Eliot Tokar is a traditional Tibetan medicine doctor and internationally experienced writer and lecturer. He has practiced Tibetan medicine in NYC since 1993, and is one of the first Westerners to have received extensive textual and clinical training in this field.
Eliot accomplished his studies by the Tibetan medicine tradition of Man Ngag Lugs (by direct instruction), beginning in 1983 with Dr. Yeshi Dhonden, and then from 1986 as an apprentice to Dr. Trogawa Rinpoche (founder Chagpori Tibetan Medical Institute, WB, India); both of whom were co-founders of the Tibetan Medical Institute (Men-Tsee-Khang) in Dharmasala, India. In 1993 Eliot began his clinical practice based on a directive from Dr. Trogawa Rinpoche. He additionally pursued continuing Tibetan medical education in the form of clinical internships and textual studies working with several Tibetan physicians. Eliot has also studied clinical aspects of Chinese and Japanese medicine with a diversity of senior clinicians.
Eliot has lectured widely on healthcare at universities, medical colleges and institutions such as Yale Univ., Princeton Univ., NYU, Harvard Medical School, Univ. of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Washington Univ. School of Medicine in St. Louis, NY Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the NY Botanical Garden and at the Asia Society (NY). He was the only Western clinician to speak at the first modern International Academic Conference on Tibetan Medicine in 2000 in Lhasa, Tibet, PRC. Eliot has also served as an advisor to organizations such as the American Medical Student Association
Eliot’s work has appeared in American and international journals. His writings and lectures concern the theory and practice of Tibetan medicine, the role of traditional Asian medicine in the modern world and in context of globalization, as well as topics such as medical pluralism, integrative medicine, mind-body medicine, evidence-based medicine, biopiracy and intellectual property rights. In 2008 his article “An Ancient Medicine in a New World” was featured with the work of many international scholars in “Tibetan Medicine in the Contemporary World: Global Politics of Medical Knowledge and Practice” (pub. Routledge). In 2009 the book was awarded the International Convention of Asia Scholars Colleagues Choice Book Prize Award.
Please sign in to see contact details.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Nicole D
11 months agoI met Dr. Tokar a year and a half ago after being diagnosed with cancer for the second time. I had just started chemo and immunotherapy, but I was looking for additional support to help me through the treatment process and to give me the best chance at thriving when treatment ended. He recommended dietary changes and started me on herbal compounds. We spoke every month and he would change the herbs based on how I was feeling and what symptoms I was experiencing. In addition to cancer and the adverse effects of the treatment, I had struggled with digestion issues for most of my life. By following Dr. Tokar's recommended diet and taking the herbs, my digestion greatly improved and has remained regular. I finished treatment at the beginning of this year, and I feel good. I know Dr. Tokar's protocol has played a major part in that. We have continued to have consultations every month. We discuss how I am feeling and he sends me a new pack of herbs. With 40 years of experience in Tibetan medicine, Dr. Tokar is extremely knowledgeable. He is always reminding me to reach out to him with updates, and if anything arises I know he will be there to help me through it. Having cancer and going the conventional treatment route can be overwhelming, exhausting and scary, but following Dr. Tokar's recommendations made me feel like I had some power over my health and quality of life. His commitment to Tibetan medicine and the well-being of his patients is obvious, and I will be forever grateful to be under his care and guidance.
martin epstein
11 months agoDr. Eliot Tokar has been an invaluable support to me in my journey to wellness. In 2022, in my seventies, I received a cancer diagnosis. I sought an alternative path to the conventional biomedical treatments that were being recommended to me by my physician, which would have likely resulted in meaningful adverse side effects. Dr. Tokar's Tibetan medicine approach was a revelation. During our first meeting, he spent two hours carefully listening to my health history, conducting the necessary diagnostic tests for Tibetan medicine, and creating a holistic plan of lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and Tibetan herbal remedies to help me regain my health. His focus was not solely on my cancer diagnosis, but on addressing the causes of my condition and improving my overall health and well-being. Month after month, Dr. Tokar's expertise guided me through personalized Tibetan herbal remedies and dietary and lifestyle adjustments. By August 2023, I had made significant progress. Thanks to Dr. Tokar's care, I was able to opt for safer immunotherapy treatments. Today, I have combined his Tibetan medicine with cutting-edge oncology, creating a path of healing that utilizes both traditional Asian medicine and modern biomedical therapies in a complementary manner. I now feel healthier and empowered, with a renewed sense of hope. Dr. Tokar's wisdom and compassionate approach have enriched my life and exemplify the profound potential of integrative medicine in cancer care. I am immensely grateful for his guidance and the invaluable gift of improved health he has helped me achieve. Dr. Tokar is more than just a doctor; he is a true healer, dedicated to restoring both health and hope.
Susan Torrie
11 months agoI have been a patient of Dr. Tokar for the past several years. Dr. Tokar has been treating and helping me manage a variety of chronic health concerns. In the western world, it is not often easy to find fully qualified Tibetan medical practitioners, and practitioners with a western background are rarer still. Dr. Tokar combines the best of both worlds with insight and familiarity with modern western interpretations of treatment and his mastery of traditional Tibetan diagnoses and treatments. As someone who has been dealing with multiple health concerns over the past several years, I absolutely credit Dr. Tokar‘s treatments, combined with those from a traditional Chinese doctor- both of whom balance my western medicine treatments,- with my ongoing successful ability to manage my conditions. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Tokar to anyone seeking an alternative to western medicine or a traditional medical treatment in conjunction with western medicine.
Bean MacDonald
11 months agoHope is not lost when Dr. Tokar is treating you! Expert is not a strong enough word to describe the quality of medicinal care he provides. His natural approach of healing through diet, behavior and holistic modalities - coupled with your own dedication, discipline and execution CAN overcome the deepest of illness by TRULY healing. For six years my husband and I struggled to conceive a child. A multitude of western medicine doctors provided options to 'mask' or side-step our issues with the possibility or probability of health repercussions. Through years of research and a strong desire to approach our challenges naturally, we found Dr. Tokar. After only twelve months of treatment, we conceived our first child NATURALLY. His care has deeply changed our lives forever. I forward this recommendation with a lifetime of gratitude and with the hope that it will help others to find him and TRULY HEAL."
Nora Renzulli
2 years agoTibetan medicine doctor Eliot Tokar conducted a proper assessment, accurately diagnosed me, and drew up an effective treatment plan. That was three transformative years ago. Before meeting Dr. Tokar, I was being treated by a myriad of biomedical physicians (MDs) and going downhill fast. Instead of taking a potent pharmaceutical medication prescribed for an emerging, potentially crippling disease, I learned from Dr. Tokar that changes in lifestyle, diet and herbal compounds were a viable route to remedying the presenting problems and toward health in the best sense of the word. I accepted the challenge wholeheartedly. My lab values went from extreme highs and lows to normal range, and my energy level and mobility returned to how I had felt decades earlier. During the early phase of my treatment, I remember seeing someone riding a bike outside Dr. Tokar's office in NYC and telling him that I can't see myself ever doing that again. But after my treatment with Dr. Tokar raised my consciousness to take action to recover my health, I witnessed dramatic improvements. I changed my habits and diet as Dr. Tokar recommended. Today, I am retired and living in Atlanta. I am continuing my Tibetan medicine treatment with monthly telemedicine appointments with Dr. Tokar. My primary care physician here marveled at my last check-up that, unlike most of her other patients in my age group, I take no other prescribed medication and, at my last appointment, I actually measured a half inch taller. This year I became a first time runner and completed the Peach Tree 10k Road Race. Now I am continuing to combine running, tai chi and yoga. Healthcare is not a spectator sport, and biomedicine has its limitations as I learned the hard way. I highly recommend Dr. Tokar. I am forever grateful for his intervention in my downward spiral and his skill and compassion redirecting me toward holistic healthcare.