I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chapter 487 - 205: Selecting Herbal Medicine Requires Care

"Of course, sulfur itself is a mineral traditional medicine with a sour, warm, and toxic nature, attributed to the kidneys and Large Intestine Meridian. Its effectiveness is mainly external, able to kill parasites and relieve itching. It can be used for scabies, eczema, and itchy skin, just like the commonly seen sulfur soap that makes use of these properties of sulfur.

According to ancient medical books, taking sulfur internally can be used for impotence with cold extremities, asthma with cold cough, and constipation due to cold deficiency, by refining it into pills or powder. Historically, there were emperors who used sulfur to refine elixirs to enhance their vitality, but it needed to undergo strict deodorizing and sterilizing processes before it could be used internally for treatment, with a strictly regulated dosage.

In ancient times, people discovered that traditional medicines fumigated with sulfur had a better appearance and were more storable. Due to limitations in processing technology and production levels, sulfur fumigation was used to achieve pest prevention, mold prevention, whitening, and easy drying.

However, this cannot change the fact that sulfur is a toxic chemical substance. Long-term exposure to sulfur-containing traditional medicines can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and in severe cases, it can harm the liver and kidneys, cause chronic rhinitis and pharyngitis, and increase the risk of lung cancer. Medicines fumigated with sulfur can also suffer from decreased efficacy and excessive heavy metals.

The reason why traditional Chinese medicines today, using the same dosage, cannot cure diseases, is not only related to the doctor’s medical skills but also concerns the medicine’s efficacy.

If the same dosage of medicine cannot achieve the desired effect, naturally it will not be effective.

This is related to the sulfur fumigation of medicines nowadays, as well as the quality of the medicines themselves. Grandpa’s medicine, let me fetch it; you never know if the medicine they provide you is good.

Poor quality medicine doesn’t matter too much, as one can just use a bit more, but sulfur-fumigated medicine not only has reduced efficacy but will also place a greater burden on the old man, and by then, not only won’t the illness be cured, but other symptoms might develop."

Lu Guoquan originally wanted to insist, after all, he knew that Lu Xuan hadn’t visited the city for years, but after hearing these words, he immediately gave up on the idea of fetching the medicine himself: "Alright, then the task of fetching the medicine is up to you. I’ll go to the market and buy a pot for brewing the medicine."

With that, he turned and looked at Lu Ran: "Xiao Ran, you’re familiar with the city. Drive Xiaoxuan there to get the medicine. It’s not as convenient as in the big city to get a taxi in the county."

"Okay, leave it to me." Lu Ran readily agreed.

Lu Guoquan handed the prescription back to Lu Xuan and said to Lin Yongzhen, "Yongzhen, please stay for dinner."

Lin Yongzhen had originally planned to return in the evening, but Lu Xuan’s appearance changed his mind.

If possible, he even considered staying overnight at the Lu Family.

...

Lu Xuan and the four others went out.

Lu Guoquan rode his little electric scooter alone to the market to buy a medicine pot, while Lu Xuan and the group took Lu Ran’s small sedan straight to the pharmacy.

The task of fetching the medicine was originally just for Lu Xuan and Lu Ran.

However, as they were leaving, Ji Xiuwen came along. He studied traditional Chinese medicine and, being Lu Xuan’s assistant, naturally didn’t want to miss out on fetching the medicine.

As for Lin Yongzhen, he said he wanted to come along to see the sights, and also wanted to see how his cousin recognized traditional Chinese medicines.

Anjiang County is not small, but the town of Anjiang isn’t large either.

Although it had been many years since he walked around the streets, and many places had changed a lot, with many shops gone from memory, and some landmark buildings completely demolished.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, Lu Xuan could vaguely still see traces of the county during his high school years.

The streets were the same as before, and apart from being newer and wider, there weren’t any major changes.

If there was something unfamiliar, it would probably be just the new town that seemed unfamiliar.

Yet, Anjiang’s town is small, and the number of permanent residents isn’t much. Even though the new town was developed, its flow of people isn’t abundant. Most of the time, the older streets retain more popularity.

"How does it feel? Has Anjiang gotten more prosperous than before?" While driving, Lu Ran asked with a smile, glancing at Lu Xuan who seemed deep in thought.

"It’s more prosperous than when I was in high school."

Lu Xuan came to his senses: "But the place is still the same, not much has changed."

"That’s because you haven’t been to the new town. Once you go, you’ll see the changes."

Talking about the new town, Lu Ran clearly had a lot to say: "Your aunt works over there, and the planning there is much better than in the old town."

"But the popularity isn’t quite there, is it?" Lu Xuan chuckled and said.

"How did you know?"

"Did your parents tell you?"

Lu Ran looked surprised.

Lu Xuan shrugged and said: "Isn’t it obvious? Anjiang County is only so big, with a population that’s not large. If not for necessities like schooling or buying a house, the new town wouldn’t have many people. Even now, it can’t compare to the old town, and besides, those businesses wouldn’t relocate to the new town. If they did, without foot traffic, wouldn’t the owners starve?

Just some companies moving there isn’t a big deal, but with dining and entertainment not moving there, your work might be inconvenient. Usually, you’d either eat at the company, order takeout, or have to drive out to eat."

Lu Ran was momentarily taken aback, then said: "That’s true, the new town isn’t convenient, but fortunately a new mall opened there. The recruitment inside is okay, but there aren’t many businesses, just a few.

But on weekends, the people do come. Especially the supermarket in the mall’s basement, it’s crowded on weekends."

Lu Xuan smiled noncommittally, knowing such things without needing much thought.

Anjiang County is just so large, and being a poor county, how bustling can the new town be?

Not just Anjiang, even some counties in Zhijiang, where the new town’s development is in full swing, hardly see a rise in popularity.

It’s not that there are no people, but many businesses are unwilling to move there.

Especially when the new town lacks popularity, it’s even more so.

Not just talking about small towns; even in a metropolis like Yong City, new town developments took years without gaining much traction. Many large malls almost look like ghost markets with many businesses closing down within a year of opening.

It’s unavoidable, without popularity, even lots of money wouldn’t be enough to sustain.

Even if the mall’s initial rent is low, other business expenses are no less.

"Let’s not talk about this. You’re something else! In just a few months, you’ve learned to diagnose cancer, and you’re even going to head the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. If I tell my friends and girlfriends, they’ll think I’m bragging."

Mentioning some of Lu Xuan’s activities in Yong City, Lu Ran still felt amazed.

In response to what his aunt said, Lu Xuan could only offer a slight smile, still gazing out the car window, seemingly lost in his memories.

This was his first time visiting Anjiang County’s streets since graduating high school; seven or eight years have passed, yet everything had changed over time.

Some things remained unchanged, but those familiar scenes had long disappeared with the passage of time.

The car navigated the streets for less than three minutes before parking by the roadside.

Opposite the parking spot was the Chinese pharmacy Lu Guoquan mentioned, also the only Chinese pharmacy in Anjiang County.

The group crossed the road and arrived at Huian Pharmacy.

Huian Pharmacy is a chain store; there are several branches in Anjiang County, and some in towns, but only the main branch offers Chinese medicine. The others just have Western and some patent medicines.

Before stepping into the pharmacy, they could already hear the clamor coming from inside.

The pharmacy’s business is thriving, surprisingly so.

Not just in this small county; even in Yong City, there’s a pharmacy every few steps.

It’s not necessarily a good thing, even arguably sad.

Seeing this, Lu Xuan, feeling resigned, couldn’t help but sigh.