Research papers, clinical studies, and scholarly articles by NTMH advancing traditional medicine knowledge
NTMH’s contributions to advancing Sowa Rigpa research and clinical knowledge
Zintig Zegyen, a classical Sowa Rigpa text, treasured for its insights into traditional Bhutanese medical knowledge and healing practices
Handwritten notes of the late Drungtsho Singye Namgay, a renowned traditional physician whose work contributed greatly to Bhutanese medical knowledge and practice
Handwritten notes of the late Drungtsho Singye Namgay, a renowned traditional physician whose work contributed greatly to Bhutanese medical knowledge and practice
medicinal plants belonging to 87 botanical families, recorded across an altitudinal range between 2000 and 5690 metres above sea level.
The User Guideline on KPIs for NTMH provides a comprehensive framework for the measurement, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of service performance and quality within NTMH. The guideline covers 38 Bhutan Health System Quality Assurance Key Performance Indicators specifically selected and adapted to reflect the requirements and service context of Traditional Medicine. For each KPI,
the guideline provides clear and standardised information on the definition, formula, unit of measurement, target, sample size, area of data collection, frequency of data collection, responsible or concerned official, and data source. These details provide users with clear instructions on what should be measured, how the indicator should be calculated, where and when data should be collected, who is responsible for the process, and which source should be used to ensure the reliability and consistency of the data.
Takpa-Tsa-Chu-Zhung-gi-Druk-Drel is a compendium of the principal theories of pulse reading and urine analysis, two important diagnostic methods in Traditional Medicine. The publication brings together the essential concepts, principles, and interpretative methods required for understanding and
applying these diagnostic practices in clinical settings.
The Therapy Guideline for Traditional Medicine Practitioners-1st Edition provides a standardised reference for the application and administration of TM therapeutic procedures in clinical practice. It provides detailed instructions on the identification of therapeutic points, appropriate measurements, anatomical locations, application techniques, and
procedures associated with different therapies to ensure safety, precautions, and appropriate therapeutic application.
The Synopsis on the Use of Materia Medica provides a systematic reference to the medicinal plants and raw materials used in the preparation and production of 124 Essential Traditional Medicines. It provides a comprehensive list of medicinal plants and other raw materials, together with information
on their medicinal values, therapeutic relevance, and specific parts used in the preparation of Traditional Medicine formulations. It also provides a checklist of the dosage forms of Essential Traditional Medicines, supporting systematic documentation of how different medicinal substances and formulations are prepared and administered.
The Standard Treatment Guideline-1st Edition provides a standardised clinical reference for the diagnosis and management of diseases according to the principles and practices of Sowa-Rigpa. The guideline provides detailed information on the pathological description of diseases, causal factors, classification, signs and
symptoms, diagnostic considerations, and appropriate treatment regimens. The guideline also outlines standard treatment regimens appropriate to different disease conditions, providing a consistent reference for clinical decision-making and management.
The guideline provides a structured framework for the effective governance and sustainable functioning of the NTMH Menlha Tshokpa, while ensuring clarity in membership, financial and administrative matters and providing a
consistent framework for the regular conduct and participation in the monthly Menlha Choga.
The guide provides clear, concise, and standardised information on the therapeutic benefits, indications, dosage, strength, and mode of administration of 101 Essential Traditional Medicines to support the safe,
effective, and rational use of Essential Traditional Medicines in daily clinical practice.
Druk-gi-Tshachhuyi-Namshey-Chimaed-Dutshyi-Zhing-Bu provides information on the origin, composition, characteristics, types and therapeutic benefits of 9 prominent Tshachhu and 9 prominent Menchhu in Bhutan. It also
provides directives on the appropriate use of Tshachhu and Menchhu, including the recommended do's and don'ts, precautions, and practices to be followed when accessing and using these natural therapeutic resources.
Common Lichens and Mosses of Bhutan is a comprehensive pictorial guide developed to introduce, document, and promote appreciation of the often-overlooked diversity of bryophytes and lichens. The guide presents pictorial illustrations of 686 species occurring
between 100 and 5000 metres above sea level, providing a valuable visual reference for recognising and appreciating these important components of Bhutan's natural ecosystems.
The guide highlights the remarkable diversity, ecological significance, and natural beauty of the world of mushrooms, showcasing the wide variety of fungal species found across diverse ecosystems. It provides pictorial illustrations of 530 species of commonly occurring
mushrooms belonging to 77 families, recorded between 900 and 5900 metres above sea level to assist identification and documentation during the resource mapping of mushroom diversity in Bhutan.
A Pictorial Guide to High Altitude Medicinal Flora of Bhutan provides an updated checklist and baseline for high-altitude medicinal plants of Bhutan. It provides a pictorial reference for 530 species of high-altitude medicinal plants
belonging to 87 botanical families, recorded across an altitudinal range between 2000 and 5690 metres above sea level.
A Pictorial Guide on Low Altitude Plants of Bhutan is a pictorial reference to support the identification, documentation, conservation, and resource mapping of low-altitude plant resources in Bhutan. The publication provides pictorial illustrations of 665 plant species,
including 142 medicinal plant species, representing 122 plant families. The species documented in the guide occur across the low-altitude regions of Bhutan below 2200 meters, covering diverse ecological habitats and geographical areas.
A Pictorial Guide on High Altitude Plants of Bhutan-Part III is a comprehensive pictorial reference to support the identification, documentation, and resource mapping of high-altitude plant resources in Bhutan. The publication provides pictorial illustrations of
550 high-altitude plant species, including 153 medicinal plant species representing 34 plant families, covering taxa from Plumbaginaceae to Zingiberaceae. The species documented occur across the high-altitude regions of Bhutan, generally ranging from approximately 2200 to 5600 metres above sea level.
A Pictorial Guide on High Altitude Plants of Bhutan-Part II is a comprehensive pictorial reference to support the identification, documentation, and resource mapping of high-altitude plant resources in Bhutan. The publication provides pictorial illustrations of 667 high-altitude plant species, including 176
medicinal plant species representing 45 plant families, covering taxa from Equisetaceae to Plantaginaceae. The species documented occur across the high-altitude regions of Bhutan, generally ranging from approximately 2200 to 5600 metres above sea level
A Pictorial Guide on High Altitude Plants of Bhutan-Part I is a comprehensive pictorial reference to support the identification, documentation, and resource mapping of high-altitude plant resources in Bhutan. The publication provides pictorial illustrations of 640 high-altitude plant species, including 172 medicinal plant species representing 45
plant families, covering taxa from Acanthaceae to Ephedraceae. The species documented occur across the high-altitude regions of Bhutan, generally ranging from approximately 2200 to 5600 metres above sea level.
The Field Guide to Medicinal Plants Survey and Mapping provides a comprehensive guide on survey methodologies, sampling approaches, data collection procedures, and morphological description in conducting resource mapping of medicinal plant resources in Bhutan. It also includes standardised survey forms and detailed instructions on their proper use,
covering the systematic recording of information related to plant species, distribution, habitat, abundance, location, and plant morphology.
The guide provides clear and concise instructions on the properties of the medicine, therapeutic strength, formulation category, standard weight, recommended dosage, composition, and the authoritative textual reference of the 194 Essential Traditional
Medicines commonly used in the daily management and treatment of diseases.
Effectiveness of Shel (purgation) with Tshawa-suum (herbal medicine paste) on Langshu: an observational study
applying these diagnostic practices in clinical settings.
