Present Status of Poisonous Medicinal Plant Which are Used in the Siddha Preparation Mentioned in Siddha Vaithiya Thirattu

Abstract

Siddha medicine is an ancient system of medicine, which is largely therapeutic in nature has a rich heritage and history. Siddha medicine is practiced among the Tamil speaking people. The medicine in Siddha system is prepared from raw material of herbs, metals, minerals and animal products. In Siddha medicinal system some poisonous plants use to cure the diseases. The aim of this study is to find out the present status of poisonous medicinal plant which are used in the siddha preparation mentioned in Siddha vaithiya thirattu. It is important to have an awareness regarding the poisonous plants when used in the proper, prescribed dose, acts as potent therapeutic agents. 12 poisonous medicinal plants were identified in the internal preparation of various siddha drugs mentioned in above text. The identified poisonous plants are Abrus precatorius, Croton tiglium, Ricinus communis, Semicarpus anacardium, Calotrophis gigantia, Cannabis sativa, Papaver somniferam, Plumbago zeylanica, Aconitum ferox, Datura stramonium, Strychnus nuxvomica, Argemone mexicana. These plants were categorised as six (6) organic irritant poison, one (1) spinal poison, four (4) cerebral poisons, one (1) cardiac poisons. Poisonous part and non poisonous part of medicinal plants also used to prepare the siddha drugs. Poisonous part of plant was used after the detoxification process mentioned in siddha text.