‘If more or less, three humors cause disease, the learned count the wind is the first of these.' - Medicine, Thirukkural
	The various aspects of epilepsy have been viewed based on the etiology, pathology and treatment by holistic approaches. The three main systems of Indian medicines, Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani have defined their respective orthodox approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.
	Siddha system Ayurveda system Unani system
	The Indian systems of medicine are based on empirical medicine .The wisdom of our ancients who delved into the mysteries of the human body, observed meticulously and prepared medication following the treasure formulae with utmost precision have given us a trove of knowledge. Modern research into these Indian systems of medicine is being pursued all over the country. Isolating the active ingredients, for example alkaloids of many plant based formulations, has been successful and lead to a better understanding of the how these medications may work. Much research is on going.
	While these Indian systems offer alternative approaches, the evidence base for their utility is still questionable in the modern context. It is important that patients do not switch from one system of medicine to another at random. Allopathy has several advantages at present:
		It offers several technological tools to diagnose and treat epilepsy
		Recently developed anti-convulsants are tailored to target specific chemical systems in the brain
		Brain stimulation procedures and epilepsy surgery are viable alternatives for intractable seizure disorder
	However, as allopathy does not necessarily have all the answers, and Epilepsy continues to disrupt the social functioning, our awareness about alternative systems in our own culture is important, and merits further exploration.
	Siddha system
	The origin of the Tamil language is attributed to sage Agasthya and the siddha system of medicine is an accolade to his expertise. This form of medicine has been noted since 5th - 6th B.C.It is a practiced system of medicine to this day. Since the evolution of this medicine seizures and epilepsy have been noted and treated. The Siddha classifies epilepsy into 5 major types:
		Kumarakandam - an affliction named after hornless animals.
		Amarakandam - disorder with ghastly features like hell.
		Bhramakandam - characterized by prolonged stupor.
		Kakkai vali - named after the crow.
		Muyal vali - named after the demon, on whom Lord Shiva performs his dance to destroy the evil forces
	Description of symptoms associated with each of the above-mentioned types of epilepsy.
	The sickness of the three pains/Kumarakandam: This affliction comprises of unending stomachache followed by diminution of vision with protrusion of tongue and distortion of lower jaw. There is stiffening of the neck due to severe pain around the shoulders. The features are attributed to the three humors, namely the Vat, Pitha, and Kapha.
	Amarakandam: In this disorder there is restlessness due to a nagging pain and itching associated with increased perspiration and respiration. Sometimes the illness is so severe in form that the patient almost like a corpse, numb with pain. This experience is compared with a hellish experience.
	Bhramakandam (Kurangu vali) : The limbs are flaccid. The patient strains his muscles with the pain, clenches his/her teeth and it is associated with photophobia. The eyes are set staring lifelessly. The doctor invariably pronounces poor prognosis after examining the pulse in this condition. This condition is attributed to the foul interplay of the three humors.
	Kakkai vali: This disease seizes the victim faster than the wind and extinguishes his life like Yama, the God of death. The features, which help to identify the victim of this illness, are: the eyes will be widely open with a constant upward gaze. The patient has double.
	Ayurveda system
	Apasmara is the synonym for epilepsy in ayurveda. It is considered as a disorder due to derangements of intellect and the mind characterized by loss of memory, loss of consciousness and convulsive movements of the body. On the basis of doshsas [humors] there are four kinds of apasmaras.
	1. Vataja Apasmara 2. Pittaja Apasmara 3. Kaphaja Apasmara 4. Sannipataja Apasmara
	Symptoms of Endogenous or Humoral Apasmaras
	Vataja Pittaja Kaphaja Nails, face, skin and eyes are red & dusky They are ginger like green or coppery They are found in white or Pale in colour Dribbling of frothy saliva from mouth Stertorous breathing Drooling of saliva from angle of mouth Head drawn to one side, clenching of fingers and feet Tossing on the ground Falling on the ground. No strong convulsive movements are seen Frequent attacks of transient unconsciousness followed by immediate regaining of consciousness Frequent attacks similar to vattaja Slowly becoming unconscious and regaining consciousness Visual aura of jerky, fickle harsh & dry red objects Visual aura of blood fierce terrifying, blazing & angry looking forms & of non-homologation of pitta causing factors Visual aura of white hairy and glossy shapes & homologation of antagonistic kapha humor
	The Sanni Pataja apasmara is called incurable due to the combination of imbalance in all the three humors. The symptoms are usually atypical and this apasmara usually has a bad prognosis. The vata type of epilepsy is treated by means of basic (the enemata), pittava epilepsy is treated mainly by virecana (the purgation) and kapha type of epilepsy mainly by vamana (the emesis). As preventive measures morality and mental tranquility are advised. Existing psychic causes which can trigger an attack like worry anxiety, greed, grief, passion should be avoided.
	Unani system
	This system became popular during the Muslim rule of the country and continues to be practiced to this day in India. Najabuddin Unhammad (1222 AD) made a special study of mental diseases and described 7 varieties of illness. The treatment usually consists of purging and blood letting along with nutritious diet. According to the Unani system of medicine, epilepsy is mainly due to the vicious humor accumulating in the blood.
	Based on this theory there are 4 humors
	(i) Dum (sanguine blood) (ii) Balgham (phlegm) (iii) Safra (yellow bile) (iv) Sauda (black bile)
	The humoral balance plays a vital role in the maintenance of health. Epilepsy is due to a block (sudda) in the roots of the nerves in the brain due to the accumulation of these humors. In treatment, after the patient recovers from the acute stage, the cause is identified and treatment is directed towards the causative humor. In case of excessive sanguine humor, specific venisection and cupping is suggested.
	Usually the first line of management is purgative medicines and cleansing agents like Jadwar-Ood-E-Salaib Khamir-E-Abresham-Harim-Arshadwala are used. Sometimes even sneezing is induced. As anticonvulsant therapy, hot oil massages with the following oils are prescribed: Roghan-E-Surkh, Roghan-E-Baboona etc.
	As an antiepileptic, Dana-Us-Shifa is given with 120 ml of cow's milk. Finally brain & neural health tonics like Itherifal-Usta-Khudoos, Dawa-Ul-Misk and Muatidil Jawahar Wali are given to nourish the neural tissue.