An Interview by Sondra M. Buschmann of Lobsang Dhondup, a traditional Tibetan Physician
What is the Tibetan view of basic infectious diseases that we have today?
Tibetan Medicine physicians in the 11th century wrote an authoritative Tantra on 18 infectious diseases. They wrote about their understanding of the basic characteristics of the viruses of these diseases. The text stated that causes for these viruses would be due to a toxic environment, pollution and toxic sexual behavior. They wrote about a deep understanding of the diseases caused by viruses entering different locations in the body. These diseases were classified as 18 different infectious diseases, which today we refer to as cancer, AIDS, Hepatitis A, B, & C and Meningitis to name a few.
Example: The viral entrance into the brain is called 'Licir in Tibetan. The symptoms and characteristics stated in the Tantra were similar to those of modern day meningitis. Those symptoms were: high fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and inflammation of the membranes or meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Example: A virus that enters the liver is called Tebamicher. The Tantra stated this virus has characteristics similar to modern day Hepatitis A, B, & C. The Tantra text discusses three different stages. The first stage is acute wind and heat domination, which affects the immune system and brings about inflammation. The second stage is a chronic inflammation symptom. The virus is active with increased bile infection. The third stage is marked by the destruction of liver tissue and loss of liver function. This is viewed as more of a cold condition of the liver, with symptoms of loss of appetite, fatigue, yellow skin, yellow eyes and lymph nodes retaining fluids.
If the body already has a hormone imbalance before a virus enters into the liver, the onset of liver disease will make all previous conditions worse. Liver disease produces major affects on emotions: high and low swings of emotion, proneness toward anger and anxiety, and depression.
How does Tibetan Medicine view the AIDS virus?
Presently, the proliferation of the AIDS virus is the product of modern times, even though a precursor of this virus, namely herpes, did exist in the past. In Tibet, people who became ill with this strain of herpes would take Tibetan herbs, laxatives and emetics for six to seven months to rid the body of this virus. During this time the patient would also have to entirely abstain from sexual intercourse. It is believed today by Tibetan physicians that the result of people taking pharmaceutical drugs to treat a herpes virus, that later mutates into an AIDS virus, makes treatment ineffective.
The Tibetan Oral Instruction Tantra implicitly comments on such treatments when it states: "If one does not know how to treat infectious and microbial diseases effectively, one's remedy may exacerbate the disease. While "AIDS" has existed for about twenty-five years, the nature of this disease was prophesized long ago in various ancient Tibetan medical treaties (writings) which described its origins.
Is there one herbal formula in Tibetan Medicine for Cancer?
According to Tibetan medicine, there is no one medication that provides effective treatments for all types of cancer. The physician must know how all three humors (Bile, Phlegm and Wind) are involved in any type of cancer. There may be an imbalance of one, two, or all three humors which makes the cancer especially dangerous. It is not enough to simply treat the organisms responsible for the cancer. Herbs must be prescribed to treat the disorder as a whole and these depend on the humors and elements involved. According to Tibetan medicine, since cancer is caused by micro-organisms, it is very important not to conduct a biopsy unless it is absolutely imperative, since this creates a disturbance in the body that may exacerbate the disease.
What is the basis of Tibetan Medicine?
The Tibetan medical tradition is based on the teachings of the Buddha, who was able to see into the future. He prophesized the nature, origins, and appropriate treatments for various illness that are prevalent now. In contrast, modern medicine is based upon scientific research and places its hope in future research rather than in practical healing accomplishments developed over thousands of years. If medical researchers would focus carefully on the mind-body-spirit relationship, they would have a deeper understanding of the nature of illnesses and treat them more effectively.
According to Buddhist prophecies, modern illnesses were caused by micro-organisms, including the various types of cancer that arise due to contaminates that have been introduced into the atmosphere and the environment at large. In addition, according to the Buddhist tradition some of today's food additives are responsible for many of the modern diseases that beset us now.