The Secret Of Siddha Nadi Science

Nadi Shathiram in Siddha Medicine alias Tamil Medicince.

Siddha medicine is one of ancient and spiritually enriched traditional medicine systems of Tamizhians which is believe to be from lord Shiva through Goddess Parvathi to Nandhi devar, Devasenathipathi Lord Seyon to Agathiya Maamunivar and other Siddhars. Through their well-researched and technically advanced medicine formulations, methods of treatment and alchemy the Siddhars, thousands of years ago devised a system which is effective till date. The Siddha alias Tamizh system aims at not only treatment of the disease through therapy but also healing of the mind and instilling spirituality in the physical being.

The disease in Tamizh Medicine

In Siddha medicine it is believed that an equilibrated condition of the Mukkuttram (three humors),Vatham(Wind), Pittam(Bile), Kapam(Phlegm) is indicative of a good health. All the pathology is based on an imbalance of any of these Kuttram (humors).

The diagnosis

All the Siddhars follow a dictum “Ennvagai thervu” which states the diagnostic procedure to be followed. The diagnosis of disease relies on the study or examination of the following eight features which are evaluated in terms of the Mukkutram (three humors).

The ancient text “Agathiyar Vaidya Sangam” also gives the following eight check points.

Nadi Pareetsai (reading the pulse)- the Siddhars way
Urine tests
Faeces tests
Observation of the skin
Tongue Examination
Eye examination
Change in the voice of the patient
Feeling the patient

The diagnosis in Siddha medical system is unique as it depends majorly on the clinical wisdom of the Siddhar.

Out of these eight diagnosing check points, pulse reading (Sanskrit: Nadi Pareeksha and Tamil: Nadi paritchai) forms the most important tool in diagnosing. The pulse reading is the principle means to study the natural and disturbed Kutram (humoral) condition.

Pulse reading forms the predominant mode of examining and requires a highly defined sense of touch and fine subjective awareness.

The Nadi in Siddha refers to two things; the pulse and the nerves. The pulse is influenced in health or in a disturbed state by the nerves and their branches in the body.

How to read pulse?

The art of reading the pulse is like playing the musical instrument ‘Veenai.’ The same deftness, dexterity, heightened sense of touch and patience are needed to infer observations from the Nadi.

The pulse is usually read from the hands but if a reading cannot be taken from hands other arterial points inclusive of ankle, neck and ear lobes are used. Since the body and the mind change as the day progresses and also the different seasons and climatic conditions affect a person’s physiological and psychological states.

The pulse is felt on the female’s left hand and the male’s right hand. The Siddhar examines the pulse by applying the pressure with one finger after the other on a few centimeters below the wrist. Each finger is capable of detecting a humor which is represented by the movement of certain animals.

Index finger feels the Vatham (windy humor) – characterised by the movement of a swan, a cock, or a peacock.
Middle finger feels the Pitam (bilious humor) – characterised by the movement of a tortoise or a leach.
Ring finger feels the Kapam (phlegmatic humor) –characterised by the movement of a frog or a snake.

Any abnormality from these normal movements is indicative of the disturbance in a particular humor. If all humors are affected, then the pulse is unusually rapid and voluminous.

The do’s and don’ts of pulse reading

Nadi Sathiram has enumerated a number of limiting conditions while reading. These are;

Pulse reading should not be done immediately after exercise or hard labor
Pulse reading should not be done in hungry, angry or excited patients
Patients should not have food just before the pulse reading

Patient should not be given an oil bath before a pulse reading
The body of the patient should neither be wet nor he should come straight from the sun for the pulse reading

Do seasons affect Pulse?

Not only the seasons but the time of the day also affects the pulse. As a result of changes in the temperature during the day, atmospheric and seasonal changes, the Kuttram (humors) may increase or decrease resulting in changes in reading pulse. We should remember that all the temperature changes are based on the Indian weather and may wary according to different countries.

Winters (December, January, and February): Kapam is increased in winters hence pulse read while the sun sets or in the evenings.
Summers(April, May and June): Vatam is increased and therefore pulse is read at sunrise
Spring(March, August and September): Pulse should be read at night
Fall (July, October and November): Pittam is increased and so pulse should be felt at noon

Along with the seasons, the time of the day also affects the pulse or the Nadi;

Early morning can influence the pulse or Nadi due to change in Vatam.
Noon time has an effect on the Pitta and hence a changed reading of pulse
Evenings influence the Kapam and hence pulse reading is not correct.

The abnormality in the pulse readings from normal represents an abnormality in one of the Kutram. A skilled Siddhar or practitioner of Siddha medicine can detect the subtlest of differences in the flow, volume and rate of the pulse by using the tips of three fingers. These deviations correspond to different diseases or abnormalities in the body function and after identification, an appropriate cure can be prescribed for them.

Vatha Nadi (pulse) imbalance: An increase in Vatha Nadi is indicative of frequent headaches, body pain, arthritis, loss of appetite, flatulence etc.

Other diseases resulting from Vatha Nadi imbalance are difficulty in urination, fever, voice changes, dry cough, and skin discoloration.

Pitta Nadi (pulse) imbalance: An increase in Pitta Nadi is indicative of the headache, insomnia, vertigo and in extreme conditions mental disorders.

Other imbalances result in yellowishness of eyes , urine and eyes, burning sensation in the stomach, heart burn, headache, thirsty, dryness of mouth, confusion, and diarrhea.

Kapha Nadi (pulse) imbalance: A predominance of Kapha Nadi is prognostic of diseases of the kidney and chest.

Other imbalance can identify heaviness of the body and head, sweet taste of tongue, cold to touch, loss of appetite, flatulence, cough with phlegm, difficulty in breathing.