A Comprehensive Siddha review of Kuttam W.S.R to Psoriasis

Abstract

According to Siddha science the imbalance or disturbance of the trihumours (Vatham, Pitham, Kabam) leads to a disease. The total number of diseases in Siddha system of medicine is said to be 4448, the sub classification, methodology and enumeration differs from one author to other. Skin diseases in Siddha system of medicine can be brought under a common entity Kuttam. Psoriasis is formally termed as Kalanjagapadai in Siddha, and the symptoms of which can be correlated with the aforesaid. The objective of this article is to provide deep descriptive information regarding different school of thoughts on Kalanjagapadai (Psoriasis). A comprehensive literature review to identify the available literary evidences and published data on Kuttam with a particular highlight to Kalanjagapadai (Psoriasis) was carried out. A number of 11 literatures were identified to be dealt about Kuttam and Plaque Psoriasis is alluded in most of the literatures however with different terminologies. Emotional disturbances are the common etiologic factors mentioned in almost all Siddha texts. 17 dissertations have also been identified with two keywords Kuttam and Kalanjagapadai. Out of which 16 of them are Clinical Trials and another one is based on the Siddha diagnostic tool on Psoriasis. This article also elaborates the classical details of Kuttam that can be correlated with the clinical features of Kalanjagapadai along with its modern counterpart.