Tibetan medicine is a unique theoretical system accumulated by the hardworking and brave Tibetan people in their long-term struggle with nature. It incorporates the essence of ancient Indian medicine, Arabian medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and other medical practices, forming a distinctive Tibetan medical theory. The geographical environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the nomadic lifestyle of the Tibetan ethnic group have contributed to the pharmaceutical characteristics of Tibetan medicine, which primarily uses pills as the main form of medication. This method has advantages such as easy portability, convenient administration, long shelf life, small dosage, and potent efficacy.
Administration Tibetan medicine is generally divided into two categories: ordinary drugs and precious drugs. There are not many specific requirements for taking ordinary drugs. The pills are usually crushed and taken with warm water or soaked in warm water before consumption. However, the administration of precious drugs is more strict. They should be soaked overnight and consumed on an empty stomach in the morning. The soaking process should be done with a covered cup. Firstly, pour hot water into the cup, with the water level just above the pills. Let the water cool down, then crush the pills and put them into the cup, and cover it. The next morning, around 6 am, add a small amount of hot water, stir, and consume the mixture along with the residue at the bottom of the cup. This is because precious drugs are made from various precious ingredients such as coral, pearl, agate, and Dzi bead, and soaking them before consumption enhances their effectiveness. Additionally, according to Tibetan medical theory, after a night of rest and adjustment, the gastrointestinal tract is free from other food, which helps the complete decomposition, dissolution, and absorption of the active ingredients of the medication, thus achieving the desired therapeutic effect.
There are various taboos to be observed during the administration of Tibetan medicine, including the timing, dosage, duration, and compatibility with other medications.
Timing Tibetan medicine believes that "dragon diseases" mostly occur in the early morning and evening, "red diseases" occur mostly at noon and midnight, and "peyba diseases" occur mostly in the morning and dusk. Therefore, medicines for treating dragon diseases should be taken in the early morning or evening, medicines for treating red diseases should be taken at noon or midnight, and medicines for treating peyba diseases should be taken in the morning or dusk.
The consumption of precious Tibetan medicines at around 6 am is based on the physiological principle of digestion and absorption, as this is the time when the body's digestive and absorptive functions are most active. Taking medication at this time facilitates digestion, absorption, and maximizes its effectiveness. Therefore, the administration time of precious medicines is generally set at this time.
When treating diseases, Tibetan medicine usually adopts a combination of several medicines to treat a single condition. It is common to have one main medicine and several auxiliary medicines, which are usually taken separately in the morning, noon, and evening.
Dosage and Duration Tibetan medicine must be taken in the prescribed dosage. A dosage that is too small may not have a therapeutic effect, while an excessive dosage may lead to poisoning, especially with precious Tibetan medicines. However, the dosage for the elderly, children, and patients at different stages of disease development should be adjusted according to their specific conditions.
Traditional Tibetan medical texts do not provide much information about the duration of treatment. Generally, for common illnesses, medication can be stopped once the symptoms have resolved. However, for chronic or difficult diseases such as hypertension, gout, atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer, hepatitis B, hemiplegia, epilepsy, diabetes, etc., continuous medication for 3 to 6 months may be necessary to achieve ideal therapeutic results.
Drug Compatibility With the increasing popularity of Tibetan medicine, the combination of Tibetan medicine and Western medicine has become a common practice. To avoid drug interactions that may interfere with the efficacy of the medications, it is recommended to have a time interval of at least 45 minutes between the administration of the two types of drugs when they cannot be temporarily discontinued.
When taking Tibetan medicine, it is also important to reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, avoid cold, spicy, and stimulating foods, as well as oily and acidic foods. For specific medication, it is advisable to follow the instructions on the package or consult a healthcare professional.
