A text on Tibetan medicine says: "Always remember the two principal causes of disease: unhealthy food and unhealthy lifestyle." In 2010, India officially recognised Tibetan medicine as a "science of healing" and enshrined it within the nation's healthcare system, paving the way for future research and investment into the spiritual discipline.
Men-Tsee-Khang, also known as the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute, was founded in 1916 and was formally named the Tibet Autonomous Region Hospital of Traditional Tibetan Medicine in 1980. Tibetan culture has caught the pulse of people all around the world and so has the Tibetan healing science. About 1,200 years ago, the people of Tibet developed a comprehensive medical system that, much like Ayurveda, addressed both mind as and body through medicines made from plants and minerals. Although Tibetan medicine is many centuries old, almost dating back to 12th century and by some accounts 961 BC, the current system has been in practice for 100 years. In 1916 the 13th Dalai Lama established Men-Tsee-Khang (literally house of medicine and astrology) in Lhasa. It lasted 40 years till China invaded Tibet. The centre was then closed down, several of its staff and students imprisoned and priceless medical texts, scriptures, paintings and traditional medicines destroyed. Fortunately for the world, the 14th Dalai Lama, who moved to India and exile in 1961, re-established Men-Tsee-Khang in Dharamsala to continue the work. Practitioners of Tibetan medicine are expected to have intelligence, compassion, commitment, dexterity, diligence and morality. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet who has popularized the ancient medical form by opening MEN-TSEE-KHANG viz. Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute all over India.Today the Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical and Astrological institute has done a great deal to preserve Tibetan medical, astronomical and astrological traditions.
Humankind needs a healthy mind and a healthy body and the Tibetans are contributing to that need to help people. Researchers and physicians in medical fraternity have started to realise the high rate of efficacy of Tibetan medicine in treating many chronic diseases, which have either very remote or no specific treatment in western medicine so far. The Tibetan system seems to have a lot more plus points. There are almost no side-effects. Almost always the necessary antidotes are built into the treatment and the success rates seem to be a lot better, particularly with the average middle and lower middle classes because this is the only affordable system available to them. Diagnosis is by checking the pulse, urine, colour of the tongue, the sclera of the eye, and sensitivity of body pressure points. There is a great amount of emphasis on meditation, mental health and happiness. Treatment includes herbal preparations, refined metals and stones, dietary changes, spiritual advice, lifestyle changes, meditation, breathing exercises and yoga.
Tibetan Doctor holds the wrist firmly, closes his eyes and "reads" the pulse. Sometimes it's both the wrists. He quizzes the patient about his lifestyle, food habits and body functions. Their diagnosis is amazingly accurate because they tell everything to the patient in a positive way. No doubt, Tibetan pills work slowly but synergistically. Tibetan medicine is known to have worked well in chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis etc. There is cure in the Tibetan medicine for diseases such as hepatitis, thalassemia, and certain types of cancer.
Tibetan medicine has its roots in the region's monasteries and, to this day, many of the renowned doctors are high-ranking monks. Sometimes one pill has as many as 40 or more ingredients in it - many neuter any uncomfortable side-effect. There is no doubt that Tibetan medicine helps to bring our energies into balance and live a healthy, happy life. |
