Mongolian Traditional Medicine and Medicinal Plants / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

We visited Mongolia in the summer of 1999 and again in the summer of 2000, and investigated the traditional and natural medicines of this country. Mongolian traditional medicine is classified into seven categories, namely, massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary cures, aromatherapy, phlebotomy and sutra recitation. Herbal medicines, as well as acupuncture and massage, are the principal remedies. These remedies are based on Tibetan traditional medicine, which is derived from Indian traditional medicine. In both rural and urban areas, the Mongolian people use many herbs and herbal prescriptions to prevent and cure acute or chronic diseases. Important herbal plant sources, such as the <i>Ephedra</i> and <i>Glycyrrhiza</i> species, are abundant. Since the abandonment of socialism, traditional medicine has made a rapid comeback and is now a popular and important remedy in Mongolia.