Cardio-Metabolic Ailments Treated by the Non-Institutionally Trained Siddha Practitioners of Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords:
Ethnomedicinal knowledge, Siddha medicine, Cardio-metabolic disorders, Medicinal plants, Traditional healers, Virudhunagar districtAbstract
The Siddha system of medicine, originating in Tamil Nadu, India, is a traditional practice recognized for its effectiveness in managing cardio-metabolic disorders, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. This study explores the ethnomedicinal knowledge of 65 non-institutionally trained Siddha practitioners in Virudhunagar district, who were interviewed from July 2021 to April 2023 using semi-structured questionnaires. The practitioners identified 83 plant species from 45 botanical families, with the most cited being Gymnema sylvestre (68%), Aegle marmelos (54%), Andrographis paniculata (49%), Terminalia arjuna (46%), and Phyllanthus emblica (43%). The primary preparations included decoctions (62%), powders (24%), and pastes (14%), administered orally with dosage adjustments based on patient conditions. The socio-demographic analysis revealed that 78% of practitioners were male, with an average age of 55 years, and 65% had inherited their knowledge through family traditions. Furthermore, 71% lacked formal Siddha education, relying solely on ancestral knowledge. A consensus index of 0.75 indicated strong agreement among practitioners on plant use for specific conditions. The study highlights the importance of preserving this undocumented ethnomedicinal knowledge and suggests that integrating these practices into modern healthcare could help address the rising burden of cardio-metabolic disorders in rural India. Further pharmacological studies are recommended to validate the therapeutic potential of these plants.
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