Tibetan Medicine
01 · Historical Records
The bone-injury treatment of Diqing grew out of the older methods of Tibetan traumatology: first, fresh natural herbs with bone-setting efficacy are pounded into a paste for external application, then combined with orally administered Tibetan medicines — neither surgery nor long journeys to seek treatment are required. This approach took root in the high, cold mountain terrain of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan, suiting the local reality of sparse population and difficult transport.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Tibetan medicine is an important component of the ethnic medicines of China. Tibetan medicine has a long history. It is an ethnic medical system formed by the Tibetan people through long-term production and living practice in the natural environment of high altitude and oxygen scarcity, continuously accumulated and refined over time. Its history is long and deep, its medical texts are extensive and profound, and its theoretical system is complete. The Diqing Tibetan bone-injury therapy is based on the theories of traditional Tibetan traumatology, combining external application of a paste made by pounding fresh natural herbs with bone-setting efficacy with oral administration of traditional Tibetan medicines. The Diqing Tibetan bone-injury therapy consists of three basic steps: reduction, external medication with splinting or traction fixation, and functional exercise. The most distinctive of these is external medication with splinting or traction fixation. This step encompasses the early, middle, and late stages of fracture healing. In the early stage, the external medicine 'Trauma No. 1' (composed of Tiegu San, borneol, safflower, Xueshan Yizhihao, etc.), which has the effects of clearing heat, reducing swelling, relieving pain, and invigorating blood to remove stasis, is applied, together with splint fixation or continuous traction fixation as appropriate; traditional Tibetan medicines such as Sangqiong Wan, 'Shiwei Ruxiang Wan' (Ten-Ingredient Frankincense Pills), and 'Shibawei Dujuanhua Wan' (Eighteen-Ingredient Rhododendron Pills) are taken orally, whose pharmacological action is to unblock the sinews, bones, and vessels and to invigorate blood and remove stasis. In the middle stage, the external medicine 'Trauma No. 2' (composed of Tiegu San, safflower, Gusuibu, angelica, hazel bark, etc.), which has the effects of setting bones and relaxing the sinews, is applied, with external splint fixation or continuous traction according to the condition; the Tibetan medicines 'Jiegu Xiaoyan Wan' (Bone-Setting Anti-Inflammation Pills), 'Bawei Zhenpi Wan' (Eight-Ingredient Hazel Bark Pills), and 'Darqiang San' are taken orally, whose main pharmacological action is to promote bone cell generation, ossification, bone union, and reduction of inflammation. In the late stage, the 'Five-Flavor Nectar' medicinal bath is used, along with oral administration of medicines such as 'Shiliu Rilun Wan' (Pomegranate Sun Wheel Pills) and Basangmu butter pills, which have the effects of tonifying the kidney, strengthening the bones, replenishing qi, and nourishing the blood to strengthen the sinews and bones; appropriate functional exercise is also undertaken. The 'Five-Flavor Nectar' medicinal bath has the effects of reducing inflammation and relieving pain, invigorating blood and removing stasis, strengthening the sinews and bones, preventing muscle atrophy, and preventing joint stiffness. The main ingredients of the external medicines are all sourced locally and prescribed according to the theory of Tibetan medicine, giving rise to the distinctive Diqing Tibetan bone-injury therapy.
Reduction
The first stage returns the fragments to their proper place, without which neither splinting nor exercise can be attempted.
Injury formula no.1
Applied in the first stage after fracture to clear heat, reduce swelling and relieve pain, with three oral pills taken alongside to free the channels.
Injury formula no.2
The second formula, used once swelling has settled, carries iron girdle powder, safflower, drynaria, angelica and hazel bark, promoting bone formation and connection.
Bathing and tonifying in the late stage
A sweet-dew bath relieves pain and prevents wasting of muscle, while pills made from pomegranate and other tonics strengthen kidney, blood and sinew.
Splinting and traction
Splinting or continuous traction holds the alignment after the paste is applied, until the callus can stand movement.
Rehabilitation exercises
The final and most easily neglected stage: without measured movement once swelling settles, joints stiffen and muscles waste away.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Drawing on the essence of traditional Tibetan trauma treatment, adapting to local conditions, and combining with local resource conditions, a distinctive therapy has been formed. The Tibetan ethnic group is one of China's ethnic minorities with a long history. In Yunnan, Tibetans are mainly distributed in Diqing Prefecture. The application of Tibetan medicine in Diqing is primarily among the Tibetan people, with exchange and cross-use with the neighboring Naxi, Lisu, and Bai ethnic groups. Because of its good efficacy and low-cost sourcing of materials, the Tibetan bone-injury therapy has now become a unique characteristic of Tibetan medicine in Diqing, earning the trust of people in surrounding areas and of patients at home and abroad.
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04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
Because of its good efficacy and low-cost sourcing of materials, the Tibetan bone-injury therapy has become a unique characteristic of Tibetan medicine in Diqing, earning the trust of people in surrounding areas and of patients at home and abroad. The application of Tibetan medicine is primarily among the Tibetan people, but it also exchanges and is used interchangeably with the neighboring Naxi, Lisu, and Bai ethnic groups, with no strict boundary between them.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Qiangbachilie 01-0220
- Nimaciren 01-0221
- Suolangqimei 01-0222
- Gawu 01-0223
- Duoji 01-0224
- Tangka Angwengjiangcuo 01-0225
- Gesangnima 01-0226
- Mima 03-1450
- Gesangciren 03-1451
- Lixianjia 03-1452
- Danzengpengcuo 03-1453
- Suolangdunzhu 03-1454
- Luosangduoji 03-1455
- Baimajiacuo 03-1456
- Eri 03-1457
- Gamacuoni 03-1458
- Sangjie 03-1459
- Nima 03-1460
- Zhandui 04-1947
- Mingzhu 05-2957
- Suonanwangjie 05-2958
- Nimacairang 05-2959
- Dansongzhaba
- Yujue
- Duojierenqing
- Cirenluobu
- Kanzhaojia
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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