Introduction: Tibetan Medicine Explanation(2-1)

By

HUMORS
As with any medical system, understanding the various functions of the body is essential in Tibetan medicine. However, the underlying physiological principles which create and maintain those functions are of primary importance.
Tibetan medicine defines three main systems which control all the body's processes.

Step 1: Tibetan Medicine Explanation(2-2)

These three systems are created at various stages of development in the womb by an interaction of our mind's developmental process and the 5 physical elements.

Embryologically, the mind acts as the basis for the creation of each individual's 3 principle physical systems: translated in English as Wind, Bile, and Phlegm. These three systems create and sustain all the body's functions.

Step 2: Tibetan Medicine Explanation(2-3)

Wind, creates an enormous number of functions. The best example of these functions is circulation, such as, circulation of our blood, circulation of the nervous system's impulses, circulation of thoughts in our minds, circulation of food through our digestive tract and eliminative organs.

The mind expressed as attachment, desire or our materialist world view is manifested as the system of Wind.

Step 3: Tibetan Medicine Explanation(2-4)

Phlegm, creates the physical principle whereby energy can create function, provides our body's lubrication, creates the will and allows us to have good memory among other things.
The mind expressed as ignorance or incomprehension is manifested as Phlegm.

Step 4: Tibetan Medicine Explanation(2-5)


A disturbance in one or a combination of these three principle systems results in illness. The disturbance can come from diet, behavior or environmental factors whose qualities, based on their constituent elements, act to disturb the qualities of any of the three energies.

The manner in which these factors can result in illness will be more or less complex depending on the acute or chronic nature of the problem. All illnesses must be seen as individual and based on the situation of the particular patient's background.