Bhutan has taken a significant step toward modernising and strengthening its traditional healthcare system with the launch of Zintig, a new medicinal textbook on Sorig, the traditional Bhutanese science of healing. The publication was unveiled by the Faculty of Traditional Medicine during the 3rd National Sorig Conference held on May 16 and is expected to improve the preservation, teaching, and practical application of Bhutanese traditional medicine. Known locally as Sowa Rigpa, Bhutan’s traditional medicine system combines herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy, physical treatments, and spiritual healing practices rooted in Buddhist traditions. Traditional medicine remains an integral part of Bhutan’s public healthcare network since its formal integration into the national healthcare system in 1967 with the establishment of the Indigenous Hospital in Thimphu, now the National Traditional Medicine Hospital. Until now, students and practitioners relied largely on the Tibetan medical text Kongtrul Zintig, but faculty experts say the newly introduced Zintig has been specifically adapted to Bhutan’s healthcare environment, focusing on locally available medicines and treatment methods.
According to Tendrel Wangdi, the new textbook aligns traditional knowledge with Bhutan’s current medical needs, allowing students to apply their learning more effectively during clinical practice. The book reportedly contains information on more than 100 medicines and diagnoses and will immediately become part of the curriculum for fourth-year students. More than 10 experts worked for over two years to develop the publication, which reflects Bhutan’s broader effort to make traditional medicine more research-driven while preserving its cultural foundations. Sangay Wangdi said continued research and evaluation are essential to maintaining the effectiveness and credibility of Sowa Rigpa in the modern healthcare system. The initiative also highlights Bhutan’s growing wellness tourism sector, with destinations such as Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary in Paro offering personalised wellness experiences based on Bhutanese healing traditions, including herbal therapies, acupuncture, hot stone baths, meditation, and dietary guidance.
