EFFICACY OF SWASAKUDORI MATHIRAI - A SIDDHA HERBAL FORMULATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SUVASAKAASAM: A REVIEW

Abstract

Siddha medicine is a classical system of medicine. When the three humours (vatham, pitham, kabam) are in an appropriate balance, the person experiences good health. Any imbalances of the three humours lead to disease. Eraippu noi is otherwise called Ezhuppu noi or Swasakaasam. Eraippu noi is characterized by the tightness of the chest, difficulty breathing in which expiratory breathing sounds resemble musical instruments like flute, loot, or veena, and cold with or without expectoration during cough. The symptoms of Eraippu noi can be correlated with bronchial asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness manifesting as wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The exact aetiology of asthma remains unclear and appears to be multifactorial. The risk factors include animals, mites, mould, other allergens, and air pollutants. Siddha literature described many formulations that are indicated for Suvasakaasam. Swasakudori Mathirai is one of them. Swasakudori mathirai is purely an herbal formulation indicated for Suvasakasam/Eraippu noi. The ingredients of Swasakudori mathirai are vellerukkam poo and milagu. The ingredients of this drug mostly have anti-asthmatic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and antimicrobial activity. It is easily prepared and safe for all age groups, especially paediatric ones, to manage bronchial asthma. This review further concentrates on enhancing the research on Siddha herbal medicines.