Gawu- Inheritor of Tibetan medicine (mercury cleansing and refining techniques) in Lhasa, Tibet

Gawu (嘎务), a prominent figure in the field of Tibetan medicine, was born in October 1950 in Nangqian, Qinghai Province. He is a first-generation national-level inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage project of Tibetan Medicine, specializing in the mercury cleansing and refining techniques of the Northern School of Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa. He is also the Deputy Chief Physician of Tibetan Medicine at the Tibet University of Tibetan Medicine (西藏藏医学院) [1].

Personal Information

  • Name: Gawu (嘎务)

  • Nationality: Chinese

  • Ethnicity: Tibetan

  • Place of Birth: Nangqian, Qinghai Province (青海囊谦)

  • Date of Birth: October 1950

  • Field of Expertise: Tibetan Medicine (including the mercury cleansing and refining techniques from the Northern School of Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa, as well as the Renqing Changjue compound formulation)

  • Notable Works:

    • Paper: “Initial Inspiration and Clinical Efficacy of Black Medicine Zuo Zhu Zha Jue”

    • Paper: “Tibetan Medicine Crystal Mirror Herbology Excerpts”

    • Paper: “On the Scientific Basis of Tibetan Bloodletting Therapy”

Table of Contents

  1. Personal Experience

  2. Honors and Achievements

1. Personal Experience

Gawu began studying Tibetan medicine at an early age, apprenticing under the renowned Tibetan medicine expert Qin Rao Luobu Master (钦绕罗布大师). He devoted himself to studying Tibetan medical classics and focused on the research and application of the Renqing Changjue (仁青常觉) compound formulation technique. This method is considered one of the most precious parts of traditional Tibetan medicine and has a wide range of clinical applications.

Through years of medical practice, Gawu accumulated extensive experience and mastered the Renqing Changjue compound formulation. He conducted systematic research to preserve and protect this vital method, especially paying attention to the conservation of wild resources and their environment, particularly focusing on endangered plant-based Tibetan medicines [1].

2. Honors and Achievements

Academic Contributions

Gawu has made significant academic contributions to the field of Tibetan medicine. He participated in the 2000 International Tibetan Medical Conference, where he presented a paper titled “Initial Inspiration and Clinical Efficacy of Black Medicine Zuo Zhu Zha Jue.” Additionally, he participated in the first International Ethnic Science and Technology Seminar, presenting the paper “Tibetan Medicine Crystal Mirror Herbology Excerpts.”

He also contributed to the 99th National Tibetan Medicine Academic Seminar held in Xining, Qinghai, where his paper on “The Scientific Basis of Tibetan Bloodletting Therapy” was published. His research paper “A Brief Discussion on the Historical Traces of Manufacturing Zuo Tai in the Kang Region” was included in the Tibetan Medicine Paper Collection published by the Tibet Medical Association.

His paper on “The Distribution and Development of Tibetan Medicinal Materials in the Changdu Region of Tibet” was presented at the National Tibetan Medicine Academic Seminar held in Kangding, Sichuan.

Published Works and Recognition

One of his most influential works is the “Tibetan Medicine Crystal Mirror Herbology” (藏药晶镜本草), which was published in 1995 by the Beijing Ethnic Publishing House. This research project was approved by the Tibet Autonomous Region Science and Technology Committee, where it was recognized as being at an advanced level within China’s Tibetan Medicine Field. The work was awarded the Second Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress by the Tibet Autonomous Region, and it received the First Prize for Excellent Papers at the First International Seminar on Ethnic Medicine and Technology.

In recognition of his achievements, Gawu was selected as a representative of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the Third National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). He also earned the title of Outstanding Scientific Worker of the Changdu Region (昌都地区先进科技工作者).

Gawu’s works and achievements have contributed significantly to the preservation and advancement of Tibetan medicine, especially regarding mercury cleansing and refining techniques, and have made a lasting impact on both the academic and practical realms of this ancient healing tradition.