Medical Practice

Medicinal substances play an important role in curing diseases and recovering health in Bhutanese societies. Herbs, minerals and animal products are used both in the organized Sowa Rigpa medical tradition and the informal healing practices in Bhutanese communities. The Bhutanese traditional doctors and the villager have vast knowledge of the potency of various cereals, fruits, vegetables, herbs,seeds, tubers, minerals and animal products for different purposes. In the established Sowa Rigpa tradition, the ingredients are prepared through a systematic process into pills and powders whereas in the informal healing practices, the medicinal substances are often consumed raw or with minimal processing.