Tibetan medicine practices for good health and longevity
Tibetan medicine or Sowa-Rigpa (“Healing Science”) 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 (e.g. Tibetan acupuncture, moxabustion, etc.) to treat illness.
The Tibetan medical system is based upon a synthesis of the Indian (Ayurveda), Persian (Unani), Greek, indigenous Tibetan, and Chinese medical systems, and it continues to be practiced in Tibet, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh, Siberia, China and Mongolia, as well as more recently in parts of Europe and North America. It embraces the traditional Buddhist belief that all illness ultimately results from the “three poisons” of the mind: ignorance, attachment and aversion.
In what kind of treatments does Tibetan medicine have good results?
Tibetan medicine is particularly effective in chronic disorders like digestive system disturbances, rheumatism and arthritis, chronic liver ailment and poor blood circulatory system. Tibetan medicine can also prevent from cold or constitutional tendencies. It helps improve the immune system and removes chronic inflammation disorders. Generally, the effectiveness of the treatment depends on the physician and his or her experience.
Moxibustion is a method of facilitating the flow of energies by heating certain points on the surface of the body. A smoldering stick of a shredded herb (mugwort) is held close to the point to radiate heat into it. This technique is especially effective in alleviating chronic pain in muscles and joints.
Methods of Treatment
There are four methods of treatment:
- Through diet
- Through behavior modification
- Through medicine
- Through physical therapy
The most important therapeutic technique is to restore the balance of the three “NYES-PA” (humors) and to ensure that the seven constituents of the body are always in a healthy state. These seven constituents are:
- Essential nutriment (Dangsma)
- Blood (Khark)
- Fat (Tsil)
- Muscle tissues (Sha)
- Bone (Rus)
- Marrow (rKang)
- Regenerative fluid (Khuwa)
Tibetan medicine practices bChud-Len (essential extraction) for good health and longevity and this practice is very beneficial even for people whose body constituents are weak, diminished in the energy of the five elements and sensory organs. This practice is practiced in not too old people, on auspicious days, in a clean environment and in places with no negative influences.
Reference:
Tibetan Medicine: Buddhist Approach to Healing [VHS]
