Traditional Tibetan medicine

Illustrations of Tibetan materia medica

Traditional Tibetan medicine (Tibetan: བོད་ཀྱི་གསོ་བ་རིག་པ་, Wylie: bod kyi gso ba rig pa), also known as Sowa-Rigpa medicine, is a centuries-old traditional medical system that employs a complex approach to diagnosis, incorporating techniques such as pulse analysis and urinalysis, and utilizes behavior and dietary modification, medicines composed of natural materials (e.g., herbs and minerals) and physical therapies to treat illness.

History

Traditional Tibetan medicine has been practiced for over a thousand years and is one of the oldest, continuously practiced medical systems in the world. It originated from the pre-Buddhist era in Tibet and was influenced by the medical traditions of India, China, Persia, and Greece.

Principles

The principles of Traditional Tibetan medicine are enshrined in the Four Medical Tantras (Gyushi), a fundamental text which is still used in the education of Tibetan doctors today. The system is based on the theory of the "Five Elements" (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space) and the "Three Humors" (Lung, Tripa, and Beken), which are linked to the functions and health of the body.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis in Traditional Tibetan medicine involves three methods: visual observation, touch (including pulse analysis), and interrogation. Treatment can involve a variety of methods, including dietary and behavioral changes, the use of medication and accessory therapy. Medication is prepared from natural materials, such as herbs and minerals, following the principles laid out in the Four Medical Tantras.

Modern Practice and Recognition

Today, Traditional Tibetan medicine continues to be practiced in Tibet and in the broader global community. It has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a traditional medicine system and efforts are being made to scientifically validate its effectiveness.

See Also

• Ayurveda
• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Unani
• Homeopathy

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