Tibetan medicine is a unique medical system formed through long-term practice on the basis of extensive absorption and integration of the theories of traditional Chinese medicine, Indian medicine and Macrophagia medicine. So far, it has a history of thousands of years and is one of the more complete and influential national medicine in China.
Early History
Traditional Tibetan medicine has a long history of over 3800 years. Back to ancient times, the inhabitants living in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the struggle with nature gradually realized the performance of some plants and used them in the treatment according to their experience. And during the hunting process, and they gradually know pharmacological effects of some animal.
According to legend, in the third century BC, there is a saying that “once there is a poison, there is an antidote”. Recorded in the biography of Yutuo Yuandan Kampot the earliest popular Tibetan medicine Book is called "Stupid Medicine". As there was not formed systematic theory at that time, there were mainly three kinds of external treatment, which are phlebotomy, fire therapy, massage therapies to cure diseases. At the same time, they use butter to stop bleeding, and cure trauma therapy with barley wine and other primitive simple solutions.
In the Fourth Century AD, the famous physician Biqigaqi and Bilazhi went to Tibet. They disseminate "Pulse", "Drug", "wounded" and other five medical books and has positive effect on the Bon Medicine’s development.
During the Tibetan Empire
After the Sixth Century AD, the mainland central plain’s medicine and Chinese calendar were introduced to Tibet. At the Seventh Century, Princess Wencheng brought four 404 kinds of prescription, five kinds of diagnostics, six kinds of medical equipments as well as four kinds of medical treatises such as "Canon of Medicine", etc.. In the Eight Century, Princess Jincheng brought many medical personals and medical treatise, and translated some of the treatise into Tibetan language.
Trisong Detsen period, the development of Tibetan medicine achieved its heyday. There were nine famous doctors, including Youthog Yontag Gonopo, Biqilieqong, Wubaqusang, Qiqixiebu, Miniangrongji, Changtijisang, Niebaqusang, Dongmengtajie and Taitabu, etc. Yutuo Yuandang Kampot was the most famous one.
Youthog Yontag Gonopo(708-835) was the most outstanding physician during Tubo dynasty. He had served as the imperial physician when Trisong Detsen ruled. He is the founder of Tibetan medicine system. He combined Chinese and foreign medical findings, edited more than thirty medical treatises. Among them, "The Four Medical Tantras " is the most famous one. The book’s completion marked the formation of Tibetan medicine medical theory. Since then, Tibetan medicine had entered a new stage of development.
Further Development
With the development of medical practice, after the 15th Century, Tibetan medicine gradually formed two schools in the North and the South Tibet. They summed up in northern alpine region and southern valley of the disease and its treatment experience, have their own characteristics.
After the Eighteenth Century, the famous physician extensively collected drugs’ specimens, and compiled the Jinzhu Materia Medicine with collection contains more than two thousand species of Tibetan name of the drug. The drug form, taste and function were told was very detailed in the book.
After Liberation of Tibet
In 1959, after the Democratic Reform in Tibet, especially since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Tibetan medicine has been under all levels to further attention and support of leaders at all levels, so that, Tibetan medicine in Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu and other areas inhabited by Tibetans all has achieved considerable progress.
Ask a Question
