The making of Tibetan medicines

It is the work of the pharmacy department of Men Tsee Khang in Dharamsala to identify thousands of medicinal ingredients obtained from medicinal plants growing in the Himalayan region in India and Tibet, and process them by purification and seeking blessings through performing the rituals of Medicine Buddha and Yuthok Nyingthik. The department regularly produces 172 different medicines. They include four different types of decoctions, eighteen different types of powders and one hundred and fifty different pills. In addition, the department also produces eight different ‘precious pills’ including the famous Rinchen Drangjor Rilnag Chenmo, the precious black pill which is also known as the king of all precious pills.

The formula of thirty medicines is derived from the fundamental text, one hundred and seven from practical instruction of various scholars and thirty five from a combination of both fundamental text and personal instructions. The Medicines produced from the department are dispensed to all the branch clinics of Men-Tsee-Khang. New medicines are also prepared as per the instruction of administration and other departments. The production of new medicines and medicinal protecting pills against epidemic diseases are also prepared after thorough research. The department also undertakes research on raw materials which are listed as endangered, and which concern environmental issues.

From the Men-Tsee-Khang website.