Ancient Insights, Modern Microbes: Siddha Contributions to Gut Microbiome Medicine

Abstract

The gut microbiome plays a vital role in our health, influencing everything from how our bodies function to our metabolism and immune system. Thanks to advances in sequencing technologies, we now understand just how complex the communities of microbes in our digestive system are and how closely they relate to our overall well-being. When the balance of these microbes is disrupted—a condition known as dysbiosis—it can lead to various health issues, including metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, and even mental health problems. Interestingly, traditional medical systems like Siddha medicine from India have long emphasized the importance of digestive balance and the use of plant-based remedies to support health. Recent research shows that herbal medicines, especially those packed with polyphenols, fibers, and alkaloids, can positively influence microbiomes by promoting the growth of beneficial microbes. In this review, we explore the latest findings on the gut microbiome, insights from herbal medicine research, and the philosophical and medical context of the Siddha system. We conducted a thorough analysis of 40 peer-reviewed studies to bridge modern biomedical knowledge with Siddha practices. Our findings indicate that Siddha herbs such as Terminalia chebula, Piper longum, Phyllanthus emblica, and various Kudineer formulations can help relieve digestive issues and may also improve the health of our gut microbiome. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms behind these effects, the challenges in validating these findings, and the exciting potential for developing integrated care models.