuvalai – Anointing-external application: Through leaves and
flowers
• Vedhu (Steam bath): Through leaves and flowers
• Ullukku koduthal (Oral route): Through leaves and Cloves
• Nasium – (Nasal application): Through leaves and garlic
• Kallikam – (Ocular application): Through Sandal , Pepper, Flower ,
Garlic, Turmeric
• Another method-Through Ginger juice, honey, milk, sugarcane juice
or heat water.
• Psychotherapy ( Manthiram)- Giving spiritual healing is enhancing
the speed of recovery. Using manthiram (Spritual words) may cure
the diseases, particularly for Karma diseases.

18. ROLE OF NURSES
• Need to understand all aspects of CAM, including costs,
patient knowledge, and drug interactions, to promote
holistic strategies for patients to achieve a higher quality of
life.
• Integral role in the coordination and facilitation of such
therapies.
• Use, holistic nursing therapies that can be described as
complementary or alternative in nature.
• Should obtain and maintain appropriate education and
clinical experience in order to maintain competency in CAT.
• Familiar with Nurse Practice Act and perform only those
therapies inherent in the RN’s scope of practice.
• RNs have an ethical and professional responsibility to support
an individual’s choice regarding health care and educate the
patient about various therapeutic options and the risk and
benefits associated with each.

20. INFLUENCE OF NUTRIENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH
Energy intake and mental health
• The human brain is metabolically very active and
uses about 20 to 30% of a person's energy intake
at rest. Individuals who do not eat adequate
calories from food to meet their energy
requirements will experience changes in mental
functioning.
• Simply skipping breakfast is associated with lower
fluency and problem-solving ability, especially in
individuals who are already slightly malnourished.
• A hungry person may also experience lack of
energy or motivation.
• Chronic hunger and energy deprivation
profoundly affects mood and responsiveness.

21. • People with a consistently
low energy intake often feel
apathetic, sad, or hopeless.
• Developing fetuses and young
infants are particularly
susceptible to brain damage
from malnutrition.
• Malnutrition early in life has
been associated with below-
normal intelligence, and
functional and cognitive
defects.

22. Carbohydrates and mental health
Carbohydrates significantly affect mood and
behavior. Eating a meal high in
carbohydrates triggers release of a hormone
called insulin in the body. Insulin helps let
blood sugar into cells where it can be used
for energy, but insulin also has other effects
in the body. As insulin levels rise, more
tryptophan enters the brain. Tryptophan is
an amino acid, or a building block of protein,
that affects levels of neurotransmitters in
the brain. As more tryptophan enters the
brain, more of the neurotransmitter
serotonin is produced. Higher serotonin
levels in the brain enhance mood and have a
sedating effect, promoting sleepiness. This
effect is partly responsible for the
drowsiness some people experience after a
large meal.

23. Proteins and mental health
Protein intake and intake of individual amino acids can
affect brain functioning and mental health. Many of
the neurotransmitters (tryptophan , serotonin) in
the brain are made from amino acids. If the needed
amino acid is not available, levels of that particular
neurotransmitter in the brain will fall, and brain
functioning and mood will be affected. For example,
if there is a lack of tryptophan in the body, not
enough serotonin will be produced, and low brain
levels of serotonin are associated with low mood
and even aggression in some individuals. Likewise,
some diseases can cause a buildup of certain amino
acids in the blood, leading to brain damage and
mental defects. For example, a buildup of the amino
acid phenylalanine in individuals with a disease
called pheylketonuria can cause brain damage
and mental retardation .

24. Fats and mental health
• Some studies suggest that reducing
fat and cholesterol in the diet may
deplete brain serotonin levels,
causing mood changes, anger, and
aggressive behavior.
• The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish
oils, & promotes brain functioning.
Although a few studies suggest
omega-3 fatty acids are helpful with
bipolar affective disorder and stress .
• High levels of fat and cholesterol in
the diet contribute to
atherosclerosis, or clogging of the
arteries. Atherosclerosis can
decrease blood flow to the brain,
impairing brain functioning. If blood
flow to the brain is blocked,
a stroke occurs.

25. Vitamins and mental health
Alcoholism is often associated with thiamin deficiency. Alcohol
interferes with thiamin metabolism in the body, and diets
high in alcohol are often deficient in vitamins and minerals.
Individuals with a thiamin deficiency can develop Wernicke-
Korsakoff syndrome , which is characterized by confusion,
mental changes, abnormal eye movements, and
unsteadiness that can progress to severe memory loss.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is needed to maintain the outer coating, called
the myelin sheath, on nerve cells. Inadequate myelin results
in nerve damage and impaired brain function. Vitamin B-12
deficiency can go undetected in individuals for years, but it
eventually causes low blood iron, irreversible nerve
damage, dementia , and brain atrophy.

26. Folic acid
Even modest folic acid deficiency in
women causes an increased risk of
neural tube defects, such as spina
bifida, in developing fetuses. Folic
acid deficiency also increases risk of
stroke and its deficiency leads to a
range of mental disorders, including
depression.
Niacin
Niacin is involved in releasing energy in
the body from carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats. A deficiency of
niacin produces many mental
symptoms such as irritability,
headaches, loss of memory, inability
to sleep, and emotional instability.

27. Vitamin B-6
 Vitamin B-6 deficiency is
characterized by mental changes
such as fatigue , nervousness,
irritability, depression, insomnia ,
dizziness, and nerve changes.
 Doses of 500 mg per day or more can
cause nerve damage, dizziness,
sensory loss, and numbness.
Vitamin E
• Vitamin E deficiency causes
changes in red blood cells and
nerve tissues. It progresses to
dizziness, vision changes, muscle
weakness, and sensory changes.
• Because it is an antioxidant,
vitamin E has also been studied
for treatment of neurological
conditions such as Parkinson's
and Alzheimer's disease .

28. Vitamin A
• Headache and increased pressure in the head is
associated with both deficient and excess vitamin A
intake.
• Among other effects, excess vitamin A intake can
cause fatigue, irritability, and loss of appetite.
Minerals and mental health
Iron
Iron deficiency eventually leads to anemia,
with insufficient oxygen reaching the brain.
The anemia can cause fatigue and impair
mental functioning. Iron deficiency during
the first two years of life can lead to
permanent brain damage.

29. Magnesium
• Magnesium aids in the transmission of nerve impulses.
• Magnesium deficiency can cause restlessness, nervousness,
muscular twitching, and unsteadiness. Acute magnesium
deficiency can progress to apathy , delirium, convulsions,
coma, and death.
Manganese
• Manganese is involved in carbohydrate metabolism and
brain functioning and manganese deficiency can cause
abnormalities in brain function.
• Miners of manganese in South America have developed
manganese toxicity called manganese madness, with
neurological symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.

30. Copper
• Iron metabolism in the body and in brain function.
• Deficiency of copper causes anemia, with inadequate oxygen delivery
to the brain and other organs.
• Copper deficiency also impairs brain functioning and immune system
response, including changes in certain chemical receptors in the brain
and lowered levels of neurotransmitters.
Zinc
• Zinc is involved in maintaining cell membranes and protecting cells
from damage.
• Zinc deficiency can cause neurological impairment, influencing
appetite, taste, smell, and vision and is associated with apathy,
irritability, jitteriness, and fatigue.
Selenium
• Synthesis of some hormones and helps protect cell membranes from
damage.
• Selenium toxicity causes nervous system changes, fatigue, and
irritability.

31. DIET - NUTRITION AND
MENTAL DISORDERS

32. Depression
• Studies have suggested that vitamin and
mineral deficiencies are linked to
depression.
• Alcohol and sugar both cause emotional
issues and depression in certain individuals,
especially those with low blood sugar.
• Daily exercise and nutrition is also
recommended for depression and mood
swings.
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) plays a big
role in anxiety and panic disorders.
• Symptoms of a panic attack are erratic fast
paced breathing, accelerated heart rate, a
choking feeling and numbness in the hands
and feet.

33. Attention Deficient
Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
• Numerous factual studies have
stated that ADHD individuals lack
essential vitamins and minerals
in their diet, such as magnesium
and zinc.
Mood Disorders:
• Some people experience mood
disorders like depression and
anxiety because their brains do
not produce adequate amounts
of beta-carotene and serotonin
hormone.

34. ROLE OF NURSES
• In promoting a healthy diet in a client
with learning disabilities to the provision
of parenteral nutrition to a critically ill
patient.
• Helps in preparation and serving of food.
• Mental health nurses should keep up-to-
date with recent literature on nutrition
and physical and mental health.
• Nurses working with Multidisciplinary
team should be used to support health
promotion and the introduction of
nutrition in the rehabilitation of mental
health problems.
• Nurses should develop policies and
guidelines to encourage health care
professionals to adopt nutrition and
health promotion in their practice.

36. IMPORTANCE OF YOGA
• Yoga therapy is also known to be highly
beneficial in terminal cancer, blood
pressure ailments, heart problems,
reduces varicose veins and improves
circulation of blood, corrects bad body
posture, improves muscle and joint
flexibility, build bone, relieves and cures
painful ailments like arthritis, back pain
and is able to decompress the spine.
• Yoga therapy can also treat infertility
successfully, regulate the side effects of
menopause, regulate periods and reduce
or even eliminate menstrual abdomen
pain, improves capacity of lungs,
improves asthma conditions, reduces
sinusitis, controls acidity, helps digestion,
help in clearing and regulating movement
of bowels.

37. USING YOGA FOR MENTAL
HEALTH
• Yoga and mental health have
gone hand in hand for
hundreds of years. People
have practiced yoga for
centuries to not only attain
physical health, but mental
and emotional health as well.
Whether you’re simply
seeking more psychological
and emotional balance, or
you’re seeking relief from the
serious effects of mental
illness, yoga can be the path
you’ve been looking for to
achieve your goals.

38. Yoga and Mental Health
• Lots of things can adversely affect your
mental health, including negative
experiences in your family, at work, in
relationships and past trauma.
• One study showed as many as 65% of
individuals who practiced yoga for
three months reported improvements
to their mental health and general
well-being.

39. Yoga and Mental Illness
• Mental illnesses are health-related
conditions in which a person’s
behavior, mood or thinking affects
their ability to function normally.
• One study showed that after three
months of yoga, study participants
reported their depression improved
by 50% and their anxiety improved
by 30%.
• Other studies of individuals with
bipolar disorder, major depression
and schizophrenia also reported a
significant drop in levels of anxiety,
depression, anger, tension, hostility
and fatigue.

40. Yoga’s Healing Impact on Mental
Health and Mental Illness
• If you’re feeling unhappy, unbalanced and unable
to function at your optimal level, then yoga can
help return the balance you need and improve your
mental health.
• Yoga should not be used as a sole remedy for
mental illness, but it is a very effective complement
to professional mental health treatment. There
many studies that support yoga’s ability to alleviate
symptoms of mental illness, including depression,
anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar
disorder, eating disorders, and more.

41. YOGA THERAPY FOR MENTAL ILLNESS
How does Yoga Therapy Work for Mental Health?
• Yoga therapy or Yoga Chikitsa, is a way to gradually
move the individual into a state of equanimity. The
mind is made stronger and less vulnerable to
outside impressions by following an eight-step
process known as Asthanga Yoga. The following is a
list of the eight limbs with a brief explanation of
their therapeutic benefits.

42. YAMA
• Yamas are the essentially
the rules of social conduct.
They consist of non-
violence, truthfulness,
control of sexual energy,
non-stealing, and non-
possessiveness.
NIYAMA
Niyamas are essentially the
rules of personal conduct.
They consist of
contentment, purity, study
of spiritual principles, self-
discipline, and surrender to
God.
Creates a positive
psychological
atmosphere;
Creates right relationships
with others/community.
Creates a positive inner-
Psychological
atmosphere
Creates an atmosphere of
self-regulation.

43. ASANA
• Asana can be considered
the individual's right
orientation to the physical
body.
PRANAYAMA
• Pranayama is the right use
of our vital energy.
PRATYAHARA
• Pratyahara-sense
withdrawal.
Physical health and well-
being. In its broadest
sense this includes all
aspects of holistic care
for the body.
Use and direction of
energy. In its broadest
sense this includes
getting energy from
positive sources.
Ability to reject
environmental stimulus;
develops discrimination

44. DHARNA
• Control of attention
DHYANA
• Meditation, right
reflection
SAMADHI
• Right union
Develops discrimination
and ability to focus
Cultivates compassion
Cultivates compassion

45. YOGA AND ITS
BENEFITS

46. Benefits of Yoga to Your Bones,
Muscles, and Joints
• Yoga keeps your body strong, as it
involves all the muscles in your
body to hold and balance yoga
asanas (poses). The various yoga
postures strengthen your feet,
legs, hands, abdominals, lower
back, legs, and shoulders.
• Yoga's stretching and breathing
exercises improve your flexibility,
helping joints, tendons, and
muscles stay limber. People
suffering from osteoarthritis or
rheumatoid arthritis will see a
noticeable improvement in their
stiffness, pain, and other arthritic
symptoms by practicing yoga
poses and postures.

47. • Hatha yoga can relieve chronic back and neck
pain, since the poses and postures gently
stretch and strengthen your back and neck
muscles.
• Yoga is often prescribed to help heal various
injuries, including repetitive strain injuries, knee
and back injuries, pulled hamstrings, even
minor skin burns.
• Yoga is an excellent weight-bearing exercise that
can improve your bone density. This is
particularly beneficial for women approaching
menopause, since yoga can help ward off
osteoporosis, or thinning of the bone.

48. Benefits of Yoga on Mental Health
• Yoga reduces anxiety and stress, resulting in better
health, better mood, and better concentration
throughout the day. Yoga has been used to help treat
a wide variety of emotional and mental disorders,
including acute anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
• Children with attention deficit disorder and
hyperactivity can learn to relax and get control by
using yoga breathing and yoga asanas.
• Because yoga is a form of meditation, it results in a
sense of inner peace and purpose, which has far-
reaching health benefits.
• Yoga has been used to help heal victims of torture or
other trauma.

49. Benefits of Yoga on Other Health Conditions
• Yoga circulates blood and oxygen to your head, which
can often prevent headaches , tension and migraines
• A regular yoga practice helps boost antioxidants
throughout your body, resulting in a stronger immune
system and improved ability to heal quickly from disease
or injury.
• Yoga can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy
weight throughout your life. Power yoga is a vigorous
form of yoga that burns calories, resulting in weight loss.
• Many women going through menopause report an
easing of symptoms when they begin practicing yoga.

50. Benefits of Yoga in Everyday Life
• Yoga can help cure insomnia, as regular yoga
practice leads to better and deeper sleep.
• Yoga can help fight fatigue and maintain
your energy throughout the day.
• Yoga is an effective treatment for a variety of
autoimmune diseases because it can reduce
the symptoms these diseases often cause,
such as stiffness, malaise, fatigue, and
weakness.

51. ROLE OF NURSES
• Creating a treatment
program that addresses the
individual's orientation to
their physical body begins to
work on the patient's
lifestyle choices..
• Planning schedules for
patients to work out with
different asana of yoga in
their activities.
• Assisting the individual or
patients in adopting and
acquiring of different
postures.

53. ANY DOUBTS
????????

54. SUMMARY

55. THANKYOU