Pharmacognostical Overview of “Gunma Kuligai” – a Traditional Siddha Preparation for Treating Acid Peptic Disease (APD)

Abstract

The importance of Herbal medicines is increasing nowadays. This impact creates a huge awareness among public to undergo traditional treatment methods in order to maintain a disease free healthy life. This concept in particularly true when it comes to the management of Non-communicable diseases (N.C.D). Not only in developing countries like India, the demand of herbal medicines are increasing in developed Countries due to growing recognition of natural plants possessing no drastic side effects, being time tested, easily availability and also cost effectiveness. According to Traditional Indian Siddha system of medicine, Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is denoted as ‘Gunmam’ [1]. It is again classified into 8 types according to the symptoms and clinical picture. Gunmam (PUD) is one among the major and commonly occurring problem worldwide. Peptic ulcers are a broad term that includes ulcers of digestive tract in the stomach or the duodenum. The formation of peptic ulcers depends on the presence of acid and peptic activity in gastric juice plus a breakdown in mucosal defenses. The authors of this paper, decided to document the literary review of ‘Gunma Kuligai (GK)’ having its reference in Traditional Siddha text, “Sikitcha rathna deepam” [2]. Complete literary review and Pharmacological activities of the ‘Gunma kuligai’ for its antiulcer and gastroprotective effects are documented here. Keywords: Gunmam, Life style disorders, Non-communicable diseases, Peptic ulcer, Siddha Indian Medicine.