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A collection of medical practices recorded from the oral instruction by Bha-ro-phyag-rdum.
Mercury an important therapeutic substance in Tibetan Medicine undergoes complex "detoxification" prior to inclusion in multi-ingredient formulas. In an initial cross-sectional study, patients taking Tibetan Medicine for various conditions were evaluated for mercury toxicity. Two groups were identified: Group 1, patients taking " Tsothel" the most important detoxified mercury preparation and Group 2, patients taking other mercury preparations or mercury free Tibetan Medicine. Atomic fluorescence spectrometry of Tibetan Medicine showed mercury consumption 130 µg/kg/day (Group 1) and 30 µg/kg/day (Group 2) ( P ≤ 0.001), levels above EPA (RfDs) suggested threshold (0.3 µg/kg /day) for oral chronic exposure. Mean duration of Tibetan Medicine treatment was 9 ± 17 months (range 3-116) (Group 1) and 5 ± 1.96 months (range 1-114) (Group 2) (NS) with cumulative days of mercury containing Tibetan Medicine, 764 days ± 1214 (range 135-7330) vs. 103 days ± 111 (range 0-426), respectively ( P ≤ 0.001). Comparison of treatment groups with healthy referents (Group 3) not taking Tibetan Medicine showed no significant differences in prevalence of 23 non-specific symptoms of mercury toxicity, abnormal neurological, cardiovascular and dental findings and no correlation with mercury exposure variables; consumption, cumulative treatment days, blood/ urine Hg. Liver and renal function tests in treatment groups were not significantly increased compared to referents, with mean urine Beta2 Microglobulin within the normal range and not significantly associated with Hg exposure variables after correcting for confounding variables. Neurocognitive testing showed no significant intergroup differences for Wechsler Memory Scale, Grooved Pegboard, Visual Retention, but Group1 scores were better for Mini-Mental, Brief Word Learning, Verbal Fluency after correcting for confounding variables. These results suggest mercury containing Tibetan Medicine does not have appreciable adverse effects and may exert a possible beneficial effect on neurocognitive function. Since evidence of mercury as a toxic heavy metal, however, is well known, further analysis of literature on mercury use in other Asian traditional systems is highly suggested prior to further studies.
Mercury an important therapeutic substance in Tibetan Medicine undergoes complex "detoxification" prior to inclusion in multi-ingredient formulas. In an initial cross-sectional study, patients taking Tibetan Medicine for various conditions were evaluated for mercury toxicity. Two groups were identified: Group 1, patients taking " Tsothel" the most important detoxified mercury preparation and Group 2, patients taking other mercury preparations or mercury free Tibetan Medicine. Atomic fluorescence spectrometry of Tibetan Medicine showed mercury consumption 130 µg/kg/day (Group 1) and 30 µg/kg/day (Group 2) ( P ≤ 0.001), levels above EPA (RfDs) suggested threshold (0.3 µg/kg /day) for oral chronic exposure. Mean duration of Tibetan Medicine treatment was 9 ± 17 months (range 3-116) (Group 1) and 5 ± 1.96 months (range 1-114) (Group 2) (NS) with cumulative days of mercury containing Tibetan Medicine, 764 days ± 1214 (range 135-7330) vs. 103 days ± 111 (range 0-426), respectively ( P ≤ 0.001). Comparison of treatment groups with healthy referents (Group 3) not taking Tibetan Medicine showed no significant differences in prevalence of 23 non-specific symptoms of mercury toxicity, abnormal neurological, cardiovascular and dental findings and no correlation with mercury exposure variables; consumption, cumulative treatment days, blood/ urine Hg. Liver and renal function tests in treatment groups were not significantly increased compared to referents, with mean urine Beta2 Microglobulin within the normal range and not significantly associated with Hg exposure variables after correcting for confounding variables. Neurocognitive testing showed no significant intergroup differences for Wechsler Memory Scale, Grooved Pegboard, Visual Retention, but Group1 scores were better for Mini-Mental, Brief Word Learning, Verbal Fluency after correcting for confounding variables. These results suggest mercury containing Tibetan Medicine does not have appreciable adverse effects and may exert a possible beneficial effect on neurocognitive function. Since evidence of mercury as a toxic heavy metal, however, is well known, further analysis of literature on mercury use in other Asian traditional systems is highly suggested prior to further studies.
<p><strong>Creator's Description</strong>: This article will show how Si tu paṇ chen became familar with many artistic schools and their aesthetics, how he gained the skills to appraise Tibetan painting and sculpture both critically and technically, and how he also developed as a self-trained artist.Using his own writings, I will discuss Si tu paṇ chen, the artist and how his connoisseurship and wider learning influenced his own paintings and statuary. Furthermore, I will make an assessment of his subsequent artistic influence; his celebrated status among his contemporaries, his lasting artistic influence on his disciples and the defining of the Dpal spungs school style. Finally, using the writings of late nineteenth- and twentieth-century scholars I will assess the impact of Si tu paṇ chen on the Karma sgar bris style and the classifying of the Karma sgar bris gsar ma. (2013-07-01)</p>
<p>This paper proposes that Gomchens (<em>sgom chen</em>), "great meditators" who make up a special type of religious practitioner in Bhutan, are a significant resource as advisors in the implementation of Gross National Happiness. The author gives a detailed description of the Gomchen tradition, their education and duties within the community. The paper then discusses how these qualities and activities are well suited to promoting the ideals of Gross National Happiness. (Ben Deitle 2006-02-07)</p>
<p>This article presents a study that found increasing numbers of wild dogs (<em>Cuon alpinus</em>) corresponded to decreasing numbers of wild boars (<em>Sus scrofa</em>) in Bhutan. This has important implications since there has been a population boom of prey species, such as wild boar, in recent times. Because wild boar are also agricultural pests, some farmers are moving away from the practice of killing wild dogs and are instead taking precautions to prevent wild dogs from attacking domestic livestock. The study also compares the habitat of wild dogs to that of leopards and tigers. (Ben Deitle 2006-02-09)</p>
A collection of rare medical instruction of the tradition of Bha-ro Phyag-rdum.
<p>A Tibetan-English-Hindi dictionary. (Michael Walter and Manfred Taube 2006-05-15, revised by Bill McGrath 2008-01-03)</p>
A class of complex Tibetan pills commonly called precious pills, or <i>Rinchen rilbu</i> in Tibetan, is a compounded Tibetan formula combining dozens of minerals and herbs. <i>Tsotel</i> (<i>btso thal</i>), the key medicinal compound in precious pills, synergizes with the other herbs and minerals in each formula and is used to treat strokes, inflammation, chemical poisoning, such as anthrax, neural disorders and diseases arising from various toxicities. Tibetans have used these medicines for at least 2000 years. However, since the medicinal compound of <i>tsotel</i> includes minerals such as gold, iron, and especially mercury, some scholars and physicians have toxicity concerns surrounding <i>tsotel</i> administration. Thus, elucidating the traditional process of compounding this medicinal substance will improve our understanding of <i>tsotel’s</i> safety and efficacy.
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