Origin and history of the TTM
Traditional Tibetan Medicine, called Sowa Rigpa, the "science of healing," is one of the three major natural healing traditions of Asia, alongside Traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurveda. Its roots are believed to extend back approximately 8,000 years. Yogis living in seclusion in nature discovered the healing properties of certain plants by observing the behavior of animals, which instinctively used these plants to treat injuries. Further insights into the healing effects of specific foods, thermal waters, and other natural resources, as well as the positive effects of external therapies, together form a wealth of knowledge that was preserved and passed down by ancient healers. In the 12th century, Yuthok Yonten Gonpo the Younger completed his clinical studies on Gyud Zhi, the Four Tantras of Medicine. This form of the Four Tantras remains the foundation of Tibetan Medicine, which is widely practiced in Tibet, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh, Mongolia, and parts of Russia.
The intention here is to combine spiritual practice and therapeutic work. Traditional Tibetan Medicine (TTM) is highly complex in its overall structure and methodology. Its focus is on a holistic approach to maintaining or achieving both mental and physical health. TTM integrates the wisdom of various healing systems: Indian Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, Persian Unani medicine, and the ancient knowledge of Mongolian shamanic Bön medicine. It is therefore a very complex and comprehensive method for maintaining health and treating illness.
Cosmology in Tibetan therapy
The five elements (space, fire, earth, water, and air) not only constitute the outer dimension, the universe in which we live, but also the inner dimension of our being. Body. The three humors, or fundamental energies, known in Ayurveda as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The following terms are used: Lung (wind), Tripa (bile) and Beken (mucus), which in turn are derived from the five They are formed into elements. They are located in specific body regions and are positioned in Connection with so-called mental poisons: attachment and desire are associated with lung. In connection with Tripa, anger and rage, and ignorance and incompetence with Beken. Furthermore All five elements have specific functions, relate to one of the five senses, and have their counterparts in specific organs and limbs. An excess or deficiency of one or more of these elements can have an effect. Imbalances in multiple fundamental energies lead to disturbances in the system, which then manifest as symptoms or illnesses. The goal of Traditional Tibetan Medicine is therefore... Harmonization and balance of the five elements and the different forms of energy.
What are the diagnostic methods in TTM?
To identify any imbalances within the three energy forms, a Tibetan doctor or healer will always perform a urinalysis, a practice originating in the shamanic practices of the Bön tradition. Examining urine is crucial because, unlike pulse diagnosis, which provides more subtle information about the status of internal organs, it offers direct insights into the body's internal state. According to Traditional Tibetan Medicine (TTM), urine reflects the body's internal state and thus represents a simple and direct method for understanding the patient's condition.In addition to questioning the patient, other diagnostic methods include eye diagnostics and observation of the shape and appearance of the lips.
What different treatment methods are there in TTM?
In Traditional Tibetan Medicine (TTM), disease prevention is at least as important as treatment. A wide variety of treatment methods are employed. Besides traditional Tibetan massage (Ku Nye), moxibustion, cupping, and smudging, as well as acupressure (derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine) and acupuncture with the golden needle, Tibetan healing yoga (Lu Jong), meditation, mantra recitation, and teachings on proper lifestyle, knowledge of diet tailored to individual constitution plays a central role. Tibetan medicine is a constitutional theory based on the three pillars of the human constitution. o.g. Fundamental energies. Every person carries within them an individual mixture of these three principles of action, resulting in seven different constitutional types. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TTM), there are up to 84,000 different disorders that can occur, which are further subdivided into 404 main diseases. All diseases are categorized according to their effects as cold, hot, or a combination of both. All substances used in treatment (herbs, minerals, etc.) as well as all therapeutic measures can also be classified into these categories. An important foundation and prerequisite for a healthy body and mind is an optimally functioning digestive fire (medrö), without which digestive disorders can occur and the inner fire (tummo), which leads to happiness, cannot be ignited.
Traditional Tibetan medicine is therefore a naturopathic treatment method that has collected and completed knowledge from various traditions and practices, and whose intention is to restore an inner balance in the human being.
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Thank you so much, dear Karin, for this fascinating insight!