Mathan Tailam
by Sheela Rani Chunkath
When looking after old people, one of the problems one encounters is that of bed sores. With people living longer, geriatric care is something one needs to look at seriously and yet there are not very effective allopathic medicines for bed sores. However I came across this very effective tailam from the Siddha Pharmacopeia called Mathan tailam. This tailam made from the juice of the leaves of the Datura metle plant, coconut oil, and copper sulphate. is also called "Pachchai ennai" as the oil is actually green in colour.
The mode of application of the oil on the wound is usually by soaking sterile gauze with the oil, laying it on the wound and plastering it in place. Mathan Tailam is used as a medicine of choice when dealing with very badly affected sores such as weeping eczemas and putrid ulcers. Mathan Tailam is also used in the treatment of eczemas, scabies and ulcers. It is also used to treat earaches where there is discharge of pus. Mathan tailam is a great wound healer.
Since datura is poisonous if ingested, the tailam is used only for external purposes. Many *vaidyars prescribe Manjistadi Kvatha Churanam to be taken as a kind of tea infusion along with the external application of Mathan tailam. Manjistadi Kvatha Churanam consists of some 43 herbs and is a blood purifier and an anti-infective agent. Usually about half a teaspoon of the churanam is boiled in about a cup of water for a few minutes. The reddish coloured liquid is drunk as tea first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Manjistadi Kvatha churanam is a classical remedy found in the Madhyamakanda of theSarangadhara Samhita and can be safely used for geriatric patients.Manjista is a powerful herb in Ayurveda which helps in the detoxification of the entire system. It is a blood purifier and is considered a Kaya Kalpa herb. Manjistadi Churanam is a powerful mix of various herbs which addresses various problems of old age and general debility.
From turmeric to indravaruni, the churanam is wonderful blends of both common and uncommon herbs. Indravaruni or colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) is plant which grows wild on my farm. Traditionally the fruits ( which look like miniature watermelons) are cut and dried in the sun and used in traditional "Vatta Kuzhambu" preparation in Tamil Nadu. The other herbs which go in to the composition of Manjistadi Kvatha Churanam would be the Ativisa and Psoralea (psoralea corylifolia) seeds. These are herbs which are not so widely popular as sayAdathoda or pippali. The Scientific name of Ativisa is Aconitum heterophyllum. It balances the tridoshas and is therefore useful in geriatric case. Psoralea seeds help in treating skin diseases and in treating such conditions asthma, bronchitis etc. The 43 herbs in the Manjistadsi Kvatha churanam have a synergetic action and help in healing wounds, in improving the immune function and addressing the health problems of old age.
--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and is currently Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/