I've just finished pack 13 of 40 medicinal herbal tea mixtures. In order to finish my full regiment before traveling Dec. 1, I'll have to triple up for a few days this week. It is still TBD whether there are recognizable effects of this medicine.
My Mom goes every year to boost her system and fight off the annual evil flu or cold. She says it has helped keep her healthy and avoid getting sick. Last year she missed her dose and feels her flu/colds so far have been due to this lapse. It is a common belief shared by many Koreans apparently, that an annual dose of this Oriental Medicine can "keep the doctor away." So, as my Mom made her appointment, I said I would take her there and she offered to get me a visit with the specialist. The man who decides what allies you and which tea you will need, met with us and took my pulse first.
I am apparently suffering from a lack of blood aka not great circulation, my respiratory system is weak, and my kidneys are not up to snuff. This all translated into $400 and a tea with the special antler powder, something my Mom's $300 mix did not need.
My sister is skeptical, as am I about how the diagnosis is reached and well we actually receive in our pouches. I will say, however, the packaging is done well. The office clean and seemingly homey with nature documentaries playing on a loop. The other thing is it is next door to a Korean Church. I'm sure a lot of business comes from connections there. The office also has those drawers that remind me of this photo I took in Beijing at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Similar methods and materials by run by a Korean.
I am always open to trying new things and believe anything can have power if you believe in it. So, this winter, as I am trying to build up my energy for this long hard winter ahead, I am trying this tea. It has a bitter smell and taste, but it smells familiar and reminds me of my Dad for some reason. And that makes it taste less bitter.
Something else about hope and trying to make sense of things...
I am reminded also of this machine I ran into in Hong Kong at the Peak. A little Roman Holiday in China. A replica that told fortunes. I have the read out somewhere, but it was in Chinese, so I was unable to dicier the message until I had my tutor in Beijing make sense of it for me. I only recall I wasn't so lucking in Love. Fine in the Fame and Fortune department. Well, C'est la vie! Can't have it all now, can we?
