This is fascinating to read as I've been working with an herbalist while we've been living in Scotland. Herbalism has tons of credibility in the UK and is strictly licensed. I have a wonderful tincture of herbs that I've been taking to help with my insomnia and it has helped to get me off the Trazodone I had been taking. But I'm also worried about the limited supply of the tincture that I'll be able to take with me when we move on to our next country. I love my herbs! This also reminds me of the doctor of Chinese Medicine I saw several times in Thailand and he performed acupuncture on me. It's interesting what they can learn from your pulse and your tongue. I'm finding that non-traditional medicine (for Americans) opens some interesting new doors to health!
Great and fun article! BTW as a lifelong very poor sleeper, (having done ALL the sleep hygiene things through many years, as well as medication which was awful) I consulted with a premier sleep specialist fairly recently who also told me- to sleep like a baby. In other words, if tired, go ahead and sleep/nap whenever I felt the need or had the opportunity…flying in the face of all of the sleep restriction mandates to “regulate” my sleep patterns. He said it was far better to do that than to be sleep deprived. Of course, it is not easy to do but I now feel freer to nap for a bit if I have the opportunity and not feel like I am going to ruin my next night’s sleep….since for me, it doesn’t work that way anyway. Good luck with the chronic itching as well!
I’m no Chinese doctor, but my guess is you and Michael are equally complicated. And I tend to see that as a good thing! But our quirks do influence our physical health and how should we deal with that? It’s good we keep looking for solutions, I think, along with accepting ourselves as we are.
In roughly 1995, a colleague in Washington DC recommended that I go to her TCM doc in DC’s China Town (before it went all PF Chang’s) for my raging eczema. He spoke not a word of English, looked at my tongue and took my pulse, went to his wall of drawers filled with herbs, and gave me a slip of paper with a pre-printed set of instructions to boil for tea once a day for a week (or month…I forgot). I remember I paid him $40 in cash, which seemed like a fortune to my 22-year old self. But damn, my eczema went away for more than a year. My skin was beautiful. By then, I had lost his contact info and never returned. Since then, however, I have had a deep respect for TCM. I haven’t gone to any such TCM doctors since that experience, but your article has sparked my interest again. As always, great reading. Thank you!
Great article! Thanks again for writing. Curious if you guys ran into this east v west thing specifically in Spain as most pharmacies will “strongly encourage” herbal remedies over pharmaceuticals. And when they do dispense pharmaceuticals, they are a significantly lower dose than the US “knock you out” levels. I learned about this when I had my first real bout with the flu and was looking for something to help with traditional cold symptoms but what I received did nothing. My bad for not reading the ingredients closely for sure but I was in a real state. When I returned to ask for something stronger I was told I would need a prescription for acetaminophen, etc.. I guess they are ahead of the US in preventing autism? Kidding. But I do now understand why many nomads stock up on specific meds while in their home countries.
Once Bastyr prescribed the right combo of fresh herbs/tincture for tea, they let me order from afar.
That said, I had to remember the body changes as it heals (thus their prescription might need to cease/change), herbs might not be allowed across borders, or might not remain fresh over time if I tried to purchase in bulk.
So I try to remind myself to seek out a practitioner if needed, wherever I am, so they can check my pulse, analyze my tongue, and see what's up. But that's one of the tough things about roaming!
So grateful to hear Michael's prescription as I can totally relate. Love this update!
This is fascinating to read as I've been working with an herbalist while we've been living in Scotland. Herbalism has tons of credibility in the UK and is strictly licensed. I have a wonderful tincture of herbs that I've been taking to help with my insomnia and it has helped to get me off the Trazodone I had been taking. But I'm also worried about the limited supply of the tincture that I'll be able to take with me when we move on to our next country. I love my herbs! This also reminds me of the doctor of Chinese Medicine I saw several times in Thailand and he performed acupuncture on me. It's interesting what they can learn from your pulse and your tongue. I'm finding that non-traditional medicine (for Americans) opens some interesting new doors to health!
Right?? What do we do when we have to leave the country?!
You're absolutely right about it opening new doors and forcing a new perspective. Just wonderful.
A wonderful piece, Brent. I love both your styles of writing and sense of humor.
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Great and fun article! BTW as a lifelong very poor sleeper, (having done ALL the sleep hygiene things through many years, as well as medication which was awful) I consulted with a premier sleep specialist fairly recently who also told me- to sleep like a baby. In other words, if tired, go ahead and sleep/nap whenever I felt the need or had the opportunity…flying in the face of all of the sleep restriction mandates to “regulate” my sleep patterns. He said it was far better to do that than to be sleep deprived. Of course, it is not easy to do but I now feel freer to nap for a bit if I have the opportunity and not feel like I am going to ruin my next night’s sleep….since for me, it doesn’t work that way anyway. Good luck with the chronic itching as well!
Interesting! Maybe word is getting out. Thank you -- you as well. Chronic issues suck.
I’m no Chinese doctor, but my guess is you and Michael are equally complicated. And I tend to see that as a good thing! But our quirks do influence our physical health and how should we deal with that? It’s good we keep looking for solutions, I think, along with accepting ourselves as we are.
With some teasing along the way!
It's true, though, about our quirks affecting our health. No question at all!
(And sometimes EACH OTHER'S health, I suppose...)
Yes… so we help each other to stay as healthy as possible on all levels.
Exactly.
In roughly 1995, a colleague in Washington DC recommended that I go to her TCM doc in DC’s China Town (before it went all PF Chang’s) for my raging eczema. He spoke not a word of English, looked at my tongue and took my pulse, went to his wall of drawers filled with herbs, and gave me a slip of paper with a pre-printed set of instructions to boil for tea once a day for a week (or month…I forgot). I remember I paid him $40 in cash, which seemed like a fortune to my 22-year old self. But damn, my eczema went away for more than a year. My skin was beautiful. By then, I had lost his contact info and never returned. Since then, however, I have had a deep respect for TCM. I haven’t gone to any such TCM doctors since that experience, but your article has sparked my interest again. As always, great reading. Thank you!
Lots of giggles. Thank you. Lyn and I just completed our wellness exams in Turkey (Fethiye). Not much giggling. Yikes
Great article! Thanks again for writing. Curious if you guys ran into this east v west thing specifically in Spain as most pharmacies will “strongly encourage” herbal remedies over pharmaceuticals. And when they do dispense pharmaceuticals, they are a significantly lower dose than the US “knock you out” levels. I learned about this when I had my first real bout with the flu and was looking for something to help with traditional cold symptoms but what I received did nothing. My bad for not reading the ingredients closely for sure but I was in a real state. When I returned to ask for something stronger I was told I would need a prescription for acetaminophen, etc.. I guess they are ahead of the US in preventing autism? Kidding. But I do now understand why many nomads stock up on specific meds while in their home countries.
Lol ... the best laugh!
Once Bastyr prescribed the right combo of fresh herbs/tincture for tea, they let me order from afar.
That said, I had to remember the body changes as it heals (thus their prescription might need to cease/change), herbs might not be allowed across borders, or might not remain fresh over time if I tried to purchase in bulk.
So I try to remind myself to seek out a practitioner if needed, wherever I am, so they can check my pulse, analyze my tongue, and see what's up. But that's one of the tough things about roaming!
So grateful to hear Michael's prescription as I can totally relate. Love this update!