Lum Medicinal Bathing of Sowa Rigpa and its Magical Effects

Despite the harsh climate of the 4,000-meter-tall Tibetan Plateau, the Tibetans have accumulated rich medical experience and created a unique treatment system as their knowledge of the universe, life, the human body, and diseases evolves over thousands of years. The Lum Medicinal Bathing of Sowa Rigpa is one representative of such expertise, and in 2014, it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Put simply, the human body is immersed in hot spring or medicinal herbal water, by absorbing the herbal elements and through sweating, the cold of the body is dispelled, swelling and pains are relieved, blood circulation is enhanced, and dampness and itching are suppressed. The hot spring used in this therapy contains either sulphur, cryolite, aluminite, tallow, or limestone. The medicinal bathing uses five basic Tibetan herbs as the basic and primary “prescription”, that’s why it’s also called the “five-element bath”. Other elements can be added for additional treating purposes, for instance, to cure indigestion caused by cold, herbs such as “cold water stone”, wicker and ginger can be finely ground and added to the bath water to strengthen the medicinal effect.

As a safe, green, economical, and convenient health practice, medicinal bathing has played a positive role in improving health, prolonging life, promoting social harmony, and protecting the ecological environment in the high-altitude environment of the Tibetan Plateau. Producer: Yang Gu Chief Supervisor: Chen Jiandong, Song Leyong Chief Planner: Che Jingwen, Jin Linghan Script Writer: Yue Pei Coordinator: Zhou Shuodi, Tao Yanyan, Yang Jingyi Co-produced by: China Internet Development Foundation and GMW.cn

Producer: Yang Gu

Chief Supervisor: Chen Jiandong, Song Leyong

Chief Planner: Che Jingwen, Jin Linghan

Script Writer: Yue Pei

Coordinator: Zhou Shuodi, Tao Yanyan, Yang Jingyi

Co-produced by: China Internet Development Foundation and GMW.cn