Traditional medicine struggles to reach beyond Himalayas
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E-mail CNTV, September 10, 2015
We're continuing our special series about Tibet by taking a look at the region's centuries-old medical system. Illnesses are treated using natural ingredients such as herbs, minerals and insects. As our reporter Martina Fuchs finds out, the Tibetan medicine is flying off the shelves among tourists visiting the high plateau.
This is the place where Tibetan medicine is flourishing. Since the establishment of the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College in Lhasa in 2008, between 50 to 60 different kinds of medicine plants have been cultivated here in these plots.
Whether you suffer from the flu or from liver problems, it is most likely that Tibetan traditional medicine has a cure. Similar to traditional Chinese medicine, it uses herbs, minerals, animal parts and insects.
With a history of at least 2,300 years, Tibetan medicine is one of the world's four traditional medicines, the other three being Chinese, Indian and Arab.
The Tibetan medical system is based on Indian Buddhist literature and Ayurveda, and continues to be practiced in Tibet, India, Nepal, and Mongolia.
It embraces the traditional Buddhist belief that all illness ultimately results from three poisons: ignorance, attachment and aversion.
"This is Gentiana tibetica. It's also called 'Twist Tube', because its roots usually grow, burst and form a twisted shape. It is mainly used in medicines for liver and gallbladder diseases," Prof. Lan Xiaozhong, Tibetan Medicine Plants r&d, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Tibet University, said.
It's also an endangered Tibetan medicine plant that is cultivated at the college for large-scale
production to guarantee future supply.
Tibetan medicine was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. And the claim for global recognition didn't stop there.
Last year, China's Ministry of Culture filed Tibetan medicine for UNESCO's intangible heritage approval.
Among tourists in the regional capital Lhasa, Tibetan medicine sells like hot cakes. Hardly anyone leaves without making a purchase.
"I have been suffering from high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. So I want to buy some Tibetan medical materials here to help me get rid of the diseases," Li Qiuzheng, tourist from Hebei province, said.
The Ganlu Traditional Tibetan Pharmacology Company based in a Lhasa suburb produces 55 different types of Tibetan medicine.
"The first step is to test all the materials to make sure they are qualified. And then we can enter the medicine-making process, which includes dispensing, compounding, smashing, and packaging. All the products go through a final inspection before they are offered for sale," Liu Li, Deputy Md, production dept. Of Ganlu Traditional Tibetan Pharmacology Co., said.
We have reached the final stage of the production process. We are packing Tibetan medicine which contains 70 ingredients such as herbs and insects. It helps prevent brain and heart disease.
Traditional Tibetan medical services have by now reached even the most remote parts of Tibet.
Authorities say that the region now counts 33 Tibetan medical institutions, 1,364 beds and 1,901 permanent Tibetan medicine doctors.
But although the Tibetan medicine is a bestseller in this world, it may still need many more years until it fills the shelves in far away countries.
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