Sowa Rigpa or commonly knows as ‘Amchi’ ancient system of Tibetan medicine will soon be given legal status by the central government.  

Since ancient times this system has been used to cure people in Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and other Himalayan belt of the population.

The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2009 for amending the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 was approved by Union government.  

Despite the fact that this system has been existing for ages, it wasn’t recognized legally. Under the new bill “Sowa-Rigpa” will be included under sections 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.

Sowa Rigpa is practiced in many countries. But due to its origin in ancient Tibet, it is also known as Tibetan medicine. This ancient system of treatment resembles Ayurveda but it also has some principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is believed that Lord Buddha taught the fundamental text book rgyud-bzi of “Sowa-Rigpa”.

The legal recognition of “Sowa-Rigpa” will help in preserving this ancient system of medicine along with boosting its education and practice. It will also open new avenues of research and development of new medicines by combining new techniques with “Sowa-Rigpa”.