Tibetan Medicine
01 · Historical Records
The Shannan Tibetan medicinal bathing method, one of the five external therapies of Tibetan medicine recorded in the 'Four Medical Tantras' of Tibetan medicine, is an important component of Tibetan medicine and originated in the Shannan region of the Tibet Autonomous Region. With the migration of the Tibetan people and their integration with other ethnic groups, this heritage practice spread widely throughout the Tibet region and came to be widely applied in clinical practice there.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
It is a therapeutic method accumulated by the Tibetan ancestors in the practice of daily life and production, relying on the natural conditions and medicinal resources of the plateau, integrating prevention and treatment in one. The Shannan Tibetan medicinal bathing method is a traditional medical practice in which the whole body or part of the limbs is immersed in hot-spring water or a decoction of boiled medicinal herbs; through absorption by the skin or induced sweating, it achieves the therapeutic aims of dispelling cold and expelling wind, promoting sweating and urination, reducing swelling and relieving pain, invigorating blood and removing stasis, and drying dampness to stop itching. This method is applicable to a range of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, hemiplegia, poliomyelitis, postpartum wind-induced illness, and urticaria. The commonly used medicinal hot springs are sulfur springs, hanshui shi (calcite) springs, alum-stone springs, wulingzhi (Trogopterus dung) springs, and limestone springs. The medicinal bathing therapy commonly uses the 'Five-Flavor Nectar Decoction' for bathing. Its base formula consists mainly of round cypress leaves, Huanglong rhododendron leaves, water birch (Myricaria) branches, Tibetan ephedra, and ajania (qinghao). Medicines may be added according to the symptoms: for example, for indigestion caused by wind-cold, finely ground hanshui shi (calcite), bibo (long pepper), and ginger may be added to the bath water to strengthen the medicinal effect. Among these, the medicinal bathing method can be further divided into two types — water bathing and compress bathing — each with its own characteristics. Before bathing, the medicinal water must first be heated to an appropriate temperature (generally around 40°C), after which one enters the water to soak. Bathe twice daily, for half an hour each time; after bathing, cover oneself with a quilt to induce sweating for one to two hours. Seven days constitute one course of treatment. Depending on the needs of the condition, the bathing site may be either whole-body immersion or local immersion.
The five-ingredient sweet-dew formula
Juniper, yellow azalea, water-branch, Tibetan ephedra and Artemisia form the standing base from which most baths are brewed.
Adding herbs to the case
Indications are added to the base decoction—chillstone, long pepper and ginger ground fine for cold-related digestive complaints—so no two baths are quite alike.
Water immersion
The body or a limb is immersed in the heated decoction—about 40 degrees—and the remedy enters through the skin or by sweating.
Compress bathing
Alongside immersion there is compress bathing, in which cloth soaked in the decoction is laid over the affected part, suited to local complaints and the frail.
Hot-spring bathing
Of the two broad forms, the hot springs used medicinally are of sulphur, chillstone, alum, wulingzhi and limestone, each answering to different complaints.
Sweating and the course of treatment
Twice a day for half an hour, then sweating under the covers for an hour or two, over a seven-day course.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Tibetan medicinal bathing can broadly be divided into two types: hot-spring bathing and medicinal bathing.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine · Tibetan Medicine.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
Its traditional modes of transmission are mainly three: family inheritance, monastery inheritance, and institutional (school) inheritance. The Shannan Tibetan medicinal bathing method has a documented history of more than a century. In Tibetan medical texts, the health-preserving and disease-treating functions of bathing are also classified and described in detail, reflecting its historical and cultural value. This method makes full use of naturally formed hot springs, relying on natural medicinal materials, its special curative effects, and a convenient treatment process to benefit numerous patients; it has social value and practical value.
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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