0
0
New Delhi, 10th September 2024 – A recent study, published in the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (IJTK), highlights the potential of ‘Siddha’ medicine in combating anemia among adolescent girls. Conducted as part of the Public Health Initiative (PHI) and spearheaded by leading Siddha research institutions, including the National Institute of Siddha (NIS) and Tamil Nadu-based Xavier Research Foundation, the study reveals the effectiveness of a specific Siddha drug combination in improving hemoglobin levels and other blood parameters.
The research involved 2,648 adolescent girls, of whom 2,300 successfully completed the 45-day treatment regimen. The treatment combined four Siddha drugs: Aṉṉapēticentūram, Bāvaṉa kaṭukkāy, Mātuḷai maṇappāku, and Nellikkāy lēkiyam (referred to as ABMN). Prior to treatment, all participants underwent deworming using Cuṇṭaivaṟṟal cūraṇam.
The study’s findings are promising. Not only did ABMN significantly improve hemoglobin levels, but it also increased other critical blood indicators, including packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Participants also showed a marked reduction in clinical symptoms associated with anemia, such as fatigue, breathlessness, giddiness, and pallor.
Following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) criteria for anemia diagnosis, the research defined the condition using a hemoglobin cut-off of 11.9 mg/dl. A level below 8.0 mg/dl was classified as severe anemia, between 8.0 to 10.9 mg/dl as moderate, and 11.0 to 11.9 mg/dl as mild.
A subset of 283 participants underwent further laboratory investigations, which confirmed that the Siddha drug regimen significantly enhanced hemoglobin and blood parameters. The treatment was also effective in alleviating menstrual irregularities and other symptoms, such as hair loss and loss of interest.
Dr. R. Meenakumari, Director of the National Institute of Siddha and one of the senior authors of the study, emphasized the public health significance of the findings: “Siddha medicine plays a notable role in Public Health Initiatives of the Ministry of Ayush. The awareness created among adolescent girls, dietary advice, and preventive care provided therapeutic benefits to the anemic patients. Siddha drugs for anemia can contribute to public health by offering cost-effective and accessible treatment in various settings.”
This study is a step forward in integrating traditional medicine into mainstream public health strategies to combat widespread conditions like anemia, especially in rural and underserved populations. The success of this initiative highlights the potential of Siddha medicine as a valuable complement to modern healthcare.
Link to the study: Study Link
