Herbs are collected, cleaned,                        dried and packed for processing.

The making of medicines is a highly skilled and refined process requiring extensive experience. Plants that grow in different areas have different potencies. Yearly variations in the seasons affect the medicines and the timing for the collection of plants is crucial. Often an Amchie, or doctor will know this only by tasting the raw plant when collecting it. Specific parts of a plant are used for different medicines. Certain plants need to be dried in special ways: over a fire, in direct sunlight or sometimes by moonlight. In addition, the astrology has to be check and special ceremonies need be performed to ensure the power of the blessings of the Buddhas is contained in the medicine. This is especially important in the making of Precious Pills.

The plants, which grow at high altitude and in the crystal clear environment of Khumbu, have a very high quality and potency. No artificial fertilisers or chemicals are used so they are completely natural. In addition, the medicines are very fresh and so more effective.

The traditional ways of making medicine are extremely complicated and subtle and can only be done by a doctor with at least seven years specialized training. In order to maintain this tradition and high standards medicines have to be made by highly qualified doctors. The make the medicines the herbs need to be ground in to a fine powder. Depending on the medicine this is done either by hand or by a special machine. To hand grind the herbs using a special stone that was used by the Tibetan Master Depo Rinpoche for making medicine is the best. Depo Rinpoche was a renowned teacher, mediator and doctor who lived in exile at Pangboche.

Previously, with suport from the project also make the Long Life pills for the prayer ceremonies conducted by H.H. Trulshik Rinpoche at the sacred caves of Hallesie, or Maratika.

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An Ocean of Herbal Pills, ready to Heal.