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Medicine: What is it? Tibetan medicine is a science,
art and philosophy that provides a holistic approach to health care. It is a science
because its principles are enumerated in a systematic and logical framework based
on an understanding of the body and its relationship to the environment. It is
an art because it uses diagnostic techniques based on the creativity, insight,
subtlety and compassion of the medical practitioner. And it is a philosophy because
it embraces the key Buddhist principles of altruism, karma and ethics.
Buddhist philosophy states that everything in the universe is in a constant state
of flux - that all phenomenon are characterized by impermanence, and that the
only permanent feature is impermanence itself. As Buddha said, "No matter
whether perfect beings arise or not, it remains a fact, and a hard necessity of
existence, that all creations are transitory." It is this impermanence that
causes each and every being to suffer at one stage or another. Suffering is thus
not accidental but springs from a specific cause, whether from this life or a
previous life. Only through proper learning and the genuine practice of Dharma
can liberate from the vicious cycle of suffering.
Tibetan medical theory
states that everything in the universe is made up of the five proto-elements sa
(Earth), chu (Water), me (Fire), rLung (Wind), and Nam-mkha (Space). Although
all five proto-elements are responsible for the formation of each tissue cell,
each element has a specific influence: sa exerts a greater influence over the
formation of muscle cells, bones, the nose and the sense of smell; chu is responsible
for the formation of blood, body fluids, tongue and the sense of taste; me is
responsible for body temperature, comple-xion, the eyes and the sense of sight;
rLung is responsible for breathing, skin and the sense of touch; and nam mkha
is responsible for body ca-vities, the ears and the sense of hearing.
The
Three Principle EnergiesrLung is one of the three principle energies
of the body which manifests the the nature of Air element. It is characterised
by rough, light, cold, subtle, hard and mobile. It is responsible for the physical
and mental activities, respiration, expulsion of urine, faeces, fetus, menstruation,
spitting, burping, speech, gives clarity to sense organs, sustains life by means
of acting as a medium between mind and body.
mKhris-pa basically has
the nature of fire. It is characterised by oily, sharp, hot, light, fetid, purgative
and fluidity. mKhris-pa is responsible for hunger, thirst, digestion and assimilation,
promotes bodily heat, gives lustre to body complexion and provides courage and
determination.
Bad-kan is cold in nature and is characterised by oily,
cool, heavy, blunt, smooth, firm and sticky. Bad-kan is responsible for firmness
of the body, stability of mind, induces sleep, connects bodily joints, generates
tolerance and lubricates the body.
A Healthy
BodygSowa rigpa (the art and science of healing or traditional
Tibetan medicine, astronomy and astrology) involves the proper alignment of these
divisions -- that is, the 3 humors, 7 bodily constituents and 3 excretions --
into a state of equilibrium. If this is accomplished, then the body is said to
be in a state of health or free from psycho-physiological disorders; whereas a
disequilibrium in any of these energies constitutes a state of disorder or ill-health.
Diagnosis in Tibetan Medicine
The
diagnostic techniques include visual observation, touch and interrogation. Visual
ObservationThis involves checking a patient's skin complexion,
the colour and texture of his/her blood, nails, sputum, faeces, and other general
conditions. Special attention is paid to the condition of the patient's tongue
and urine.
TouchPulse reading
forms the most important touching method employed in Tibetan medicine. Only after
ensuring an important set of preconditions, the physician proceeds with a pulse
diagnosis. This involves placing the three middle fingers at patient's radial
arteries.
InterrogationInterrogation
forms the most important clinical aspect of the diagnosis. There are three main
elements to a medical interrogation: - Determining the causative factors
- Determining the site of the illness
- Studying the signs and symptoms: this
involves the doctor asking the patient about the sort of food and drink s/he has
been consuming, and what kind of physical and mental behavior s/he has been experiencing.
Traditional Tibetan Medical TreatmentsDietary
and Lifestyle FactorsAt an immediate level, a disorder is primarily caused
by an improper diet and/or lifestyle. In fact, a majority of health problems,
both in developing and developed countries, can be either directly or indirectly
traced to poor diet or lifestyle. Examples of this include alcoholism, hypertension
and heart disease. The first form of treatment in Tibetan medicine is thus not
medicines but changing a patient's diet and/or lifestyle. Only if this fails to
remedy an ailment is the use of medicines considered.
Tibetan MedicinesTibetan
medicines take various forms, from decoctions, powders, general pills, precious
pills, and syrups, and are prescribed in small doses -- a fact that reflects the
emphasis Tibetan medicine places on gentle treatment.
Moxibustion
and Other TreatmentsMany disorders, caused by proliferation of bad blood
and mKhris-pa are also treated by blood-letting at one of the body's seventy-seven
blood-letting points. For cold disorders, nerve malfunction and non-malignant
tumors, moxibustion, golden-needle therapy may be used to stimulate the energy
channels of the body. Many diseases of the nerves and muscles, as well as pain
and insomnia related to rLung, are treated with gentle massage using various medicinal
oils. Medicinal bath and natural spring baths are used to treat an assortment
of skin disorders as well as chronic arthritis, gout and cold types of rheumatism,
and rigid and stiffness of the extremities.
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