Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D. earned his advanced degree in experimental psychology from Brigham Young University. His specialized area was psychopharmacology, with related studies in biochemistry, neurology, anatomy and physiology. His interest in medicinal botany began while in graduate school and his dissertation reflected that interest. Over the next several years his research in this area lead to the publications of several books, among which are: Herbal Tonic Therapies, The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, Guaranteed Potency Herbs: Next Generation Herbal Medicine, and Fat Management: The Thermogenic Factor

OF THE JURAK CLASSIC       In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one approaches this massive system with trepidation. It is so easy, from a Western perspective, to get it all wrong. Whole books - big books - have been devoted to expounding the intricacies of this ancient way of life. I say "way of life' in all seriousness. TCM encompasses not just herbal medicine, but all aspects of daily life - work, home and play. In this article we want to explore how the Jurak Classic fits within the framework of TCM. My purpose is not to isolate one aspect of TCM and forget about everything else of importance that TCM has to offer. However, about all I can do here is suggest how the TCM model can benefit those of us who desire to gain the greatest benefit from the consumption of the Jurak tonic. First, let's look at some parallels between TCM and the Jurak Classic. t is said in TCM that Chinese medicine seeks to reestablish harmony and equilibrium for each individual. Does that sound familiar? TCM says that the principles of good medicine do not have to await the arrival of illness. That also should sound familiar to you. In essence, in TCM the focus is on balance. Performed correctly, the body is brought into balance and then maintained in that state. We don't have to wait to get sick before we attend to our health. Prevention, not cure, is the number one goal of good healthy living. In TCM, herbal medicines and acupuncture are two principle ways to maintain harmony. For us, we will stick with the Jurak Whole Body Tonic, and as for me, I will get a good massage now and then, in place of the needles, thank you. One of the principles you are learning as you become familiar with the bi-directional nature of the tonic is how different this is from orthodox views about health and healing. The subtlety and complexity of the whole body tonic defy orthodox analysis but are grounded in sound science and philosophy. The frame of reference used to approach the tonic is simply too complex for modern medicine to firmly grasp, as it is with TCM. The system has evolved over at least 3000 years. It is highly complex and sublime in its philosophy and practice. Frame of reference is everything. Yet, I believe that some of the principles of TCM translate directly into what we are experiencing with the Jurak Classic Whole Body Tonic. We have an opportunity to mold our lives around this product in much the same way that TCM governs the lives of its adherents In future articles we will return to TCM, yin and yang, and related ideas and explore examples in greater detail. My purpose in this article is to suggest something about TCM and may prove useful to members of the Jurak family (which I assume includes all of us who are habitual Classic consumers). Here's the question: How do I optimize the benefits to be derived from consuming the tonic? The easy answer is, "I will take it every day, without fail." Not a bad response, from a Western point of view; but a totally lacking response from a TCM perspective. Above, I stated "in TCM . . . Chinese medicine seeks to reestablish harmony and equilibrium for each individual." To that should be appended the following modifier: "within his or her unique environment." The idea is that we are all different. We eat, breath and live in unique circumstances. All of the properties of our unique situation interact with one another, either for our betterment or our detriment. No one aspect of our unique environment stands alone, and that includes the tonic. You may think that you just get up in the morning, swig down the tonic and go on about your daily routine as if there were no connection between that act and anything else you do. If you are to believe the philosophy behind TCM, we must accept that fact that ignoring the connections between the events that define our unique environment will ultimately prevent us from deriving the full energy and benefit from the tonic. You have a choice. You can consume the tonic from a purely Western point of view. Or you can take a page out of TCM. The first option isn't bad. But the second option is better. Why? Because the Chinese have developed a very sophisticated system to be used with the whole body tonic principle. The Jurak Classic fits the mold. So now we have arrived at the crux of the matter. And here is the recommendation from a TCM angle: Make the Jurak Classic a central part of your life, around which all other events revolve. It is a defining moment in your day, whether it is consumed once, twice or three times during the day. Your philosophy is to optimize the ability of the tonic to harmonize all other events of the day. Harmony is much more than the acid-base balance of the blood: it is the complex interaction of all of the events of the day that would affect that balance. The advantages of moving the tonic to the central, defining act of your daily routine are numerous. Here are couple of obvious ones: You will pay more attention to what and how much you eat; you will become more aware of the waxing and waning of appetite, sleep, and energy; and you will be motivated to exercise more. You are the luckiest people in the West. You have a whole body tonic that is totally lacking in the lives of most Westerners. Without having to study the complexities of TCM, you have an opportunity to test a few of the principles of this ancient system and see if they work for you. Good Health.