Q: What would the Tibetan medical treatment be for Vitiligo? Conventional western medicine does not really have any type of treatment for this. Thank you Derek in Wisconsin |
A: Traditional Tibetan medicine explains that a disharmony in the three body principles -rLung, Tripa and Badkan will manifest on our skin. Dry skin, roughness and breaks on the skin indicate rLung disharmony affecting the skin; irritation and loss of surface temperature indicates disharmony in the Tripa and Badkan energy, respectively. As we know, skin is the largest vital part of our body, it protects the body from bacterial invasion and is the most sensitive organ in receiving external stimulus. Our skin, without us noticing, is continuously replaced by healthier tissues which clearly indicates that our skin takes nutrients from internal cellular membrane. Therefore, traditional Tibetan medicine considers the discoloration of the skin as a symptom rather than a problem by itself so applications of creams or ointments are not always helpful.
Sha-bKra (vitiligo) and eight other skin problems are caused by excessive growth of micro-organisms, excess of serous fluid, disturbance of evil spirit and imbalance in the three bodily energies. Sha-bkra is considered to be a very infectious skin disease and this can be further classified into rLung, Tripa and Badkan type. If the sha-bkra is rLung type than the part infected becomes rough and dark brown in color whereas Tripa type has red and burning sensation and falling of bodily hair on the infected part. If the infected part is pale and thick with irritation this is considered to be Badkan dominant sha-bkra.
Treatments are taking healthier food, resting, relaxing and the psychological aspects are considered as vital as the physical aspect of our life. Herbs like Sandalwood, Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Gingiber officinalis, Curcuma longa, Berberis aristata, Aspharagus sp, Saffron, Sesamum indicum and Hibiscus abelmoschus moschustus are used in general condition of the skin. Tibetan herbal formulas, Gurgum-13, Gawa-16, Khyungna, Poekar-10 are prescribed. The combination of pills that are used to treat sha-bkra depends on the individual dominant imbalanced energies. According to the ancient Tibetan medical text, the recommendation is a paste made out of Terminalia belerica, Hibiscus abelmochus moschatus, realgar, Adep’s suillus, black sulphur mixed with oil to be used for Sha-bKra.
- Dr. Namgyal