Table of Contents
Why in News?
- The Tamil Nadu government has distributed nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) concoction to treat people infected with dengue during the outbreak.
Nilavembu kudineer
- Under in vitro conditions, nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) was found to provide protection against chikungunya virus while it was effective as a treatment during acute phase of dengue infection.
- Dengue subtype-2, which is the most prevalent subtype in India, was used for testing the formulation.
- There was significant antiviral activity of the formulation at 3% of human dose onwards. • Currently, there is no treatment for dengue and chikungunya. • The mode of action is antiviral in the case of dengue while immuno-modulatory in chikungunya infection.
About Sidhha Medicines
- Siddha medicine is a system of traditional medicine originating in ancient Tamilakam (Tamil Nadu) in South India and Sri Lanka.
- Traditionally, it is taught that the siddhars laid the foundation for this system of medication.
- Siddhars were spiritual adepts who possessed the ashta siddhis, or the eight supernatural powers.
- Agastyar is considered the first siddha and the guru of all siddhars; the siddha system is believed to have been handed over to him by Shiva.
- Siddha is focused on “Ashtamahasiddhi,” the eight supernatural power. Those who attained or achieved these powers are known as Siddhars.
- There were 18 important Siddhars in olden days and they developed this system of medicine.
- The Siddhars wrote their knowledge in palm leaf manuscripts, fragments of which were found in parts of South India.
Analysis
- Risks
- What should be done?
‘Nilavembu kudineer’ was recently in news. It is associated with
- Petroglyphs
- Dengue
- Night Frog
- Invasive Plant Species
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