R. Sweety Nirmala’s research while affiliated with Collège d'Études Ostéopathiques de Montréal and other places

Fever is documented as a separate disease as per Traditional Siddha Indian Medicine. There are 64 types of fever among which 52 types occur due to intrinsic causes and 12 types occur due to Extrinsic factors. Intrinsic causes are due to the disturbances in the Vatha, Pitha and Kapha equilibrium. Some of the extrinsic factors include fever arising out of God's wrath, excessive sexual desire, due to black magic, curse, trauma, phobia etc. Fever as a symptom arises due to various aetiologies. It is also a main factor for complications such as Febrile fits, Shock, Dehydration and Hallucinations (apparent perception of something not present). Infants and children are more vulnerable for the after effects of fever. This usually happens due to delayed medical attention, Lack of Transport facilities and Manpower especially in rural areas. While thinking of designing a topical application for the effective management and control of fever, the Authors of this work, based upon their wide clinical and theoretical knowledge and experience came out with a formula. This formula, which is having ingredients from Herbal origin, was subjected to pre-clinical studies and the research findings show the superiority of the formula when used through a new drug (Topical application) delivery system.

Cancers are one among the leading causes of human death worldwide and the incidence continues to increase. Patients and their relatives are alarmed at the higher risk of morbidity and mortality this disease carries with it. Issues like prolonged hospitalization, treatment adherence, treatment costs and quality of living also annoy the patient and naturally they look for alternatives with proven track record. Here comes the wonderful therapeutic and prophylatic role of Traditional systems of Medicine. While the disease itself is not new to the mankind and it has always been dealt with since time immemorial by effective Traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic remedies. Cancer is known as 'Putru' in Siddha Medicine which literally means 'Termite mound' because of its proliferative nature. Breast Cancer is the leading cause of death in women worldwide among other types of Cancers. Breast cancer risk in India is One in Twenty. The risk is more at Urban areas (one in twenty two) and comparatively low in rural areas (one in sixty). Since an increasing proportion of cancer patients are acquiring resistance to traditional chemotherapeutic agents, it is necessary to search for new compounds that provide suitable specific anti-proliferative effects that can be developed as anticancer agents. This trial is such an effort to scientifically document an effective anti-cancer agent for the treatment of Breast cancer which is of Herbal origin, free from side effects, cost effective and less invasive.

The active role of siddha medicine in combating chronic diseases is being widely recognized nowadays. In that way, immobile patients who have bedsores carry a high incidence of morbidity and even mortality. A decubitus ulcer, also called a pressure sore or bed sore, is an open wound on the skin. Pressure sores often occur on the skin covering bony areas. The most common places for a pressure sore to appear include hips, back, ankles, and buttocks. A considerable number of nearly 1300 new cases of decubitus ulcers are occurring on a daily basis globally. This has resulted in deaths amounting up to 34,320 during 2000-2002 in US alone. While going through the classic Siddha literatures, the authors of this paper found out a very promising remedy PPP and decided to carryout Anti-microbial sensitivity testing to prove its efficacy in treating decubitus ulcers. Disc diffusion method was followed with Mueller Hinton Agar as the culture media. The organisms tested were Pseudomonas auroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumonia, E.coli, The test results show that the drug PPP is sensitive against Streptococcus mutans and E.coli. The clinical significance of the Anti-microbial study results are discussed in detail.

Breast Cancer is a frightening disease. It remains a significant, scientific, clinical and societal challenge. Breast cancer will strike one in every eight American women. Globally, breast cancer in women with an estimated 1.38 million new cases per year 50000 cases in women was recorded each year in UK alone. There are 4,58,000 deaths per year from breast cancer worldwide making it the most common cause of female cancer death in both the developed and developing world. In the UK, the age standardized incidents of breast cancer in women has increased by 6% over the last decade, between 1999 to 2001 and 2008 to 2010.It is estimated that around 550,000-570,000 people are living with or after diagnosis of breast cancer in the UK and based on current projections, this figure is expected to triple by 2040 due to ageing population and continued improvements in survival. Based on the clinical and theoretical knowledge attained through various Siddha literatures, the Authors’ of this paper has created a formulation for the treatment of Breast cancer. This formulation is being scientifically evaluated through in-vitro anti-proliferative studies in Breast cancer cells. The study result reveals the highest efficiency of the trail drug in killing breast cancer cells.

National disasters, which are often sudden and intense, result in considerable destruction, injuries and deaths, disrupting normal life as well as the process of development. Increasing population and various other socio-economic factors have forced people to live in vulnerable areas. This article deals with the meaning and nature of natural disasters, its scenario in India, the efforts to mitigate natural disasters at the national and global levels with special references to the international strategy for Disaster reduction.

Tamil Civilization is one of the most Ancient Civilizations of the world. Tamil language which is being given the status of one among the World Classical languages (Semmozhi) has many specialties including Siddha medicine. Recent studies shows that, the world population is more attracted towards the Traditional systems of medicine because of being Time tested, Safe and Economical. Traditional Siddha Medicine is Holistic in nature and it considers the well being of both Mind and Body. The Classical Siddha literatures written centuries back by the great Siddhars contain Guidelines to be followed by all to lead a Healthy and Disease free life. With the advancement of Science and Technology and in a fast paced Lifestyle, the relevance of these ethical Considerations arises doubt whether they can be implemented or not. In order to have a clear idea regarding the feasibility of implementing Traditional Siddha Ethics into practice, the Authors decided to conduct a survey among the Siddha Medical Students currently doing their Under Graduate courses. A Questionnaire with around 30 Questions was framed based upon the ethical guidelines being mentioned in Classic Literatures ‘Therayar Yemaga Venba and Siddha Maruthuvanga Churukkam’. This Questionnaire contains aspects of Guru-Shisya Parampara (Teacher- Student Relationship), Priorities a Student expecting from a Guru and vice versa, idea about Siddha Philosophy including Evolution Theories, the concept of Theetcha, knowledge about Gross and Subtle Bodies, amount of faith in Traditional Diagnostic methods including Naadi (Traditional Pulse reading), Reflection on the inclusion and exclusion criteria’s for Physician and Patients, Dress code, probability of implementing the ideal daily habits as mentioned in Siddha Literatures, idea about Logistics in Medicine etc.

Background and purpose: The concept of ethics is in no way new to traditional Siddha Medicine. Descriptive ethical guidelines are found in the classical Siddha work, Yamaga Venba by the great Siddhar, Theraiyar. He gives not only ethical guidelines but also eligibility criteria for Siddha practitioners. Description of research method: Based upon the above mentioned Siddha text a questionnaire with 26 questions was framed. The questions are relevant to the themes of biomedical public health and social science research as also priority setting and social relevance. The questions include bio-ethical concepts such as: eligibility criteria for a physician; the role of environmental factors, the appropriate months and days for beginning the treatment; the relevance of guru-sishya parampara (the teacher-student relationship) in the present day; conventional pulse reading; the commercialisation of clinical/research practice, etc. Two Siddha medical colleges were selected for the survey, one being a government college, the other a private college run by a traditional practioners’ Trust. Results: The survey results shows that 75% of the participants accepted the priority settings found in the text. 15% responded negatively, while the remaining 10% did not give any answer. Discussion: The survey results show that though he text Theriyar Yamaga Venba was written by one of the 18 siddhars Theriyar some centuries ago, the principles are applicable in day to day clinical practice and research even today.