Tibetan Medicine: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Research Available in the West

Abstract

Background. Little is known about Tibetan medicine (TM), in Western industrialized countries. Objectives. To provide a systematic review of the clinical studies on TM available in the West. Data Sources. Seven literature databases, published literature lists, citation tracking, and contacts to experts and institutions. Study Eligibility Criteria. Studies in English, German, French, or Spanish presenting clinical trial results. Participants. All patients of the included studies. Interventions. Tibetan medicine treatment. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods. Included studies were described quantitatively; their quality was assessed with the DIMDI HTA checklist; for RCTs the Jadad score was used. Results. 40 studies from 39 publications were included. They were very heterogeneous regarding study type and size, treated conditions, treatments, measured outcomes, and quality. Limitations. No Russian, Tibetan, or Chinese publications were included. Possible publication bias. Conclusions. The number of clinical trials on TM available in the West is small; methods and results are heterogeneous. Implications of Key Findings. Higher quality larger trials are needed, as is a general overview of traditional usage to inform future clinical trials. Systematic Review Registration Number. None.

Below the radar innovations and emerging property right approaches in Tibetan medicine

“…According to the study, 103 diseases or symptoms were reported in the included trials. Another related study gives important information about the clinical trials in Tibetan medicine done in the West (Reuter, Weisshuhn, & Witt, 2013). The study notes that there are compromises done on the traditional Tibetan compounds for adaptation to the local situations and regulatory aspects, which forced the reinvented formulas to have lesser components (e.g., the case of traditional Byu-Dmar 25 to Byu-Dmar 13 [medicine for migraine prophylaxis] (Schwabl & Vennos, 2015)).…”

Tibetan Medicine for Cancer

“…In this system, breast and uterine cancer are placed as a blood type of cancer. 18 Cancer that results from any chronic injury or wound is known as tson-dre (Tib. Mtshon-'bras), or "injuryderived" cancer.…”

Comprehensive Investigation of the Differences of the Roots of Wild and Cultivated Mirabilis himalaica (Edgew) Heim Based on Macroscopic and Microscopic Identification Using HPLC Fingerprint

“…e application of modern scientific tools to investigate these species can provide insight into available medicinal plant germplasm resources and facilitate their eventual development into modern medical products. Tibetan medicine has a long history [1][2][3][4][5][6]. AshaGanaha is originally from Mirabilis himalaica (Edgew) Heim radix (MH), and its dried root is popular in Tibetan medicine (TM), a medicine that is used to treat nephritis, edema, gonorrhoea, lumbago, arthralgia, uterine cancer, and bladder stones [7,8].…”