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Siddha is one of the oldest traditional systems of medicine in India, with its roots intertwined with the culture of ancient Tamil civilization in South India. The word "Siddha" comes from the Tamil word Siddhi, which means "an object to be attained" or "perfection." The practitioners of this system are known as Siddhars or Siddhas, who were considered saintly individuals and scholars that possessed ashta siddhis, or unique powers. According to tradition, the Siddha system originated with the Hindu god Shiva, who taught it to his consort Parvati, who in turn passed it down to others, including the first Siddhar, Agastyar (Agasthya), who is believed to be the founding father of Siddha medicine. Fundamental Principles and Concepts The Siddha system views the human body as a microcosm of the universe, believing that both are composed of five basic elements: earth, water, fire, air, and sky. The human body is also considered to have three humors (mukkuttram): vaatham (airy), pittham (fiery), and kapam (watery). Health is considered to be the result of a balanced state of these humors, and a disturbance in their equilibrium leads to disease. The normal ratio of vaatham, pittham, and kapam is believed to be 4:2:1.
