Healing Elements: Efficacy and the Social Ecologies of Tibetan Medicine

by Sienna R. Craig

Tibetan medicine has come to represent multiple and sometimes conflicting agendas. On the one hand it must retain a sense of cultural authenticity and a connection to Tibetan Buddhism; on the other it must prove efficacious and safe according to biomedical standards. Recently, Tibetan medicine has found a place within the multibillion-dollar market for complementary, traditional, and herbal medicines as people around the world seek alternative paths to wellness. Healing Elements explores how Tibetan medicine circulates through diverse settings in Nepal, China, and beyond as commercial goods and gifts, and as target therapies and panacea for biophysical and psychosocial ills. Through an exploration of efficacy - what does it mean to say Tibetan medicine "works"? - this book illustrates a bio-politics of traditional medicine and the meaningful, if contested, translations of science and healing that occur across distinct social ecologies.

Genres: Anthropology

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sara Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read for a class. Well written with arguments clearly articulated. I like the narrative nature mixed with analysis and anthropological theory. Overall, it was really fascinating and I definitely learned a lot.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for an Anthropology of Magic, Science, and Religion class, so I won’t provide a detailed rating/review. I found this to be a really well-written and engaging book that does a great job of breaking down a complicated issue. Highly recommend to anyone who is interested in the subject matter!

Also read this AGAIN for a Medical Anthropology class. Still like it!