Dr Yeshi Dhonden was a well-acclaimed Tibetan doctor who was also the personal physician of Dalai Lama from 1960 to 1980. He was an icon of Traditional Tibetan Medicine and was renowned for his contribution to Cancer Treatment. For his immense services, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian Government in 2018.
Dr Yeshi was born on 15 May 1927 in Namro, a small village in Tibet. At the age of eleven, he joined the Chakpori Institute of Tibetan Medicine and topped the class at twenty. After efficiently treating influenza on the Tibetan-Bhutanese border, he became famous for his medical skills. When the 14th Dalai Lama went into exile in 1959, Dhonden also accompanied him to help the Tibetan refugees in India. The Dalai Lama requested that he reinstall the Tibetan Institute of Medicine and Astrology, which he refounded in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, in 1961. He served as its Director till 1966, after which he established a private clinic in McLeodGanj, Dharamshala. Dhonden also traveled to western countries to present lectures on Tibetan Medicine and take care of patients there.
Tibetan Medicine
Dr Yeshi Dhonden played a major role in making Tibetan medicine popular. He was the pioneer of Sowa Rigpa, a traditional Tibetan Medicine made by combining ancient healing systems of India and China. He is also known to treat and cure cancer, brain illness, and mental problems, except polio. This treatment puts focus on the fact that the primary purpose of our life is to be happy. Therefore, they try to heal the source of the problems and develop good health through healthy choices. It explains the relationship between mind, body, and environment, and why the mind is the source of suffering. This is used widely in Asia and is now becoming popular in the West too.
The Science behind Tibetan Medicine
This Cancer Treatment includes breaking down the cancer growth, cleansing the tissues, reducing the inflammation, and healing the organ affected. The primary medicine for cancer is made up of herbs, minerals, and precious gems processed through several processes such as grinding, sifting, compounding, etc. They also use herbal anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce infection and inflammation. They also recognize the role of diet and lifestyle habits during Cancer Treatment and advise it appropriately. It is important to keep in mind that most Tibetan medications take almost a month to show any change or signs of improvement.
Clinic in McLeodGanj
Dr Yeshi suggested that this medicine could be continued along with allopathy, as long as they were taken at least an hour apart. He has treated a large number of patients till date.
Dr Yeshi has also written several books on Tibetan Medicine. Some of the most famous ones are Health Through Balance: An Introduction to Tibetan Medicine(1986) and Healing from the Source: The Science and Lore of Tibetan Medicine(2000). As his health started deteriorating, he retired from medical practices in April 2019 and passed away on 26th November 2019 due to respiratory problems.
Dr Choephel Kalsang
Dr Choephel Kalsang assisted Dr Yeshis for many years. Now, he is carrying forward his legacy of Tibetan Cancer Treatment. he has opened his own clinic in Dharamshala to benefit more patients.
