Integrating Siddha medicine, a traditional system of healing from South India, into anaemia treatment strategies could support the flagship Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme  by combating this condition among adolescent girls, the Union Ayush Ministry has stated, citing findings from a recent study.

Titled “A Combination Siddha Drug Reduces Anaemia Among Adolescent Girls in Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu, India,” the study was conducted at a hospital in the Southern State under the Public Health Initiative to mainstream ‘Siddha’ drugs for anaemia treatment.

Published in the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, it highlights the potential of Siddha medicine in addressing this public health challenge.

The study found that a combination of Siddha drugs—ABMN, which includes Annapeticenturam, Bavana katukkay, Matulai manappaku, and Nellikkay lekiyam—was effective in improving various anaemia indicators such as haemoglobin levels, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin.

Anaemia in adolescent girls often stems from poor diet, menstrual blood loss, and underlying health conditions. If Siddha remedies prove effective, they could complement conventional treatments like iron supplements and dietary adjustments. The research was carried out by experts from Siddha institutions, including the National Institute of Siddha (NIS).

Dr. R Meenakumari, Director of NIS and a senior author of the study, emphasised, “’Siddha’ medicine plays a notable role in the public health initiatives of the Ministry of Ayush.”

She noted that awareness among adolescent girls, dietary advice, and Siddha drug treatment provided therapeutic benefits, making it a cost-effective and accessible treatment option.