Why Do Many Visitors Fall Ill in Tibet? The Secrets of 1,000-Year-Old Ancient Medicine

Upon arrival at Gonggar Airport in Lhasa, visitors to Tibet are immediately confronted by the thin air at high altitudes, a significant challenge for those accustomed to lower elevations.

Lhasa sits at approximately 3,650 meters above sea level, a stark contrast to cities like Beijing at only 43 meters. This drastic change often leaves newcomers unprepared, leading to common symptoms of altitude sickness such as severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. In some cases, the condition can worsen, forcing individuals, like one South Korean journalist, to abandon their trip and return home.

While gradual acclimatization is the most effective preventive measure, tight schedules for international visitors often make this impossible. In response, Tibetan communities rely on the ancient system of traditional medicine known as Sowa Rigpa. For instance, the group of journalists was given Bawei Chenxiang Wan, a classic herbal remedy originating from "The Four Tantras," a Tibetan medical text over a thousand years old, which is used to treat various ailments associated with hypoxia, or oxygen deficiency.

Sowa Rigpa, which integrates influences from Indian Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and ancient Persian and Greek practices, operates on the principle of balancing the body's three vital energies: lung (wind), tripa (bile), and pekan (phlegm). Diagnosis involves careful examination of the pulse, tongue, urine, and in-depth patient interviews to determine the appropriate therapy. This traditional approach is complemented by modern medical technology, with institutions like the Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Medicine Hospital integrating diagnostic tools such as CT scans and MRIs, alongside telemedicine services.