Introduction:
Over a period of 2,500 years, Tibetans have perfected a sophisticated healing art based on the holistic concept of mind and body. It highlights that disorders are caused when there is disequilibrium in psychological and physical energies. Delusion, hatred, and attachment affect the psychological state of the mind. These factors along with other contributing factors such as improper diet, improper life style and unhealthy thinking all bring imbalances or disorders. The Four Tantras (Gyud-zhi) is the main Tibetan medical text being studied by its practitioners. This text was conceived through research and experimentation by the past scholars from centuries of years back. Later around the 8th century, cream of other medical systems such as of the Greek, Indian and the Chinese medical systems were incorporated into the already-existing Tibetan medical system at that time. Thereafter, the main fundamental Tibetan Medical text, Gyud-zhi was re-edited and molded into an even more profound medical text by the famous Tibetan scholar: Youthok Yonten Gompo.
Potentials:
The Tibetan medical system has stood the test of time and made its contribution, mainly in central Asia. Currently Tibetan medical system is openly accepted in the health care systems of many countries, such as India, China, Russia, Mongolia, Bhutan, and Nepal. It is now becoming more popular in the US, Canada and Europe. Today more and more people in the West understand that the quick-fix solutions are not always the right way to get rid of disorders. Thus the Tibetan method of healing along with the conventional medicine fits well in the health care paradigm. That is why this medical system has lots of potential to contribute towards psychological problems and disorders of many kinds including arthritis, asthma, digestive problems, ulcer, asthma, skin diseases including psoriasis, kidneys and liver diseases, sinus problems, insomnia, anxiety, migraine, heart diseases, mental illness, sexual dysfunction and other chronic modern-day problems that need long term care through a holistic approach.
Philosophy:
This medical system highlights the strong bond connecting the body, the disease and the remedies to the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space. The mind and the five elements manifest themselves into three aspects of body, energy and mind which, in the human body, are reflected in the form of three humours or energies called rlung (wind), tripa (bile) and badkan (phlegm). These humors, or principles, are the quintessence of the energies that constantly perform their functions in the human body and sustain our body in good health. Thus these three principle energies cause illness when they are disturbed, while in the contrary, these provide positive health when they are in harmony.
Analysis:
Once you step in a clinic, a Tibetan doctor would normally follow careful observation and analysis to understand disorders through three methods of analysis: visual observation, touch and questioning which includes, listening closely to each client’s problems related to work, family and others. Sometimes, Tibetan doctor may tell your ailment by merely asking the symptoms, followed by a pulse-reading and observation of your tongue or eyes. However, it is believed that analysis is more accurate if these methods are supported by urine examination. Therefore, it is useful if you could collect your first morning mid-stream urine (about 250 ml) in a clean, odor-free container like the water-bottle and bring it with you during the appointment for sample analysis.
Healing:
Tibetan healing involves dietary corrections, and lifestyle changes as these are directly or indirectly correlated to either cause or relapses for many different disorders. Therefore, one will receive proper guidance on which type of diets and life styles behaviors suitable to the client based on the individualistic nature and situation of the client. Concerning the herbal remedies, they are left in their natural taste without any sugar-coatings. Therefore they generally carry bitter taste, however they are effective. As a Norwegian proverb goes,” Everything that tastes bad is good for your health”.