Siddha Medicine: Background, Principles, and Application for Skin Diseases

Siddha medicine, an ancient Tamil medical system, emphasized the balance of five elements (earth, water, fire, air, sky) in the body and used eight diagnostic methods. It addressed various skin diseases, including psoriasis and leprosy, though specific texts on dermatology were lacking. The system also linked some diseases to urine pathology. Despite its historical significance and holistic approach, Siddha medicine remained less known in the West due to language barriers and limited translation efforts. The author noted treating cases of pemphigus vulgaris and leprosy, highlighting the potential of Siddha treatments in modern contexts.