Clinical Research & Mental Health Department
Clinical Research Department
Since its re-establishment in 1961, Men-Tsee-Khang (MTK) has worked tirelessly to fulfil its primary objective of preserving, promoting, and developing Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine), while striving to contribute to the alleviation of human suffering worldwide. Although MTK recognized early on the importance of initiating research and advancing Tibetan Medicine, its initial efforts were necessarily focused on safeguarding the very identity of this ancient system due to dire circumstances and limited resources.
By the early 1980s, with the growth of staff and expansion of infrastructure, MTK was able to broaden its scope. In 1984, the Research and Development (R&D) Department was established, laying the foundation for documentation and case studies. In 2024, the Research and Development Department was renamed as the Clinical Research Department.
As Tibetan Medicine gained remarkable popularity across the globe, it also faced scepticism within the medical fraternity. His Holiness the Dalai Lama repeatedly emphasized the need for clinical studies and collaborative research—not only to evaluate and authenticate Tibetan Medicine but also to make it accessible to a wider population, enabling more people to benefit from its practices.
Responding to this call, since 1987 the R&D Department has prioritized clinical studies on a wide range of diseases. Research has been conducted on:
● Hypertension
● Rheumatic diseases
● Diabetes
● Hepatitis B
● Cancer
● Cell line study
● Gastritis
● Helicobacter pylori infection
● Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
● Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
● Tuberculosis (pilot study)
● Evaluation and safety of Tsothel in traditional Tibetan Medicine
● Observational qualitative studies on COVID-19
Through these initiatives, MTK has steadily advanced Tibetan Medicine from preservation to scientific validation, ensuring its relevance and credibility in the modern world.
List of books published
- Tibetan medical dietary book – Potency & preparation vegetables (Tibetan & English – 2004,2006)
- Analytical report of the patient’s questionnaire forms on diseases . Vol. I (1994 – 2010)
- Analytical report of the patient’s questionnaire forms on diseases . Vol. II (1994 – 2010)
- Testimonials – My experience with Tibetan Medicine . Series – I (2016)
- Clinical management of COVID-19 with Sowa-Rigpa Medicine. Vol. II (2021)
- Basic Microbiology (2023)
- Tibetan medical dietary book – Potency & preparation vegetables (Tibetan & English – 2004,2006)
- Testimonials – My experience with Tibetan Medicine . Series – II (2025)
Ongoing projects
1.Restrospective observational Study on Integrating TTM in Cancer Care
2. Cohort Study: A Prospective Longitudinal Observational Study
3. Real world study on Cancer
Mental Health Department.
The Mental Health Department, formerly known as the Body, Mind & Life Department, was established in 2013. It drew inspiration from the Mind and Life Institute of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, particularly his motivational guidance during the special audience at the 1st Body, Mind & Life Conference held in Dharamshala.
As the department’s primary work centred on mental health, it was renamed the Mental Health Department in 2020. In 2023, the department was merged with the Clinical Research Department, and since then, both departments have been working hand in hand to advance research and promote mental health initiatives. Currently working on raising awareness about women’s mental health by visiting different locations and delivering educational talks. Using the principles of Tibetan medicine, aim to promote understanding, awareness, and effective management of mental health challenges among women.
(I) BODY, MIND AND LIFE (BML) CONFERENCES:
● Under the umbrella of Mental Health programs, the department has been organizing the BML conference series inviting scholars from Buddhist Psychology, AYUSH system of medicine— Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy—Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tibetan Astro. Science and Western Medical Science.
● The 1st to 5th BML conferences were held in Dharamshala, HP to benefit the Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa) and Tibetan Astro students, Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa) Practitioners and Tibetan Astro. Science Practitioners (TASP) based there, and TCV Selakui students. Since 2017, with the sole aim of creating an awareness of mental health care at a wider level, the department embarked upon a new journey of holding twin conferences on a common theme, with one at Dharamshala and another at a city.
● The 5th and 6th conferences were entitled “Prevention of Mental Disorders”. The 6th conference held in Mumbai was jointly organized with Somaiya Vidyavihar in 2017.
● The 7th conference entitled ‘Treatment of Mental Disorders” was held in Delhi and it was jointly organized with the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (FURHHDL) in 2018.
● The 8th and 9th conferences were held in Dharamshala and Bangalore—jointly organized with Men-Tsee-Khang Wellness Centre—respectively on a common theme “Nurturing a Child’s Mental Health”.
● The 10th and 11th conferences were held in Dharamshala and Chennai respectively on a common theme “Mental Health Care for The Elderly”. The 11th conference was organized in collaboration with National Institute of Siddha medicine (NIS) in January 2020.
(II) COURSES AND WORKSHOPS:
● The department conducts courses and workshops on mental health, inviting scholars from Buddhist Psychology, Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa), and Tibetan Astro-Science. The audience mainly consists of students, youth, non-Tibetan enthusiasts, health professionals, and specialists in psychiatry. To date, the department has organized 12 courses and workshops on mental health in Dharamshala, Hunsur, Mundgod, Clementown, and Bangalore, along with 8 guest lectures. In addition, the department is actively engaged in hosting virtual talks on mental health in collaboration with the Department of Health, CTA, and in creating online platforms for Tibetan Medicine doctors and TASPs to share their knowledge and treatment experiences in the field of mental disorders.
(III) On 23 March 2026, the volume Mental Health in Tibetan Medicine, a compilation of transcribed articles from the Body, Mind & Life conferences, was published
(IV) Upcoming Events:
Conference on Mental Health Care for Women.