Welcome to The Gardens of Tanadug!
The first thing we encounter when we open Rgyud bzhi, the Four Medical Tantras, is the description of Tanadug – the mandala of Medicine Buddha. Although symbolic, Tanadug carries deep meaning. As Dr Nida mentions in his interview, the Gardens of Tanadug can be compared to a very well structured botanical garden, which explains not only the different types of medicinal plants, but also basic principles of Tibetan medicine.
My big wish is that this edition will take you on a fascinating tour on this healing garden. You will learn about the theory of compounding Tibetan remedies in an article of Anu Rootalu, as well as practical, and easy to prepare, herbal recipes from Anastasia Teplyakova. A perspective on the challenges that Tibetan Medicine faces these days is well presented by Dr Eliot Tokar.
Those practicing Western medicine will surely be interested in the mechanisms of action of Tibetan herbs, explained on the example of Padma Lax, the laxative formula from Tibetan pharmacopeia. How can herbs help you maintain mental balance explains in detail Dr Alexandr Arbuzov, and Nashalla Gwyn discusses the effectiveness of herbal compresses.
For the first time we are publishing in the Journal a fragment of the original Tibetan text from the Four Tantras. It is always important to remember where our roots are.
Last, but not least, we pay tribute to the recently deceased Dr Wabe from Amdo, Tibet. This experienced Tibetan doctor and herbalist, a holder of the terma teachings of Tibetan medicine, shared his wisdom with us in his last interview after the amazing TTM congress in Kathmandu, Nepal at the end of 2014.
As it is said in the Four Tantras, nature provides us with everything we need to cure diseases. Let’s explore its richness!
Dr Anastazja Holečko – Managing Editor
Format A4, full color, 64 pages
