The basics of the methods of treatment namely is conduct, diet, medication and external therapy. Conduct which is recommended in cases of disease caused by an imbalance of wind indicate that the patient should stay in a warm location in the convivial company of pleasant friends. Those appropriate for diseases caused by an imbalance of bile indicate the opposite, namely that the patient should stay in cool locations and relax quietly. Lastly, in cases of diseases caused by an imbalance of phlegm the patient should engage in energetic activities and keep warm. The foods recommendations, which refer to the tastes, potencies, tranquillizing effects and cathartic effects of various medications, classified according to the three humoural diseases.The tastes and potencies of medications recommended for diseases caused by an imbalance of wind is indicate that the taste should be sweet, sour or salty and the potency of an oily, heavy or gentle nature . Those recommended for diseases caused by an imbalance of bile indicate that the taste should be sweet bitter or astringent and the potency of a cool thin or dull nature. Similarly in cases of diseases caused by an imbalance of phlegm the taste should be pungent sour or astringent and the potency of a sharp harsh or light nature. As far as the classification of medications as tranquillizing agents namely: broth, medicinal butters decoctions powders, pills, and tres-sam medicinal powders . Patients afflicted by diseases of wind are prescribed broths which may be prepared from bones, from the "four essences" of meat, butter, molasses and wine, or from an extract of boiled sheep's head. Alternatively they may be prescribed medicinal butters whose main ingredients are respectively nutmeg, garlic, three varieties of myrobalan fruit, five varieties of root plant including hogfennel and asparagus or of black aconite which is revered as the "great medicine" (sman-chen). Patients afflicted by diseases caused by an imbalance of bile are prescribed decoctions based on elecampane, moonseed, gentian, or the three varieties of myrobalan fruit or powders made of camphor, white sandal-wood, saffron, and bamboo pith. Then patients with an imbalance of phlegm are to be prescribed pills compounded of yellow aconite and mineral salts or medicinal powders compounded of pomegranate, rhododendron, slaked lime burnt salts and calcite ash.

In addition to these medications which are described as having a tranquillizing effect, there are three types of cathartic procedures, namely enemata, purgatives, and emetics which are recommended respectively for diseases caused by wind, bile and phlegm . Enemata maybe prepared to purify and cleanse ailments' of wind alone or in combination with either bile or phlegm . Purgatives which also include ablutions, vigorous massage and compress may be general or specific in their purpose, and strong or mild in their action . Emetics may also be strong or mild .

External therapy, comprises three methodes, also corresponding to the three humoural diseases. An imbalance of wind suggests that the therapeutic methods of massage and Mongolian moxibustion should be applied. The latter is a small hot compress made of felt which has been immersed in cummin seed oil. For imbalances of bile the therapy should include induced perspiration, bloodlettting and bathing in cold waterfalls or natural springs and finally for imbalances of phlegm the preferred techniques are compress and moxibustion .

For the influence of spirits there are innumerable disorders brought about by certain contributory factors or conditions relating to harmful influences or spirits. The 360 female spirit influences are connected with desire and attachment and give rise to Wind. The 360 male spirit influences are connected with anger and hared and give rise to disorders from Bile. The 360 demons klu or water dwelling spirits) and Sa-bdag (specific spirits that govern or haunt particular places) are connected with ignorance and give rise to Phlegm disorders. If they happen to be disturbed, all these spirits can cause harm, and people would have to consult a lama or tantric practitioner for a divination. Through their help the spirits would be expelled through religious ritual and ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

To proceed without understanding therapeutic principles
    is like shooting an arrow in the dark.

The physician, who has not yet determined the details of heat and cold 
      in clinical situations should proceed cautiously like a creeping cat.

 The physician, who has made a firm diagnosis should proceed only, as if 
      hoisting a silken banner on mountain.

 The physician, who has a correct diagnosis, but must first treat various 
      impeding secondary symptoms, should proceed as if goading an untamed horse 
      along .

The physician treating the patient of another doctor whose medication has 
      been insufficient, excessive ore counter-indicative, should proceed unerringly, 
      like a gull catching a fish.

The physician should treat the most serious diseases with all available 
      means, as if meeting a deadly enemy on narrow path.

 The physician should treat minor diseases gradually, as if scaling the 
      rungs of ladder.

The physician should treat diseases caused by a single humour in isolation 
      so that other humours are not harmed, like a hero vanquishing an enemy.

The physician should treat combined humoural diseases with equanimity, 
      like a chieftain reconciling a dispute.

In brief, heavy treatment should be administered for a serious disease 
      to the heavy load carried by a hybrid cow.

Light treatment should be administered for minor ailments similar to the 
      lesser load carried by a sheep.

In this way everyone will discern the nature of the disease as clearly 
      as a silken banner on a mountain - top.