On our way to my son’s speech therapy a few weeks ago, we passed by a Chinese herbal/acupuncture shop. This is a common sight in London. You’re bound to see one in almost every town.

Anyway, knowing that I’m toying with the idea of trying acupuncture to cure or alleviate my hayfever, hubby suggested we enquire. The consultation was free, which was a bonus because the last time I asked a similar shop (in 2003) I was told I have to pay to consult. So a very Chinese (by this I mean, I can hardly understand her accent) lady with a sweet-smile welcomed me. She took my pulse looked at my tongue & asked about my symptoms. She even commented on my dry skin. She told me that “herbs” will do me good. But that if it doesn’t work, I should go for acupuncture.

We waited for 20 minutes(!) while the shop assistant measured the herbs. 7 days’ worth cost me £52. I nearly keeled over from shock, perhaps it registered on my face, too. When he talked about the acupuncture, he said we can do it in installment or get it “in bulk” to get one session free. A session is £25 and if I go for 5 sessions, I get an extra 6th session for free. Wow!

I took the woman’s name, whom the guy kept referring to as “Dr”, before I left. I contacted the British Medical Acupuncuture Society and found out that the woman is not registered. It doesn’t mean she’s a fake. It just means she’s not regulated. I will not go to her for acupuncture but I’ve been wanting to kick myself what I’m about to tell you next.

The herbs. The assistant said it will be “very bad tasting” & suggested I use some honey to make it more palatable. When I brewed my first cup, I was gagging from the smell coming from the pot! When I drank it, I was wishing it was boiled oregano instead. It was ssooooo baaaddd. Even now as I type this, I am cringing from the memorable aftertaste, so memorable I’d be gagging an hour after I sip it. I could almost feel my stomach churning (binabaligtad ang sikmura ko). I’d like to describe it further but my 3-year old summed it up when he smelt the steam and came away saying “smell yuckie! ” while waving his hand in front of his crumpled face.

Still I’m desperate & the herbalist said I will have immediate relief. I gulped & gulped. Using anything as chaser - water, grapes, cucumber, kornik, etc. After 4 days, I still feel the same, blocked nose & itchy eyes. I threw my £52 in the bin. What was I thinking?!

This is the shop & that’s hubby looking bored inside the shop

My “prescription”. Can you read chinese scripts?

Can you see the paper plates with many dried whatevers? Those are mine.

P.S. I followed Belle’s suggestion and I’m currently trying Noni Juice, too. More about it next time.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 12th, 2007 at 8:06 pm and is filed under hayfever. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.