Siddhars and Siddha system: 

   Siddha comes from the words “Siddhi” and “Siththam”, which means an object to be attained perfection/heavenly bliss and perfect knowledge respectively. Those who have practised “ashtangayogam” and attained/achieved “ashtamahasiddhi (super natural powers)” are known as “Siddhars”. Siddhars only developed Siddha system of medicine. There were 18 important Siddhars in ancient period, headed by the Siddhar “Agasthiyar”.

Siddhars are the spiritual scientists who explored the world through their inner eye. They strongly believed that a healthy and strong body is necessary to attain the heavenly bliss. Hence they found remedy from nature to cure various diseases in order to maintain a healthy body and attain the elixir of life. They followed a disciplined and a healthy life and did extensive studies in various fields. They had transferred the knowledge about medicine through guru-sishya lineage and documented them in palm leaves as manuscripts and gifted to the mankind.

  Components of Siddha: 

    Siddha advocates four kinds of knowledge: They are Vaidhyam (diagnosis and treatment), Vatham (Preparation of medicines & alchemy), Yogam (ashtangayogam – purification and regulation of body and mind, ensuring longevity and attainment of heavenly bliss) and Gnanam (Attainment of complete knowledge). Siddha is not only a mere medical science but also a perfect way of life.

  Basic principles: 

     Siddha is strongly anchored on “96 thathwas”, the fundamental principles of Siddha system, which encompassing all physical, physiological and psychological components.

“Andathilullathae pindam; pindathilullathae andam; andamum pindamum ondrae; arinthuthaan paarkkum pothae” is the basic concept of Siddha. Human body is microcosm (pindam) and the earth is macrocosm (andam). The proverb saying, what you see in andam is found on pindam. Macrocosm is influential over microcosm, so that any changes in macrocosm that impact will be reflected in microcosm too.

   Five elemental theory: 

    As per Siddha, all living things, non living things, the universe, human body, medicines, food, three humours etc are made up of five primordial elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space). The human body consists of five primordial elements, three humours (vali, azhal, ayyam) and seven physical constituents (saram, senneer, oon, kozhuppu, enbu, moolai, sukkilam/sronitham). Diagnosis, selection of drug, treatment, and Pathyam in Siddha are based on the same five element concept.

    Varieties of Siddha drugs:

    32 varieties of internal medicines (which include single herbal, poly herbal, herbo mineral, mineral, metallic drugs) and 32 varieties of external medicines are available in Siddha. Thousands of formulations are told by Siddhars under each class. Siddha is the only traditional medical system processing this much classification.