Kalmyk traditional medicine: a historical and cultural analysis

The article discusses the features of traditional Kalmyk medicine. The relevance of the research topic matches the growing interest in traditional medicine, and in the spiritual heritage of the Buddhist East. Kalmyk folk medicine is known to have its historical roots going back to the ancient traditions of the nomads of Central Asia. The ancestors of the Kalmyks, the Oirats, had centuries-old traditions of traditional nomadic medicine. In the 17 century, Tibetan medicine, alongside with Buddhist culture, began to reach the Kalmyks. The famous figure of Oriental Enlightenment, Zaya-pandita Namka Jamtso (1599–1662), translated from Tibetan into Oirat language the medical treatise “Gyushi”, which is considered the main source of Tibetan medicine. However, the mass spread of Tibetan medicine over the territory of Kalmykia began only in the 18th century, along with the opening of the first medical khurul. As a result, Kalmyk traditional medicine moved towards a kind of synthesis of Kalmyk folk medicine, on the one hand, and of Tibetan medicine, on the other. Kalmyk doctors (Emchi) were familiar with both traditions and used them in their medical practice. They could diagnose and treat a fairly considerable number of types of diseases. At the same time, phytotherapy was the most common form of treatment. An important place was occupied by various natural minerals. During the treatment of the patient, fermented milk products (koumiss and chigyan) and a therapeutic diet were widely used. Non-drug treatment included bone-cutting, massage, gymnastics, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, bloodletting, and cauterization. The tragic events of the first half of the twentieth century, including Russian Civil War and World War II, repressions against the clergy and the deportation of Kalmyks led to the decline of traditional Kalmyk medicine. Currently, in Kalmykia, as well as in other regions of Russia, centers of Tibetan medicine are being opened. It is thus especially important to develop a state policy and put in place control mechanisms to control the revival and practice of traditional medicine in Kalmykia, as well as to set up an information database of resource in traditional medicine, including its intellectual and natural resources, to conduct research and integrate traditional medicine into the public healthcare.