Herb Groups of Tibetan Medicine

As with other Traditions, Tibetan Medicine has a number of standard combinations regularly used in their formulas. While some of these are derived from Ayurveda, such as Triphala (Myrobalans) and Trikatu (Three Pungents), others are unique to Tibetan Medicine.

Six Excellent Drugs

One Tibetan group of herbs of particular interest is the Six Excellent Drugs. This combination is composed of one medicine for each of the 5 Main Organs (5 Yin Organs of TCM), Heart, Lungs, Liver, Spleen and Kidney, as well as the ‘Life Channel’ (Du Mai of TCM), the primary channel for Yang Qi. In addition each of the Dosas (Humors–Phlegm, Bile and Wind) are affected by 2 medicines. It is regarded as fairly Neutral in nature. For these reasons, it is commonly added to large formulas for complex diseases. When combined with Triphala, which also balances and regulates the Dosas (Humors), it becomes a powerful compound for regulating the Humors and balancing the Organs.

Table taken from Essentials of Tibetan Medicine, Gyatso & Hakin

Within this group of Six Drugs are several other groups, as demonstrated in the table above. Three and Four Warming and Cooling Drugs, used for Cold and Heat diseases respectively.

Pomegranate Formulas

Another important group of combinations is that based on Pomegranate seeds. The Pomegranate Formulas are all used to warm and strengthen Digestion, and increase Digestive Heat.

Pomegranate 4

There are a number of variations of Pomegranate Four, all having similar effects, but slightly different emphasis. They warm and strengthen the Stomach, promote Digestion and enhance the formation of Chyle suitable to make good blood and Humors (1st Digestion). When Safflower is added, it enhances the effect in the Liver of producing good Blood from the Chyle (2nd Digestion).

Pomegranate, Cinnamon, Green Cardamon, Long Pepper
Pomegranate, Cinnamon, Green Cardamon, Galangal
Pomegranate, Cinnamon, Safflower, Long Pepper
Pomegranate, Green Cardamon, Safflower, Galangal

Pomegranate 5

Pomegranate 5 combines Pomegranate, Cinnamon, Green Cardamon, Long Pepper and Galangal. Its effects are generally as for Pomegranate 4.

Pomegranate Sanctuary

This is the same as Pomegranate 5, but substitutes Safflower for Galangal. It is a stand-alone formula but may also be found as a component of larger formulas. The warming spices and Pomegranate help the Stomach produce good Chyle (1st Digestion). When Safflower is added it aids the Liver in producing good blood from the Chyle (2nd Digestion). It is also used for obstruction of the channels.

Other Tibetan Combinations

Two Gums
Gu gul gnyis

Myrrh
Frankincense

Combined for Lymph disorders, and to move the Blood and clear stasis.

Two Cumins

Cumin
Nigella

They warm and strengthen the Stomach, clear Wind and Damp and increase Digestive Heat.

In some sources, Caraway or related seed is listed in place of Nigella. Fennel may also be used. It is similar to the 4 Warm Seeds of the Western Tradition.

Two Sandalwoods
Tsan dan gnyis

White Sandalwood
Red Sandalwood

Combined for Heat diseases and Fever.

Three Fruits (Triphala)
A bar skyur gsum

    Chebulic Myrobalan
    Emblic Myrobalan
    Belleric Myrobalan

Used as for Triphala in Ayurveda.

Three Seeds
‘Bras sna gsum.

    Mango kernel – a ’bras
    Java plum (Eugenia jambolana) – sra ‘bras
    Fever nut (Caesalpinia) – ‘jam ‘bras

This combination warms and strengthen the Kidneys.

Three Supplementary Medicines

    Saffron/Safflower
    Lesser Cardamon
    Long Pepper

Added to enhance certain formulas.

Three for Lymph disorders

    Frankincense
    Cassia tora seed
    Abelmoschus moschatus seed

Combined for Lymph disorders.

Three Bitters

    Indian Chiretta (Swertia spp)
    Tibetan Chiretta (Swertia spp)
    Nepalese Chiretta (Swertia app)

Clears Heat of Blood and Bile, stops Fever, clears Heat of the Liver and Gall Bladder. Commonly, Indian Chiretta (Swertia) is substituted for all 3 as the others are often not available. Gentian may also be used.

Three Salts

    Ammonium chloride
    Rock Salt
    Black Salt

Treats Wind and Phlegm diseases, strengthens Digestion

Minister Three
Blon po gsum

    Tabasheer,
    Safflower
    Bezoar

Used to clear Heat.

Three Woods
Shing mcho gsum

    White Sandalwood
    Red Sandalwood
    Aloeswood

Three Horns
Gwa dor gsum

    Deer horn
    Rhinoceros Horn
    Tibetan Elk horn

Used to dry pus and excess Lymph fluid.

Four Red Medicines
Dmar po bzhi

    Madder
    Lacca
    Tibetan Gromwell (Onosma hookeri)
    Sapphireberry (Symplocos)

Combined for Blood diseases.

Balancing Four

    Rock Salt
    Fresh Ginger
    Chebula
    Long Pepper

Together, these medicines are a foundation for formulas used to treat Cold-Phlegm.

Inula Four

    Inula
    Raspberry (kan ta ka ri)
    Tinospora
    Galangal

This forms the Decoction of Elecampane Four, but is also a component of other formulas.

Used for acute Fever, Cold, Influenza; Deficient Fever, Fever with Wind, and to bring out ‘Hidden Fever’.

Five Principal Medicines
Rtsa ba lnga

    Angelica glauca root
    Mirabilis himalaica root
    Soloman’s Seal root
    Tribulus seed
    Asparagus root

This combination is rejuvenating and strengthening, nourishing Yin and Blood and warms Kidney Yang. Increases strength and vigor, good for the Elderly, debilitated and to nourish the 7 Body Constituents.

Note that in the compound, Dang Gui can be used for the Tibetan Angelica and Withania can replace Mirabilis.

Six Excellent Medicines
Bzang drug

    Tabasheer
    Safflower
    Clove
    Nutmeg
    Lesser Cardamon
    Greater Cardamon

An important combination used to help balance and harmonise the Organs of the body. See Six Excellent Medicines. See also other Excellent Medicine combinations below.

Other Tibetan Groups

A byag gnyis (A byag pair)

A byag gzer ‘joms (Pyrethrum tatsienense) and A byag tsher sngon (Meconopsis horridula)

A gar gsum (Aloeswood 3)

Ar skya, Ar nag and Ar dmar

Bzang bzhi (Excellent Four)

Dza ti (Nutmeg), Li shi (Clove), Ka ko la (Greater Cardamon) and Sug smel (Lesser Cardamon)

Bzang gsum (Excellent Three)

Dza ti (Nutmeg), Ka ko la (Greater Cardamon) and Sug smel (Lesser Cardamon)

Bong nga bzhi (Four Aconites)

Bong nga dkar, Bong nga ser, Bong nga nag and Bong nga dmar

Bsil bzhi (Cool Four)

Cu gang (Tabasheer), Gur gum (Safflower), Li shi (Clove), and Sug smel (Lesser Cardamon)

Bsil gsum (Cool Three)

Cu gang (Tabasheer), Gur gum (Safflower), and Li shi (Clove), for the upper body or Sug smel (Lesser Cardamon) for the lower body.

Bcud bzh (Four Essences)

meat, butter, molasses and wine

Gu gul gnyis (Two Resins)

usually this is Gu gul (Bdellium) and Spos dkar (Frankincense). Sometimes appears to be Bdellium and Myrrh.

Drod gsum (Heating Three)