Tibetan medicinal plants

Increasingly, modern medicine relies on so called traditional or ancient medical knowledge. Holistic practices such as adhering to proper diet, observing rules for appropriate behavior, and administering medical preparations are coupled with the latest technology and methods to treat the whole patient. In light of this trend, there is much to be gained from understanding of one of the oldest medical systems still in existence. Tibetan Medicinal Plants provides you a detailed analysis of how Tibetan plants are used in this centuries old system.

The book opens with a summary of Tibetan medicine and covers the various habitats in which the plants are found. The main part of this volume encompasses 60 monographs listed by the Tibetan plant name. Each monograph consists of several chapters addressing different topics related either to the Tibetan or the Western approach. Most of the monographs contain a description of the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the used plant parts, and anatomical features of 76 plants are provided.

Each monograph presents an overview of the known chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of each plant and describes their use in Tibetan medicine. In contrast to other publications on Tibetan medicine, where translations of the Tibetan terms are given in other languages, this book treats the Tibetan word as a technical term, keeps the Tibetan term and explains its meaning, lessening confusion by reducing the number of translations.

Traditional Tibetan medicine has been in existence for centuries. Curative practices existed in the prebuddistic era, and the art of healing developed more than 2500 years ago. Tibetan Medicinal Plants provides a comprehensive overview of all plant types, thus making it easier to grasp the Tibetan concept. It gives you a comprehensive look at this centuries old science.

Tibetan Medicine
Introductory Comments
History of Tibetan Medicine
Tibetan Medicine in Exile
The Fundamental Treatise rygud bzhi
The Three Humours
Diet
Behaviour
Tibetan Materia Medica
Properties of Plants
Plant Collecting and Storing
Formulations
References
Titles of Related Interest
Habitats of Tibetan Medicinal Plants
Cold Steppes
Pastoral Semideserts
Giant Kobresia Bogs
Pigmy Kobresia Turf
Alpine Cushion Vegetation
Conifer Forests
Birch Forests
Subalpine Herb Meadows
(Sub)alpine Humid Pastures
Dwarf Scrub
Species-Rich Shrubberies
Montane Caragana-Artemisia Steppes
Subalpine Tussok Grass Steppes
Subalpine Pastoral Semideserts
References
Monographs
Glossaries