The Hathian Observer exists to support the town in which we operate, even if that town does from time to time seem to exist to murder or otherwise harm itself (or our staff). By navigating the various competing factions, interests and individuals in the city we try and bring you the good, among the bad. We also try not to apply an overbearing judgement against individuals who appear to be trying to reform. This is how this article comes about.
Alice Crow, who has often (really often) been in trouble with the law wrote to the Observer to advise she was opening a new business near the Hathian General Hospital (‘HGH’). Her business would focus on providing various Traditional Chinese Medicine (‘TCM’) treatments for a range of conditions and would supplement the Western branch of medicine more widely available in Hathian.
I, with my background, was rather surprised to hear that TCM would be offered in Hathian and was even more surprised that it would be provided by Alice.
What is TCM?
Per Wikipedia TCM is described as a broad range of medicine practices sharing common concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (tui na), exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy.
This is all very well and I note that as often the case with a Western leaning website within the first paragraph there is already a general rebuttal of the concept.
Now, modern drugs and western medicine provides relief and cures for millions with diseases eradicated through antibiotics and more. People in China do not dispute this, yet often we see the latest fad diet treated with more respect than a form of medicine that has existed for thousands of years. Go figure. But at least to me, a range of TCM treatments are worthy and I have used in the past and would continue to use for various things. Would this stop me going to use antibiotics? No. Might it help me not need them in the first place? Possibly.
Alice Crow – Business Owner, ‘Chung Tao’
Meeting with Alice in her shop (Chung Tao) I went through some questions that I felt were important to ask, starting with her, before we even got onto the shop itself. Firstly though I had to ask why she was wearing a see-through dress and bikini, but after a quick wardrobe change, it was down to business.
Alice: “It’s a Chinese herbal medicine shop, I specialize in alternative healing…”
Observer: “Ok, before we get into the specific details of that, elephant in the room ok Alice. Why this and how’re you licensed for Traditional Chinese Medicine? Normally a TCM practitioner goes through a number of years of training…”
Alice: “My grandmother… I’m more of an apprentice but I do own this shop, my father was Asian, lived in China until he became an adult and then he moved here to Louisiana, met my mother and then abandoned her after she became pregnant with me and my twin… Then my father killed himself. Years later I discover I had this whole other family and I inherited the whole business, there’s also another in China but this is the US newly opened branch…”
Alice seemed determined to share more than perhaps was needed, but it helped me continue to see her as a real person, not always the horror that some would have you believe.
Observer: “So, tell me what you offer in more detail then, you mentioned alternative healing… like how and what?”
Alice: “We’re more of a pharmacy in a way, we offer alternate medicines, we aren’t a massage parlour we give medicine to the sick, to the people that the hospital failed. People who don’t trust the big people running the massive corporations… Say you wanted something for the pain, I would make you a concoction, then I would suggest how to prepare it which in this case would be steeping it as you would tea….”
The use of brewing in TCM is a core part. The little drawers you see behind Alice in the photos will contain ingredients across a range of components. I have full sympathy for those who do not see how such an approach can work, but if you take a step back; we accept that honey has healing properties so is it really hard to believe that in skilled hands, certain other things could as well?
Observer: “Ok, I was wondering where you might source all your regents and components from? It’s rare to find such a well stocked set of cabinets. Also, does this work help you Alice, does it make you feel better and more grounded?” Keep you feeling positive and doing something useful?”
“I get my ingredients imported from China and other countries… and I guess it gives me a purpose to keep going. Without purpose I end up being reckless, like trying to drive a vehicle into a protest because I didn’t care if lived or died…”
Alice
This is an important comment, reflecting (I hope) Alice’s desire to keep doing the right thing and work to be a better person. We all should want that for each other. As the time was progressing, we decided to conclude our interview with a lure; why should you come to Alice’s business?
Observer: “So, can you perhaps Alice, tell me and our readers why they should come here, what about your business or your skills is the key point? What is that, close the deal, factor?”
Alice: “Well I do have a legitimate medical degree. I went to university when I lived in Michigan for a while. So I do understand Western medicine but I suppose I want to offer an alternative. I just feel like some people want something different.”
Conclusion
I left the business, which you can find near HGH in the #D8 zone cautiously optimistic that Alice can figuratively as well as obviously literally turn a new leaf. Everyone deserves it, even though she has had many chances. We shouldn’t write people off where we can and unless Alice has another set of corpses under her business (maybe FDH should do a check for Health and Safety like they did at the Observer?) then I can recommend you at least approach Alice and see if anything might be bothering you that could use treatment. Acupuncture, Acupressure, Cupping and the herbal remedies; they might be what you need, especially if other treatment has failed.
