Tonification of qi, blood, yin, and yang, has always been one of the goals in the treatment of an individual who is lacking in one or more of these “substances.” That’s probably a mouthful for most readers, but please bear with me. I’ll try to convey what this means. Let’s take qi (chee), for example. For simplicity’s sake, qi is the energy in our body, the vital force which gives us life. (More advanced readers, please forgive the obvious limitation of this definition...) If one has a deficiency of qi, it’s easy to imagine what that means. One is tired, lifeless — nothing is working too well. Movement may be slow, the voice weak. Acupuncture doesn’t tonify very well, because tonification requires that something be added to the body. So, Oriental Medicine tonifies qi primarily with Chinese Herbal Medicine. And it does this quite well.
The concept of tonification is relatively unknown in conventional medicine, but to the Doctor of Oriental Medicine for whom this is a common objective of daily practice, witnessing the tonifying effects of IV nutrients can be quite astonishing. Often, the effects are instant and sometimes a little hard to believe. This is in striking contrast to the slow, thorough results of Chinese Herbal Medicine. The two may be used together to provide both immediacy and longevity to treatment.
Introducing substances directly into the bloodstream allows the body to accomplish healing and metabolic processes which are virtually unattainable through the oral administration of the same substances. Because the nutrients are directly available to cells, rather than having to pass through the laborious filters of the gastrointestinal system and the liver, their effect is immediate and undiluted. The window for this process is relatively small, but the change can be dramatic. Done with regularity, this technique can produce profound shifts in overall health.
A great deal of variety is available when administering this option. Substances can be given in a slow drip, or a more rapid “push.” The latter tends to have more dramatic results. Substances chosen for the client range from the general, as in a “Myer’s Cocktail,” to more specific combinations of nutrients, designed for a precise effect on general health or on a condition from which the client is seeking relief.
IV nutrients are used for purposes other than tonification, as well. To the open, creative practitioner, this tool presents a welcome addition to one’s ability to effect the principles of Oriental Medicine in our time.
Happy Hour at Future Medicine Now is offered to current clients on Friday afternoons from 4:00 until 6:00. During this time, standard Myer’s Cocktails are offered at a reduced rate. Contrary to conventional happy hours, this one is a significant contribution to one’s health, in a relaxing surrounding — a wonderful setup for a rejuvenating, invigorating weekend!
The Myer’s Cocktail is Dr. Alan Gaby’s extrapolation of a formula used by Dr. John Myer, now deceased. Consisting of vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, trace minerals, and B vitamins, the Myer’s is often used as a starting point for more elaborate, custom formulations. For more details, you may wish to read Dr. Gaby’s article.
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