Loizzo, Joseph J. Blackhall, Leslie J. Rapgay, Lobsang. “Tibetan Medicine: A Complementary Science of Optimal Health.” Longevity, Regeneration and Optimal Health: Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1172: 218-230 (2009)
In this article Blackhall observes traditional medical systems changing their theories and practices because conventional doctors and researcher find their methods incomprehensible. Blackhall argues using Tibetan medicine that traditional methods are rationally defined, internally coherent, and make testable predictions. Tibetan medicine is the most comprehensive of Eurasian healthcare and the worlds first integrative medicine. It includes mind/body and preventative medicine incorporating Indian Buddism and secular life. Qualitative theories and intersubjective methods show Tibetan medicine to be more accurate and effective than modern medicine and science. The author fully reviews the history of Tibetan medicine (acupuncture, herbal pharmacology, nutrition, yoga and meditation) including the gathering of eminent physicians from neighboring civilizations and who organized in medicine in a manner that created cures and also preventions. The theory is to look at the body’s organization and fix the organ system, tissue, or element. Through looking at the history and practices of Tibetan medicine modern medicine has been able to research and confirm testable predictions made by the Tibetans. Blackhall concludes that traditional medicines are certainly a complementary medicine. It does not need to be altered into modern medicine but can be used as a valuable key for modern scientific medicine.
I am certainly curious about how traditional medicine has affected Bylakuppe and other parts of India. I realize that learning about traditional medicine for different areas will be very different and will be nearly impossible to learn about in our couple weeks of traveling but maybe in the future I could look at it further. How different is traditional medicine in the monasteries vs. homes and hospitals? How different is it form home to home?
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