The Heritage of Healing: Supporting Bhutan’s Traditional Medicine

For centuries, Bhutan has nurtured a healing tradition known as Sowa Rigpa, or the “science of healing.” Rooted in Buddhist philosophy and enriched by Tibetan, Indian, and Chinese practices, Bhutanese Traditional Medicine (BTM) offers a holistic approach to well being—balancing body, mind, and spirit.

Today, traditional medicine remains a cornerstone of Bhutan’s healthcare system, with services available in every district and over 200,000 patients cared for each year. But this ancient wisdom faces urgent challenges: the need to ensure sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants in line with environmental conservation, limited research, and the need to better integrate traditional healing with modern healthcare.

With your support, the Foundation has been able to make important strides this year:

10-year strategic plan for traditional medicine developed through a consultative process to strengthen and promote BTM in the 21st century.

30 traditional medicine professionals trained on research methodology and data analysis to enhance scientific rigor.

15 traditional medicine professionals and lab technicians from Bhutan’s Royal Center for Disease Control and National Land Commission Secretariat trained on mapping, identifying, and testing hot springs using ArcGIS, and modern lab testing methods.

8 traditional medicine practitioners gained fresh insight from an exchange program, where they visited leading Traditional Medicine and Wellness Clinics in Bangkok, Thailand.

Continue Your Support

How You Can Help Safeguard Bhutan’s Healing Traditions:

Your support will ensure that Bhutan’s timeless medical traditions endure, evolve, and inspire the world. Together, we can strengthen a healthcare model that honors wisdom, biodiversity, and compassion.

Donate Today

📣UPCOMING EVENTS📣

We would be delighted to see you at one of our upcoming gatherings celebrating Bhutan’s culture.

Taste of Bhutan: An Evening of Timeless Wisdom and Future Imagination

(Mill Valley, CA)

7:00 PM PST , September 10

Tickets available online

Echoes of a Kingdom: A Tribute to the Bodhisattva King of Bhutan (Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Center, Bumthang)

September 25 |Details here

If you would like to host an event in collaboration with the Foundation, please reach out to pemma.lhazin@bhutanfound.org