Clinical comparison of Annabedi Chendhuram (siddha system of medicine) and elemental iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia

Introduction: Healthy human body needs iron for multiple process during development. Several diseases are associated with iron deficiency and increased demands also may lead to iron deficiency. Many diseases have been addressed by siddha system of medicine like syphilis, respiratory diseases, carcinoma etc and there has been mention of usage of metals, mineral, arsenics and hydrochemicals constituting about 220 types which are used for preparing medicines. The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of Annabedi Chendhuram (Siddha) and Elemental iron (Allopathy) in the treatment of Iron deficiency anaemia to achieve normal function of it. Iron preparations are commonly used to improve hemoglobin content of blood. ‘Vaithya Sastram' explained elaborately the diet for Pandu (anaemia). Materials and Methods: Cross sectional multicentric Prospective randomized study is conducted in Arupadai Veedu Medical College, Kirumampakkam, Pondy to cuddalore ECR Main Road, Puducherry and IRT-Perundurai Medical College Erode, District for 45 days using two different oral iron preparation Siddha drug: Annabedi Chendhuram 100mg twice daily orally – after food. Alopathy drug. Result and Discussion: Among the patients of group I, hemoglobin level increases 2-3 grams% in 15 patients, 3 to 4 grams % in 7 patients, 1 gram % in 3 patients after 45 days of treatment. Among the patients of group II, hemoglobin level increases 2 grams % in 12 patients, 1 to 2 grams % in 6 patients, 1 gram % in 2 patients after 45 days of treatment. Out of treated patients in group I, 6 patients had nausea only. Out of treated patients in group II, 2 patients had constipation only. Conclusion: Annabedi Chendhuram (siddha) and Elemental iron (allopathy) both are equally effective but in terms of side effect siddha was slightly better further need to conduct a large sample study for better understanding