Inter. J. of Phytotherapy / Vol4 / Issue 1 / 2014 / 22-26.

e - ISSN - 2249-7722
Print ISSN - 2249-7730

International Journal of Phytotherapy

www.phytotherapyjournal.com

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON NEERIZHIVU CHOORNAM - A

SIDDHA ANTI-DIABETIC POLYHERBAL FORMULATION
P. Manavalan* and V. Gopal
Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Mother Theresa Post Graduate and Research Institute of Health
Sciences, Government of Puducherry Institution, Indira Nagar, Gorimedu, Puducherry-605006.

ABSTRACT
Siddha Medicine is one of the oldest medical systems known to mankind. Contemporary Tamizh literature
holds that the system of Siddha medicine originated in Southern India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, as part of the
Indian medicines viz., Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. Reported to have surfaced more than 10000 years ago, the
Siddha system of medicine is considered one of the most ancient traditional medical systems. There are several
reputed anti-diabetic polyherbal drug are available in Siddha medical practice, all are time tested, proven and synergic
herbal combined together for the management of Diabetes mellitus. One among them is Neerizhivu choornam
consisting seven herbal ingredient of different families of diverse chemical nature but able to control blood sugar
ingested orally. Particularly this kind of medicine has high attention in Siddha and Ayurveda medicine compared with
other remedies prescribed for Type-II diabetes mellitus.
Key words: Neerizhivu Choornam, Siddha medicine, Diabetes mellitus.
INTRODUCTION
The Siddha system of Medicine is an indigenous
traditional system originated in Tamilnadu with the
codified references from age old literatures such
as Thirumandhiram, Thirukkural, Tholkappiam, etc which
was aged 2000 years old. The Siddha is a Dravadian
system of medicine which has been spread to neighboring
parts of Kerala, Karnataka and coastal Andhra which are
adjacent to Tamilnadu. Moreover it is prominently used in
the countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka etc.
The Siddha Medical system was founded by a group of
spiritual people called 18 Siddhars, who were spiritually
enlightened persons. The Word Siddhars is derived
from Siddhi which means Eternal Bliss. The Siddhars
by their spiritual and Yogic Practices attained immense
knowledge and experience in Vaithiyam (Medicine),
Vatham (Alchemy), Jothidam (Astrology), Manthrigam
(Thanthric practices), Yogam (Meditation and Yogic
Corresponding Author:-P. Manavalan

exercises),
Gnanam
(Knowledge
about
the
Almighty). The Concept of the Siddhars is the Food is
the Medicine, Medicine is the Food (Unave Marunthu,
Marunthe Unuvu), Sound Mind makes the Sound Body
(Manamathu Semmaiaanal Manthiram Sebika Vendaam)
[1-3].
This herbal formula is a purely Siddha herbal
preparation based on an ancient time-tested system. Great
care was taken during the preparation of the medicine to
meet good manufacturing practice as defined in Siddha
texts. The therapeutic claims are based on observation of
the action of this formula in patients and feedback from
the medical doctors who treated them. The price of this
formula is purely the cost of the raw material. Each
capsule is handmade and requires a considerable amount
of time for preparation [4].
Email: cdscodi.manavalan@gmail.com

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Choornam
Choornam are solid herbal dosage form intended
for internal or external application. The ingredients after
proper cleaning and drying are pulverized separately and
homogeneously mixed as per the formula. These powders
(Choornams) are used directly or with additives or for
making decoction (Kashayam) according to the condition
of patient and disease [5-6].
Diabetes and Siddha
Diabetes Mellitus is a condition which can be
compared with Neerizhivu in Siddha. The other names
described in the texts are the Madhumegham
and Inippuneer. The signs and symptoms explained is
increased urination both in frequency and quantity, there
will be flies surrounding the urine voided place, weight
loss, dryness of the skin, etc. Various diagnostic methods
in Siddha system like Naadi (The Pulse reading),
Moothira parisothanai (Urine Examination) etc are used
to diagnose the condition. The disease comes under
the Mega diseases [7].
Neerzhivu choornam
Ingredients:
Kadukkaithol,
kariveppilai,
nellivatral (each 2 parts), naval kottai, seenthil,
keezhkkainelli, koraikizhangu (each one parts) are
separately collected, cleaned, crushed them individually
and sifted. Then the ingredients are mixed well in a
mortar to get uniform mixer for better use.
Dosage: 1gm to 2gm two times a day orally with milk [8].

Microscopic:
T.S. of pericarp shows epicarp
consisting of one layer of epidermal cells inner tangential
and upper portions of radial wall thick, mesocarp, 2-3
layers of collenchymas, followed by a broad zone of
parenchyma in which fibers and sclereids in group and
vascular bundle scattered, fibers with peg like out growth
and simple pitted walls, sclereids of various shapes and
sizes but mostly elongated, Tannins and raphides in
parenchyma, endocarp consists of thick walled sclereids
of various shapes and sizes, mostly elongated, epidermal
surface view reveal polygonal cells, uniformly thickwalled, several of them divided into two by a thin septa,
starch grains rounded or oval in shape, measuring 2-7 in
diameter, found in plenty in almost all cells of mesocarp.
Powder: Brownish in color, under microscope shows a
few fibers, vessels with simple pits and groups of
sclereids.
Standards
Total Ash - 5% (not more than); Acid insoluble
ash - 5% (not more than); Alcohol soluble extractive 40% (not less than); Water soluble extractive - 60% (not
less than) [9-11]
KARIVEPPILAI
Biological Source: It is the dried leaves and flowering
tops of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.
Synonym: Bergera koenigii (L.) Roxb.
Family: Rutaceae

KADUKKAI THOL
Biological Source: It is the Pericarp of mature fruits of
Terminalia chebula Retz
Family:Combretaceae

Macroscopic: Fruit is yellowish-brown, ovoid 20-35mm

long, 15-25mm wide, longitudinally wrinkled and ribbed,
fibrous mesocarp, easily separable from seed, with
astringent taste.

Morphology: A small spreading shrub, about 2.5 meters

high; the main stem, dark green to brownish, with
numerous dots on it; its bark can be peeled off
longitudinally, exposing the white wood underneath; the
girth of the main stem is 16 cm. Leaves, exstipulate,
bipinnately compound, 30 cm long, each bearing 24
leaflets, having reticulate venation; leaflets, lanceolate,
4.9 cm long, 1.8 cm broad, having 0.5-cm-long petiole.
Flowers, bisexual, white, funnel-shaped, sweetly
scented, stalked, complete, ebracteate, regular,
actinomorphic, pentamerous, hypogynous, the average

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diameter of a fully opened flower being 1.12 cm;

inflorescence, a terminal cyme, each bearing 60 to 90
flowers; calyx, 5-lobed, persistent, inferior, green; corolla,
white, polypetalous, inferior, with 5 petals, lanceolate;
length, 5 mm; androecium, polyandrous, inferior, with 10
stamens, dorsifixed, arranged into circles of five each;
smaller stamens, 4 mm. long whereas the longer ones, 5
to 6 mm; gynoecium, 5 to 6 mm long; stigma, bright,
sticky; style, short; ovary, superior.
Fruits, round to oblong, 1.4 to 1.6 cm long, 1 to
1.2 cm in diameter; weight, 880 mg; volume, 895 micro
liters; fully ripe fruits, black with a very shining surface;
pulp, Wisteria blue 640/2; the number of fruits per cluster
varying from 32 to 80. Seed, one in each fruit, 11 mm
long, 8 mm in diameter, colour spinach green 0960/3;
weight, 445 mg; volume, 460 microlitres. [12-15]

from the fermented fruits is prescribed as a treatment for

indigestion, anemia, jaundice, some cardiac problems,
nasal congestion and retention of urine[16-18].
NAVALKOTTAI
Biological Source: It is the died seeds of Syzygium
cuminii (Linn.) skeels.
Synonym: Eugenia jambolana Lam
Family: Myrtaceae

NELLIVATRAL
Biological Source: It is the dried fruits of Phyllanthus
emblica L.
Synonym: Emblica officinalis Gaertn.
Family :Euphorbiaceae

Medicinal Uses: The emblic is of great importance in

Asiatic medicine, not only as an antiscorbutic, but in the
treatment of diverse ailments, especially those associated
with the digestive organs. For such use, the fruit juice is
prepared in the form of a sherbet or is fermented. In the
latter state, it is prescribed in jaundice, dyspepsia and
coughs. The dried chips of flesh are dispensed by
apothecaries and often are mixed with grape juice and
honey for dosage. The fruit is considered diuretic and
laxative. Triphala, a decoction of emblic with Terminalia
chebula Retz. and T. bellerica Roxb. is given for chronic
dysentery, biliousness, haemorrhoids, enlarged liver, and
other disorders. A powder prepared from the dried fruit is
an effective expectorant as it stimulates the bronchial
glands. The juice that exudes when the fruit is scored
while still on the tree is valued as an eyewash and an
application for inflamed eyes. An infusion made by
steeping dried fruit overnight in water also serves as an
eyewash, as does an infusion of the seeds. A liquor made

Macroscopic: 2-5 seeds, compressed together into a

mass resembling a single seed, the whole seed enclosed in
a cream colored, coriaceous covering smooth, oval or
roundish, 1cm long, 1cm wide, brownish-black, taste,
astringent.
Macroscopic: Shows cotyledons consisting of single
layered epidermis, mesophyll composed of isodiametric,
thin-walled, parenchymatous cells fully packed with
simple starch grains, oval, rounded measuring 7-28 in
diameter, a few schizogenous cavities are also found.
Powder: Brown colored, shows a few parenchymatous
cells and numerous oval, rounded starch grains,
measuring 7-28 in diameter.
Standards
Total Ash > 5%; Acid insoluble ash > 1%; Alcohol
soluble extractive < 6%; Water soluble extractive < 15%
[19-20].
SEENTHIL
Biological Source: It is the dried stem of Tinospora
Cordifolia
Family: Menispermaceae

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Medicinal uses: The herb is also used in stomach ulcer,

urinary affections, vitalizer and remedy for diabetes and
metabolic disorders. Studies on induced edema and
arthritis and on human arthritis proved anti-inflammatory
potency of the water extract of plant. It also has
antipyretic action. This drug relaxes the intestinal and
uterine smooth muscles. It is proved effective in
prevention of fibrosis and in stimulating regeneration in
hepatic tissue.
KEEZHKKAI NELLI
Biological Source: It is the root, stem and leaf of
Phyllanthus fraternus webst.
Synonym: Phyllanthus niruri - Hook.f.non Linn.
Family: Euphorbiaceae

Macroscopic: Root: Small, 2.5-11.0 cm long nearly

straight, gradually taperium, with a number of fibrous
secondary and tertiary roots, external surface light brown,
Fracture, short.

Family: Cyperaceae

Macroscopic: Drug consists of rhizome and stolon

having a number of wiry roots, stolon 10-20 cm long
having a number of rhizomes, crowded together on the
stolongs, rhizomes bluntly conical and vary in size and
thickness, crowned with the remains of stem and leaves
forming a scaly covering, dark brown or blackly
externally, greenish-yellow internally, odour pleasant.
Microscopic: Rhizome shows single layered epidermis,
followed by 2-6 layers, subscribed sclerenchymatous
cells: epidermis and other sclerenchymatous layer filled
with dark brown content, ground tissue of cortex consists
of circular to oval, thin-walled, parenchymatous cells with
intercellular spaces, numerous collateral, closed, vascular
bundles surrounded by bundle sheath, scattered in this
region; vessels narrow having simple reticulate, and
scalariform thickening and oblique pore; simple round to
oval starch grains measuring 6-28 in diameter, a
number of pigmented cells filled with reddish-brown
content, presence throughout the cortex and stele.

Stem: Slender, glabrous, light brown, cylindrical, 2075cm long, branching protuse towards upper region
bearing 5-20 pairs of leaves, internode, 1-3.5 cm long,
odour, indistinct, taste, slightly bitter.

Powder: Greenish-brown, shows reddish brown cells,

reticulate and simple pitted vessels, fiber-like, closely
packed sclerified cells, narrow vessels with scalariform
thickness and oblique pore from the rounnants of leaves,
simple, round to oval, starch grains, 6-28 in diameter.

Leaf: Compound and leaf-let arranged in two rows with a

rachis, alternate, opposite and decussate almost sessice,
stipulate, oblong, entire up to 1.5 cm long and 0.5cm
wide, greenish-brown in color, odour, indistinct, taste,
slightly bitter.

Standards
Total ash > 8%; Acid insoluble ash > 4%;
Alcohol soluble extractive < 5%; Water soluble extractive
< 11%; V.O. < 1%.

Powder: Brown, fragments of cork cells, vessels and

fibers.
Standards: Total Ash > 16%; Acid insoluble ash > 7%;
Alcohol soluble extractive < 3%; Water soluble extractive
< 13%.
KORAIKIZHANGHU
Biological Source: It
Cyperusrotundus (Linn.)

is

the

dried

rhizome

of

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are sincerely thanked the Dean,
Mother Theresa PG & RI of Health sciences and Director
incharge, RRI Siddha for their kind support and constant
encouragement for carrying out this research work.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors do not have any conflict of interest
for this review work on Neerizhivu choornam.

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