The concept of gso-ba rig.pa.

ABSTRACT

In gSo-ba-Rigpa, the fundamental healing philosophy is the concept of three somatic humors (basic types of energy or functional principles) rLung (from ether and air), mkhris.pa (from fire and water), and Bad.kan (from water and earth). According to the principles of gSo.ba rig.pa, they are present in everyone and everything. rLung is the energy of movement. Mkhris.pa is the energy of digestion or metabolism. Bad.kan is the energy of lubrication and structure. Although all three somatic humors are present in everyone, one is usually predominant in any given individual. gSo.ba rig.pa medicine sees disease as a result of an excess or deficiency in rlung, mkhris.pa, or bad.kan, and also the presence of toxins. Good health indicates a balance of these three energies in a body that is relatively toxin-free. In gSo.ba-Rig.pa, herbs are used to treat illness to restore this balance. For example herbs that deal with energy or movement are used to achieve rlung equillibrium. Herbs that treat digestion, assimilation, absorption, and metabolism balance the mkhris.pa, and those herbs used to treat structure and musculoskeletal system (the "glue" that holds the body together) disorders restore bad kan balance.