Up until recently Tibetan medicine has been pretty much a secret; not by design exactly, more to do with circumstances. As the world has become more open and people are more in tune with what is going on in different countries, more people have become interested in the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan culture with its ancient health system. The Tibetan medicine system attempts to treat the whole person; physically, emotionally and spiritually – like holistic medicine with a bit extra.

When our three levels are in harmony we are said to be at peak health; in a state of inner wholeness. The Tibetan way looks at your lifestyle and creates patterns of health by helping you change the negative aspects of your life-patterns and mental attitudes. Traditional Tibetan physicians will first determine your constitutional type or main humoural energy, which falls into three different types depending on different aspects of your physical, emotional and spiritual make-up.

The three energy types are: Wind, Bile and Phlegm; they all have different characteristics and energies, Wind energy governs movement, Bile energy is bubbling, and Phlegm energy is a reflective, deep and slow-moving force. Everyone has all three energies but one is predominant.

Health problems occur when there in an imbalance in one or all of the energies in our body; which can be caused by stress, bad diet, physical injuries and negative emotions – how you feel can make a difference to your physical body. If you know your energy type you can be aware of what types of things, activities and emotions are likely to upset your system and cause problems.

Answer all the questions below and hit the button to find your Tibetan Energy Type then scroll down the page to see the advice for your type.

Tibetan Energy Types

Wind

Characteristics:

Enthusiastic, changeable and thrive on new experiences. Like to keep moving and hates being bored, always using imagination to experience new things. When balanced you are full of energy, very intuitive and always willing to help others.

The wind energy type has the least resistance to physical illness; breathing, respiration, thinking and general energy levels are all affected by the Wind humour. When your energy is unbalanced you may suffer from insomnia, anxiety attacks, exhaustion, breathing problems, depression, chest infections and unusual aches and pains.

In order to stay balanced you should:

Eat regularly, eating foods like soup and porridge, especially during cold winters.

Avoid red meat, alcohol and sweet or spicy foods and coffee.

Spend some time being calm and quite to regain energy.

Take part in exercise, fitness clubs, running or jogging etc.

Try and make a routine for yourself to curb some of your more erratic tendencies.

Spend some time in warm places.

Burn relaxing aromatherapy oils.

Massage your arms and legs for 20 minutes each day with jojoba oil.

Spend time exercising your imagination and being creative.

Bile

Characteristics:

You are hot headed and fiery; have little patients with a hard working intensity. You are a bright spark with excellent moneymaking potential that likes everyone’s attention. In groups you naturally gravitate to leading the way, but you can become a tiny bit too bossy when your energies are unbalanced. You will most commonly suffer from stomach problems, recurrent infections, heart disease, ulcers, and back problems; though your sturdy constitution may keep these symptoms at bay for a long time before they begin to show. Bile types may also be prone to sleepwalking, bad tempers, and feel generally disgruntled when energies are not balanced.

In order to stay balanced you should:

Avoid red meats, spicy and fried foods, lots of salt, alcohol, cigarettes and fat.

Choose light meals of easily digestible foods with lots of whole grains and vegetables.

Pick fruit and vegetables that are orange or red.

Take up meditation or other relaxation techniques to control your temper.

Massage your upper-body joints for 20 minutes when you get out of bed, and at night before you return; pine, peppermint or citrus balm are ideal for this.

Spend some time in the countryside or a beautiful park.

Exercise whenever you feel stressed; get involved in a team sport or activities like yoga or tai chi with other people.

Phlegm

Characteristics:

People depend on you and your calm, steady demeanour; you can be philosophical, creative, a deep thinker, kind, nurturing, creative and you like to help others. Phlegm types are the least prone to illness of the three; you have to go off the rails for quite a while before physical disorders begin to show. When problems do begin to show they will manifest as skin problems, allergies, asthma, lethargy, lung problems, weight problems and hormonal abnormalities.

In order to stay balanced you should:

Eat small portions regularly, avoiding dairy foods and cold meals.

Energy foods like sunflower seeds are good for the phlegm type.

Eat fish and eggs and cooked vegetables, pulses and grains; also eat red meat twice a week.

Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and tea.

Go have regular massages to encourage your circulation; giving yourself little 15-minute massages in the morning and afternoon.

Don’t sleep too much; it will make you feel more tired. Go to bed at 10 and wake early.

Take plenty of vigorous, stimulating exercise.

Don’t get tied down with all your routines, introduce new things into your life and keep it fresh.