History of Tibetan Medicine

The Tibetan system of medicine has a long and honored history. Our forefathers have met the challenge of combating diseases by developing a medical system, which is of an equal standing with all the traditional systems of medicine. It is one of the oldest medical traditions which still enjoy an unbroken lineage of practice.

There are a number of medical systems in the world, which are categorized as traditional, like a few, the Indian Ayurveda system, the Siddha, the Chinese, the Native American, the African, the Greek with which the Tibetan system, apparently, has a close relation. Although they have differences among them in terms of practice, due to diverse social and religious environment, they share many similarities.

Primitive inhabitants of Tibet, like other ancient people throughout the world, devised their own natural remedies. Applying residual barley from Chang (Tibetan beer made from barley) on swollen muscles or parts, drinking hot water in case of indigestion and using molten butter to stop bleeding and hemorrhoids are some of the practical experiences that gradually formed the basis for the development of Tibetan healing science.

The origins of gSowa Rigpa for dates back to a time immemorial. When the prominence of the Bon, the indigenous religion of Tibet, at its peak, gSowa Rigpa, one of the five major fields of traditional Tibetan sciences, was born. Here extensive historical records of the practice of gSowa Rigpa including the gSo-rig Bhoomshi, a complete reference on Tibetan medicine.

The gSo Rig Bhoomshi documents and summarizes centuries of experiential knowledge utilizing Tibetan Medicine’s healing methods. However, “the Four Tantras” (rgyud-bzhi) remain the foundation of Tibetan medicine today.