So, while we were wandering around Yangshou one day, Kim and a few friends decided to go get a massage. When I meet up with her later, she tells me that I just have to come with her because the woman who she went to is not only a masseuse, but an accupuncturist, an herbalist, and a licensed medical doctor. I hadn't been feeling well, you see, and Kim thought the doc might have something that could help me out.
So we go visit Doctor Lily, and her shop is quite interesting, to say the least. It was like something out of a book. Yes. That is a very large and very dead snake in a jar. Here's the interesting thing, it requires a little back story:
There is something wrong with my liver. Its not a big deal, nothing serious, but it makes me feel bad from time to time. I thought it was my stomach, and for 10 years in the states, no doctor has been able to tell me what is wrong with me. I go to China, have my required physical exam the day after entry, and BAM they figured it out, its my liver. In other words:
American Doctors + 10 Years = No results.
Chinese Doctors + 5 Minutes = Got my answer.
So, fastforward to Dr. Lily's office. The doctor looks in my eyes and says "You've got the fire inside". I took that to mean she knew I had a fever. Believe me, it wasn't a come-on. Then she takes my pulse. After 15 seconds she says, "Hmm, thin pulse. Your liver's chi is off".
Lets review:
American Doctors - 10 years and nothing.
Chinese Government Doctors - 5 Minutes.
Dr. Lily - 15 Seconds.
So Doctor Lily prescribes some herbal remedy for my fever. She used the word "Tea" to describe her cure, but this concoction was as much "tea" as a dead rotting cow is a "hamburger". Let me tell you, this was the most disgusting stuff I have ever tasted in my life. I had to hold my nose and gulp it down - a lot of it. The first time I didn't hold my nose and it almost came right back up. Good lord was that bad.
But my fever went away.
Doctor Lily also prescribed some tea for my liver. Two months worth.
Then we'll see how that Chi is doing.
6 comments:
Wowzers!!!! I've heard similar stories here in Taipei. I find it amazing. But, one caveat to this is, be careful. That snake in the jar... um... they use the blood from snakes for stuff... the chinese think they have healing powers (from what I'm told). Here in Taipei there's a specific market where they cut open snakes right in front of you and have you drink the blood. It's called "Snake Alley". That can't be good...
-cr
I know. I didn't mention it in the post, but the tea I drank was so disgusting, I was wondering if it didn't have some kind of snake-by-product in it. In fact, the concoction tasted a bit like what I imagine a very dirty slimy snake would taste like.
Not that I've ever eaten a snake (well, I have, but it was cooked and minced with tofu and didn't include the outside slimy part).
well, at least the fever's gone and the chi is good. do a little steam yoga and you'll be set.
That's excellent. I seem to recall one of my favorite fictional characters, Yossarian has something wrong with his liver too. So a fave fictional and a fave nonfictional with liver problems...
Did your massage have a happy ending? Details, man!
I hope your liver feels better.
Reyrey- Yoga kicks my ass. I'm not in the shape for it quite yet- almost, getting there, but no.
Jar- Oh, I didn't get a massage. That was kim and her friends. I don't like it when strangers touch me. I'm just gonna appreciate the "favorite non-fict character bit" and ignore that second part, you sick twist.
Gabs- Thanks! I'm going to start drinking the tea today!
Post a Comment