☸️Tibetan Medicine (Sowa Rigpa)

Traditional practice

This is a living tradition carried through lineage and community. Its value is documented through generations of practitioners rather than clinical trials. Absence of Western studies is not absence of wisdom.

• Herbal preparations and dosing. Herbs, tinctures, teas, and topical preparations can be gentle and powerful at the same time. They may interact with prescription medications or affect blood pressure, the liver, kidneys, or allergies. Quality and sourcing matter, so work with a knowledgeable practitioner and share your medication list.
• Fasting or restrictive diet. Fasts, cleanses, and prescribed diets can be meaningful, but they can also cause dizziness, low blood sugar, or electrolyte imbalance. They are best approached with care if you are pregnant, have diabetes, an eating-disorder history, or take medications that require food.
• Financial and spiritual exploitation risk. Sacred traditions can attract people who charge steep fees or claim exclusive spiritual authority. Trustworthy teachers welcome questions, encourage outside support, and never pressure you to pay for more than you can afford.

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility treatment. Several herbs, essential oils, deep-tissue techniques, extreme temperatures, and intense breath or plant-medicine practices are not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or IVF cycles. Disclose your status and ask for a practitioner with prenatal training.
• Prescription medication interactions. Bring a full medication list to your practitioner and pharmacist. Some common combinations need extra care, such as SSRIs and MAOIs with ayahuasca or St. John's wort, blood thinners with garlic or ginkgo, and immunosuppressants with many herbs. Your care team can help you navigate this.