medicine in fields from physiology and pharmacology to neuroscience,
mind/body medicine and positive health.
Tibetan medicine originated with the local folk tradition (known as Bon)
that dates back to about 300 BCand was formally recorded by Xiepu Chixi,
the physician to the Tibetan King Niechi Zanpu, in 126 BC.^211 Aspects of both
the traditional Chinese and Indian (ayurvedic) medical systems were added
later; ayurveda (see Chapter 7) has had the most profound influence on
Tibetan medicine. The medicine of India was introduced to Tibet as early as
AD254, with the visit of two Indian physicians. During the following century
several physicians from India reinforced the teachings. Other influences came
from Persian (Unani), Greek and Chinese medical systems, and it continues
to be practised 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. Tibetan
medical theory states that it is necessary to maintain balance in the body’s
three principles of function.
- rLüng(wind) the source of the body’s ability to circulate physical
substances (e.g. blood), energy (e.g. nervous system impulses) and the
non-physical (e.g. thoughts). - mKhris-pa(bile) is characterised by the quantitative and qualitative
characteristics of heat, and is the source of many functions such as
thermoregulation, metabolism, liver function and discriminating
intellect. - Bad-kan(phlegm) is characterised by the quantitative and qualitative
characteristics of cold, and is the source of many functions such as
aspects of digestion, the maintenance of our physical structure, joint
health and mental stability.
The imbalances in an individual are revealed by a combination of
reported symptoms, pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, and urine analysis.
The overall physical appearance of the person and information about their
daily habits, and consideration of seasonal influences also contribute to
the analysis. The Tibetan pulse diagnosis appears to be derived from the
Chinese system, and is taken at the same artery of each wrist, but the
method of feeling the pulse and the interpretations differ. Tongue diagnosis
is simplified compared with the Chinese system (long disorders are
characterised by red and dry tongue, chiba disorders by a yellowish tongue
coating, and peigen disorders by a greyish and sticky coating with a smooth
and moist texture). Urine analysis is unique to the Tibetan system and may
have been introduced from Persia. Physicians inspect the colour, amount of
vapour, sediment, smell and characteristics of the foam generated upon
182 | Traditional medicine