Before proceeding to the main workshop, two questions pose significant challenges to the modern medical world: How do we manage challenging chronic diseases, and how do we prevent incurable diseases in today's society? These questions must be addressed before delving into wellness programs.
Allow me to introduce the Siddha system of Medicine, an ancient medical system dating back approximately to 10000 BCE to 4000 BCE. Rooted in the eternal wisdom of Siddhargal, sage scientists who received knowledge through introspection and meditation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major health threats include air pollution, climatic changes, non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cancers, Alzheimer's), and other challenges such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
The major cause of death is primarily attributed to non-communicable diseases like ischemic heart disease, heart diseases, stroke, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancers.
Preventable causes of cancers in the US show that 90-95% of all cancers are preventable, with tobacco and dietary choices being major contributors. Common cold-resistant antibiotic isolates, bronchial asthma, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, psoriasis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are ongoing challenges in modern medicine.
Health and Wellness
As these medical conditions are on the rise, they pose significant challenges to modern medical society. Therefore, understanding the definitions of health and wellness is crucial. Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease. Wellness is considered a conscious, self-directed, and evolving process of achieving full potential, involving multiple dimensions such as physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social, and spiritual well-being.
So physical health according to the siddha system of medicine "andathil ulladhe pindam, pindathil ulladhe andam", here andam is universe that otherwise called as macrocosm pindam is our body it otherwise called as microcosm.
The Siddha system of medicine emphasizes that our body and the universe share the same fundamental principles, with five primordial elements—earth, water, air, fire, and space—forming the basis. Prevention of diseases in this system involves detoxification of these primordial elements, nourishment, and providing primordial rest.
Detoxification
Detoxification, the removal of incompatible substances, and physiological or medicinal removal of toxic materials are crucial steps. Free radical damage, often associated with oxidative damage, can lead to diseases such as cancer, premature aging, heart attacks, diabetes mellitus, and dermatitis. Antioxidants from sources like moringa, amla, fruits, honey, and pure cow's ghee can limit oxidative damage.
The Siddha system follows three key steps: prevention and protection (kaappu), removal of diseases and disabilities (neekam), and restoration to full health potential after ailments (niraippu). In this workshop, we focus on prevention and protection through the Siddhar diet and yogic practices.
This Video will provide wholesome details about the information described in this article. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcC5NXcuOjA&t=49ss