Title : Indragopam -Trombidium grandissimum (Arachnida: Trombidiiformes) in Siddha medicine: A comprehensive review
Abstract:
Siddha Medicine is a unique form of medicine, found in Tamil-speaking countries such as Sri Lanka, India and other counties. A large section of it is Thaathujeevam, which explains the numerous uses of various metallic, mineral (primary and secondary) origin compounds and also animal products combined with herb. Indragopam, a secondary mineral (uparasam) is used in Siddha Medicine as Mani, Mantra and Avilzham. The purpose of this study is to explore the hidden mystery about Indragopam in Siddha Medicine. Indragopam is highly potential to use as an internal medicine in the Siddha context. Whether the scientific classification of Indragopam mentioned in the Siddha texts coincides with the modern scientific classification. The relevant information was collected from primary and secondary sources. An experiment in deductive method was organized to examine whether Indragopam is born from perspiration. The tools which were used in the experiment are dried Indragopam, straw, water and a cup. Indragopam can be used as an internal medicine, at the same time it is under the taxonomy of class arachnid and scientific name is Trombidium grandissimum. They are oviparous animals. According to seven siddha texts, Indragopam is used to cure, each one individually 22% of Nervous, Respiratory, Reproductive diseases and 17% of Cardio Vascular diseases, 11% of anti–inflammatory diseases, 6% of Gastro Intestinal diseases. This study definitely answers the question, suitability of Indragopam, to use as an internal medicine in the Siddha context. Further studies should conduct for the hidden mystery about Mani, Mantra perspectives of Indragopam in Siddha Medicine.