Similar to Ayurveda, Siddha system also follows ashtanga concept with regard to treatment procedures. However, the main emphasis is on Bala vahatam (pediatrics), Nanjunool (toxicology) and Nayana vidhi (ophthalmology). The therapeutics in both Ayurvedic and Siddha systems can be broadly categorized into samana and sodhana therapies. The Ayurvedic system consists of well-known procedures categorized under panchakarma therapy, but this therapy is not that well developed in the Siddha system; only the vamana therapy has received the attention of the Siddha physicians. The concept pertaining to drug composition, the concept of rasapanchaka (concept explaining drug properties), is almost similar in both the systems of medicine. One of the major characteristic features of Siddha materia medica is the utilization of mineral- and metal-based preparations to a greater extent in comparison to the drugs of vegetable origin in the Ayurvedic system.

The mineral- and metal-based drugs in the Siddha system are categorized as follows:

1. Ratnas and Uparatnas: Drugs based on precious and semi-precious stones
2. Loham: Metals and metal alloys that do not dissolve in water but melt when put into fire and solidify on cooling
3. Rasam: Drugs that are soft and sublime and when put into fire change into small crystals or amorphous powder
4. Uppu (lavanam): Drugs that dissolve in water
5. Pashanam: Drugs that are water insoluble but give off vapors when put into fire
6. Uparasam: Drugs that are chemically similar to pashanam but have different actions
7. Gandhakam: Drug components that are sulfur based, are insoluble in water and burn off when introduced into fire