151ANTIOXIDANT HERBS IN SIDDHA MEDICINE –A MINI-REVIEWAn antioxidant is a chemical compound that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. These radicals can start chain reaction, it can cause damage or death to the cell. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates. Antioxidants such as Vitamin- C, Vitamin-E and carotenoids, which include beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein help protect healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals. The review article mainly focuses on the role of antioxidant herbs in Siddha medicine. We developed a search strategy to find publication about antioxidant herbs in Siddha medicine and its merits, so we searched CRI Library, Medline, Pubmed, Dove Press, Bentham Publishers, Bibliographic databases using the key phrases, herbs, antioxidant Siddha medicine and animal products. Our review article suggests that rejuvenating therapy known as “kayakarpam”. Those kayakalpa drugs include, herbal, mineral and animal products, containing more antioxidant properties of siddha medicine. However our study enlightened antioxidant herbs such as Emblica officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Tinospora cordifolia, Terminalia chebula, Feronia elephantum, Aloe vera, Withania somnifera, Semecarpus anacardium, Citrus lemon, and Eclipta alba.sasisasikala2007@rediffmail.comReview4112014AntioxidantsVitamins,Vitamins,Siddha herbs,free radicals,KayakarpamSasikala M,Vadivelan R,Seetha Lakshmi G,Kanagavalli,Parthibhan PPG Scholar, HOD,Dept. of Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.,PG Scholar, HOD,Dept. of Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.,PG Scholar, HOD,Dept. of Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.,UG, Dept. of Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.,PG, Dept. of Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.