As autumn transitions into winter, the weather turns chilly in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. Stepping into the Luqu County Tibetan Hospital, the warmth of heating blends with the aroma of medicinal herbs, dispelling the cold. Chief physician Kanchaojia is conducting pulse diagnosis on a patient—a Tibetan medical practice similar to traditional Chinese medicine’s pulse-taking, used to assess organ function and diagnose illnesses.
"Temperatures drop quickly on the plateau, making autumn and winter peak seasons for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Recently, more patients have come for recuperation," Kanchaojia noted. As a national-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage in Tibetan medicine (Gannan Tibetan Medicine), Kanchaojia learned the practice from his uncle as a child. To him, Tibetan medicine is not just a healing art honed over centuries on the plateau but also a cultural legacy.
"High-altitude ailments respond best to high-altitude remedies," he explained. Conditions like cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and skin disorders are common in such regions, and Tibetan medicine—centered on the "Four Medical Tantras"—has proven highly effective. Modern advancements have further revitalized the practice. While Kanchaojia once relied solely on pulse and urine diagnostics, integrating contemporary techniques has enhanced diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy.
The hospital’s external treatment center offers 26 specialized therapies, including "Holme" (a Tibetan therapy) and medicinal baths, used not only for treatment but also for wellness. "Tibetan medicine’s restorative effects, like dispelling wind-cold with herbal baths or calming nerves with Holme, are gaining wider acceptance," Kanchaojia added.
Among his students is 35-year-old Dr. Cairangji, now an independent practitioner. "As a child, I took Tibetan herbal decoctions for colds. Later, I chose to study Tibetan medicine to heal and preserve this tradition," she said. Unlike traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine incorporates more mineral-based ingredients, with processing being the most critical step—requiring pharmacists to refine and prepare them using traditional methods.
As the safeguarding institution for Gannan Tibetan Medicine, Luqu County Tibetan Hospital has expanded its reach, serving communities across Gannan, Sichuan’s Ruoergai County, and Qinghai’s Henan County. It has developed 221 approved formulations, including trusted remedies like "Zodar Pills" and "25-Ingredient Turquoise Pills."
With 126 Tibetan medicine professionals, the hospital runs regular training programs and has branches in Lanzhou and Dunhuang. "Our goal is to benefit more people with Tibetan medicine and promote its understanding," said hospital director Wan Degong.