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Mongolian Traditional Medicine

A nomadic healing system blending Tibetan Buddhist medicine with the steppe's hardy plants, adaptogens, and animal remedies to withstand extreme climates.

Mongolia & Central Asia

History & Philosophy

Origins

Mongolian traditional medicine developed as a nomadic steppe healing system, absorbing Tibetan Buddhist medicine after its spread into Mongolia around the 16th–17th centuries and blending it with older indigenous practices suited to a mobile, pastoral life.

Core philosophy

The tradition is shaped by the demands of an extreme climate and nomadic lifestyle, drawing heavily on animal-derived remedies, fermented dairy (like airag, fermented mare's milk), and hardy steppe plants, alongside Tibetan humoral theory.

Practiced today

Mongolian traditional medicine is practiced today alongside modern healthcare, with continued use of moxibustion, fermented dairy therapies, and herbal formulas rooted in both Tibetan and native Mongolian pharmacology.

Herbs, foods & remedies

93 herbs traditionally used within Mongolian Traditional Medicine — most often for Digestive Issues, Fever, Liver Support.

Acanthopanax (Arali)

Eleutherococcus senticosus

FatigueStressMemory

Aconitum (Khuchin Tsetseg)

Aconitum kusnezoffii

PainArthritisNerve Support

Adonis (Tovruuliin Tsetseg)

Adonis sibiricus

Heart HealthEdemaKidney Support

Agrimony (Shar Tsetseg)

Agrimonia pilosa

Digestive IssuesLiver SupportWound Healing

Arctic Root (Altain Rhodiola)

Rhodiola algida

Altitude SicknessFatigueCold Resistance

Aster (Ovs Tsetseg)

Aster tataricus

Respiratory IssuesCoughImmune Support

Bergenia (Khatan Ovs 2)

Bergenia crassifolia

Kidney SupportDiarrheaInflammation

Bog Bilberry (Nils)

Vaccinium uliginosum

Eye HealthCirculationDiabetes

Burdock (Nokhoi Tsetseg 2)

Arctium lappa

Skin HealthLiver SupportDetox

Burnet Root (Zangaad)

Sanguisorba officinalis

Wound HealingDiarrheaInflammation

Caraway (Khars Shar)

Carum carvi

Digestive IssuesBloatingColic

Centaurea (Khukhee Tsetseg)

Centaurea sibirica

FeverWound HealingLiver Support

Chinese Licorice (Shara Modny)

Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Respiratory IssuesDigestive IssuesUlcers

Chrysanthemum (Altai Tsetseg)

Chrysanthemum zawadskii

FeverHeadacheEye Health

Cimicifuga (Kheviin Tsetseg)

Cimicifuga foetida

FeverHeadacheMenstrual Issues

Cinquefoil (Tavan Khuruu)

Potentilla bifurca

DiarrheaWound HealingFever

Cloudberry (Heh)

Rubus chamaemorus

Immune SupportWound HealingUTI

Codonopsis (Nokhoi Ovs 2)

Codonopsis pilosula

FatigueImmune SupportAnemia

Coptis (Khara Mod)

Coptis chinensis

InfectionFeverDigestive Issues

Coriander (Khasaa)

Coriandrum sativum

Digestive IssuesCholesterolSkin Health

Corydalis (Urguu)

Corydalis turtschaninovii

PainArthritisInsomnia

Cowberry (Brusniits)

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

UTIKidney SupportCystitis

Cress (Tsagaan Buudai)

Lepidium apetalum

Respiratory IssuesEdemaDigestive Issues

Cynanchum (Khusgul)

Cynanchum sibiricum

Heart HealthDigestive IssuesWound Healing

Cyperus (Dagsha)

Cyperus rotundus

Digestive IssuesFeverMenstrual Issues

Dandelion (Naran Tsetseg)

Taraxacum mongolicum

Liver SupportDigestive IssuesDetox

Datura (Teneg)

Datura stramonium

AsthmaArthritisNerve Pain

Elecampane (Khatan Shuteen)

Inula helenium

Respiratory IssuesDigestive IssuesImmune Support

Ephedra (Zagas Mod)

Ephedra sinica

AsthmaRespiratory IssuesCold

Fennel (Shar Khundag)

Foeniculum vulgare

Digestive IssuesColicHormonal Imbalance

Fritillaria (Tsambagarav)

Fritillaria thunbergii

CoughRespiratory IssuesThyroid

Gentian (Gantsg)

Gentiana dahurica

Digestive IssuesLiver SupportFever

Geranium (Uulan Tsetseg)

Geranium sibiricum

DiarrheaWound HealingInflammation

Goldenrod (Altan Ovs)

Solidago virgaurea

Kidney SupportUTIArthritis

Haloxylon (Zagas)

Haloxylon ammodendron

Digestive IssuesFeverSkin Health

Hemerocallis (Shara Tsetseg)

Hemerocallis minor

AnemiaInsomniaLiver Support

Horsetail (Aduu Sarvai)

Equisetum arvense

Kidney SupportHair LossBone Health

Hyssop (Olgoi Tsetseg)

Hyssopus officinalis

Respiratory IssuesCoughDigestive Issues

Iris (Suuder Tsetseg)

Iris tenuifolia

Liver SupportDigestive IssuesInfection

Juniper (Artsuu)

Juniperus sabina

UTIArthritisKidney Support

Showing the first 40 of 93 — use “See all” above for the full, filterable list.

41 foods traditionally used within Mongolian Traditional Medicine — most often for Digestive Issues, Immune Support, Heart Health.

Barley

grain

CholesterolDiabetesDigestive Issues

Bog Bilberry

fruit

Eye HealthBlood SugarInflammation

Bone Broth

protein

Joint HealthDigestive IssuesBone Health

Buckwheat

grain

Blood SugarHeart HealthDigestive Issues

Burdock Root (Wild)

vegetable

DetoxLiver SupportDigestive Issues

Cloudberry

fruit

Immune SupportInflammationDigestive Issues

Cranberry (Wild)

fruit

Urinary HealthImmune SupportHeart Health

Dried Curds (Aaruul)

dairy

Bone HealthDigestive IssuesFatigue

Dried Meat (Borts)

protein

FatigueAnemiaBone Health

Fermented Mare's Milk (Airag)

fermented

Digestive IssuesImmune SupportGut Health

Goat Cheese

dairy

Digestive IssuesBone HealthImmune Support

Gobi Plantain (Plantago)

vegetable

Respiratory IssuesDigestive IssuesKidney Support

Hawthorn Berry (Siberian)

fruit

Heart HealthHigh Blood PressureCholesterol

Horse Milk

dairy

Digestive IssuesImmune SupportFatigue

Juniper Berry

spice

Digestive IssuesUrinary HealthInflammation

Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium)

vegetable

AnemiaBone HealthDigestive Issues

Lichen (Emergency Food)

vegetable

Digestive IssuesImmune SupportFatigue

Millet

grain

Digestive IssuesDiabetesBone Health

Mongolian Wild Garlic (Allium mongolicum)

vegetable

Heart HealthCancer PreventionImmune Support

Mutton Fat

fat

FatigueSkin HealthBone Health

Oat

grain

CholesterolDigestive IssuesBlood Sugar

Organ Meat (Liver)

protein

AnemiaFatigueImmune Support

Pine Cone (Inner Seeds)

fat

Heart HealthCholesterolFatigue

Rhubarb

vegetable

ConstipationDigestive IssuesLiver Support

Rowanberry (Mongolian Rowan)

fruit

Immune SupportInflammationDigestive Issues

Sagebrush (Artemisia)

vegetable

Digestive IssuesImmune SupportInflammation

Schisandra Berry (Omegiin Jims)

fruit

Liver SupportFatigueStress

Sea Buckthorn

fruit

Immune SupportSkin HealthLiver Support

Steppe Onion (Allium altaicum)

vegetable

Immune SupportHeart HealthCirculation

Steppe Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)

vegetable

ConstipationLiver SupportDigestive Issues

Wild Apricot (Prunus sibirica)

fruit

AnemiaEye HealthDigestive Issues

Wild Asparagus (Asparagus dahuricus)

vegetable

Kidney SupportDetoxDigestive Issues

Wild Carrot

vegetable

Eye HealthDigestive IssuesImmune Support

Wild Crabapple

fruit

Digestive IssuesCholesterolBlood Sugar

Wild Garlic (Mongol Onion)

vegetable

Immune SupportHeart HealthCirculation

Wild Leek (Allium victorialis)

vegetable

Heart HealthImmune SupportCirculation

Wild Mushroom

mushroom

Immune SupportCancer PreventionFatigue

Wild Onion

vegetable

Immune SupportHeart HealthDigestive Issues

Wild Raspberry (Mongolian)

fruit

Immune SupportInflammationDigestive Issues

Wild Strawberry (Central Asian)

fruit

Immune SupportDigestive IssuesHeart Health

Showing the first 40 of 41 — use “See all” above for the full, filterable list.

20 juices traditionally used within Mongolian Traditional Medicine — most often for Immune Support, Digestive Issues, Fatigue.

Airag Fermented Mare's Milk Probiotic Tonic

Fermented mare's milk, Water, Honey

Digestive IssuesImmune SupportFatigue

Barley Steppe Water Tonic

Pearl barley, Water, Honey

Digestive IssuesKidney SupportCholesterol

Birch Sap Restorative Spring Tonic

Birch sap, Water, Honey

DetoxKidney SupportFatigue

Bog Bilberry Antioxidant Juice

Bilberries (bog), Water, Honey

Eye HealthCancer PreventionMemory

Buckwheat Mineral Tonic Water

Buckwheat, Water, Honey

High Blood PressureCholesterolBlood Sugar

Cloudberry Antioxidant Extract

Cloudberries, Water, Honey

Immune SupportCancer PreventionSkin Health

Dried Meat Mineral Broth Tonic

Dried meat broth (dilute), Water, Ginger

FatigueAnemiaBone Health

Goat Milk Nourishing Tonic

Goat milk, Honey, Ginger

Bone HealthFatigueDigestive Issues

Juniper Berry Cleansing Tea

Juniper berries, Water, Honey

Kidney SupportDetoxDigestive Issues

Lichen Mineral Steppe Water

Medicinal lichen, Water, Honey

Immune SupportDetoxFatigue

Nettle Highland Iron Tonic

Nettle leaves, Lemon, Apple

AnemiaFatigueHair Loss

Pine Cone Honey Medicinal Water

Young pine cones, Honey, Water

Respiratory IssuesImmune SupportInflammation

Rhubarb Digestive Cleansing Tonic

Rhubarb root, Water, Honey

ConstipationDigestive IssuesLiver Support

Sea Buckthorn Highland Vitamin C Shot

Sea buckthorn berries, Honey, Water

Immune SupportSkin HealthFatigue

Suutei Tsai Mongolian Salty Tea

Green tea, Milk, Salt

FatigueBone HealthDigestive Issues

Wild Carrot Restorative Juice

Wild carrot root, Lemon, Honey

Eye HealthImmune SupportDigestive Issues

Wild Cranberry Kidney Tonic

Wild cranberries, Water, Honey

Kidney SupportImmune SupportDetox

Wild Mushroom Restorative Broth

Wild steppe mushrooms, Water, Ginger

Immune SupportFatigueDigestive Issues

Wild Rosehip Highland Tonic

Wild rosehips, Water, Honey

Immune SupportArthritisAging

Yak Milk Whey Restorative Tonic

Yak milk whey, Water, Honey

FatigueBone HealthDigestive Issues

20 salves & topicals traditionally used within Mongolian Traditional Medicine — most often for Inflammation, Skin Health, Wound Healing.

Angelica Root Joint Poultice

poultice

Angelica root extract, Warm water, Sesame oil

ArthritisInflammationCirculation

Artemisia Wormwood Compress

compress

Artemisia (wormwood) herb infusion, Warm water, Sesame oil

InflammationArthritisCirculation

Birch Bark Compress

compress

Birch bark extract, Warm water, Honey

Skin HealthInflammationWound Healing

Camphor Chest Rub (Mongolian)

salve

Camphor crystals, Yak fat substitute, Eucalyptus oil

Respiratory IssuesAsthmaInflammation

Elecampane Root Compress

compress

Elecampane root extract, Warm water, Honey

Respiratory IssuesInflammationImmune Support

Gentian Bitter Skin Wash

wash

Gentian root extract, Witch hazel, Aloe vera

AcneSkin HealthInflammation

Horse Milk Whey Compress

compress

Fermented mare's milk whey, Honey, Warm water

Skin HealthInflammationImmune Support

Juniper Resin Antiseptic Paste

paste

Juniper resin, Honey, Olive oil

Wound HealingSkin HealthInflammation

Marmot Oil Healing Balm (traditional)

balm

Marmot oil (or emu oil substitute), Beeswax, Pine resin

Wound HealingSkin HealthArthritis

Mongolian Pine Resin Salve

salve

Pine resin, Beeswax, Olive oil

Wound HealingSkin HealthInflammation

Nettle Hair Rinse

wash

Nettle leaf tea, Apple cider vinegar, Rosemary essential oil

Hair LossSkin HealthInflammation

Rhubarb Root Astringent Wash

wash

Rhubarb root extract, Witch hazel, Rose water

AcneSkin HealthInflammation

Sea Buckthorn Wound Oil

oil-blend

Sea buckthorn berry oil, Rosehip oil, Vitamin E

Wound HealingSkin HealthInflammation

Sheep Lanolin Protective Balm

balm

Sheep lanolin, Beeswax, Calendula extract

Skin HealthEczemaWound Healing

Steppe Clay Detox Paste

paste

Mongolian clay, Rose water, Aloe vera

DetoxAcneSkin Health

Valerian Calming Oil Blend

oil-blend

Valerian root extract, Lavender oil, Jojoba oil

InsomniaStressAnxiety

Wild Mint Cooling Paste

paste

Wild mint extract, Aloe vera, Honey

InflammationSkin HealthRespiratory Issues

Wild Thyme Antiseptic Wash

wash

Wild thyme extract, Honey, Aloe vera

Wound HealingImmune SupportSkin Health

Yak Fat Protective Salve

salve

Yak fat (or shea butter substitute), Beeswax, Pine resin

Skin HealthWound HealingInflammation

Yarrow Wound Poultice

poultice

Yarrow herb, Plantain leaf, Honey

Wound HealingInflammationSkin Health

20 supplements traditionally used within Mongolian Traditional Medicine — most often for Inflammation, Digestive Issues, Detox.

Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Extract

capsule

Skin HealthDetoxLiver Support

Edelweiss Extract

capsule

Skin HealthAgingInflammation

Ephedra Sinica Extract (low-dose)

capsule

Respiratory IssuesAsthmaFatigue

Fermented Milk Peptides (Airag-derived)

capsule

Digestive IssuesImmune SupportCholesterol

Juniper Berry Extract

capsule

Kidney SupportDigestive IssuesInflammation

Licorice Root Extract (Mongolian)

capsule

Digestive IssuesRespiratory IssuesStress

Mongolian Artemisia Extract

capsule

Digestive IssuesInflammationLiver Support

Mongolian Gentian Extract

capsule

Digestive IssuesLiver SupportInflammation

Mongolian Valerian Extract

capsule

InsomniaAnxietyStress

Mongolian Yarrow Extract

capsule

CirculationInflammationWound Healing

Pine Bark Extract (Mongolian)

capsule

CirculationAgingInflammation

Rhodiola Rosea Extract (Mongolian)

capsule

StressFatigueDepression

Schisandra Berry Extract (Mongolian)

capsule

Liver SupportFatigueStress

Sea Buckthorn Berry Powder

powder

Immune SupportSkin HealthAging

Sea Buckthorn Oil Capsule (Mongolian)

softgel

Skin HealthImmune SupportInflammation

Shepherd's Purse Extract

capsule

CirculationWound HealingHormonal Imbalance

Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero) Extract

capsule

StressFatigueImmune Support

Wild Carrot Seed Extract

capsule

Kidney SupportDigestive IssuesHormonal Imbalance

Wild Rhubarb Root Extract

capsule

ConstipationLiver SupportDigestive Issues

Wild Thyme Extract

capsule

Respiratory IssuesImmune SupportDigestive Issues

20 essential oils traditionally used within Mongolian Traditional Medicine — most often for Fatigue, Inflammation, Respiratory Issues.

Angelica Root (Mongolian) Oil

massage

CirculationInflammationDigestive Issues

Birch Tar Oil

topical

Skin HealthEczemaInflammation

Bog Rosemary Oil

topical

InflammationSkin HealthEczema

Camphor (Mongolian) Oil

inhalation

Respiratory IssuesInflammationFatigue

Coriander (Mongolian) Oil

diffuser

Digestive IssuesAnxietyFatigue

Elecampane Root Oil

inhalation

Respiratory IssuesImmune SupportDigestive Issues

Juniper (Mongolian) Oil

diffuser

DetoxKidney SupportStress

Labrador Tea Oil

inhalation

Respiratory IssuesImmune SupportStress

Ledum (Labrador Tea) Oil

inhalation

Respiratory IssuesImmune SupportFatigue

Mongolian Lavender Oil

diffuser

InsomniaAnxietyStress

Mongolian Wild Mint Oil

inhalation

Digestive IssuesNauseaFatigue

Mongolian Wild Thyme Oil

diffuser

Immune SupportRespiratory IssuesInflammation

Scots Pine Oil

inhalation

Respiratory IssuesImmune SupportFatigue

Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil (Mongolian)

topical

Skin HealthAgingWound Healing

Siberian Fir Needle Oil

inhalation

Respiratory IssuesStressFatigue

Siberian Pine Oil

inhalation

Respiratory IssuesImmune SupportFatigue

Valerian (Mongolian) Oil

diffuser

InsomniaAnxietyStress

Wild Carrot Seed Oil

topical

Skin HealthAgingDetox

Wormwood (Mongolian Artemisia) Oil

topical

InflammationDigestive IssuesCirculation

Yarrow (Mongolian) Oil

topical

InflammationWound HealingCirculation