File:A Medical Thangka - Root of Treatment.jpg

English: This painting illustrates a general overview of the treatment process as it is outlined in the Root Tantra. Treatment can begin after humoural imbalance has been assessed through the diagnosis process (tk 3.) The four trunks of the tree (from left to right) correspond respectively to counsel on diet, guidance on conduct, appropriate medicinal treatments and external physical therapies.

For the sake of an example, this presentation will go in-depth on counsel of diet, and examine the role that the three humors play in this treatment. The dietary trunk of the treatment thangka diverges into six blue, yellow and white branches. Each colour indicates the humoral imbalance to which it relates.

The blue branches correspond to food and drink which balance rlung (wind). These foods are generally "oily and nutritious foods." Seed oil, garlic and human, donkey, marmot and horse flesh are some of foods shown in the rlung leaves.

The yellow branches depict food and drink to alleviate mkhris-pa (bile) imbalance. Generally these foods are "cool and light." Fresh butter, dandelion leaves and seeds, warm water and goat, veal, and deer meat are all shown on the yellow leaves.

Finally, the white leaves and branches illustrate food and drink for bad-kan (phlegm) imbalance, which is rebalanced through the application of a “warming diet." Honey, boiled water, fish, mutton, and beast and yak meat are shown on the white leaves indicating their bad-kan balancing properties. In total, there are six branches with 35 leaves on the dietary trunk of the treatment tree, each illustrating a food or drink used for rebalancing the humors.

Sources and Further Reading: Averdon: pg 110

Old: pg 75-78