Modern Women, Ancient Healing

Written by: Gayathiri Sivakumar

Tamil culture incorporates a lot of medicinal and health benefits in its daily life. In my last post, I spoke about the Art of Tamil Cooking, and how our ancestors treated cooking as an art form, and the different aspects of cooking we did had a health benefit behind it. In another post, Beyond a Beautiful Design: Kolam Significance, I spoke about Kolams, as having cultural and medical significance.

A lot of the things our ancestors do, are really beneficial to us. If we want to keep our culture and traditions alive, it is up to us to learn about different aspects of our culture. This time, I wanted to learn more about home remedies used by Tamils and went on another quest.

Thiruvalluvar speaks about medicine in the Thirrukural, in the chapter ‘Marundhu’. He speaks about living in such a way that you prevent disease, and prescribes methods of healing diseases as well.

The Cilappatikāram, one of the five great Tamil epics from the Sangam period, makes references to Ayurveda and medical use by Tamils. For example, the uses of particular gems and metals to heal and ground the body’s energy was talked about in the Madurai Gem Market, in where Kovalan goes to sell Kannagi’s kolusu.

The first Tamil Siddha text, the Tirumandiram, is dated around 6th – 7th century C.E. and speaks of preventative way of life, intuitive living and diagnosis, and mineral, gems, alkalis and plant based oil and paste remedies. The Siddha System of medicine, ‘Siddha Vaithiyam’ is the oldest traditional medicine treatment system generated from Tamil culture. In identifying illness, there is a great emphasis on “varma” or pulse points. It utilizes a lot of natural grounds and plants in its concoctions to then treat various illnesses. It is believed that the early scribes written by the first Siddhars on palm leaf manuscripts still exist among their families.

From the research that I did, I was able to find some home remedies. Some of you may have actually been given these by your parents or grandparents.

Milagu (Peppercorns) – The seeds are used to reduce cholesterol, body heat, cough and cold.

Seeragam (Cumin Seeds) soaked in lime juice, dried, then ground into a paste with honey and consumed to offset vomiting. A paste of lime juice and ground seeragam can also be applied on the head directly for dandruff.

Semparuthi (Hibiscus)the leaves and flowers are used as a hair tonic and refrigerant.

Sothukathalai (Aloe Vera) – used to treat skin diseases and ulcer by directly placing the leaves and roots to the affected area.

Thulasi (Holy Basil)the leaves are boiled and used for cough and cold and as an expectorant for phlegm and mucus.

Venthiyam (Fenugreek Seeds)boiled, and its infusion used to ease pain of menstrual cramps.

Verkombu (Wild Ginger) – ground, and used in paste to treat sinus headaches and in whole pieces, boiled, and its infusion used to ease pain of menstrual cramps.

Coming from such a rich culture, that placed such an emphasis on medicinal uses from natural products, how can we forgo this knowledge and not seek it out? I may be a modern women, but I’m in love with ancient healing methods used by our ancestors. Every time I seek out new knowledge about our Tamil history and culture, I’m even more impressed.

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