Shiatsudo Blog

My respect for tigers continually grows…….so says Calvin. But they are endangered. According to Care for the Wild, a century ago there were 100,000 tigers. We have about 4500 left. That’s disgusting. We are killing off a beautiful animal out of ignorance, stupidity and greed.

Why am I writing about tigers in a shiatsu blog? Well, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) traditionally uses tiger bone in many tonics and medicines to treat disease from arthritis and rheumatism to bone injuries, skin diseases and malaria. So tiger conservation is something all of us involved in disciplines based on TCM should care about.
Use of tiger bone in medicine is one of the contributing factors to the decline of the tiger population.

However, trade in tiger products is illegal in most countries – in the UK it is an offense under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997. And it should stay that way! In 1993, China outlawed all trade in domestic tiger products, but businesses who profit from selling tiger based products are pressurising the Chinese government to lift the ban and allow limited legal trading. Check out the recent Care for the Wild news article on this.

There are alternatives for tiger bone in TCM formulas. Several studies have found pig and cow bones to be good substitutes. There is also fake tiger bone – synthetically manufactured to reproduce the amino acid profile found in tiger bone. However, these don’t really address the underlying demand for tiger bone….the very concept of a substitute is flawed since it still carries the connotation that it is inferior and that using real tiger would result in a better and more effective medicine or tonic. This just maintains a demand for illegal tiger bone. And where there is demand, there will be supply.

A better way forward is to re-write our formulas. Change the perception that tiger bone is the preferred ingredient. The TCM herbalists have an opportunity to re-educate the public who are using their products. Stop telling them in hushed tones that tiger bone is better….Change the idea that tiger bone is the best ingredient for their ailment and we can eliminate the consumer demand. No demand means no profit to be made from selling it. No profit, no poaching, no trade….and hopefully an increasing population of tigers!

Your turn to do something – visit the links….give a donation to your preferred charity, add your photo to the great tiger mosaic….and never purchase anything that you suspect of having tiger as an ingredient.

WWF
Care for the Wild
Tiger mosaic
TRAFFIC
21st Century Tiger

Tigers are mean.
Tigers are fierce.
Tigers have teeth
and claws that pierce.

Tigers are great,
they can’t be beat.
If I was a tiger,
that would be neat.

Tigers are nimble
and light on their toes,
my respect for tigers
continually grows.

Tigers are perfect,
the e-pit-o-me
of good looks and grace
and quiet dignity.

Tigers are great!
They’re the toast of the town.
Life’s always better
when a tiger’s around!

Bill Watterson – Calvin and Hobbes – The tree house song

Tags:Acupuncture & TCM, TCM, tiger bone, tigers