IMAGE 17: Enduring medical knowledges and artistic traditions in modern Tibetan society. Romio Shrestha, ‘Tangka, Materia Medica IV: Herbal Medications’. Collection: Asian Ethnographic Collection, Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History. Catalog No: 70.3/ 5489. Culture: Tibetan. Country: China. Material: Canvas, Pigment, Gilt [Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton]. Dimensions: Height: 75 cm. Width: 56.8 cm. Technique: Painted. Subject: Medical Tangka, Materia Medica IV: Herbal Medications. Acquisition Year: 1998 [gift]. Donor: Emily Fisher. Artist: Romio Shrestha. Exhibition History: ‘Body and Spirit: Tibetan Medical Paintings. Amnh, New York, Ny. January 2011 – July 2011’. Exhibition Label: ‘High Altitude Medicinal Plants. Although much of Tibet lies at very high altitudes and consists of sparse grasslands, the region contains forests and semi-deserts as well. These produce thousands of different plant species, many used in traditional Tibetan medicine. This painting shows some of that variety, including grasses and funguses as well as sedum, a succulent. Blue Gentian: According to the humoral classifications of Tibetan medicine, gentian is used to treat an excess of bile or wind. Its taste is bitter and its nature is cooling. Many varieties of gentian, like this Tibetan blue gentian, grow at high altitudes around the world. (4th row, 1st image)’. Downloaded from Himalayan Art Resources, Item No. 94106. © 2020 Himalayan Art Resources Inc. Photographed Image Copyright © 2009 American Museum of Natural History.