The Tibetan term “gSo ba” refers to healing and “Rig pa” meaning Science or knowledge – the combination of two words brings a whole significant meaning “Healing of Science or Knowledge”. In the mankind, the illness, aging and death is a part of parcel of every life. However, there are various indigenous healing systems existed in the world that are based on many common ground and ideas basically to prevents illness, to restore aging and provides longervity of lifespan.

This compilation researched book tells the integration of Materia Medica of Tibetan Medicine, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Chinese Medicine. It narrated a brief historical account of each system. The book with its 335 beautiful illustration colored photographs of medicinal plants ranging from tree to herb and aromatic medicines are explained intensively through twenty five different sections. These explains the Tibetan names and its synonym for correct identification, the botanical names and its genus founding and vernacular names of plant grown in different states of India, the classification of Materia Medica based on Tibetan Medical Text, characteristic of plants account of Tibetan text and additional characteristic , the classification of plant types based on different commentaries on rGyud-bZhi, the four tantras and the biological founding of plants in terms of growth pattern based on Modern Science,

The book also has elaborate definition on the classification and types of plants – base of Materia Medica of Ayurveda, Unani and Chinese Medicine. It defines the range of Habitat and altitude of plants grown all over including Tibet, Himalayan belts and North and South of India and other parts of the world with its right harvest time and method of drying process in accordance with the Tibetan Text; the parts used in Tibetan medicine, its taste, post-digestive taste, nature and its uses. It also shows Ayurveda Materia Medica: parts used, its tastes, post-digestive taste, nature and its uses. The book also includes the Unani medicine: its parts used, tastes, nature and uses, It descripes the Siddha Medicine: its part used and uses. Apart from that it also tells about the Chinese medicine: its parts used, taste, nature and uses.

This compilation research and analytic on various traditional Materia Medica is the first of its kind. His Holiness The Dalai Lama in His numerous speeches has time and again emphasized his vision to see the creation of new inter-relationshipbetween various ethic indegenous Medical Sciences to help alleviate human suffering and to benefit all the ailing patients. I am fortunate enough to come out with this compilation research work on Meteria Medica of various indigenous traditions. I am optimistic that this work mine shall occupy to fill at least a part of His Holliness’s vast wisdom of vision. I am ensuring it would be very helpful and beneficial especially to those who are interested in doing research on plants Materia Medica. May all the indegenous Medical Sciences spread wide and prevail in this earth for betterment of the human beings.

Dr. Tsultrim Kalsang (Men-Tsee-Khang)