Traditional Tibetan medicine

The Tibetan Medicine ( Tib. bod sman ) is a system developed in Tibet healing system, which is mainly used in the countries and regions of the highlands of Tibet. About its origin, there are various legends.

As a basic texts of Tibetan medicine, the " Gyüshi " apply ( Tibetan: rgyud bzhi; "Four Tantras " ) of Yuthok Yönten Gönpo ( the Elder ) ( Tibetan: g.yu thog ( rnying ma) yon tan mgon po; 708-833 ) and the " Yuthok Nyingthig " ( Tib: g.yu thog snying thig; " heart Essence of Yuthok " ) of Yuthok Yönten Gönpo ( the Younger ) ( Tibetan: g.yu thog ( gsar ma) yon tan mgon po, 1126-1202 ). In the 17th century texts of the " Gyüshi " under the title were "The Blue Beryl " illustrated for training purposes for the first time and commented by Desi Sanggye Gyatsho.

History

There was in the Tibetan cultural area already 1000 BC a building on the old Bön shamanic tradition and a magical- medical pharmacology. Tibetan medicinal plants mentioned in ancient China had a reputation for excellent quality and are in the early pharmacological texts. From the 7th century in Tibet was a lively exchange with neighboring cultures in China in the East, India and Nepal in the south, the oasis cities of Central Asia, the regions of the plateau and Persia in the west. With Buddhism, the essential writings from India into Tibet, including medical works. In particular, the basic works of Tibetan medicine, the four medical tantras ( Gyud - bzhi ), came from India to Tibet.

" Tibetologists currently assume usually that the Tibetan medicine mainly of Indian origin or Indian was inspired ," Christopher Beckwith wrote. " The historical evidence, however, lead to the conclusion that it was primarily western and secondary Chinese origin in reality, at least in the first century of the Tibetan Empire (ca. 634-755 ). " Tibetan sources mention next to the mythical Yellow Emperor of China and the legendary Bhāradvāja from India to the Greek physician Galen and his contribution to Tibetan medicine. This was influenced for example by the humoral pathology. Several works of Galen or pseudo -Galen were known in Tibet under Songtsan Gambo.

As the founder of Tibetan medicine is also Yuthog Yontan Gonpo, the Younger, who has the standard work, written four roots in the 12th century, where it unites various foreign influences. The four roots are still the most important teaching tool of Tibetan Medicine. In the very changing history between China and Tibet Tibetan medicine was also influenced strongly by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In particular, the pulse diagnosis and astrology are based on influences from the TCM. Nevertheless, the two medical systems are fundamentally different: while the intellectual-historical foundations of Chinese medicine, Taoism and Confucianism are based philosophy of Tibetan medicine to a native of India Buddhism, during their medical basics of Ayurveda originate in Tibet own expression has attained.

Fundamentals of Tibetan Medicine

Tibetan medicine is based on the traditional medical system of India, Ayurveda. Along with Buddhism came to Tibet in the Ayurvedic medicine.

Elements

Basic ingredient of all existence are the five elements of earth, water, fire, wood and metal. Important is the harmonious balance among the elements that can be compensated, for example, with the diet again.

Dosha

The basic characteristics of the body are defined as doshas, literally fault or blemish. A dosha is caused any mistake or error, any violation of the rhythm of life, the chaos. Themselves if they were on not in a condition to standard, they destroyed the body; when they worked together in harmony, then the person is healthy. If this body principles were in a state of deprivation or excess, they interfered with each other, leading to the emergence of diseases. Each of the " energy body " kick in five different forms with different functions and localizations. There is a differentiated system of body channels in which various forms of " energy " and liquids would be transported. From these assumptions, in the Tibetan medicine is a complex system with a specific diagnosis.

The three doshas are active condensations of the five great elements. Vatta arises from air and space, Pitta of fire and water, Kapha water and earth. Your task is to influence these elements in the microcosm of the body. The translation of terms is uneven.

• Rlung, Sanskrit vayu, dada (wind) - the energy of motion: rlung stands for the mobile element in the body and in spirit; rlung was involved in all physiological processes that are dynamic by nature, and was the driving force behind the vegetative functions of breathing, heart activity and Peristaltitk; rlung also stands for the senses and the mental activity.
• Mkhrispa, tripa, Sanskrit, pitta ( bile ) - The Fire of Life: mkhrispa, tripa stands for the different types of heat in the body, is involved in the process of metabolism, especially in the digestive system, which is compared with the cooking of food.
• Badkan, Sanskrit Kapha ( phlegm ) - the liquid element: badkan stands for all factors of the cash in the body, it fulfills functions of mechanical nature: cohesion, support, lubrication, etc.

The pathology

In the four major works of Tibetan medicine is mentioned, which are divided into 404 diseases of 84'000 disorders. Of these 101 were diseases karmically conditioned and ended, if untreated, death. 101 diseases came from the present life, and could in principle be cured with medicines. 101 diseases are caused by spirits.

101 diseases are superficial. That is, they can be cured by proper behavior. The Buddhist "three poisons " are assigned to the doshas. The three toxins led to an imbalance of the three doshas. According to Tibetan understanding shall decide the mental attitude about health or disease.

Ti mug, ignorance about the non-existence of an ego, is the most important cause of all suffering. As long as man possesses the self-awareness, he was carrying the disease inherent with it. For this self-awareness would arise out the attachment and rejection.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis in Tibetan medicine seeks views on the imbalance of the three body energies digestion. The observation determines the patient outward signs of the disorder, especially to the tongue and the urinalysis is used. The survey of the history and the current state shows how the body has fallen into the state of illness, and what are the triggers of the disease. The sampling of the pulse quality was increased in Tibetan medicine to the highest skill. Thus, conclusions can be drawn on disorders or disharmonies of the three principles body through palpation of the pulse qualities. As a possible cause of health disorders, the negative influence of spirits is considered beyond.

Therapy

Health is defined as a state of balance. Preventive and therapeutic methods must protect the goal balance inside and out or restore. The first method of treatment is proper diet, the prescription of diets and dietary guidelines that include a time of day and the season, adapted to moderate food intake. Since the food postulated body energies are directly influenced by their elemental composition, one can operate on the right Dietetics targeted preventive medicine.

The second most important healing method is the correct behavior, since the main cause of the disease, from the Buddhist point of view lies in the mind. Greed and attachment, anger and hatred and a belief in the things inherent reality to be associated with specific disease patterns; they resulted in an imbalance in the body of the three elements and principles.

As a third step, the therapeutic Tibetan doctor prescribes additional medications in pill form. The approximately two hundred remedies used by Tibetan doctors in the west consist primarily of plant matter. In about twenty herbs ingredients of animal origin are used, and in exceptional cases, about ten different mineral substances are added. In the jewel pills also contain powdered precious and semi- precious stones.

The external treatment in the form of cupping, bleeding, massages, baths, incense, moxibustion and cauterization is applied as a last resort.

To determine the ideal timing of taking Tibetan medicine the use of astrology and numerology is often recommended. The Tibetan Astrology is also used for the determination of " evil spirits " used in the medical field that will affect the patient, and the identification of prayers which must be applied as a therapeutic measure against this.

Medicinal plants

Typical Tibetan medicinal plants are

• Columbine herbs ( Aquilegia )
• Aloes (Aloe )
• Gold cinquefoil ( Potentilla aurea )
• Iceland moss ( Cetraria islandica )
• Yarrow ( Achillea )
• Mallow ( Sida cordifolia )
• Plantain ( Plantago lanceolata)
• Knotweed ( Polygonum aviculare )