MAATHULAI MANAPAHU IN MORNING SICKNESS

Senthamil Rajam, C

Abstract:

One among the basic principles of Siddha is treatment for diseases on the basis of
taste. The cause for morning sickness is increased vatha in the body. The taste which
chiefly regulates vatha is sweet. According to this concept, "Maathulai Manapaghu" acts
as a remedy for morning sickness.

Introduction :
Pathological condition -> Imbalance between humours.
Disturbances in the 3 vital forces namely Vatha, Pitha and Kapha indicate the diseased
condition or deviation in normal body functions. Similarly reason for morning sickness during
pregnancy is also due to the fluctuation in humours which is discussed below.

Role of Vatha in pregnancy:

a+0a+[ a6+m aoJ_. 0+J_+o
ao+_aa _+6aoo+a _+6++a_a
0_0a+[ a+m _,.[a n+_
6+nn++_+ _m6a+mo +._ 0n+o+a.
- aoo+ +.

From this we can conclude that the nature of sperm is the combination of fire and air.

aa_+m n+ma+ 6aa+m_a
aq.m n,+-a+ n-+a+_a
+o_+m _+mm +_aaJ+_a
+_a__a am_ma +o+_a n+_.

Above Yuhi Munis poem says that sperm is activated by pranan. After fertilization the
opening of cervix is closed by abhanan. The fertilized ovum is split into various parts by pranan.
Uthanan helps in the growth and development of fertilized ovum. Pranan, Uthanan, Abhanan are
various forms of air (Dhasa vayu).
Thus for the fertilization and development of ovum vatha plays the vital role.

Symptoms seen in excess Vatha:
Exhaustion, tiredness, constipation, craving for hot dishes, weakness, darkening of skin
are the indications seen in excess vatha. These symptoms are also seen in pregnancy.

III B.S.M.S. Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu, India. thamil_rajam@yahoo.co.in
Reasons for morning sickness:
_.m _+0_ _+0+++ ++
a++6n ann-a+ - a_,+
0a+a ,om+_+_ 0aa+ ++n,
a++a+_a a+_J+_ a+
14 Vegangal (essential vital forces) is controlled by vatha. Morning sickness is one
among the 14 vegangal. So the main reason and cause for vomiting is increased vatha in the
body.

Reasons for dysphagia:

+J a___a
a+___ _.6++ _+0o+
a+Jn0m++ _-a a+
0n___ q_, a+_a
6n_+[ _.a, 0+_o
a+_+a _,.[a aoo
ao+o_ +.[n n.[n
0n_0+: n+__ a_a
6n_+0+ ao__-0..

As per the verse, accumulation of gases in the stomach is the reason for dysphagia.

Basics of Siddha in Modern Medicine:
Role of nerves in vomiting:

Since uterus is present between the rectum and urinary bladder any stimulation in the
uterus will also stimulate the Gastro intestinal tract. Hence sensory impulses are carried to the
vomiting center through vagus and efferent impulses for vomiting is transmitted through V, VII,
IX, X, and XII thoracic nerves and so vomiting occurs.

Role of vatha in activating nerves:

+nn+m a++mm 0_+a mm
_+6n_ _,++, ,an 6+m
_nn+m +,a+,_m0o m
_+m..o _.++o n--n n++ aa

Though the reason for vomiting is stimulation of nerves, 72000 nerves in the body are
controlled by vatha.


Manapaghu:

Manapaghu is one among the 32 forms of internal medicine employed in the Siddha
system. The expiry time for this form of medicine is six months. Among the six basic tastes &
flavours the predominant one in Maathulai Manaphu is sweet.

MAATHULAI MANAPAHU:



Ingredients and their taste:
Sugar Candy -> Sweet
Rose Water -> Sweet
Honey -> Sweet
Pomegranate juice -> Sweet and astringent.
These tastes help to keep vatha and pitha in balance. The text Sarabenthirar Garbini
Roha Sihichai prescribes sweet and cool items for pregnant women.

Tastes regulating vatha:

a+_ 0ao..+o a,a ,an,
0+__+ 6++_ ++a - _0+a
++, aJ++n,+ ++.[_ +a6+oo+a
++,n n+++,_ ++.
- +-_++a+a

Kannusamiam (literature) says sweet, salt and sour regulates vatha and maintain it in
balance.
If in a person any one of the humours is affected, he normally gets interest on those foods
which would bring balance between the humours. Fortunately pregnant women are interested in
pickles and hot dishes.
Sour:
Sour taste has the laxative action and hence induces the removal of accumulated gases in
the Gastro-Intestinal tract. Though it decreases vatha it also increases pitha and kapha.

Salt:
Sitha Maruthuvanga Surukam says that salt stimulates the taste buds and also induces
emptying of the contents of large intestine.

Tastes regulating pitha.
n__ a_++nnm 0n+a n+++,a
+__ a0,+[ 6++oomn,+ +__+_a
+n,+ +a0+ +_a_m a
a+nn. 6am,__+ ,_
- +-_++a+a

In pregnancy, women have increased vatha level. Since vatha, pitha, kapha are
interlinked with one another increased vatha level also increases pitha in the body. Sour and salt
though decrease vatha, they increase pitha. Increased pitha will lead to severe complications
hence sweet and astringent are prescribed since they reduce pitha level. The chief ingredient of
Maathulai Manapagu, pomegranate is sweet and astringent in nature.

TASTE REGULATING BOTH VATHA AND PITHA :

SWEET:

Sitha Maruthuvanga Surukam says that sweet taste has the property of decreasing
vatha and pitha. It also has the property of increasing kapha.

ROLE OF PANCHABOOTHAS IN PREGANANCY:

mm+ +_n+ _++a 6aa+0o
nmm+ +_a n+J_ n__a
amma a+qaa+ _+++oa
amm+ +am++ aaJ+ __+0a

_+__, _+mo a+a+o
+__a+a 6++ ___[a.
-__a_,a.
Uterus -> Space
Ovum -> Earth
Sperm -> air,fire
Amniotic fluid -> Water
After fertilization the fertilized ovum is enriched by the amniotic fluid which has the
property of kapha.

NOTE:

Taste decreasing vatha -> Sweet, Sour, Salt
Taste increasing kapha -> Sweet, Sour, Salt.

These tastes not only decrease vatha but also help in the production of amniotic fluid.

CONCLUSION:

So on the basis of Basic principles of Siddha the tastes Sweet, Sour, Salt and Astringent
decrease vatha, pitha and increases kapha. Hence Mathulai Manapagu will be the best remedy for
morning sickness.