Diagnosis and Treatment Process

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The process of diagnosis and treatment by the "physician" (herbalist) follows the Ayurvedic model. The cause of the disease and the elemental composition of the patient are analyzed. The world and all things human are composed of four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. Each element governs a particular body part and function, and an elemental imbalance manifests itself as a disease in the area to which it pertains.

Example: 1) Disharmony of the earth element may manifest as disease of the organs, bones, or muscles.

Example: 2) Disharmony of the moisture element may manifest as urinary problems, blood or lymphatic disease.

E.g.: 3) Air element disharmony may manifest as respiratory problems such as bronchitis, dizziness, stiffness, and arthritis.

E.g.: 4) Disharmony of the fire element can cause heart problems.

The imbalance can be either a lack or an excess of that element, and often more than one is involved. Thai herbalists develop the skill to recognize the balance between the dysfunctional element and the patient's element. Healers may also rely on other methods such as pulse diagnosis (also used by Ayurvedic and TCM practitioners).

Living in harmony with nature is the key to health and longevity in ancient healing systems, including traditional Thai medicine. Internal energy imbalances, failure to adapt to natural cycles, poor diet and habits that are not in line with nature can all cause illness.

According to TTM (Traditional Thai Medicine) theory, any of the following factors can make a person ill

1) Imbalance (surplus or deficiency) of the four elements

2) Seasonal changes

3) Growth and aging (life cycle)

4) Diurnal and nocturnal cycles

5) Climate change

6) Unhealthy lifestyles or habits

Health can be restored through lifestyle changes, massage, herbal remedies, and/or exercise. The various divisions of traditional Thai medicine cover all these aspects in one overall system. Treatment consists of dietary adjustments, lifestyle adjustments and herbal medicine (herbs).

Each herb affects the elements differently-some increase the elements, others decrease them. Each herb is also classified according to its action. For example, they are expectorants, laxatives, anti-inflammatories, etc. The exact prescription depends on the disease and the patient's makeup, so two people suffering from the same ailment may receive different treatments. However, Thai herbalists today do not always use doshas (bodily fluids) like Ayurvedic doctors.

The masters passed on their knowledge orally to their heirs. As in other traditional Asian societies, the teacher-student relationship was considered sacred, and the teachings were seldom shared with outsiders. A striking example of this is the reverence shown for herbal recipes: as the 17th century French diplomat Simon de la Roubert attests in his history book, The Journal of the Kingdom of Siam, they are not bothered by having medical principles, but only a number of testimonies learned from their ancestors that do not change anything It is.