Siddha Varmam Therapy Saves Ailing Flyer Mid-Air, AYUSH Ministry Felicitates Doctors

A recent flight turned into an unforgettable experience for everyone on board when a passenger suddenly began to feel dizzy and unwell. The cabin crew quickly stepped in and offered basic first aid, but the passenger’s condition did not improve much.

Dr. Elavarasan and Dr. Gowtham, both trained in Siddha medicine, who were also on board came forward without any delay. They checked the passenger’s condition carefully. Instead of giving conventional medicines, they used a traditional Siddha healing technique known as Varmam.

The therapy works by stimulating specific points in the body believed to control vital life energy (prana). Practitioners use gentle pressure and special hand movements on these varma points to relieve discomfort, correct imbalances, and improve overall functioning.

Traditionally, Varmam is known to help with musculoskeletal pain, nerve-related disorders, injuries, and conditions where natural energy flow is blocked. It includes manual stimulation, use of herbal formulations, and specialized bandaging techniques to restore balance and reduce distress. On the flight, this therapy was performed externally — simple, safe, and quick.

Hence, what began as a worrying medical situation soon settled into relief. The Siddha trained doctors' timely intervention prevented what could have escalated into a more serious health episode thousands of feet above ground.

The incident did not go unnoticed. Soon after landing, the news reached the Union Ministry of Ayush, and Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha invited both doctors to New Delhi to personally acknowledge their efforts.

Praising the quick response of the doctors and their clinical judgment, Kotecha emphasized that the practical use of Siddha Varmam therapy in such circumstances highlights its supportive potential in emergencies when administered by trained professionals.

The incident also underscores the importance of greater public awareness and structured training in Siddha Varmam techniques to enhance their wider utility in integrative healthcare delivery, he added.

The relevance of Varmam has been gaining national attention. In December last year, the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Tambaram, Chennai, created history by setting a Guinness World Record for providing Varmam therapy to 567 individuals simultaneously.

Prof. Dr. R Meenakumari, Director of National Institute of Siddha, said, “Siddha Varmam therapy is a very unique, non-invasive, cost effective, non-pharmacological form of treatment. It's used in treating complicated neurological diseases, ortho and musculoskeletal diseases, autism spectrum disease, and cerebral palsy in children. This Guinness world record will help the Siddha system of medicine to get a lot of attention from the world and within India”.

Siddha medicine is a traditional holistic medical system originating from ancient Tamil civilization that focuses on the balance between the mind, body, and spirit.

It uses natural ingredients like herbs, minerals, and animal products to treat diseases and promote overall wellness through various methods including dietary adjustments, physical activity, meditation, herbal remedies, and even surgical practices.

The system is based on the principle that health depends on the balance of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and the three humors (vata, pitta, and kapha).