OIL WELL!

An indigenous branch of medicine steeped in antiquity is the Siddha system of medicine, said to have been handed over by Lord Shiva to his disciple, the great sage Agathiyar. There are temples dedicated to the healing aspect of Lord Siva at Marutheeswarar temple at Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai and Vaitheeswaran temple near Chidambaram. Of the 18 siddhars whose teachings are available, Agathiyar, Thirumoolar, Bogar and Therayar are the ones more popularly known. Thirumanthiram written by Thirumoolar is about Tantric yoga. Agathiyar is believed to have lived around the 6 or 7th century BC and experimented with alchemy and medicine. He was also a master yogi. When I talk about Siddha many people immediately ask me whether most Siddha medicines contain metals. The short answer is no; there are many Siddha medicines which are completely herbal and have great commonality with Ayurvedic medicines. Both systems of medicine however have preparations made from metals. The vaidyars prescribing them explain that the manner in which they are prepared ensures that the preparations are safe.

The siddha system of medicine places great emphasis on use of oils to maintain health. More than a hundred oil preparations have been detailed in the Theraiyar Thaila Varkam, a book entirely devoted to the preparation of medicinal oils dealing with a wide variety of health conditions preventing and treating colds, coughs, rheutamism, arthritis, vitiation of the three doshas, skin diseases etc. Oils are the best way to rejuvenate oneself, preventing one from becoming dry and desiccated.

If you want to stay healthy and young, there is but one message ---use oil, on the scalp, for gargling, for body massage, in the eyes and in the ears. The body should be kept unctuous, and not like a dried up old bark of a tree. Of the 100 or so oils described by Theraiyar, two, Chukku thailam and Peenesa thailam are good for use in inclement weather. Chukku thailam, the first preparation listed in his book is made from gingelly oil and cow’s milk boiled with 26 herbal ingredients. The main herb is dried ginger, the other ingredients being the three myrobalans, the three pungents, nut grass tubers, cedar wood, sandal wood, lesser galangal, rock salt, asparagus roots, black pepper roots, castor roots, sal resin, dried dates, raisins, saffron etc.

Theraiyar says the wonderful nature of Chukku thailam need not be explained as it will be seen by its efficacy. Massaged on the body, it is useful against aches and pains and vata rogam. If used as nasal drops (one or two drops to be instilled in the nostril by tilting your head) it is useful against sinusitis and headaches. As a mouth gargle, it protects against earache and keeps the gums healthy. Used as a bath oil, it reduces phlegm. If retained on the head for some time, it protects against diseases of the head. A wonderful product and not patented; available for everybody to produce and use. Chukku thailam can be used once in four days. While using nasal drops, in the beginning, there will be some irritation and burning sensation. Once you become a regular user, headaches will be a thing of the past. So oil well!

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Oils have been classified into five types depending on their use. Mudi thailam is oil that is used on the head and for the hair. Kudi thailam is for internal consumption. Pidi thailam is that which is used for massage of the body. Thulai chikitsa thailam is that which is administered through the navadwaras or the 9 orifices of the body. Silai thailam is that which purifies the blood.