Hee (wind)
The wind principle governs breathing, heartbeat, thought and movement. Excess Hee appears as insomnia, palpitations or wandering pain; it is treated by regulating qi and calming the spirit.
Traditional Mongolian medicine
Mongolian medicine
Traditional Mongolian medicine is what sets us apart from ordinary cross-border care services. Built on the balance of Hee, Shar and Badgan, it uses natural herbs and manual techniques to restore the body, and complements rather than replaces Western treatment.
- 01Two Mongolian medicine hospitals with specialist physicians
- 02Eight traditional therapies, selected by pattern diagnosis
- 03Integrated with Western care; never a substitute for emergency or surgery
Page contents
9 sections, tap any item to jump
What is Mongolian medicine
Mongolian medicine is a traditional medical system shaped by the nomadic life and natural environment of the Mongolian people. It holds that the body is made up of three basics — Hee (wind), Shar (fire) and Badgan (earth and water) — and that illness arises when they fall out of balance. Diagnosis combines observation, questioning and palpation with urine and pulse reading.
Treatment centres on natural herbs, physical therapies and the regulation of diet and daily rhythm, adjusted to season and constitution. For chronic illness, joint disease, post-treatment recovery and constitutional care, it is often an important complement to Western medicine.
Shar (fire)
The fire principle governs body heat, digestion and complexion. Excess Shar appears as a bitter taste, fever, jaundice or headache; it is treated by clearing heat.
Badgan (earth and water)
The earth-water principle governs fluids, joint lubrication and stability. Excess Badgan appears as heaviness, cold or poor digestion; it is treated by warming and resolving dampness.
The history of Mongolian medicine
From steppe folk medicine to a systematic theory, modern hospitals and heritage status — six key stages.
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Before the Mongol Empire (pre-13th century)
Primitive steppe medicine. Nomads learned to stop bleeding, splint fractures and apply herbs through hunting and warfare, without a formal theory.
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13th century · Mongol Empire and Yuan dynasty
Frequent warfare advanced bone-setting and battle-wound care; court physicians were appointed, Tibetan theory was absorbed, and experience was written down.
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16th–17th centuries · early Ming and Qing
The Tibetan classic Four Tantras reached Mongolia; a systematic theory began to form and monastic medical education arose.
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18th century · Qing dynasty
Theory matured: Yeshi Baljor wrote Four Tantras of Nectar, laying the independent theoretical foundation, and many works followed.
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19th century
Jambaldorji completed the Materia Medica of Mongolian Medicine, organising steppe herbs into a complete pharmacopoeia.
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Modern era · 20th century to today
Mongolian medicine modernised with hospitals and colleges; bone-setting, internal medicine and cardiovascular care continue to evolve, and it is listed as national intangible cultural heritage.
Signature therapies
Every therapy below is selected by a qualified Mongolian medicine physician according to your constitution and condition. Available services differ slightly between hospitals.
Mongolian herbal medicine
Natural herbs are compounded into formulas and prescribed according to the balance of Hee, Shar and Badgan. Mainly used for chronic conditions and constitutional care.
Medicinal bath therapy
Decocted Mongolian herbs are used for full or partial bathing. Heat and medicinal action together promote circulation; often used for joints, skin and cold-related conditions.
Acupuncture
Needles are placed along the channels, with or without warming, to regulate the flow of qi and blood. Commonly used for pain, insomnia and neurological symptoms.
Manual therapy and massage
Hand techniques act on the surface and joints to release tension and correct misalignment. Mainly used for neck, shoulder, back and limb pain and sports injuries.
Cupping
Negative pressure is created on the skin to dispel cold and dampness and to move qi and blood. Suited to cold-damp patterns and muscle strain.
Moxibustion
Warm moxa or Mongolian herbs are applied to specific areas to warm yang and disperse cold. Used for cold-deficiency constitutions and chronic pain.
Bloodletting therapy
A small amount of blood is released at specific points or superficial vessels to clear blood heat. Used for heat patterns, hypertension and some skin conditions.
Cranial and bone setting
Traditional Mongolian manual techniques for sequelae after head injury and for reducing joint displacement. Must be performed by an experienced physician.
What Mongolian medicine is known for
Mongolian medicine excels at manual and external therapies, above all bone-setting and trauma care, complementing Western surgery.
Mongolian bone-setting (national intangible cultural heritage)
Born from battlefield care of Mongol cavalry: frequent fractures and dislocations produced closed manual reduction and splint fixation without surgery.
- Gentle technique balancing movement and rest; oxhide, wood and sandbag splints plus Mongolian herbs, applied and taken internally, reduce swelling and pain;
- Effective for limb fractures, dislocations, soft-tissue injury, old fractures and cervical and lumbar joint disease;
- Many fractures can avoid surgery — less trauma and a shorter recovery.
- Trauma surgery: steppe wound hemostasis, wound care and traditional external medicines;
- Cardiovascular and rheumatic disease: herbs regulate the three roots in rheumatism and rheumatoid conditions;
- External therapies: moxibustion, bloodletting, cupping and the five-nectar medicinal bath;
- Long-term care of chronic digestive and respiratory conditions.
Classic works of Mongolian medicine
Four works that hold together its theory, pharmacology and formulas.
| Work | Author | Era | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four Tantras of Nectar | Yeshi Baljor | 18th century | The summation of Mongolian basic theory and core text of the three-roots doctrine. |
| Mongolian Materia Medica | Jambaldorji | 19th century | A pharmacology milestone recording over 800 steppe herbs with hand-drawn plates. |
| Ocean of Formulas | Mirul Jambal Choiji Danzan Puntsug | 19th century | The great formulary, containing tens of thousands of formulas. |
| Four Tantras (Mongolian translation) | Yuthog Nyingma Yonten Gonpo (original) | Mongolian translation, 17th century | The Tibetan classic that deeply shaped Mongolian medical theory. |
Important figures
Four masters who defined Mongolian theory, pharmacology, education and bone-setting.
Yeshi Baljor
1704–1788
Founder of Mongolian medical theory and author of Four Tantras of Nectar; he refined the three-roots doctrine into a complete framework.
Jambaldorji
1792–1855
The king of steppe medicine, author of the Mongolian Materia Medica recording over 800 herbs with illustrated plates.
Surenjab
1928–2014
First National Master of Chinese Medicine and founder of modern Mongolian medicine; he drove higher education and standardisation.
Bao Jinshan
Contemporary
National representative inheritor of Mongolian bone-setting, carrying forward traditional manipulation.
Mongolian medicine physicians
Physicians from Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Medicine Hospital and Hohhot Mongolian and Chinese Medicine Hospital. We can help arrange an outpatient visit or consultation.
Su Mu Ya
Chief Physician
Department肺病科
Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital
Chen Sha Na
Chief Physician
Department血液病科
Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital
Na Shun Da Lai
Chief Physician
Department心脏病科
Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital
Ha Si Ba Gen
Chief Physician
Department消化二科
Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital
Zhang Yu Rong
Chief Physician
Department妇科
Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital
Su He
Chief Physician
Department知名专家门诊
Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital
Tu Ya
Department蒙医肺病科
Hohhot Traditional Chinese Medicine and Mongolian Medicine Hospital
Ba Te Er
Department蒙医哮喘鼻炎专科
Hohhot Traditional Chinese Medicine and Mongolian Medicine Hospital
Qi Xiao Hui
Department蒙医紫癜科
Hohhot Traditional Chinese Medicine and Mongolian Medicine Hospital
Te Mu Qi Lei
Department蒙医针灸五疗科
Hohhot Traditional Chinese Medicine and Mongolian Medicine Hospital
Wu Lan Tu Ya
Department蒙医妇科
Hohhot Traditional Chinese Medicine and Mongolian Medicine Hospital
Chao Le Meng
Department蒙医妇科
Hohhot Traditional Chinese Medicine and Mongolian Medicine Hospital
Mongolian medicine hospitals
We can help arrange appointments and wellness services at the following hospitals.
Social contribution
Mongolian medicine continues to serve public health, cultural heritage and industry.
| Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Public health | For over a thousand years it has cared for steppe nomads and remains vital in grassroots pastoral medicine. |
| Heritage and culture | Mongolian bone-setting is national intangible heritage, and the wider system preserves nomadic wisdom. |
| Complement to modern medicine | Bone-setting, baths and herbs offer distinctive treatments for joint and chronic disease, enriching Chinese traditional medicine. |
| Industry | Industrialised Mongolian medicine supports steppe herb cultivation and the economy of border regions. |
Not sure which therapy fits your situation?
Send us your medical records and preferred timing. A coordinator will help work out the order of Western treatment and Mongolian medicine, then arrange the right hospital and physician.