Thangka Twenty-Seven.jpg [1/3] Title: Materials for Medicine III - Thangka Twenty-Seven Source: Thangkas 017.jpg Caption: This thangka is the third in a series of six on the subject of materials used for making medicines. In particular, this painting finishes the section which began in the previous thangka (tk 26, not included in this presintation) dedicated to wood, nectarous and plateau medications. Begining at the second panel from the bottom, this painting also shows herbal medications. The depictions of trees begining on the second panel from the top are 10 different forms of chebulic myrobalan, which is considered the most important and all-purpose material in Tibetan medicine. The fruits, which are black or yellow, are what distinguish the different varieties of myrobalan, and depending on the form of the fruit, five, seven or eight distinct varieties have been identified. The most important kind of myrobalan, known as "the victorious," is the first tree with the yellow fruit on the second panel. This form of myrobalan is known to induce happiness. Many of the herbs, which begin at the yellow inscription on the panel second from the bottom, are used to cure fevers. It is interesting to note that these paintings seem to vary substantially between different sets of thangkas. This is perhaps because the painter did not only rely on previous thangkas, but likely used actual herbs and specimens as a guide. Sources and Further Reading: Dorje & Meyer: pg 65-66, 221-222