Exploration and Personification of External therapies in Siddha system of medicine

The traditional Dravidian system of medicine referred to popularly as Siddha medicine is a vast repository of external therapies particularly administration of drugs through routes other than oral. These procedures are important in the management of health and disease. Great stress is laid by Siddhars, the promoters of the medical system, on these procedures not only in prevention and cure of diseases but also in promotion of health. The thirty two External therapies include ophthalmic application, nasal application, aural application, Oleation, Steam therapy, Physical manipulation therapies, Heat therapy, Other topical applications, Bone setting, Bloodletting etc. Most of these therapies are aimed at maintaining a healthy balance of three humours [Tridosham] and also the seven tissue types of the body [Sapta dhatus]. Some of the procedures need to be followed at regular frequency as a daily regimen or seasonal regimen to maintain this balance. Maximum efficacy of treatment is achieved by a judicious approach of using external therapies. This is the Hallmark of Siddha Medical Science. External therapies can be done in major measure with locally available resources and therefore is accessible as well as affordable to the entire society.