Tibetan Medicine, or Sowa-Rigpa, is one of the oldest traditional medicines based on the principles of three energies, known as Loong, Tripa and Baekan. Additionally there are seven bodily constituents and three waste products. All health and disease conditions are viewed as a sign of balance or imbalance of these constituents. Moreover, all health and disease conditions are extensively defined and interpreted in terms of the great five elements of the earth, water, fire, air and space respectively. The five elements also determine the state of the body, pathogenesis of disease and interventional treatment in Tibetan Medicine.

The Tibetan Medicine system has been developed and effectively practiced in Tibet since the 7th century and its beneficial effects have also been witnessed within the trans-Himalayan region for many centuries and in the past few decades in the western world. Since 2010 Tibetan Medicine has been recognized by the Indian Government AYUSH Department after untiring efforts put forward by Men-Tsee-Khang Institute (Sowa-Rigpa) in exile and some affiliated bodies.

Generally, the giant allopathic pharmacy companies produce ever increasing numbers of various medicines yet people over the world continue to be deprived of a healthy body and a sound mind. Traditional Tibetan medicines have played a pivotal role in maintaining health prior to development of medical science. Yet with increased work pressure and limited time, most people find it difficult to take the time to see a doctor. In this regard, Over the Counter (OTC) Tibetan medicines can help if their conditions are in accordance with the stringent facts provided on the package labels of OTC medicines. Furthermore, now many former prescription drugs have switched to the OTC pharmacy aisle. In fact, OTC medicines are more popular amongst such consumers who want to engage more in their own care which in turn ensures substantial advantages, both financially and in terms of better health.

Right after the annexation of Tibet in 1959 by the Chinese Communist Party, Men-Tsee-Khang in exile, under the guidance and vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was revived as Men-Tsee-Khang Institute in 1961 and it sustained the harsh conditions back then. The system has since flourished in India. Men-Tsee-Khang OTC Dept. is one such example. Our primary purpose is to outsource our herbal medicines and products on a large scale globally as envisioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Aims and Objectives

1. To standardize and repackage OTC poly-herbal formulations.
2. To document monographs of OTC poly-herbal formulations.
3. To provide a voluntary certification scheme for AYUSH products including Men-Tsee-Khang products.

4. To register and procure a Manufacturing License for Men-Tsee-Khang OTC Herbs under AYUSH, Govt. of India.

Flow Diagram of OTC Herbs

Nearly 170 different poly-herbal formulations and 43 variants of Sorig Healthcare products are being produced by the Pharmacy and Herbal Product Research Dept. of Men-Tsee-Khang. However, the poly-herbal formulations available as OTC herbs mainly aim to relieve mild disease conditions such as cold & flu, fever, common Gastro-intestinal ailments, pain, general wellbeing etc. Additionally available are health tonic supplements, varied herbal drinks, and skin care products that are not only meant to treat disease conditions but can also act prophylactically to prevent disease by maintaining the equilibrium of the three principle energies. Our current efforts are :

1. Our Materia Medica Dept. identifies and confirms the raw materials with certification of quality analysis in terms of organoleptic characteristic such as taste, color, nature, potency, odor, habitat and therapeutic value of individual medicinal substances as mentioned in renowned book called Shel-Phreng and Dhutsi-Menkyi khrungpae.
2. Our Quality Control Dept. performs modern scientific methods to maintain standards as well as controlling the consistency in the formulation of medicines and herbal healthcare products by analyzing the crude ingredients and finished products.
3. Our Pharmacy and Herbal Product Research Dept. manufactures different poly-herbal formulations in various dosages, and healthcare products according to the principle of taste, nature and potency pharmacology in Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa), in order to maintain a uniform manufacturing protocol.

4. The finished product of OTC herbs further requires standard monographs of the poly-herbal formulations according to the principle of pharmacology in Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa) in order to present it with a stringent labeling of the products for the direct use by the consumers.

Contact :

Tel : 0091-1892-223113/223222
Fax : 0091-1982-22416
E-mail : otc@men-tsee-khang.org
Website : www.otc.men-tsee-khang.org