Mixing Medicines: Ecologies of Care in Buddhist Siberia

Mixing Medicines explores the institutionalization of Tibetan medicine in Buryatia, Russia, challenging center-periphery models and showing how a therapeutic life mediated by traditional medicines depends on a dense collective mingling of human and non-human worlds.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: Fordham University Press

Traditional medicine continues to hold a significant place in modern Russia, often being perceived as either a lingering legacy from the pre-Soviet era or a reflection of the challenges faced by a transitioning capitalist society. Mixing Medicines, a captivating ethnographic exploration set in the semi-autonomous indigenous republic of Buryatia in Southeastern Siberia, aims to challenge these prevailing narratives. Through an in-depth examination of the institutionalization of Tibetan medicine, a botanically-based therapeutic practice that is simultaneously foreign, international, and deeply rooted in Russia's Buddhist regions, the book offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of emptiness and replenishment.

By emphasizing the cosmopolitan nature of Tibetan medicine and the culturally specific origins of biomedicine, Mixing Medicines challenges the notion of isolation and political marginalization prevalent in narratives about Buryatia. The book reveals how individuals in this region actively complicate established center-periphery models, subverting narratives that portray them as isolated or politically marginalized.

At the heart of Mixing Medicines lies the argument that a therapeutic life facilitated by the practices of traditional medicines is not merely a response to societal abandonment but rather emerges from a rich and intricate mingling of human and non-human worlds. This mingling generates new senses of rootedness and reshapes regional and national conversations about care, history, and belonging.

Through its ethnographic lens, Mixing Medicines sheds light on the intricate ways in which traditional medicines are intertwined with local customs, beliefs, and practices. It explores the ways in which these medicines are used not only for their medicinal properties but also as a means of maintaining social harmony, fostering community resilience, and preserving cultural heritage.

The book also delves into the challenges faced by practitioners of Tibetan medicine in Russia, including the need to navigate complex regulatory frameworks, cultural barriers, and the skepticism of mainstream medical institutions. However, it highlights the resilience and adaptability of these practitioners, who have worked tirelessly to establish their practices and gain recognition within the Russian healthcare system.

Mixing Medicines is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the intersection of traditional medicine, globalization, and cultural identity. It offers a valuable contribution to the field of medical anthropology, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape healthcare practices and perceptions in diverse societies. By challenging prevailing narratives and promoting a more nuanced understanding of the role of traditional medicines in modern Russia, the book contributes to a broader dialogue about the importance of cultural heritage, the role of the state in healthcare, and the potential for cross-cultural collaboration in the pursuit of health and well-being.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780823294312