Chun Nam
Chun Nam
Chun Nam
Review Article
www.ijrap.net
CHUNNAM: A COMMENDED DOSAGE FORM IN SIDDHA MEDICINE
Ayyasamy S1, Sudha R2*
1Asst. Lecturer, Dept. of PG Gunapaadam, Govt. Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2Asst. Lecturer, Dept. of Aruvai Maruthuvam, Govt. Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Received on: 06/10/12 Revised on: 20/11/12 Accepted on: 17/12/12
*Corresponding author
E-mail: sudha.sudakshin@gmail.com
DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.04110
Published by Moksha Publishing House. Website www.mokshaph.com
All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Siddha system of medicine is one of the ancient living systems of healing in southern India. A vast cornucopia of different dosage forms of inorganic
formulations are indicated in classical texts of this system. Chunnam is one such, highly acclaimed dosage form of alkaline group of drugs indicated
for chronic degenerative diseases. Highly commended medicine in Siddha classics, muppu chunnam also falls under this category which is used in
kayakalpam treatment. A detailed review is made in this article regarding the special features of chunnam preparations, its comprehensive uses in
drug making and therapeutic effects which makes this dosage form as an indispensible one in Siddha medicine. This paper aims to highlight an
important thrust area of Siddha medicine which enables to unearth many possible medicines for life style disease of this millennium.
Keywords: Siddha medicine, Traditional medicine, Chunnam, Dosage Form, pH balance, Inorganic drugs.
INTRODUCTION
The Siddha system of Medicine is one of the oldest
healing systems that emanated as an off-shoot of the
spiritual-ingress of seers called Siddhars. In this system of
medicine drug preparation methods, currently termed
pharmaceuticals were a distinct forte. This can be gleaned
from various Siddha classical literature wherein selection
of drugs, meticulous descriptions on drug processing,
administration methods and indications for various human
ailments are explained. These cover intricacies on various
inorganic pharmaceutical preparations that encompass
usage of metals, non-metals, minerals, animal products
and salts with or without plant drugs. These inorganic
groups of drugs are usually appreciated for their smaller
dosage, long shelf-life, and easy palatability, most
importantly for their sustainable quicker results in wide
range of degenerative and refractory diseases. Present
day Siddha physicians also use many inorganic chunnam
preparations in ailing human conditions like rheumatoid
arthritis, cancer and HIV.
Medicine (Marundhu) in Siddha medicine is classified
into thirty two internal medicines (Aga marundu) and
thirty two external medicines (Pura marundu).1 In modern
expression these classifications would correspond to
dosage forms. Many simple dosage forms like pills
(kuligai), powders (churanam), decoctions (kudineer) and
medicated oils (thailam) are very popular among
physicians. However there are a few higher order dosage
forms like kattu, kazhangu, chunnam, karpam and guru
kuligai that are highly acclaimed in literature but seldom
used by modern day physicians. These preparations
involve tedious methodologies employing different
apparatus, different kinds of heating devices and heating
schedules. Because of lack of efficient gurus to impart
correct knowledge and sometimes because of high cost
involved these invaluable drugs have become rare.
Amongst these higher order medicines, Chunnam is one
which is highly cherished in the classics. No scientific
and made into fine paste and are well dried. This paste is
kept in distinct, specially made crucibles called moosai
like Pancha chunna gugai and sealed. After drying, this
crucible is heated in a hand bellows blower.6 (Figure 1)
After sufficient heating, generally up till a point when the
crucible becomes red hot and itself gives-up its structure;
the contents are allowed to cool and collected. The final
product is obtained after sufficient grinding.
Crucibles (Moosai) Used in Chunnam
It is very interesting to note that heat resistant crucibles
(moosai/ gugai) are specially made prior to chunnam
preparation. Special crucible called pancha chunna gugai
is prepared with chunnams of crab shell (nandu), fresh
water shell (nathai), conch shell (sangu), pearl oyster shell
(chippi), egg shell (anda-oodu), latex of Calotropis
gigantea (erukkam paal), egg albumin (venkaru) and lime
water (sunna neer). Anju chunna gugai, kadum chunna
gugai, pancha butha gugai are few other crucibles
particularly used for chunnam preparation.
Product Grades
The chunnam of many metal and non metal drugs are
graded according to the solvents used in the preparation,
the type of crucibles used and type of heating appliances
used in the process of particular preparation. If the
chunnam is prepared in pancha chunna gugai and
incinerated with bellows blower is graded as best quality.
If the chunnam is prepared with fullers earth- (prissonite)
chunnam, the drug is graded as second quality. If
chunnam is prepared by the use of copper sulphate
chunnam (thurusu guru chunnam), it is classified as third
quality. If chunnam is prepared with caustic solvents like
jayaneer, this variety is classified into 4th quality.
Generally physicians prepare a special kind of solvent
called chunna thiravagam to prepare all kinds of
chunnams of salts, minerals, metals and various gems.7
Physical Properties
Both types of chunnams are in powder form and generally
soft white to ivory color or colorless.8 If white color is not
obtained fullers earth chunnam (savukkara chunnam) is
added to get the white color. Very rarely golden yellowish
color is possible as in mercurial chunnam preparation
which is called as pancha sootha vagara guru.
Chunnams are odorless, lusterless, smokeless on heating,
without free metals, microfine in particle size, wafer like
and very light in weight. The end point or the purity of
chunnam is considered very vital and generally this is
ascertained by adding a pinch of turmeric (Curcuma
longa) with few drops of water. As a rule the
confirmation of end-point of chunnam preparation is to
check if it turns turmeric from yellow to red perhaps as an
indicator of the pH value. Turmeric contains anthocyanins
curcumin, curcuminoids which act as natural pH
indicator, which changes from yellow at pH 7.4 to red at
pH 8.6. Chunnam also tastes like lime and will produce
irritation when it comes into contact with mucous
membrane. Kaaram represents its alkalinity and its caustic
nature. According to its alkalinity it is graded into kara
chunnam or kadunkaara chunnam. Kadunkkaara chunnam
is highly alkaline, caustic and is blister forming.
Storage
Chunnams should be kept in dry, well stoppard glass
bottles.
2
CONCLUSION
Chunnam formulations are classified as a special group of
medicaments in Siddha system of medicine. Many of
these preparations are considered vital since they are
indispensible in preparing many intricate kattu
preparations of metals and minerals. As the name
suggested these formulations are highly alkaline in nature
and they are indicated for many degenerative conditions.
The corner stone of this group of medicine is muppu
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