Siddha Nosology: A Literature Review on Classification Of 4448 Diseases in Siddha System of Medicine

Abstract

The Siddha system of medicine, one of the most ancient traditional medical sciences of India, presents a comprehensive and holistic approach to disease classification known as Siddha nosology. Classical Siddha literature describes a total of 4,448 diseases categorized based on physiological, pathological, psychological, and spiritual principles. Diseases are primarily understood as manifestations of imbalance in the three humour’s-Vatham, Pitham, and Kabam-along with disturbances in the Mukkutram, influenced by environmental, dietary, behavioral, and mental factors. This literature review aims to systematically analyze the Siddha nosological framework of 4,448 diseases as documented in classical texts and to evaluate its relevance to contemporary clinical practice. Primary Siddha manuscripts such as Yugi Vaithiya Chinthamani, Agathiyar Rathina Churukkam, Naadi Nool, and Siddha Vaithiya Thirattu were reviewed along with secondary sources including CCRS manuals and published research articles. The findings highlight that Siddha nosology emphasizes etiology, humoral dominance, disease progression, prognosis, and preventive principles rather than relying solely on symptom-based diagnosis. Revisiting and systematizing Siddha disease classification can contribute significantly to integrative medicine, holistic diagnostic approaches, and preventive healthcare models.