Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Debuts at the Harvard Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine

　　On August 6, at the Harvard Traditional Chinese Medicine Forum series of lectures hosted by the Massachusetts Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chen Wei-wu, General Manager of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine R&D Center and Director of Qizheng (Beijing) Tibetan Medicine External Treatment Research Institute, delivered a keynote speech. In his presentation, Mr. Chen Wei-wu introduced to over 100 TCM practitioners as well as physicians and researchers from Harvard Medical School the rich history of Tibetan medicine—spanning 2,300 years—and several classic theoretical texts, including numerous medical treatises.

　　In his presentation titled “External Therapies in Tibetan Medicine,” Chen Wei-wu pointed out that the Tibetan medical text, the “Four Medical Tantras,” classifies the causes and mechanisms of human illness into three categories: “Lung,” “Chikba,” and “Beden.” The therapeutic principle lies precisely in restoring balance among these three “energies” to bring the body back to a state of equilibrium. The external treatment theories of Tibetan medicine throughout history have been primarily based on the “External Treatment” section of the “Four Medical Tantras.” These external therapies are divided into five types: bloodletting, moxibustion, hot and cold compresses, medicinal baths, and topical applications, all of which rely on Tibetan medicine’s unique herbal remedies and medical devices.

　　Tibetan medical external treatments are one of the four fundamental therapeutic methods in Tibetan medicine. Taking Chen Wei-wu’s Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Pain-Relieving Plaster as an example, he introduced the academic research conducted by the scholarly community on the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of Tibetan medicines. Thanks to its unique pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory mechanism and its patented wet-application formulation, the Pain-Relieving Plaster delivers excellent pain-relief effects.

　　After lunch, Liu Kailie, Vice President of the Chinese Society for Ethnic Medicine and President of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Company, accepted an interview with the media. He stated that while traditional Chinese medicine practices—particularly acupuncture—are now widely recognized internationally, awareness of Tibetan medicine remains significantly insufficient. Therefore, Qizheng Group, which aims to expand into the U.S. market, has taken its first step by promoting the traditional culture of Tibetan medicine, breaking down cultural barriers, and raising consumer awareness of Tibetan medicine. This includes the recent advertisement for Qizheng Tibetan Medicine’s pain-relief patches, which was displayed on the Nasdaq big screen in Times Square, New York.

　　In recent years, China’s efforts to promote the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine and its increased emphasis on ethnic medicines have provided strong momentum for ethnic medicines to go global. Qizheng Tibetan Medicine hopes to share the wisdom and achievements of ethnic medicine with American consumers. Speaking about the key entry points for promoting Tibetan medicine in the U.S., Liu Kaili stated that efficacy is the real strength; we should identify the specific diseases and distinctive therapies where Tibetan medicine excels, enabling patients to clearly see the advantages of Tibetan medical treatments, thereby boosting acceptance and earning positive word-of-mouth.

　　It is understood that in 2013, Qizheng collaborated with Professor David Christiani, an internationally renowned expert in occupational disease research and a faculty member at Harvard University, to establish the Tibetan Medicine Research Laboratory. The laboratory focuses on the role and expansion of Tibetan medicine in addressing major diseases from a global perspective, and explores the clinical value of classic Tibetan medicines within the framework of modern integrative medicine.

　　General Liu introduced that for thousands of years, the Tibetan people have lived on the high-altitude plateau characterized by cold temperatures and low oxygen levels. Throughout their survival and reproduction in this unique natural environment, Tibetan medicine has consistently served as a guardian of the health of the Tibetan people, possessing its own distinctive cultural features and resource specialties—such as the Tibetan medicinal bath therapy specifically used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

　　When asked by reporters about the efforts Qizheng Tibetan Medicine has made to explore and preserve traditional Tibetan medicine, Liu Kailie explained that for more than two decades, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine has supported the excavation and compilation of classic works on Tibetan medicine, publishing over 20 such books. At the same time, the company has established dozens of bases for the conservation of Tibetan medicinal plant resources. In terms of cultivating Tibetan medical talent, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine has set up Tibetan medicine schools, Tibetan medical clinics, and specialized Tibetan hospitals in Tibetan areas. Through a master-apprentice transmission model, the new generation of Tibetan doctors has received hands-on guidance and comprehensive Tibetan medical education from their senior predecessors. Meanwhile, numerous Tibetan medical clinics across various regions provide traditional Tibetan medical services to the Tibetan people, while the specialized Tibetan hospitals primarily offer a range of distinctive therapeutic services tailored to diseases where Tibetan medicine excels—such as rheumatic and bone disorders and skin diseases.

　　Ms. Ziga Cangzhen, who traveled specifically to attend this forum, told reporters that her father was the renowned Tibetan writer, Mr. Jiangbian Jiachu, and both her parents have been loyal customers of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine. She said, “After hearing President Liu Kailie’s plans and vision for promoting Tibetan medicine in the U.S. market, as someone whose hometown is Linzhi in Tibet, the name ‘Qizheng Tibetan Medicine’ is extremely familiar to me. I’m really excited to be here in Boston today, listening to the presentation about Tibetan medicine and the Qizheng company. I even brought my daughter, who was born in Boston, along specifically to attend this lecture. I hope she’ll come to understand the cultural characteristics of her ancestral home.”

　　Currently, Qizheng Pain-Relieving Plaster has been widely used by athletes in China. Ms. Ziga Cangzhen noted that the United States is a sports powerhouse with a culture of mass participation in athletics. She believes there will be significant demand for such products here as well. “My daughter is a figure skater. In the future, I’ll definitely let her try it out too. Good products should be shared with as many people as possible. I hope Qizheng Tibetan Medicine can enter the U.S. market, allowing more people to learn about Tibetan medical culture and benefit from it!” said Ms. Ziga Cangzhen.

　　Reporting media: Sing Tao Daily