The ancient Tibetan system of medicine has some effect in treating AIDS, the personal physician to the Dalai Lama, Dr Tsewang Tamdin said.
Dr Tamdin, who was present during the just-concluded Kalachakra Puja, claimed preliminary tests carried on HIV carriers had shown encouraging results.
Other diseases like cancer, liver failure, skin and kidney ailments, bronchitis and Alzheimer`s disease also had a high rate of cure through application of ancient Tibetan medicines.
Based in New Delhi for the past 19 years before moving to Dharmshala recently, Dr Tamdin is the Pharmaceutical Director of Men-Tse-Khang (Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute).
Men-Tsee-Khang, based in Dharamshala, is a cultural, educational and charitable institution, functioning under the guidance and support of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Dalai Lama.
The institute`s primary objective is to preserve, practise and propagate the ancient system of Tibetan medicine.
The college prepares new doctors to work in numerous clinics in India and Nepal. These clinics provide health care to thousands of Tibetans, Indians and foreign patients.
Free or concessionary health care is given to the poor and needy, monks and nuns and to all new arrivals from Tibet.
The college has been training students since 1961. Students studying traditional medicine attain a five-year Kachupa degree or Bachelor of Traditional Tibetan Medicine and Surgery while students studying astrological sciences attain a five-year Tsipa Kachupa degree or Bachelor of Traditional Tibetan Astronomy and Astrology. Students had to undergo a yearlong Internship also.
The Tibetan system of Medicine, which is more than 2500 years old, adopts a holistic attitude towards treatment or healing, Dr Tamdin said.
