About Tibetan Medicine
Tibetan Medicine is an advanced medical system of healing which has been preserved for over 2,500 years with pristine purity.
For many generations, its knowledge was transmitted from teacher to disciple solely as an oral lineage, without any textual basis. In the eighth century, King Triston Detsen (742-797) opened the first national medical college, where the main medical text, Four Tantras—"brGyud,bZhi"—was studied by all Tibetan doctors. The same text is still in use at all Tibetan medical colleges.
Tibetan medicine is unique because it evaluates and addresses the patient’s constitution, diet, behavior, and the originating source of disease. It not only treats diseases but also aims to prevent them. This medical system was tested for thousands of years, and it has proven its efficacy. People all over the world have encountered exceptional relief from mental and physical disorders, using Tibetan medicine's wide range of medical formulas. Its therapeutic actions are based solely on the natural substances of plants and minerals, which have fewer side effects.
In addition, the great ancient diagnostic techniques used by Tibetan physicians help to distinguish the subtle changes of internal imbalance, even when Western laboratories with modern equipment cannot. Now, leading universities in the United States, Europe, and Asia are researching the traditional treatments for diseases such a cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. Every year, Western and Tibetan medical professionals meet and share their knowledge at The Tibetan and Western Integrative Symposiums.
The fundamental basis of Tibetan Medicine, as an integrative and holistic system, is based on the five elements. The body, the disease, and the treatment all share common principles and are composed of earth, fire, water, air, and space, which are the building blocks of the mind and body. When these elements are in balance, the result is a healthy individual. However, if any one of them becomes excessive, deficient, or disturbed, it will manifest early with particular symptoms. Since each individual disease is caused by disharmony in one or more of elements, the basis of treatment is to balance them through diet, behavioral modification, Tibetan medicine, and external therapies according to each patient’s unique genetic body type. Instead of a standardized approach to care, Tibetan doctors provide a personalized mode of treatment based upon the individual's constitution.
